Hello everybody was just wondering is anyone here went to Mexico to get their sleeve done. I had my original consult done in Michigan I'm self pay since my insurance won't pay.... in Michigan the cost $24,500.00. Any who seen an ad Dr. Alvarez and it's much cheaper! Just wondering how everything is done with it being over the border

I am going to dr. Alvarez on the 18th. He is very experienced (over 2,00 surgeries, the MD i looked at in the states has only done a couple hundred). He is almost much less expensive (8,700 vs 14,000) and his office was much more responsive in answering my questions and scheduling surgery. Initially the thought of going to Mx freaked me (and my family) out but after tons of research, I am feeling much better. I've watched nurmurous videos on YouTube by dr. A and the testimonials from his patients. Susan, his coordinator has been wonderful in answering my questions quickly. His experience and what people say about his bedside manner really made the decision for me.

I know that there are less expensive surgeons in mexico- i have seen a bunch in TJ and Baja ($5-6k) that others have went to and really liked the experience and were very happy with aftercare.

I'm not sure how many surgeries they perform each day. Dr. A does 3 max according to his office. I've heard of some that do 6-10 surgeries per day. I don't know if I would want to be #10.

Best of luck on your journey!!

Thank you for replying back..... I've watched his videos on youtube as well.... I'm really thinking of setting up a consult with Dr. A . Do you know if you need a passport? Do you do the pre op testing there?

Yes on the passport. I have heard some that just bring their birth cert and an ID or something but I don't want to get stuck. You arrive the day before surgery by noon. Get a ride to eagles pass, tx and I think labs are in the morning of surgery.

Do you know where to fly into? Would I have to rent a car? How long do you stay after surgery?

There are entire groups and forums that are all about Dr. A. Just do a search for him on this site and you will find a ton of information!

dr.

Hello and thank you.... I will definitely do that. I looked stuff up on the internet last night and got on endobariatrics.com. just thought I would pick your guys brains lol

Yes there are many people on this site that have gone to him. Good luck.

You fly into san antonio and take a hotel shuttle to a hotel where endobariatrics driver, Rosie, picks you up and drives you the two hours to eagles pass. You stay in the hotel overnight and the next am she picks you up and takes you to the hospital. You stay there two nights and then she drives you back to SAT where you stay the night by the airport and fly back the next day. the hotels and transportation are included in the cost. They only thing out of pocket would be tips and food for you and your companion (if you choose to bring one - I am going alone but have been in touch with the two other people that are having surgery the same day as me).

I am going to Dr. A next Thursday and my friend is there today. There are many people on this board that have been, or are going to him for surgery. He is a great surgeon and just a really great man. There is a Dr. Alvarez thread on here somewhere.

There are less expensive Dr's in MX and many people have used them but I chose him for many reasons. His hospital is not in Tijuana, I personally did not want to go there. You cross the border at Eagle Pass, TX. He works out of small but nice hospital and keeps you there, he does not use a recovery house. His staff is small and they treat you very well. He only does 2, sometimes 3 surgeries per day. My husband will stay in my room with me the whole time. He has very positive feedback on every forum. All hotels/transportation are included in his fee. He is very easy to contact and will always be there if you need him. The plus to all of this is he is a highly acclaimed surgeon, he knows his stuff. His English is perfect, so you can easily speak to him.

Check him out, read about his patient feedback and read about other Dr's. You have to know in your heart what is right for you.

Hello and congrats on your surgery date! Since I posted this. This morning I have talked with Susan and got the ball to rolling so to speak LOL...... already faxed in my health questionnaire to get approved, if all goes well will have surgery on October 5th

That is awesome! You truly will not be sorry I cannot wait to meet him face to face. I have watched his videos so many times that I feel like I know him. I have spoken to many of his former patients and he has so many great testimonies. I have searched high and low and found only one person that said anything remotely negative. The thing I love is that he is always there for us. Susan is wonderful too, so very kind and responds very quickly.

Good luck to you as you proceed

Thank you and good luck to you as well! Keep me posted on your progress

I too will be at Dr. Alvarez on the 6th. I will miss joyce by one day. She will leave the day before I arrive. I do however get to meet another member of the forum (Icandothis) when I arrive- if she hasn't left beforehand.

Dr. Alvarez is awesome; especially in person. You won't be sorry. Best of luck to you in your journey. I am sure we will all keep you updated on how things are going for us.

I too will be at Dr. Alvarez on the 6th. I will miss joyce by one day. She will leave the day before I arrive. I do however get to meet another member of the forum (Icandothis) when I arrive- if she hasn't left beforehand.

Dr. Alvarez is awesome; especially in person. You won't be sorry. Best of luck to you in your journey. I am sure we will all keep you updated on how things are going for us.

How r u folks feeling?

I am home now and healing. I have been so happy with this surgery. NO PAIN at all, NO nausea at all. I do not know what Dr, A does but he truly makes this very painless. Others have said the same thing, not just me. When you wake up and have to ask if you had surgery, that is amazing. I am tender at my incisions but not sore. I am 5 days out now, sleeping well and moving around without pain. The hardest part is getting out of bed alone (my hubby leaves for work usually before I am awake). I have figured out how to do it now without pain. He sends home pain meds for us for a few days. I am taking them but I do not feel like I need them. The worst part of the surgery for me was the oral antibiotic you have to take for three days. Goodness, that was nasty tasting. So glad to be done with that

If you choose to go to Dr. A. (I personally would choose no one else), you will not be sorry. His assistants are wonderful and he truly cares about his patients. I recommend him highly!