Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Does anyone live close enough to drive to TJ for surgery? I'm in Phoenix and wondered if that was a do able option rather than flying to San Diego and not have to pay for my hubby to fly too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not having surgery in TJ, but I live in Orange County which is only a couple hours away from the border. I'm sure that it's totally doable to drive it. The only major problem I can think of is driving across the border since the line to get into the US is several hours long and you'll need to get up and stretch every half hour or something.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My husband and I are driving to San Diego from Laughlin, NV on 4/12 for my VSG on 4/13 with Dr. Ramos Kelly. We are staying at the Hampton and will be picked up at 7:00am by a driver who will take us across the border. I am going through Sandy with Alighterme.com and she has been wonderful in answering all my questions. Started pre-op diet today and looking forward to getting this done.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for your replies. Not sure yet what surgeon to choose or how to get there. But if I go alone, I will be flying. It's only $149 roundtrip. But if hubby goes, we will drive to San Diego and stay the night there. I have a 2 yr and 4 yr old boys..so unless we get his or my parents to watch them, I will be going by myself :( I am still in the VERY early stages of research and have alot of decisions to make.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

did yougo to TJ for the operation? i am leaving in 2 days...ex is driving me and going along...doc and speaks spanish so can find out everything i need to know from the doctor there

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm in Tucson and I am driving to Calexico/Mexicali for my surgery. My surgeon's office is picking me up in the US on Sunday for pre-op testing and blood work and then they are paying for me and my husband to stay at a hotel in Mexico overnight (I think it is a Crown Plaza). Monday morning I am picked up for surgery. When discharged from the hospital they bring me back to my car. All is included in his fee. I have received as much information as any doctor in the US and my husband is able to stay in the hospital with me during my entire stay. The rooms are equiped with pull-outs for travel companions.

My doctor is Dr. Aceves at Mexicali Bariatric. He has done sleeves on two of my friends and they have had great success. Both are just over a year post-op and below their goal weight.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

how much does he charge?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

He is $9500

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

while its great that you can stay in a hotel for one night at their expense and he can stay with you in the hospital ,..............that's still $4000 more than Dr. Almanza...think i can pay for my own room in hotel for a few nights if i choose that over the recovery house and still save money...a friend had asked why i wasnt going to mexicali....we all had trailors down in baja and traveled thru there on way to san felip so we know how good the medical center is there......have been going to mexico for over 20 yeard for dental service and getting same US meds at 1/2 the copay prices!!!!!! good luck...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

while its great that you can stay in a hotel for one night at their expense and he can stay with you in the hospital ,..............that's still $4000 more than Dr. Almanza...think i can pay for my own room in hotel for a few nights if i choose that over the recovery house and still save money...a friend had asked why i wasnt going to mexicali....we all had trailors down in baja and traveled thru there on way to san felip so we know how good the medical center is there......have been going to mexico for over 20 yeard for dental service and getting same US meds at 1/2 the copay prices!!!!!! good luck...

I want to find out a little more about Dental and meds from Mexico....I travel to Mexico for work pretty often. Thinking this would be well worth me checking into!

Good luck girl....I'm thinking about you! Sent you a text and a private message wondering how you are....no word yet.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hey girl, we JUST missed each other!!!! mine got put off cuz they found an irregularity and i had to wear a holter monitor for them to be sure it was safe for them to do the surgery.... but it was ok....i got to go back to hotel and ended up having margaritas with andres betancourt..owner of facilty...he said i could have even eaten but i had already had the broth...so i got to try the bruschetta that was there...could have had last order of chips and salsa...as it was had the salsa in the broth....hotel was wonderful...go again there in a heartbeat....all the people were great, they went out of their way to get a cardiologist for me on saturday and sunday so wouldnt have to wait even longer for the surgery.....you will have a great experience......good luck to you to.......i dont want anything and i mean anything,,,,,even Water, ,,the dye they give us is soooooooooooooo disgusting to check for the leaks,,,,hope you read this in time to use a straw when you drink it...made my teeth purple and the dentist had a hecak of a time getting it off today...we stopped in algadonas on the way home so i could see if they could......they did so know i dont look weird!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm from Tucson. My insurance is covering my surgery. I'm going through Dr Monash. Anyone else in here from Tucson and or going through Dr Monash?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in Mesa..private pay...went to tiajuana over memorial day weekend and was sleeved...started at 276.6 and down to 239.4... 480-620-3477 text or email rvpcindi@yahoo.com

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

when did you have surgery? yes i love my sleeve too...cant wait til its all gone

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×