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Has anyone had VSG in Mexico? Of course my insurance won't pay so I am just paying out of pocket. Wanted to know if anyone else went out of the country?

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Hi...I was all set to go to Mexico( Piedras Negras-Dr. G. Alvarez) however, I decided to find an American surgeon instead. I reviewed his CV and his training and credentials and decided that he waas not the person for me to have the surgery done. If you are able to find a well trained bariatric surgeon in the USA-someone who has many years of training as well as a post graduate Fellowship and good credentials--that would be the best way to go. Do you have insurance ? It took me

ten months to get the approval from my insurance carrier.......I will be having the procedure this summer in New York City. Make sure that whomever you choose, look into the medical training,post graduate training,(that takes several years and not afew weekends in many places) and that the person has had a fine and reputable education and post graduate education with years of experience...I wish you every success and lots of luck in good health....all the best..... R

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Dr. Alvarez has an excellent reputation and has an excellent surgical record. One of the best surgeons in MX and had done more surgeons then most of you US surgeons. Search his name here and read his patients reviews. He also has a YouTube page and you can watch his videos and submit questions which he will personally answer. He has a weekly radio show which you can do the same. And as for other doctors in MX there are many very qualified doctors in Mexico. So research here ask questions and you will find many happy VSG patients of docs in MX. To list a few docs that have great reputations.

Dr. Alvarez

Dr. Aceves

Dr. Lopez

Dr. Garcia

Dr. Kelly

And there are many more just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Of course as in any country there are some not so great surgeons also. So check them out of course. Ppl here are very willing to share their experience of surgery in MX.

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I had my surgery with Dr. Garcia there just shy of two months ago. My surgery was perfect, I had no pain and a pretty easy recovery overall. He is so easy to contact at any time with questions. I would highly recommend him! I'm down a total of 55lbs including pre-op and couldn't be happier!! :)

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I had my surgery with Dr. Aceves. He is wonderful and my experience was amazing!

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I am wondering if anyone out there has an experience to share about Dr verboonen?

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On June 26 both my husband and I had surgery in Juarez with doctor Rodriquez. It was absolutely a wonderful experience. We would of never been able to afford it in the US. We were with BeLite weight

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As I mentioned, I was to have chosen a Dr. G.Alvarez in Piedras Negras,Mexico and I was all set to go there many months ago .however, after researching his bio and credentials and training,I decided not to have him do the VSG. I am in the forensic

legal profession and I had to do due diligence-after reviewing his cv,I understood that this particular surgeon has clearly NOT had a Postgraduate Fellowship in bariatric surgery--and only, lists CME certificates given after three to four days at medical meetings at hotels sponsored by a variety of American and International organizations----attending a conference at lovely hotels for afew days and obtaining some CME credits are NOT the same as an actual Three Year Post Graduate Fellowship in Bariatric Surgical Training....as it is, there are so many things that can go wrong .even in the best surgeons hands....anywhere in the world....and yes ofcourse, even here in the USA.....should something go wrong...there clearly, is no recourse.and whom do you address ? Each country should have their own safeguards and unfortunately, Mexico does NOT....For those individuals who choose to go abroad...please check out the surgeon and the training and the facility.....there are no guarantees .....anywhere one chooses to have this procedure......making an informed and an educated decision is the way to approach this surgery....wishing you all every success for good health and a happy and easy recovery.......all the best.....to all......R

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Holy Guacamole..... Phantompouch, I'm scheduled for surgery with Dr. Alvarez on August 1st. I thought I had researched him thoroughly, but after reading your post, I'm concerned. Hopefully, his experience in the VSG will make up for his lack of Post-Graduate Fellowship Training in Bariatric Surgery. I'm a Certified Psych RN with 38 years experience. I've got the ANCC Certification, but not a BSN. My experience more then makes up for the degree, and I'm an excellent Nurse. Dr. A has done over 3000 surgeries, and I've yet to find a Patient that's given him a bad review. At this point, there's no turning back for me. All I can do is hope and pray that I made the right decision, and hopefully :unsure: I'll be back to post my own positive review.

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You have made the right decision and will be very happy with your experience and care you receive with dr. Alvarez. I personally know many patients that have used him. No one I know of or on VST has a bad thing to say about him. Go knowing you are in good hands.

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I am using Dr. Jose Rodriguez at the Star Medica Hospital in Juarez, Mexico on August 5, 2013.

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Travelbug you are going to absolutely love it at Star Medica. I just got back from taking my best friend so I was there twice in a month and both experiences were great. One tip is if you have someone with you there is a frigerator in the room. So they can bring bottled Water and other Snacks if you want. We didn't know thst the 1st time. I'm doing great. 30 pounds down in one month. I have been lucky and no food has bothered me. You have made a great life choice.

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On June 26 both my husband and I had surgery in Juarez with doctor Rodriquez. It was absolutely a wonderful experience. We would of never been able to afford it in the US. We were with BeLite weight

If you don't mind me asking, what was the price? I sent them a request and the sent back an email saying someone would be calling me. I would rather they just email me the price as I am not ready to talk arrangements just yet

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I think you missed a huge factor. I personally researched for a dr who had more experience in the procedure than just education. A framed document of education and fellowship in bariatrics doesn't mean he's well qualified and experienced in VSG. It means he's maybe had loads of education and a lot of lapbands and RNYs under his experience, but very few US surgeons have the vast actually experience that some of the MX surgeons have with VSG. I don't want a surgeon who simply has paper work to show he can perform the VSG

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2btrim it was $6800 plus your travel expenses. We also had to pay $50 at the hospital for medication to take home with us. My facilitator is Jessica and her number is 503-539-3023. Give her a call and she will answer any question you have. Also tell her Joyce recommended you. If you have any questions just let me know and I will answer you. I will be 8 weeks out tomorrow and I have lost 42 and my husband has lost 45. The best decision I have made for my life!

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    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

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    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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