I have been speaking with a gal named Regine Ison, ( she is in the Philippines, which I don't feel great about ) about the Gastric Sleeve. These doctors are : Dr. Arturo Cazarez , Dr. Louisiana Valenzuela , and Dr. Ishmael Caberera. They are having a summer special for two doctors at 4300. I have not seen anything on this site so far, are there any people who have used them ? Please let me know, thank you.

I have been speaking with a gal named Regine Ison' date=' ( she is in the Philippines, which I don't feel great about ) about the Gastric Sleeve. These doctors are : Dr. Arturo Cazarez , Dr. Louisiana Valenzuela , and Dr. Ishmael Caberera. They are having a summer special for two doctors at 4300. I have not seen anything on this site so far, are there any people who have used them ? Please let me know, thank you.

[/quote']

Also what is the leak test ?

Hello!

I've seen lots of posts about them. I currently have my surgery set up through the MBC on 07/09/13, with Dr. Valenzuela (as the lead) and her partner, Dr. Caberera. I've been working with Christy, their coordinator. I don't believe she's in the Philippines. That's kind of surprising, since this is the first I've heard of that. Check out "SerendipityHappens" profile. She had the same exact team at the Mi hospital through the MBC as well. My experience dealing with Christy has been very good so far.

You're in the right forum. Good luck with your research and your future with the sleeve!

Hello, I used The team of Valenzuela/Cabrerra and I have 100% confidence in this team. I could have chosen other more well known doctors for the same price, but I chose THIS team and have no regrets! My Primary care physician has been impressed as well. She said my incisions look fabulous and all of my bloodwork is perfect so I should continue to follow the instructions of my surgeon.

I will say there have been recent posts about Mexico Bariatric Center which were not so favorable. (not getting back with people in a timely manner, telling incorrect information etc) These complaints seem to involve new coordinators.. but when I went through them I had CHRISTY as my coordinator and she was AWESOME.

So I guess, I'm going to change my recommendation based on new information from other patients.. I still recommend the team of Cabrerra/Valenzuela without reservation BUT I only recommend MBC if you are using CHRISTY as your coordinator as the other coordinators through this company don't seem to be getting good reviews recently.

Edited to add: The doctors do a leak test during surgery and then after surgery as well. This team also uses a drain which is what I felt most comfortable with.

Fantastic post SerendipityHappens! Thank you!

I used them 3 1/2 weeks ago and have no regrets.standards not the same as I'm used to (cleaning hospital rooms) but facility was spotless on arrival, surgery went fine, I was feeling great right after and day staff are very attentive. Night staff were hit and miss. 1st night they ignored my bell and 2nd night nobody spoke English. Would recommend to anyone. Christy answered email from my hubby ( he was worried, my op took 4 hours because of adhesions) within minutes, got answers from the drs and reassured him that all was well.

My mom and her best friend or down there right now. They were sleeved on Wed. And Thurs. Sounds like everything is going great for them.

I used them, but wasn't sleeved, I am trying to hold all comments until I see what the refund will be, since I didn't get a chest xray or an EKG and left the hotel early.

I had a revision from lap band to sleeve and went through Mexico Bariatric with Dr Valenzuela 7/24/13. My coordinator was Cindy Rios and everyone was wonderful and very professional. I went alone and they were very organized and were always where they said they would be and someone was with me the whole way through the process. The marriott was beautiful and again everyone was so nice. Would do it again tomorrow!

Jjclisa...Yes, Cindy Rios is the best. I was okay with Dr. Valenzuela's decision, I would rather be safe than sorry. I hope to go back very soon. TJ and the people I met were very caring

Just an update. I should a refund in a week or so. When I am better, I will reschedule with Cindy and MBC. Thank you for all the comments and help.

I had surgery with them on 7/31 and everything came out great I feel very good

Used them in January Christy is wonderful and she lives in Cali by the way. Could not have ask for a more helpful group.

The doctors you mentioned are very respected and they work as a team. I also heard that they are morning persons.

The leak test is done during surgery when you are not aware of, so doesn't matter as discomfort. After two days there is another one where you drink a bit of aple juce with dye and the do a fluoroscopy. During this you can see how the liquid is going down trough your little stomach in the intestines.

I knew when I signed up for a discounted surgery in Mexico I would be giving up some things that the $10K US patients would get. For me, choosing Mexico was the difference between having and not having the surgery as I have no insurance and it was 100% out-of-pocket. The entire cost of my trip was less than $4,400 (air fare included) and I went there on my own. My preparation involved a lot of research, a lot of planning (especially prepping for meals when I got home), and a lot of discussions about the pros and cons of the surgery with my hubby before I went.

I'm only a few weeks out now but am very pleased with everything so far. The hotel I was booked in was very nice and very close to the hospital. My stay in the hospital was fine although in retrospect I would advise taking someone along just for the "little things" (dropping my hairbrush on the floor, having a leak in my drain bag, etc.). The doctors took time to introduce themselves to me and tell me what part they were playing in the surgery and/or recovery process, the nursing staff was available at all times, and the entire process went off without a hitch. But I do have to say that Mexico surgery might not be right for someone that needs a lot of hand-holding and reassurances.

Do I wish I was rich and could afford the surgery on this side of the border? Maybe, but I don't think so. Although I occasionally wish I had someone I could check in with, someone that I could ask questions of, I've been on this forum long enough to understand that different doctors and different NUTs often give different [sometimes VERY different] answers to the same questions. I am overly independent, however, and probably would have done just what I do now...look it up online, compare notes, and make decisions. I, for one, don't know how the "end game" is going to turn out, but I feel comfortable recommending the procedure, the location, the medical team, and the hospital to others.

Good luck with your decision and follow-up!

I had a revision from lap band to sleeve and went through Mexico Bariatric with Dr Valenzuela 7/24/13. My coordinator was Cindy Rios and everyone was wonderful and very professional. I went alone and they were very organized and were always where they said they would be and someone was with me the whole way through the process. The marriott was beautiful and again everyone was so nice. Would do it again tomorrow!

I am going to Mexico for my surgery on Sept 25th by myself. I have the dumbest question ever. Do you bring your luggage to the hospital with you or does it stay at the Marriott?