I'm currently searching for a doctor. I was strongly leaning toward dr Alvarez, but the more research I do, the more competent surgeons I find. Right now I'm seriously considering Dr. Ismael Cabrera Garcia in Tijuana, but I'm really struggling with the price... not because it's too high but because it's SO LOW! He charges $4500 and that includes 3nights at the Marriott and 2 nights in the hospital.

I feel like he easily stacks up against the local surgeons I have to choose from near me, I can find no negatives about him, I LOVE Christy the TC at MBC... but I keep coming back to the price.... Why is he charging so little? Thoughts?

I asked Nina about this and she said that they may not be offering this anymore due to payments not coming in on time. So the in house financing was not offered to me.

Oh no! The in house financing was the only way I made it work. I hope they are able to keep it as an option for others.

Regarding cost, maybe the extra 3K that Dr. Aceves charges is more due to the private hospital/rooms that he offers. I notice there is one night in the hotel, the duration of your stay is at the hospital. Both the private hospital and extended nights in the hospital vs hotel would add substantially to the cost.

I wonder that too.. My package with Cabrera/valenzuela at MiDoctor included two nights in the hospital and three nights at Marriott. The hospital was adequate but lacked some of the amenities that could have made it more comfortable. (nurse call buttons on the beds, iv's that beeped when they were not working, modern EKG machine that didn't leave hickeys.. these things come to mind) But to ME, these things would not be worth the extra money. Also I'm sure that some of it IS the doctor's fee...Aceves has an excellent reputation that he has worked years to achieve and maintain so of course he can command a higher fee. Many other doctors are also very skilled and have good reputations but not as much experience as Aceves... but even if aceves is commanding a higher fee per surgery, I'd still be willing to bet that a significant difference in cost is going to the hospital fees.

Regarding cost, maybe the extra 3K that Dr. Aceves charges is more due to the private hospital/rooms that he offers. I notice there is one night in the hotel, the duration of your stay is at the hospital. Both the private hospital and extended nights in the hospital vs hotel would add substantially to the cost.

How many nights are you in the hospital with Dr Aceves? I was 2 nights in the hospital and 1 night in the hotel with Dr Ponce, and I was so ready to go to the hotel when I went, I hate hospitals I really wouldn't have needed a 3rd night in the hospital. I'm sure a big part of the difference in price IS the hospital cost though, different hospitals charge different amounts for OR time/nurses etc, and it's possible that in the city he's in these things just cost more money than in Tijuana. That may also account for the difference in price with Dr Ponce and the doctors at Mi Doctor, maybe INT hospital is a bit more expensive?

If I had to remain in the hospital another night they would have had to put me under. I was ready to leave and get going the night of my am surgery. I felt like a caged animal. I had two nights in hospital (3 counting night pre-op) and two in hotel. The hotel time was marrrrrvalous.. And so much fun.

How many nights are you in the hospital with Dr Aceves? I was 2 nights in the hospital and 1 night in the hotel with Dr Ponce, and I was so ready to go to the hotel when I went, I hate hospitals I really wouldn't have needed a 3rd night in the hospital. I'm sure a big part of the difference in price IS the hospital cost though, different hospitals charge different amounts for OR time/nurses etc, and it's possible that in the city he's in these things just cost more money than in Tijuana. That may also account for the difference in price with Dr Ponce and the doctors at Mi Doctor, maybe INT hospital is a bit more expensive?

I haven't yet decided on a surgeon/hospital. But when I looked at Dr. Aceves page, the only hotel night was upon arrival. I'm sure it varies depending on the type of surgery and patient needs.

A private hospital with limited surgeons would result in higher patient cost. It sounds like Mi Doctorl is not particularly up-to-date, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It sounds like their standard of care is pretty high. It sounds like Dr. Aceves hospital is a bit more on the luxury end of things. I need to go look again.

Is the Marriot in Tijuana fairly nice? I wonder if its worth adding a day's stay. I work from home and since I take care of two disabled family members, time away is generally good time. LOL!

Is the Marriot in Tijuana fairly nice? I wonder if its worth adding a day's stay. I work from home and since I take care of two disabled family members, time away is generally good time. LOL!

I stayed at the Lucerna which was VERY nice, I'm not sure about the Marriot as my surgeon doesn't use that one

How many nights are you in the hospital with Dr Aceves? I was 2 nights in the hospital and 1 night in the hotel with Dr Ponce' date=' and I was so ready to go to the hotel when I went, I hate hospitals <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I really wouldn't have needed a 3rd night in the hospital. I'm sure a big part of the difference in price IS the hospital cost though, different hospitals charge different amounts for OR time/nurses etc, and it's possible that in the city he's in these things just cost more money than in Tijuana. That may also account for the difference in price with Dr Ponce and the doctors at Mi Doctor, maybe INT hospital is a bit more expensive?[/quote']

Hotel night b4 surgery, after pretesting. Three nights in the hospital, well four for me due to my heart acting up.

I think the cost is based on many things. Like surgeon/experience. Full service hospital vs weight loss center.

Dr. Aceves has been doing Bariatric surgeries for approx 15 years. He does not do more than 3 surgeries per day. He oversees your postop care along with Dr. Campos while you are with them.

It is very hands on care.

Amanda Rae

I stayed at the Lucerna which was VERY nice' date=' I'm not sure about the Marriot as my surgeon doesn't use that one <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

I stayed at the Lucerna in Mexicali. It was lovely.

I haven't yet decided on a surgeon/hospital. But when I looked at Dr. Aceves page, the only hotel night was upon arrival. I'm sure it varies depending on the type of surgery and patient needs.

A private hospital with limited surgeons would result in higher patient cost. It sounds like Mi Doctorl is not particularly up-to-date, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It sounds like their standard of care is pretty high. It sounds like Dr. Aceves hospital is a bit more on the luxury end of things. I need to go look again.

Is the Marriot in Tijuana fairly nice? I wonder if its worth adding a day's stay. I work from home and since I take care of two disabled family members, time away is generally good time. LOL!

TJ Marriott is VERY nice. It is comparable to what you would find at the Marriott in any major US city. Extremely safe place.. great staff... I paid extra for an extra night at the Marriott because I didn't know how recovery would be and I was flying all the way to Boston. Turns out I didn't "need" the extra night.. But I sure didn't mind it either! As for the MiDoctor hospital, I think you hit it right on the head. I have no complaints about the care I received there... but definitely not a "high end" hospital!