Hi all, I am just starting this journey. Due to the fact that I don't have health insurance the logical choice seems to be to find a Dr. and hospital in Mexico. I have heard some great things about Dr. Ariel Ortiz and his staff, but am open to any other recommendations or suggestions.:help:

i've been doing a TON of research and i have a few fears about using doctors in mexico... first, does everyone speak understandable english? are the medical facilities really as great as they say in their websites? do they tell you one price to get you there and then end up charging you more? i of course want the best doctor, but have to be price conscience as well. i am so anxious to make a change!!! any information is really appreciated!

Dr Ortiz: I paid in advance, no extra charges were added to the band. They speak great english (but they sound a little like mexicans) they are easyer to understand than a bunch of the Yankees I work with.

As for the practice of stating one price and charging another, that sound like my American Doctor (boy I do not want to start talking about this) Every time I go to the office I ask the price before going. 100% of the time they raise the price, we discuss it they lower the price, I pay it in full at the time of service. Then the bill comes in the mail... opps you owe more money...makes me want to crap in the return mail and send it.

kw, I will say hello to the staff for you. Can't wait to get back and say all is well.

How did you do with the preop diet? Did you start early on it? I wanted to do it for about a month, but jeeze is it hard.

I went on a straight protein diet for a week. That killed the hunger, then went on zero food, none, not a bite for a week. Water only.

Two days after banding I rented a car and drove my girl and her mother around town, then we headed off down the coast highway to explore Baha. It was fun; the back roads are rough at night you must go slow lots of cows in the road.

I used Dr. Aceves, in Mexicali--his staff all spoke perfectly fine English--much better than my Spanish, and I was afterall in their country! They went out of their way to make sure they all spoke English, the only ones who did not do so, were some of the janitorial staff. That janitorial staff that kept the place spotless!!! I kid you not, using stiff brooms, to SCRUB the baseboards....I had pastel yellow footies with gripper bottoms I used as slippers ( I was saving suitcase space!) they stayed clean and I walked non stop! I can't do that in my own kitchen!!!

In the OR everything seemed as up to date as I see here in our own hospital. The Xray room, was a little baren, no sitting areas, etc. It was for Xrays only! The EKG set up used was the exact same thing my husband just had used on him at a major heart hospital, for valve repair....it all seemed very modern. When I was scheduling my appointments, they ask permission for another Dr. to observe the surgery, that he was proctoring a Dr. from Cincinnati! I ended up having to schedule a different week---but I had agreed.

My patient coordinators, Rueben and Yolanda, spoke English to a point that other than their accent being a little different than my own southern accent, you would never have known that English was not their first language.

The cafeteria staff had their menu done in pictures as well, so my DH just pointed, and they got him his food!!

I too was given an exact amount to bring, I took it in a guaranteed bank draft, and they never ask for another dime, for anything at all. Our driver even refused our tip--it was all inclusive.

I was very satisfied with my experience, as was/is the friend who went before me, my SIL who was banded at the same time I was, and another friend should be flying home today---she was banded last Monday!

I'd do it again! I'd take my own Mother, or daughter if they needed it---and I am much more discerning with them, than with myself!!

Good Luck in your research---I fully agree, that choosing any Dr. for any purpose, this or another, that deciding based soley on cost is a HUGE mistake! This is your health---nothing to fool around with. You need to make an educated decision, first on whether the band and it's necessary adjustments, and dietary changes, and restrictions are something you can do--and then follow that decision with finding a Dr. or Dr's who can walk the journey with you---it is not one you can make alone.

Choosing a Dr. in Mexico, requires you to either plan frequent trips back across the border, or to find a Dr. more local to you to do your adjustments and follow up care. Sometimes that is easier said than done. Personally, before I ever made final arrangements to go, I had found a Dr. to do my fills/adjustments. I live in a rural area, without anyone nearby who does that sort of thing, the Dr. who does my adjustments is a 10 hour round trip! So I also spoke with and met with a couple of local Dr.'s prior to making the surgical decision--one is a local oncologist, whose office is used to accessing ports--he agreed to acti in an emergency, if I could get a surgeon to do the same---so I also met with a local gastro Dr. and he too agreed to take on an emergency, AFTER speaking with both the surgeon and the adjustment Dr. Actually getting my Dr.'s all together took more time than anything! But I also went into the surgery feeling confident that I made the best decisions I could.

Do your homework! That is the best advice I can offer, you can and do get good and safe medical treatment in some places in Mexico, same as you do in some places in the USA, and some places in all the other countries doing the lap band. You can also find QUACKS in all places---as well as Dr.'s and hospitals out only for the almightly $$$$. In the end it is YOU they are operating on and up to YOU to make sure it was a wise decision!

Good Luck!

Kat

i'm going to google him! i really appreciate all the input. i'm so excited, but incredibly anal about researching EVERY aspect first. luckily i live in vegas (never thought i'd put 'luckily' and 'vegas' in a sentence!) and there is a lap band center about a 20 minutes from me and another 45 minutes away. plus there is one mexican surgical center that is about a 5 hour drive if need be. so i think i have that covered. i can't even get the doc's here to give me even an estimate on the surgery. i really like the idea of getting it all done without fighting for years... anyhow, THANKS! that was great information!

Hi Dakota,

Just wanted to let you know that I was recently banded on January 16, 2007 in Monterrey Mexico by Dr. de la Garza. Awesome experience loved him and the hospital. Patient coordinator was just great. We got into Mexico just in time before January 23 deadline when everyone will need passports to get into Mexico instead of just Birth certificates. I guess its no big deal to all those who travel and already have passports. Wishing you all the best on your journey.

Hi Everyone,

I just want to thank you all for the terrific advice. I am so thrilled to have found this website. It already feels like I am starting to make great friendships.

My surgery is scheduled for 2/26/07 with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. The thought of going to Mexico still leaves me with slightly mixed emotions, although it really is the only option for me. I am self pay and I have to bring this in on a fairly strict budget.

Again, thanks for all the great advice.

6 days to hasta la vista baby!!!!

Robin,

What part of Oklahoma are you from? I used to live at Altus, but now I am in Pueblo, CO.

Good luck!

i know how you fill i am a painter and this is the slow time of year but it was now or never.we just need to make good choses. i had dr. ortiz he did my band dec.8 and thats a hard time of year christmas partys and food and candy .this mess. board help help you so much.just take your time you are gonna love dr. and staff. and carman is a wonderful lady she is like having a grandma with you she rubs your back and feet and washes your face down and is great.you need anything just log on

darrrell:)

Hey Dakota 1984, I live in OKC, I moved here from Fort Collins!!! Please trade me back!

Take some friends with you, it can be a lot of fun.

5 days to go..... hang with me y'all

Dr Helmuth Billy in beautiful Ventura California will do it for $15,000.00 and that includes all follow up/fills.