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Dr. Elias Ortiz or Dr. Fernando Garcia?

Ingrid007

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jjinWA    511

jjinWA
Posted

Curious why you eliminated Dr. Ariel Ortiz? Dr A. Ortiz and Dr. Pompa are Center of Excellence surgeons. I am trying to decide between these two surgeons. Such a big decision.

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Ingrid007    4

Ingrid007
Posted

Because I find it very hard hard to believe that Dr. Ariel Ortiz has ZERO complications out of all the surgeries he has done. (I am not bashing him at all). I just feel like it's not true, all doctor even the best of the best here in the states have complications, which is totally ok cause nothing or no one is perfect. All of the doctors I've spoken to tell me they've had 2-3 out of thousands (which is still great) but he was the only doctor to say he had none. I really find that hard to believe. I also liked the honestly of the rest of doctors, they didn't have a problem stating their bad experiences.

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hollisrn76    21

hollisrn76
Posted

What made you go to mexico? The savings? What was your process like? How long was the whole process? Did you have to travel back and forth to mexico? Just curious. Do you get surgery quickly? TIA

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Ingrid007    4

Ingrid007
Posted

HollisRN- I haven't gone yet but I have decided that's what I am doing. My insurance doesn't cover the surgery and I cannot afford the cost of it in the US ($18K). Compared to all the reviews I've read a lot of people highly recommend it. I will for sure be going. I have the money saved up and now just narrowing it down to these 2 doctors to give me deposit and start my countdown. For the follow up they will just be a phone call or email away but my pcp said he will continue to see me and do my labs...

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Ingrid007    4

Ingrid007
Posted

Rocky- I've heard they are both great! One is just more expensive than the other by $2000. I've seen DR. Ariel YouTube videos and he's quiet impressive. Speak perfect english...

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hollisrn76    21

hollisrn76
Posted

Thank you. Whats the cost?

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Cody's mom    247

Cody's mom
Posted

@@hollisrn76 I paid $4400 to have my sleeve done. I didn't have to jump threw any hoops or do all the crazy silly things our health care instructs us to do.. I knew I needed help, I got help. I feel the surgeons in Mexico are much better than here in Canada as it's their lively hood, they have to do a good job or they'll be out of a job. Here in Canada, you screw up or do a crappy job, oh well, that's what insurance is for, so they don't really give a care. Dr. E. Ortiz did mine and there were no problems.

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lovelyme    21

lovelyme
Posted

I paid $4600 for Dr. Elias Ortiz (plus flight). Most everything is included with this cost - hotel, food, hospital, meds etc. His price just went up when I had booked him.

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MISSORLANDOPLUSAMERICA2011    11

MISSORLANDOPLUSAMERICA2011
Posted (edited)

Hi there!

One of my girlfriends went to see Dr. Fernando Garcia last May. She Did tons and tons of research and found that her best bet was with him. Dr. Fernando Garcia is also accredited through the US from my understanding through my friend. She is a year out and has lost 140 pounds. The only complication that she had was eating after she got back home a slice of pizza and she paid dearly for it. Other than that she said that this was the best decision she ever made.

I am scheduled to go to Dr. Fernando Garcia December 8th with surgery December 9th. I am very very excited and happy! I absolutely love Ms. Alma (coordinator) and I've been talking with her since last year 2013. I finally decided to get it done after fighting with my insurance. Ms. Alma always calls my husband whenever he emails her with a question. They make sure that the family is comfortable and worry free. Just pray about your decision because what might be good for Jane isn't for Jake.

Wishing you the best on your journey!

Ok, so I've done all my research and it's down to these 2 doctors in Tijuana.< br />I'm reaching out to you guys, if there is anything you know negative or positive, please share....
I am trying to schedule my surgery end of November.

Edited by SHBROW4134

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Cody's mom    247

Cody's mom
Posted

@bariatricdreamer No need to worry about travelling alone. They pick you up at the airport, there are other people in the van with you to meet, they take you to the hotel where everyone else is, then the following day you go to the hospital with everyone. When your done, you go back to the hotel with everyone, and out shopping in a group. So don't feel scared, your not alone, there will be lots of others there.

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Go To Topic Listing Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      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

        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

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      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

        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

      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

        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.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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