Ok, so I found out today that my new health insurance through work does not cover WLS. So I will be going to Mexico at the end of April. So I need suggestions for surgeons & Dr. Ramos Kelly is not an option. So if anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them. Thanks!

I went to Mexicalli to a wonderful man named Dr Aceves. My girlfriend refered me to him a year after she had her surgery. I had mine the beginning of July 2011 and am down 75lbs. I didn't qualify here and I did ALOT of research before I had the sleeve done. Another of my friends had her surgery done the end of July. I haven't had any surgery related issues. No leaks!! The surgeon I saw here the month after I got home said, "your new tummy is beautiful"!!! I would trust Dr A with my life, I did! He took my fat tummy and gave me my life!! The hospital I had surgery in was cleaner then most US and Canadian hospitals. You could eat off the floors!! The care I recieved there was amazing!!I have his contact info if you want it!!

Just wondering if there is a specific reason Dr. Kelly isnt an option for your surgery?

I went to Dr Ponce De Leon excellent services. I was sleeved in Nov and am down 36 lbs. I am going to have to buy new clothes since my clothes are so baggy now. Good Luck and God bless.

Dr. Rodriguez has some pretty good reviews. That is who I am scheduled with. Whats wrong with Dr. Kelly?

I had my surgery on Dec 11, 2011 in Tijuana. Dr Fernando Garcia did my surgery. I had a lapband removal and the gastric sleeve. He was wonderful and I had an amazing experience at Hospital MI. It is a new facility and small but the care I received was excellent. From the admitting staff, anesthesiologist, cardiologist, radiologist, nurses and drivers. I would not hesitate to go back for other surgeries should I need other things done that insurance will not cover.

I am going to Chicago on Jan 14, 2012 as Dr Garcia will be doing a seminar there and I will be attending to speak to other prospective sleeve patients and tell them about my experience. I am paying for all of my own transportation and lodging and am not receiving anything for my attendance. I feel that I owe them much more than what I paid for the surgery and my new life. If you have any other questions feel free to ask away.

Thank you all for your responses. As far as Dr. Kelly is concerned I was told by a coordinator that they are not referring people to Dr. Kelly anymore. She didn't go into details but just said that they found out something very wrong and could not in good conscience refer anyone else to him. I don't know what happened and I'm in no way trying to speak bad about Dr. Kelly. I just have to trust my coordinator and the research that I'm doing for the doctor that I feel that is right for me.

i, personally, wouldn't take a coordinators word for anything--they are the ones trying to make money...just my two cents worth

i agree about the co-ordinators...there's some sort of "war" going on between them all. There's been alot of posts about their bickering and bad mouthing each other on here and other forums.

I had Dr.Kelly and he was great. But when I was researching it was between Dr Pompa, Dr Alvarez, and Dr Kelly.

Who is your co-ordinator working for?

My coordinator was Linda and I also spoke to Judy I believe. They were both great..... i went through alighterme.com or you can also find info on Dr f Garcia on Obesity Solutions International. I think they are one in the same thing.

I was sleeved by Dr. Ariel Ortiz of Obesity Control Center. He is awesome and his center is extremely clean. I had no problems what so ever and didn't even need any pain meds. I still contact them 6 months out with questions and they know who I am.

http://obesitycontrolcenter.com/

You can click on the top tab, About OCC, and see the video library.

You can also go to You Tube and look up WeightLossSurgeryOCC and see many videos.

Dr. Ortiz is a dual citizen and actually lives in San Diego but crosses border to Mexico daily to do what he believes in. He has an autistic daughter and a portion of the surgery proceeds go to autism research. I did a LOT of research before having my surgery this past June. Hands down, Dr. Ortiz, was who I felt most comfortable with. In all my research I could not find where he had any complaints against him and he has never lost a patient. I had such a GREAT experience (and was back to work in 7 days) that a friend of mine, who is an OB/Gyn here in the states, went to him in November. She also did her research at the doctor level and had a family member who is CIA level research him and they could find NOTHING against him. ALL good. She too was very impressed with the level of care she received and how clean the facilities were. He will not take chances on his patients and I witnessed this first hand when I was there. A patient came to him, that had her lap band done by him many years ago. She decided she wanted it removed and have the sleeve done. He went in to do the procedure and was able to remove the lap band but there was too much scar tissue there to proceed safely. So, he cleaned out the scar tissue and closed her up. He told her it was not safe to proceed. He wanted her to heal for several months and go back in Oct for the sleeve. She was disappointed but grateful. She trusted him with her life and he knows that and doesn't intend to let you down.

Dr Garcia is a good choice, I am very happy with my new tummy and agree with andersonlj that the facility and Dr Garcia's assistants as well as Hector the driver were excellent.

My sleeve sister who had surgery the same day at the same hospital was sleeved by Dr Kelly and is also very pleased with the results. Dr Kelly even went to the hotel to check on her.

I went to Dr. Garcia in TJ back in Sept. Can't say enough good things about him, all the staff and Mi Doctor Hospital. I also coordinated through A Lighter Me.

I agree with everyone on the coordinators. The coordinators are sales people essentially. I have read about the she said, she said on these boards but what I look for is what they can do for ME because that is what they are there for. If one company charges 5% for credit card transactions versus 3% or one has the ability to suit my needs for using my FSA funds that is who will win. That is what is important as far as coordinators go in my book. Other than that, i have done my research on my doctor and have spoken with him a few times and feel very comfortable with my decision.

I have been corresponding with Linda at A Lighter Me and she has been great. Any time I see something on these boards I go directly to her to see if it is true. If I didnt believe her (although I have so far), I have Dr. Kelly's phone number, email, and he is on my facebook so I can always ask him personally.

Please, everyone, dont overlook a wonderful doctor (in Mexico OR the US) just because someone is gossiping. If they are saying he has had a leak or a death, ask them to prove it. I am sure everyone on this board would want to know about that too!

I scheduled for surgery with Dr. Kelly on Jan. 30th and I'm very excited and a little nervous at the same time. But I'm confident that Dr. Kelly and his staff will take good care of me.

@Delovelly -

Please do share your experience once you are up for it! I plan on doing the same when I have mine.