Hi all,

I may end up in Mexico as a self-pay (long story with possibilities of insurance coverage etc. omitted here).

My preference is to go to Tijuana because if I do, my sister might be able to come with me as my support person. She's a physician and speaks fluent Spanish so I figure she'd be good to have around.

So I am doing a little preliminary looking around. So far I am considering: Dr. Kelly, Dr. Ponce de Leon, Dr. Fernando Garcia, and Drs. Alejandro Lopez & Jacqueline Osuna (they work as a team).

Obviously I want someone who is an excellent surgeon. I'm also looking for: a smooth running experience (people who are on time to pick you up at the airport etc.), a real hospital with a blood bank onsite, access to surgeon or associates for follow-up questions and advice via email/skype etc. If you have any input, either good or bad, on any of these surgeons I would love to hear about it. Also if there are any other Tijuana-based surgeons who you think I should consider I would love to know about them too. Thanks!

I have gone back and read several different topics about different Mexico surgeons but just wanted to see if anyone wanted to chime in (or chime in again).

I highly recommend Dr Garcia. I had major complications (not due to the surgery) and they absolutely saved my life. I don't feel this would have been the case if I had not been in a fully equiped hospital with an amazing staff of specialists right there at my bedside. On-site lab, radiology, etc made difference between life and death for me.

The hospital is small, yes, and very modest by American standards. However it is spotlessly clean and they have all the equipment and most importantly, specialists, to do anything needed. If you are looking for a luxury hospital Mexico isn't a good choice for you. If you are concerned with no-frills, excellent care, Dr Garcia is a wise choice in my opinion.

Dr Garcia's support staff (coordinator, personal assistant, driver) are all excellent, and I can't speak highly enough about his staff of warm, caring nurses. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me directly.

I wrote about my experience with Dr. Garcia a few weeks ago, and it was absolutely terrific! He was able to do my surgery with only 2 incisions. My coordinators were terrific (alighterme) and Samuel the driver, picked me up right away from the airport! Everything ran smoothly, they took great care of me and everything I needed! I should also mention, that I went from Canada to TJ alone, and I felt totally safe and comfortable!!

I'll throw my 2 cents in for Dr. Ponce de Leon. You have your choice of facilities with him. He prefers to work out of the INT hospital which is a smaller hospital on par with Mi Doctor. But if you feel you need a bigger hospital to make you feel comfortable, he also offers service at Angeles Hospital. The hospital fees are considerably higher at Angeles so that will affect his fee.

I to have booked my surgery for December with dr. Garcia. My husband, daughter and myself are getting the sleeve. We did a lot of research and in the end we went through a lighter me, sandy was so good and answered all are questions.......I can't wait for our date to get here. Good luck with your choice.

Thanks everyone for your input! Is it crazy that I am starting to not really care if the insurance company approves me or not? The cost difference won't be that great with all the deductibles, co-pays, surgeon plan etc., and I am really sick of jumping through their hoops. Taking matters into my own hands and telling Cigna to kiss off is sounding more and more appealing.

I'll throw my 2 cents in for dr. Ponce de leon. You have your choice of facilities with him. He prefers to work out of the INT hospital which is a smaller hospital on par with Mi Doctor. But if you feel you need a bigger hospital to make you feel comfortable' date=' he also offers service at Angeles Hospital. The hospital fees are considerably higher at Angeles so that will affect his fee.[/quote']

I had my leak test done at Angeles Hosp. It is probably the closest thing to an American Hosp that Tijuana has. The others are more like surgery centers. If you are in good health, INT would be a much more economical choice!

I went to dr. Ponce de leon and From what what it sounds INT is very similar to Mi hospital, you also have a choice to go to florence Hospital (where Dr.Kelly operates) At the INT hospital i recieved a cd of my entire surgery from the insides so if there were any questions on what exactly was done i have record of that and the leak test. He was very professional along with his staff. He does speak limited english but my coordinator Trish was amazing she was there everyday with me and went and got food for my hubby made sure he didn't need anything while i was in surgery and she translated great for me. I still keep in contact with her and skype if i have questions for Dr.Ponce. He has trained some of the surgeons in Mexico and has great experience. Everything went so well and pickup at the airport was on time a person was waiting for me at the luggage with a sign that had my name on it. They picked you up in a business economy van there was plenty of room, and drop off was the same. Trish had us out shopping and at the beach the day we went to the lucerna, felt great to get out and walk. She even had someone come to my room the day i was leaving to give me a pedicure and it felt so relaxing right before i had to leave. My sleeve has been perfect for me my incisions have healed great.. it will be 4 months since surgery on Sept. 3rd and i'm down 68 pounds.. good luck in your journey hope this helped...

Holly

I wrote about my experience with Dr. Garcia a few weeks ago, and it was absolutely terrific! He was able to do my surgery with only 2 incisions. My coordinators were terrific (alighterme) and Samuel the driver, picked me up right away from the airport! Everything ran smoothly, they took great care of me and everything I needed! I should also mention, that I went from Canada to TJ alone, and I felt totally safe and comfortable!!

Hello,

I too am in Canada, Windsor Ontario, and am flying out of Detroit. Can you tell me how you felt on your flight home? Were you nauseous at all? I am getting sleeved on sept 10 and wondered how I will feel on the long flight back.

thanks

Hello,

I too am in Canada, Windsor Ontario, and am flying out of Detroit. Can you tell me how you felt on your flight home? Were you nauseous at all? I am getting sleeved on sept 10 and wondered how I will feel on the long flight back.

thanks

I felt totally fine the entire way. I left TJ around 8 and didn't get into Regina until 11, so it was a full day of flying and airports. I felt fine from Day 2 post op though, so I might not be the best judge either. The only day I felt poor was the day of surgery. I had some nasuea and was very drowsy. After that first day, I did a lot of walking and felt really good. I also only had 2 incisions which could have played a part too. I flew with Westjet and whenever I needed help with my bag, they were there! I also made sure to get tea and broth and Water and lots of liquids in!

We just returned last night to Canada from Mexico . I am so happy I used dr. Lopez he is amazing! Good luck with whoever you choose, I just know I am Soooo happy with dr. Lopez and the whole a lighter me experience. If you use Ronda as a coordinator it's awesome she teams you up with other patients prior to going we had a ball the whole week! Heck, we are planning our next holiday with some of our sleeveys from this past week. I can't believe that I had a sleeve done Monday and the amount of joy I had all week because of the people I was so blessed to become lifelong friends with. Good luck hon