I was recently denied surgery by my insurance company and I'm considering going to Mexico. I'd like to hear any stories or information any of the Mexican Bandsters would like to share (good or bad) that might help me make a decision as to which Doctor to choose (there seem to be many good ones). I've also heard that many include free fills after surgery (of course you pay your own airfare for the fills) Is this true?

Thanks for all your posts. I love reading them and I love this site!

Marsha

I had a lenghty visit with his son, Roberto, who told me his father was going out to one of their ranches to pay the employees. His anethsiologis was with him. He got out of the vehicle to open a gate and was ambushed, shot and robbed. The other Dr. was able to get him back into the vehicle and drive the 1 1/2 hour back to town, but by then he had passed away.

In January, they cops were following a few leads, but had not identified any suspects. Roberto had some ideas of who would want his father dead.

I was banded by Dr. Contreras Guarista at the Versalles Center in Tijuana, Mexico on January 12, 2008. He is an excellent doctor and was extremely friendly. I felt very comfortable with him. I lost 10 lbs my first week. I am thrilled!!!

Was Dr. Aceves anyones Doctor?

Was Dr. Aceves anyones Doctor?

Yes I was banded by him 12/6/07.No complaints!!!! Down 25lbs and going for first fill tomm.

I know that you are looking at Kuri and Sanchez but I used Dr. de la Garzia in Monterrey. He works out of OCA Hospital. My total cost not including airfare was $8,200.00. This price included the day before surgery in the hotel, which is located on the 4th floor of the hospital, very nice rooms, two beds for family or friends to stay with you, then the day of surgery you were sent to a private, very large recovery room until the third day where you were sent back down to your "hotel room" until you left on the 4th day. Fills are done under floro and there is no charge for your fills for life. I have only gone down for one fill with him because of the price of airfare vs. what my fill doctor charges. When my husband gets his new job I may be flying to Mexico for fills because it looks like it will be cheaper than paying a fill doctor in US. It will also be a mini vacation for me. When you go down for your fills, your fill is free and you also get a night at the hospital "hotel room" for free. You will only have to pay for any meals you order from the hospital. If you want to check out his web site it is litenfree.com.

Valarie

I was just banded by Dr. Joya...if you want to know about my expeience, you can watch my viedeos on You Tube. Just search for "Sunfyre8". Let me know if you have any questions!

Teresa

Dr. Ortiz here. Lap Band Surgery - Obesity Control Center

He was recommended by my personal doctor (whom I've been friends with for over 30 years) as someone who has done thousands of bands and taught US doctors. I can't say enough of how great he and his staff are.

Hi Marsha,

I had my surgery in Mexico -- with the best group, I think -- Obesity Goodbye -- the doctors are so kind, so considerate... don't treat you like you have a handicap or something. I've lost 120 lbs and will never regain it. I've taken a couple of nurses and they were so impressed with the OR and all the other facilities. Their package includes ground transportation (you pay for your own flights all the time), pre-opt testing, consultation with an internal medicine specialists, local escort, services from a patient coordinator, two nights in a resort hotel, one night in a very nice/clean hospital, post opt nutritional counseling and discharge instructions, plus more for $8,800 about half of what you would pay here. I like to accompany their patients from the U.S. because I speak Spanish, plus I like to take everybody to the spa and/or shopping (because I like to do that too). Their offices are in Tijuana, just across the border from San Diego. No passport needed, yet.

I also forgot to tell you, Marsha, that one of my surgeons, Dr. Sergio Verboonan, we call him "Dr. V" has a band himself, so he knows just how his patients feel. I've gone out to dinner with him a couple of times and we both eat like birds... really cool... he's lost over 110 lbs.

OK, Marsha, I keep remembering stuff... like if you get a fill at the Obesity Goodbye Center you have to pay the flouro fee, which is $50 for the first time... and of course your travel expenses, whether you fly or drive. But, this team of doctors have done over 6,000 banding procedures and you can choose whatever band type you want from the two that are FDA approved, or the two others.

I was also banded by Dr. Aceves on 12/29. It went fantastically well - he and his team are incredibly kind and I could not have asked for anything better from his team, or the hospital. Even the hotel the night before was great.

I have started my Journey. Due to lack of insurance (self employed):biggrin:, I will be going to Mexico for my LapBand surgery. I am scared. But I have no other choice( I feel ). AND it looks like I will be going on my own, NO LESS. But this is so worth it. I have tentatively scheduled my surgery for the week of Thanksgiving. I am using Dr Mario Alberto Almanza Reyes, Mexicoweightlosssurgery.com or alighterme.com. Does anyone have any reviews or comments about this company before I put in my deposit? I am to fly into San Diego, Ca and they will take me across the border to Tijuana. Anyone?

A year and 10 months ago I ventured by myself to Monterray Mx for my surgery. Other than the liason not doing a good job, everything went really well. I have no complaints at all. I found the hospital and staff to be excellent and they took good care of me. The night after my surgery, the surgeon and his assistant came to the hotel (across the street) to check on me and see if I had any remaining questions. They provided me meds and contact numbers.

The flight home was long (about 12 hours) which was very fatiguing but it would be under the best of circumstances. My only complaint is that the minute I had the surgery, my something or another changed and I went from being generally hot to being cold and I would suggest that you dress accordingly. It seems I'm always cold and the plane had no extra blankets.

My husband and I were banded at the OCC in TJ by Dr. Ortiz. They treated us so good. They picked us up at airport, took us to hotel. Picked us up and had us stay at their clinic the night of the surgery and then took us back to the hotel. It was excellent medical care and I would recommend the Obesity Control Center in TJ to anyone. Dr Ortiz in my opinion is the best! Also, he is a total hunk and I loved even talking to him, he is a kick in the pants. He had me laughing about the whole thing. We had no pain what so ever. I have to say the care I got in Mexico is better than I have recieved in the US.:grouphug:

My very detailed review of my girlfriends banding experience with Dr. Ortiz in Tiajuana MX. The cost was 7500 including everything for the bander and an escort but the flight(s) and food at the hotel,

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/dr-ortiz-review-log-my-experience-74200/