I'll start by saying that I am a registered nurse and hold a PhD in education. Given my medical and research background, you can be sure that I did a lot of searching before deciding on who I would allow to operate on me.

Because I was a self-pay for the VSG revision (banding was via insurance), I looked into Mexican surgeons. The three U.S. surgeons I explored wanted $22,000 - $26,000 and that only included the surgery and one night in the hospital.

I wanted a surgeon who was certified in bariatrics, one who had done over 250 revisions, one who operated out of a clean hospital with an intensive care unit in case I needed that level of care, and one who insisted that the people taking care of me post-op were registered nurses. I also looked into complication rates and talked with others who had used the surgeons I was considering. Finally, I wanted to be sure that when I left Mexico, I would be safe to carry on with my life in the U.S. That meant making sure complications were prevented.

Dr. Aceves met my criteria. He did 3 different leak tests to make sure all was fine and kept me in the hospital for 3 nights. I had a chest x-ray, an EKG, a urinalysis, and blood work prior to the surgery and a complete unfill of my band after a barium esophagram. I was seen by Dr. Aceves, his assistant surgeon, the anesthesiologist, and a medical MD all prior to surgery.

My experience was text book and I have no regrets. If you're considering going to Mexico for surgery I highly recommend Dr. Aceves and his team.

Edited June 2, 200917 yr by Elisabethsew

I just want to thank everyone for their posts. I chose Dr. Aceves for revision surgery (lap to VSG) in large part due to the great information from folks on VST. I am scheduled for June 14th. So far, the experience with Nina (my PC) has been fantastic. It's dramatic how much better even the patient coordination has been compared to my experience with the two U.S. surgeons I've worked with.

Thanks again everyone!

I just want to thank everyone for their posts. I chose Dr. Aceves for revision surgery (lap to VSG) in large part due to the great information from folks on VST. I am scheduled for June 14th. So far, the experience with Nina (my PC) has been fantastic. It's dramatic how much better even the patient coordination has been compared to my experience with the two U.S. surgeons I've worked with.

Thanks again everyone!

I will be there the 10th-14th so we will be just missing each other! You won't regret it. Dr. A did my band surgery and I've been back down there twice since then. My revision surgery will be my 4th trip to Mexicali. I am 6'2" and blonde, so you can't miss me - if you see me in the hallway holler at me!

I am 7 days post-op. Dr Aceves did my surgery & 2 friends prior. We all had amazing experiences. Also, Dr Campos is his nutritionist and also has a sleeve. He saw me everyday and sometimes more often. It's not the cheapest in Mexico, but they are very experienced.

Alice - great to hear!!! How are you feeling??

Edited to add - I know we pay sometimes twice as much compared to other Mexico docs but I am a firm believer you get what you pay for! I am paying twice as much bc Aceves is the most experienced doc in Mexico by far in regards to the sleeve. I'd pay three times as much for his expertise and his team's care.

Edited June 5, 201214 yr by blondeej

I found out two weeks before my Aceves date that my insurance WOULD cover my surgery. I met with the bariatric surgeon locally and his experience couldn't hold a candle to Dr. Aceves. I certainly could have found another surgeon in the US and saved myself some $$...but I was SO comfortable with my decision to use Dr. Aceves, I went anyway and self-paid. I think there are a number of great surgeons out there (Aceves being one of them), but in the end you have to find who's right for you. And he was the guy for me. So pleased. I don't regret forking out the cash for a second. Now, I'm only two weeks out, so perhaps ask me in 4 years But that's more about me learning to use my sleeve...and thankfully have a therapist and a nutritionist locally to keep me on task to make the most of what Dr. Aceves gave me!

I just want to thank everyone for their posts. I chose Dr. Aceves for revision surgery (lap to VSG) in large part due to the great information from folks on VST. I am scheduled for June 14th. So far, the experience with Nina (my PC) has been fantastic. It's dramatic how much better even the patient coordination has been compared to my experience with the two U.S. surgeons I've worked with.

Thanks again everyone!

I'm scheduled for June 14th as well but my husband is worried about me going to Mexico for surgery. I'm also having a revision surgery (lap band to VSG). Does anyone know how far is the drive from the border to the hospital ? I don't mean from the airport. my husband doesn't feel comfortable if majority of the drive to hospital will be inside Mexico as opposed to the US.

Hi. I am sitting here in Mexicali. I am a revision too but my band was so badly eroded I will need to come back in a few months for my sleeve. that's disappointing. But the care here is second to none and the staff here is fantastic. They clean and clean the facilities and they are courteous and warm. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't hesitate to bring my closest friends or family here. I will of corse be back when I can get the sleeve after my tummy heals.

The majority of the drive is in the U.S. with ten minutes in Mexicali. Mexicali is actually a fine city and feels quite safe. I walked before dinner the day before yesterday with no issues. Since the driver picks you up and drops you off, you are never alone on the streets unless you chose to be. It's super safe and I feel safer here then in most big cities in the states.

But, mostly I appreciate Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campo (who is a total cutie and sleever too), and the lovely Blanca.

I'm scheduled for June 14th as well but my husband is worried about me going to Mexico for surgery. I'm also having a revision surgery (lap band to VSG). Does anyone know how far is the drive from the border to the hospital ? I don't mean from the airport. my husband doesn't feel comfortable if majority of the drive to hospital will be inside Mexico as opposed to the US.

Once you cross the border into Mexicali it takes Ernesto about 10 mins to get to Hospital Almater.

You could almost literally throw a rock over to the states you're so close. lol When you're at the hospital your cell will still pick up the US towers.

ETA: didn't see Sylvia's post before I posted mine! Redundant info, but I guess you get the point now! lol

Edited June 8, 201214 yr by blondeej

Hi. I am sitting here in Mexicali. I am a revision too but my band was so badly eroded I will need to come back in a few months for my sleeve. that's disappointing. But the care here is second to none and the staff here is fantastic. They clean and clean the facilities and they are courteous and warm. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't hesitate to bring my closest friends or family here. I will of corse be back when I can get the sleeve after my tummy heals.

The majority of the drive is in the U.S. with ten minutes in Mexicali. Mexicali is actually a fine city and feels quite safe. I walked before dinner the day before yesterday with no issues. Since the driver picks you up and drops you off, you are never alone on the streets unless you chose to be. It's super safe and I feel safer here then in most big cities in the states.

But, mostly I appreciate Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campo (who is a total cutie and sleever too), and the lovely Blanca.

I was already looking forward to having a companion in Mexicali. Did you move up your surgery date ? Sorry to hear that you couldn't get sleeve now. I feel better after reading your post. Thanks for all the info.

Mexicali is safe. I spent 3 weeks there when I got my face lift. I stayed at a friend's house who a nurse and moved there. We went all over Mexicali in her car. I really liked being there and felt perfectly safe, everywhere we went.

Alice - great to hear!!! How are you feeling??

Edited to add - I know we pay sometimes twice as much compared to other Mexico docs but I am a firm believer you get what you pay for! I am paying twice as much bc Aceves is the most experienced doc in Mexico by far in regards to the sleeve. I'd pay three times as much for his expertise and his team's care.

What is the cost with your doc for band revision to sleeve? I'd certainly like to pay more for a very experienced surgeon. Good luck and please let me know the costs!

Thank you,

Sara

Alice - great to hear!!! How are you feeling??

Edited to add - I know we pay sometimes twice as much compared to other Mexico docs but I am a firm believer you get what you pay for! I am paying twice as much bc Aceves is the most experienced doc in Mexico by far in regards to the sleeve. I'd pay three times as much for his expertise and his team's care.

Today is three weeks and I haven't been able to move past stage 1 comfortably. I saw a bariatric surgeon in Tucson as a follow up and he is sending me for an upper GI to see if I have a stricture. I am really scared and frustrated. I am totally regreting my decision of this surgery the last week or so. Hopefully, once they get my sleeve figured out, I will feel better.

Sara,

I am not sure about the band revision cost of surgery. The website for Dr. Aceves is www.mexicalibariatric.com and they should have everything listed for price. You could also call or email them. Nina, who schedules all the surgeries, is wonderful and quick to get you any answers that you need.

Information that I kept says: Lap Gastric Sleeve after lap band ( includes band removal) $12,500

Hope this helps.

Thank you Alice. That does help! That's a lot more than I thought it would be for Mexico, but it sounds like his patients pay for "the best" and I keep hearing about leaks when the surgeon might not be the most experienced. I don't want leaks!! I will contact them after I read the website. Thank you for the link. I might not have been able to find it on my own....I am a computer-challenged 50something being left behind by technology with every day that passes. Thanks again, Alice! Sara

Oh Alice, I', sorry you are having a rough time. What is so difficult about the sleeve that it needs all this figuring-out post-op by the doc? Any idea why you are having such a rough experience? Is it common? I don't understand what it making your sleeve so hard to make work right that your needing an upper GI in Tuscon. Will you have to go back to Aceves? What's going wrong and why do you think it's going wrong?

If it's too depressing or sad to write about in depth and it would cause you emotional pain to answer my questions then please don't answer. It sounds like you are in enough emotional pain without having to type your troubles in detail to a newby and I don't want to add to your pain. I'm just trying to understand.

I hope you feel much, much better very soon!!

Sara