Next obstacle -- picking the right location for the right price.

The doctors I am looking at both have GREAT reviews.

Dr. Aceves in Mexicali

OR

Dr. Almanza in Tijuana

I was quoted $9,500 for Dr. Aceves -- "The cost for laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Surgery here at our center $9,500 USD.* " (p.s. Gastric Sleeve in the town where I live is currently going for $9,900 - so considering the addition of airfare? ... no bargain / same price.

The quote for Dr. Almanza is this -- " We are also offering the Vertical Gastric Sleeve Package for only $4,999!"

Gee -- hard decision.

Also, Airfare to Mexicali is around $650 round trip, whereas round trip to San Diego looks like it is around $450

SO.... Looks like it is Dr. Almanza in Tijuana.

Do you agree?

For Dr. Almanza, if you go through www.successfullyslimmer.com, which is who I am going through, it's $4500. Check the website in case it's changed, but that's the price I got. And Christi, the patient coordinator is great. She was a sleeve patient of his too.

Next obstacle -- picking the right location for the right price.

The doctors I am looking at both have GREAT reviews.

Dr. Aceves in Mexicali

OR

Dr. Almanza in Tijuana

I was quoted $9,500 for Dr. Aceves -- "The cost for laparoscopic Gastric Sleeve Surgery here at our center $9,500 USD.* " (p.s. Gastric Sleeve in the town where I live is currently going for $9,900 - so considering the addition of airfare? ... no bargain / same price.

The quote for Dr. Almanza is this -- " We are also offering the Vertical Gastric Sleeve Package for only $4,999!"

Gee -- hard decision.

Also, Airfare to Mexicali is around $650 round trip, whereas round trip to San Diego looks like it is around $450

SO.... Looks like it is Dr. Almanza in Tijuana.

Do you agree?

I'm being sleeved by Dr Almanza next week and someone else I know personally went to him in January for her sleeve and has a glowing report of his clinic and the entire experience!

Seriously tho, I know price is always an issue with anything, but please do your research. Just becasue it may be $5.000 cheaper doesn't mean it is safer/better. Don't put your life and health at risk for a cheaper alternative.

BE CAREFUL!!

kelly

GREAT! You all are confirming my choice.

I appreciate that.

It wasn't completely cost that had me go with Dr Almanza. I was quoted more than 5K as the coordinator here provides additional support post-vsg that is part of my package price. I did my research and am happy with my decision. Good luck to whomever you choose!

FWIW, Dr. Aceves has a driver that will pick you up at the San Diego airport and drive you to Mexicali, so the airfares would be the same.

FWIW, Dr. Aceves has a driver that will pick you up at the San Diego airport and drive you to Mexicali, so the airfares would be the same.

Really? That is good to know.

But why the HUGE price difference? -- both doctors receive GLOWING reports. Both doctors have a LOT of feedback. I have found nothing negative with either one of them. People say "do your research" -- well I have and so far I cannot find the reason for the price difference.

BOTH out of San Diego.

BOTH do the same procedure.

BOTH have a lot of positive reviews.

BOTH list the same treatment & care.

That being said, wouldn't it make more sense to go with the less expensive procedure?

It wasn't completely cost that had me go with Dr Almanza. I was quoted more than 5K as the coordinator here provides additional support post-vsg that is part of my package price. I did my research and am happy with my decision. Good luck to whomever you choose!

That is one of the reasons I have chosen the sleeve over the lapband - low maintenance. I am in Texas, so there isn't any post-vsg support locally that I am aware of. That doesn't bother me because of the abundance of information on the forums. I just have to step over that line and make the airfare reservation. lol... that will be the defining moment.

Thanks again -- your feedback is GREATLY appreciated!

Really? That is good to know.

But why the HUGE price difference? -- both doctors receive GLOWING reports. Both doctors have a LOT of feedback. I have found nothing negative with either one of them. People say "do your research" -- well I have and so far I cannot find the reason for the price difference.

BOTH out of San Diego.

BOTH do the same procedure.

BOTH have a lot of positive reviews.

BOTH list the same treatment & care.

That being said, wouldn't it make more sense to go with the less expensive procedure?

I can only tell you my decision-making process. I researched other surgeons both here and on ObesityHelp and read about some serious issues with some other surgeons. I did not find anyone reporting serious issues with Dr. Aceves. I wanted my surgery done in a hospital and not a clinic and I wanted to recover in a hospital and not a recovery house. I wanted the results of my tests and X-rays explained and given to me. If I needed follow-up care or if there was a complication, I wanted to feel that I could either return to him or have him consult with my doctor in the U.S. Although it was tempting to save thousands of dollars by choosing someone else, ultimately I thought that Dr. Aceves' experience and the reported experiences of his patients made it a good "fit" for me. I figured I had only one stomach and I wanted to feel supremely confident that I was going to have it removed by somebody I trusted not to botch it.

After surgery, I had no real pain, no nausea, and I recovered uneventfully. He even repaired an extensive hiatal hernia for free while he was in there. Also, my surgery was $8750 in January when I called to discuss making an appointment.

Really? That is good to know.

But why the HUGE price difference? -- both doctors receive GLOWING reports. Both doctors have a LOT of feedback. I have found nothing negative with either one of them. People say "do your research" -- well I have and so far I cannot find the reason for the price difference.

BOTH out of San Diego.

BOTH do the same procedure.

BOTH have a lot of positive reviews.

BOTH list the same treatment & care.

That being said, wouldn't it make more sense to go with the less expensive procedure?

The standard of living in Mexicali is higher than Tijuana which is why the hospital, surgeon, etc fees will be higher. When I had my lapband done in 2005, I paid $9500 to have it done in Monterrey (known as Little America) because I wanted an atmosphere that was close to home with a doctor who was uber qualified. Now that the economy has taken a hit, I still wanted the great doctor, but didn't think twice about Tijuana. For me, personally, I wanted a full service hospital which is why I never considered Dr. Almanza. If something were to happen, I didn't want to wait for an ambulance to get to me and transport me to another place. It also made me uneasy with it being located in a strip mall. But I've read about lots of people that didn't mind that and enjoyed their experience. To each his own!

Dr. Almanza is fine. Had a VSG 6th of December for $5000, had NO problems and NO complications. The place is clean, cozy but a bit noisy, so take a pair of ear plugs to sleep better.

Price is not the only thing to consider but the level of care seems to be as good as anything I've experienced in the states.

Really? That is good to know.

But why the HUGE price difference? -- both doctors receive GLOWING reports. Both doctors have a LOT of feedback. I have found nothing negative with either one of them.

Look harder, there were major problems with Almanza a while ago. I haven't noticed everything recently (but having already had surgery, I don't necessarily seek out these threads), but people almost died, then people got death threats for attempting to sue, etc etc and in terms of less dangerous things, just in the recent few months I recall someone posting about how they were like the 6th person being operated on that day and it was super-late at night - I know I wouldn't want a fatigued surgeon late at night for an ELECTIVE procedure, I don't want to feel like I'm on an assembly line at the meat processing plant. Your choice, but I just wanted to say that yes, there ARE negative things about Almanza out there. I haven't seen anything recently, so they must've improved their practices, but I personally opted to pay an extra 4 grand to lessen the risk of having problems.

P.S. I paid $8700 for my sleeve with Aceves, they had a promo that went on for a few months. I booked my surgery in June, so maybe if you wait, you could get a bit of a discount.

Well, interesting... haven't seen those bad reports .. and YES makes me think again.

The problem is that I can get $5,000 together but NOT $8,500. Where I live, the doctors will do the surgery IN the US for $9,000 so if the Doctors in Mexico are the same price as Texas, then why keep looking?

Doesn't matter though because I simply cannot afford over $5,000 ... fact. If I could, then locally would be my best choice.

So .. sadly... depressingly... doesn't look like I have good options afterall.

Just need to sleep on it and keep shopping.... and dreaming.

Hello,

Just thought I would chime in and bring another Dr. in Tijuana, Mexico to your attention. Dr. Ramos-Kelly charges $5,300 right now and there are many great reviews on him and the facility. FYI..I heard that it will be going up in June to $5,400. I will be going May 27 and will be giving my review once I get back.

I hope this info will help you and will give you that extra boost not to feel defeated. PM me and I can answer more questions you might have.

Good Luck on your Journey!

Jen

I have heard great things about Dr Jaime Ponce de Leon as well if you're interested in him. Someone I know here is now a coordinator for him. I can get you in contact with her if you're interested. Send me a PM if so There's a lot of doctors out there, ultimately its your decision on your own personal comfort level. Regardless of naysayers of one doctor or another. Good luck!