My insurance doesn't cover Bariatic "anything" (United Healthcare through Neighborhood). So, I have decided to go to TJ & self pay like some of you... However, deciding on what surgeon has been difficult! Please share your Dr. experiences, THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY, I want to hear it all, please!! This will help make my decision.

I had my band surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz. While the band didn't work out for me (it wasn't the fault of the surgeon) my experience there at the Obesity Control Center (OCC) was really great. Felt safe and cared for the whole time. And I did call them after I got home with a concern and got a call back within about a half hour from one of the surgeons - and he spent about 20 minutes on the phone with me talking about my concerns and offering helpful suggestions. I'd never get that level of attention from a US doctor!

The sleeve is a bigger surgery, and I would be nervous about doing that away from home. If possible, I would recommend that you have someone come with you - just to advocate for you as needed and help out after surgery. And help with luggage and stuff for the trip home.

I had my sleeve done at OCC, too. Done in December 2013 and better care than I could have imagined. Two extremely skilled and experienced surgeons (Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez) and I've had great followup with both Dr. So and Dr. Martinez. I'm 9 months out, well below goal and still losing a pound here and there. I Feel incredible! Check out this thread for dozens of successful OCC stories....

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

And their website is www.obesitycontrolcenter.com. You deal directly with them, not a third party Medical Tourism company.