Hello new friends!

I have just started researching gastric sleeve self pay procedures in Mexico and my mind is spinning! I am from Canada, and I feel confused by the different doctors/clinics and I'm nervous regarding making a bad choice, costs, and just "how to's". Could any other Canadians share their experiences (or anyone else! All feedback welcome and appreciated!) I know this is the way for me to go, but I don't want to make any wrong choices!

Thanks so much!

Pers in Quebec

I don't think choosing a surgeon is much different for Canadians than it is for us Americans. Here's how I reached my decision. First I contacted my plastic surgeon (I'd had a tummy tuck and breast augmentation in Mexico in 2011) to see if she recommended anyone. She immediately got back to me and recommended the surgeon who had done HER gastric sleeve, as well as her patient coordinator's. Right away that sounded really attractive, as I LOVE my plastic surgeon and trust her judgement 100%. However, the fact that the surgeon she referred me to doesn't speak English and doesn't have an international reputation (not well-known outside of Tijuana) ultimately deterred me.

Next I came to these forums and I read a lot of the posts here. There was a Goolge Docs spreadsheet linked from this post:

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/308509-surgeons-in-the-4500-dollar-range/

It has some pricing information and one person's notes on all her research of various doctors in the $4500 price range. I read the whole thing and absorbed all of that information.

Then I read the entirety of this VERY long thread on Ariel Ortiz and the Obesity Control Center (OCC):

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/261806-dr-ariel-ortiz-and-obesity-control-center/

Ultimately, the contents of that thread, along with more research on my own, helped persuade me that Dr. Ortiz and OCC was the best option for me. Yes, they cost about $2000 more than some of the "cheaper" options, but I just felt so confident entrusting a surgeon who was named by Newsweek as one of the top 15 in the world. What is a couple thousand dollars long term when we are talking about a surgery that is going to change the rest of your life?

There are many great surgeons out there and no one is going to be able to tell you what the best option is for YOU, so do your research and draw your own conclusions.

Edited August 4, 201412 yr by JamieLogical

Thank you so much Jamie - what you write makes a lot of sense. I appreciate you taking the time to help clear my mind from all this dizzying information!

Edited August 4, 201412 yr by pers

Thank you friends

Hi! I'm in BC

Booked for Sept 1 at OCC

Most important keep your receipts because you can write off the hospital and surgery on your Canadian income tax. Not sure how much you will actually see back but you will get a good chunk of it returned to you

I'm from BC and had surgery in Tijuana on April 17th. Just educate yourself of your surgeon options and remember that the cheapest isn't always the best way to go. I found so much information on this site and it really helped me - still does

Most important keep your receipts because you can write off the hospital and surgery on your Canadian income tax. Not sure how much you will actually see back but you will get a good chunk of it returned to you I'm from BC and had surgery in Tijuana on April 17th. Just educate yourself of your surgeon options and remember that the cheapest isn't always the best way to go. I found so much information on this site and it really helped me - still does

Hi Juba!

I didn't even THINK about the tax receipts!!!!

Great !

Where in Canada? I'm in BC

do you mind me asking which surgeon you used?

Thanks so much

Deanna

Hi Juba!

I didn't even THINK about the tax receipts!!!!

Great !

Where in Canada? I'm in BC

do you mind me asking which surgeon you used?

Thanks so much

Deanna

I'm in BC as well, on. Vancouver Island . I used Dr Ramos Kelly. He was great and my surgery went really well, 17 weeks out and I have had zero issues, tons of energy blah blah. Buuuut I think his staff really sucked and were very disorganized etc. once I got to. Mexico. Beforehand they were great. That being said it was a long weekend and the regular staff were all away/off so I got the new girl who was flakey and didn't really know what she was doing. Others on here had a great experience with his staff.

I'm in BC as well, on. Vancouver Island . I used Dr Ramos Kelly. He was great and my surgery went really well, 17 weeks out and I have had zero issues, tons of energy blah blah. Buuuut I think his staff really sucked and were very disorganized etc. once I got to. Mexico. Beforehand they were great. That being said it was a long weekend and the regular staff were all away/off so I got the new girl who was flakey and didn't really know what she was doing. Others on here had a great experience with his staff.

How much did you pay

Thank You

^{$5500 US}

Thank you

I had the VSG in July at the Obesity Control Center with Dr. Ortiz. My sister went there in January and truly reassured me that the doctors and clinic were fantastic and she was absolutely right! The whole process was unbelievably easy! Aside from keeping your receipts for a claim on your income tax you should also check with your provincial health care plan. They won't cover the cost of surgery but they may cover some of your expenses. My sister is in AB and AB health care reimbursed her anesthesia costs and a few other things. I'm in NL and I waiting to hear back from MCP to see if they will cover anything.

I'm going to TJ Sept 14 to have surgery with Dr. E. Ortiz. I wasn't looking at different prices, I just kind of came across him, looked at his reputation and decided to go with him.. I will keep you posted on how it goes. I paid $4,400 and that includes two nights in the hospital and two nights at the hotel. I'm from Calgary.

Jamie I was just wondering who your plastic surgeon was... I had my gastric sleeve done one year ago and have lost 146 pounds therefore am interested in having some work done

Jamie I was just wondering who your plastic surgeon was... I had my gastric sleeve done one year ago and have lost 146 pounds therefore am interested in having some work done

My surgeon was Dr. Laura Carmina Cardenas, who I truly loved. I will definitely be going back to her for any future work. Here's a link to her web site:

http://www.beauty-enhance.com/

PS: Congratulations on your amazing weight loss!

Edited August 19, 201411 yr by JamieLogical

I am in Ab and going with Dr Louisiana Valenzuela through Mexico Bariatric Centre. It costs $4400 plus flight. I am scheduled for Sept. 8th

yah.. 7 days left !! Good luck