Hi my name is Amanda, I have decide weight loss surgery is the best option for me. Unfortunatly, my insurance does not pay for this, so I will be paying out of pocket. I hear lots of talk about surgery in Mexico, and how it is so much cheaper. I would like some opinions of this, my biggest concern would be safety. I was also wandering if anyone has had surgery in Mexico, if so, how did it go? All comments are much appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read this!

I just had it do in Tijuana on 7/23/12.. I went through Alighterme.com and it was great...You just have to get to San Diego and they come get you and they take care of everything.. You stay at the Marriott in Tijuana and it is very nice..The hospital was very clean and everyone there was very nice. It was a nice experience.. I was kinda skeptical at first but it really was nice and safe..The surgery was only $4700 and covered everything.

Hi Amanda, my name is Jennifer. I had surgery in Mexicali MX with Dr. Aceves on July 14th. I had no concerns while there about safety. Mexicali's economy is all about business and a large part of it is medical tourism. My husband and I felt very safe and comfortable there during our stay. Almater Hospital where I had my VSG is a top notch facility and patient care is outstanding. The hospital was meticously maintained, the equipment up to date, and the attentive nursing care better than any Canadian or American facility I have been in. Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos have alot of experience (3000+ procedures or more I think) and I believe that my experience was seamless as a result. Since my surgery the coordinators have been in contact with me and so has the Dr. following up on my progress. I flew from MN to San Diego and was picked up along with another patient and then returned by the driver on my morning of departure. There where several patients there who had traveled alone and did not think anything of it, my husband accompanied me and spent the three nights on the sofa in my private room. I highly recommend Dr. Aceves and after having the experience that I did I am glad that I went there, even if insurance would have covered my procedure I would choose him over what would have been available to me locally. I think the number of procedures a Dr performs makes them even better at what they do and I benefited from that. My VSG price was $8750.00 ( I think that was a July price special). No additional costs except our airfare to San Diego. Good luck to you. Oh, the other thing I loved about this was when I called I said I would like to come next month...and I was able to schedule my surgery, when I wanted it without having to jump through anymore insurance hoops!!

I went to Tijuana and had surgery 7/30. Everything went very well. Dr. Garcia was the surgeon. Clean facility. Attentive nurses and doctors. Go to www.ready4achange.com. They coordinate everything except for the travel/flights. I would definitely do it all over again.

I had a band to sleeve revision with Dr. Aceves on 6/23/11. Everything from the doctors, staff, facility could not have been better. Just make sure that if you have surgery in Mexico that you do your research on the doctor you select. I chose Dr. Aceves because he is the best, not because of the price. They do have other doctors in Mexico that are cheaper, don't let that be your deciding factor. You also want to make sure that you are recovering in a hospital and not a hotel or recovery house like some Mexico doctors do. I guess some people are fine with that but I was not. I wanted to make sure I was in a fully equipped hospital with a full staff in the event that an emergency takes place. I also think that Mexicali where Dr. Aceves is located is a little safer than some of the other locations in Mexico. The hospital is about 1 mile across the border. Just make sure you do your research on the doctor first is my only recommendation. Best of luck to you!

I'm scheduled for surgery on September 21st in Puerto Vallarta. I've asked several people on Youtube who have had their surgery in Mexico about how they felt about their safety. Not one has said they felt unsafe. Of course you are concerned about it, so am I. I now have no fears about going.

Thank you all so much for the information. It is much appreciated! Is it normal for them to as for a deposit when you schedule your surgery?

I had to pay a deposit. It's to schedule that date for YOU!! Anyone can say "yeah, I what to have my surgery on such and such date", then decide to go to a different doctor in a different town on a different date. I'm going through A Lighter Me, my coordinator is Ronda. She is really good about returning your e-mails and I've talked to her a few times on the phone.

I'm a healthy person, except that I'm fat!! I do well with surgery, so I'm not worried. I was going to go by myself, but my best friend won't let me.. LOL So now she is tagging along :-) I can't wait!!!

Sorry, I don't know why my last paragraph shrank.

I'm a healthy person, except that I'm fat!! I do well with surgery, so I'm not worried. I was going to go by myself, but my best friend won't let me.. LOL So now she is tagging along :-) I can't wait!!!

My sister had sleeve surgery early July with Dr. Kelly in Tijuana. It cost 5,500 and they are so incredibly nice and accommodating, it's unbelievable. They did not require deposit for me -- I was so impressed with my sister's treatment (I went with her), I scheduled the procedure for myself. Good Luck.

Do you already have your passport? How does that work?

No, I had to apply for mine. I went on-line to UPSP and filled out the app on-line, printed it. Went to Rite-aid for my pics. You have to make an appointment at your Post office ( didn't and it took me 2 days). The website will tell you which post office actually does passports.

They say it takes 4 to 6 weeks, so get on it.

Well, I went with my sister with my birth certificate and marriage certificate (name change) and driver's license. You can get back in with these documents. Still, when we came back the border crossing guard asked me why I didn't have a passport and told me to get one!

They also have something called a passport card now which can be used for land/sea travel only.

If you search for passport requirements, you can find the US information.

I've heard of people going without their passport and got fussed at by the border control. Who wants to be fussed at by an authority figure? Plus when I have to have reconstructive surgery, most likely will have that out of the country too.

Thank you all so much for the information. It is much appreciated! Is it normal for them to as for a deposit when you schedule your surgery?

I had to pay a $500 deposit

I had my surgery in Mexico on 05/23/12.

I can say, if you hang around this forum for a while, you'll notice that there is typically less "problems" with surgeries that are performed in Mexico.

Less complaints of pain, Less need for medications.

The top dozen or so surgeons in Mexico have thousands of surgeries to each of their credits, a few of them actually teach American surgeons the procedure.

I personally would rather have mine done in Mexico.

These surgeries are almost always done as a package in Mexico.

The two things that I would concentrate on if I were you(and I was you afew months ago) are. , do your research, find which doctor(s) you are comfortable with.

Then compare facilities, packages, and prices.

For me, price is always a factor. I believe that you get what you pay for only to a certain point, then you're paying for a name.

My first choice was Dr. Aceves, he has an impeccable reputation & works out of one of the best facilities, but he charges 8750.

After doing more research I found Dr. Ponce de Leon, his resume is equally impressive uses a great facility,not the newest, but well maintained & up to date. His packagewas very similar w/a little less "hand holding" and was 5500. This was the one I chose.

There are may options in Mexico and I have even seen sleeve prices in the last few days as low as 4100.

The price difference is usually due to facility & accommodations.