Travelmego

Hey you guys, thanks for the additional information. Sorry for the delay in responding - am moving so packing - blah. Kindle - I contacted dr. Ponce de leon a few days ago and someone named Trudi (I think) responded to me. She is travelling right now and will get back to me in a few days. Her picture is on their website so I am assuming that is direct rather than a 3rd company. I really like the OCC from what I have read and seen about it. I filled out their form and they emailed me that it is 6,500. So that is like almost 3 grand more than Dr. Ponce de Leon. From what I can tell, they are both very good surgeons, so I am leaning toward the lower cost. If I thought the lower priced one was a bad set up then I would not consider it. If there is any reason I should NOT go with Dr. PDL then please let me know. Patricia - I just checked specializedbariatrics.com which jenn also mentioned and their price is 4,200. So I am going to compare reps, packages and the like. Thanks for letting me know that they detail extra costs. The worst thing is to be in another country and discover all kinds of hidden costs. I have been there so many times and I have learned to ask the prices and extra possible costs in advance. Learningtotwinkle, please let us know how it goes. I wonder why yours is 5500 and they are quoting 3700 on this forum? Did you schedule a while back? Kitlass - good to hear. I just found that my insurance company MIGHT approve a bypass afterall but not the sleeve. I don't want a bypass. I hear the sleeve is the much better option for quality of life post surgery. I am going to look to see if I can have the sleeve and if it doesn't resolve the diabetes, then get the bypass later. I am contacting Ready4Achange too. (If I skipped over anyone - totally sorry. I read each response and am very grateful for you all taking the time to reply to me with such detailed information).

Wow, everyone is so helpful on this forum. It feels good to be able to be heavy and talk about it like it is normal. You know what I mean? Ok, so both of you got your surgery dates very quickly. That is great news. Now, I just have to decide on a doctor! All of the doctors seem so excellent, it is hard to choose. I guess - if their reputations are all so good - it will come down to price in the end. That sounds odd to say, doesn't it? Thank you both for your answers. They help clarify things. Covatila - how are you adjusting to the post op diet? Anything to be aware of?

Thank you for your reply jennMc76! That is great advice about being ready post surgery with a followup with my local GP. I will definitely arrange that in advance. I wonder...if you don't mind my asking...Did the doctors require any kind of tests or physician supervised weight loss periods before getting surgery? Were they able to get you in soon? I would like to try to get surgery in June - will that be too soon to get an appointment? How far booked out do you think the average is? I know you can't possibly know that but have you heard of long delays to schedule? I am having a hard time deciding on doctor. I don't want to spend a fortune but at the same time...you get what you pay for. I look forward to hearing how everything went for you. Please let us know how it goes and any details you can think of.

Thank you Kitklass! I actually haven't made up my mind. I just saw the OCC thread so am looking into that too. I will check out Dr. Garcia as well. Can I ask how long it took you to schedule your surgery? I am assuming Mexico doesn't make you do 6 month long physician supervised diets?

Hello good people! EDITED to add: dr. Ponce de leon is pretty much out for me. There are too many conflicting accounts to make me feel comfortable going with him. Others have reported great experiences so don't let my choice deter you. Do your research - don't listen to me or anyone as gospel. Edited again: Wow. After reading these links, I can't believe I ever considered this place or any doctor who has ever been associated with it. Thank you to my friend on here who sent me a private message giving her reasons for not choosing this place or doctors and starting me off on the research journey. Mexico is my best alternative. After a cursory run through on this forum, I am leaning toward Dr. Ponce de Leon. I have a few questions if you all don't mind.... 1. In another read I read some spat over coordinators but it didn't seem to touch the doctor himself. So, what's the deal with coordinators? Do we need them? I am very well traveled in the world so I have zero fear of going to another country for surgery and navigating my way. (Can Tijuana really even be considered another country? Isn't it like a suburb of San Diego? ha. ) 2. So, all I know so far is that this doctor seems good, and the price is right. I see the Hospital Jerusalem site offers in house financing with half down and you must have a bank account and a visa card. What does this mean? How does in-house financing work? 3. Are there any hidden costs that get sprung on you once there? Gratuities, extra treatment charges, etc. 4. Is the quality of the materials used (staples and such) on level with what we would expect in the USA? Best regards!