Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hello everyone, I was away for a couple of days, got to enjoy a nice long weekend with my family. I have been reading more and more and for some reason (and I hope It's a good one) Tijuana always seems to come in to the conversation.The only bad thing is that there are too many it's confusing so I guess I have a lot of research to do since the cost for the surgery in Mexico is within my budget.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i had surgery in Tijuana. i had no problems. i lost 105 lbs. feel good. i went to dr. daniel huacuz. i think he is really great. you cant get better care anywhere. there are lots of doctors in tj. you can check around. but i think my doc is the best. call him . you can check out his website and call , the price is very good. the service and hospital are both top shelf. good luck and hope you have great success like me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello everyone, I was away for a couple of days, got to enjoy a nice long weekend with my family. I have been reading more and more and for some reason (and I hope It's a good one) Tijuana always seems to come in to the conversation.The only bad thing is that there are too many it's confusing so I guess I have a lot of research to do since the cost for the surgery in Mexico is within my budget.

HOPE YOU HAD A NICE WEEKEND, I'M ALSO LOOKING IN TO A COUPLE OR DOCTORS IN Tijuana, ANY INPUT???? THANKS!!! SUSAN B.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded 7-16-07 in Tijuana by Dr. Ortiz. It was a fantastic experience. He runs a first class operation and it was great. I feel great and am losing lbs. daily. Cost wise he is middle of the road but I feel it was worth every cent.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Is Mexico the place for surgery or what,

where is everybody?

That is the million doller question on here isn't it. Everyone is going to feel one way or another, so you have to go through all the posts and make a decision.

I banded with Dr.Joya in porta varata, mexico for two reasons, he had no neg feed back anywhere on the internet, here or other sites and he was the cheepest, not to mention awesome credentials. It wasn't all about the money but it kinda was. I found three docs I could afford and looked into all three, Dr Joya came up with no bad feed back and was the lowest price. I had a great experience and would suggest him to anyone, infact I think my mom is going next month.

Does that help?

jmej

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have done A LOT of looking around myself as I have a "lower" BMI and US insurance companies weren't going for it...so just let me say, "this is what I have come up with"

* the docs (most of them) in Mexico do outstanding work

* arrange where your fills and who your f/u will be after your surgery if you wont return to Mexico each time

* bad outcomes happen in Mexico just like they do in the states, but have a plan to receive treatment if you are "one of those" that has a run of bad luck

there is a TON of helpful info on this site...by using the search function you can search the docs name or mexico and you will come up with lots of info, I think I read that half of this site has been banded in mexico!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

<p><p><p>HI I JUST READ YOUR REPLY AND AM ALSO A PATIENT OF DR. HUACUZ. BUT I'VE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED FOR A VERY LONG TIME .<img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/cry.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Think" smilieid="15" class="inlineimg" /> I KNOW 6 PEOPLE THAT GOT THE LAP BAND W/ HIM AND ARE ALL VERY VERY DIAPPOINTED !!!! SO I WON'T RECOMEND HIM FOR THE SURGERY AT ALL! I SO WISH THAT I WOULD OF GONE W/ DR.ORTIZ FROM THE BEGINNING AND NOW AM RECIEVING THE AFTER CARE THROUGH ORTIZ'S CLINC,SO I'M A LOT HAPPIER WITH EVERYTHING NOW.<img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/clap2.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Clap2" smilieid="217" class="inlineimg" /> I LOST 70 LBS. &amp; HAVE 40-50 TO GO ! HOPE I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ...</p><img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/whoo.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Whoo" smilieid="339" class="inlineimg" /></p></p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am satisfied with my experience in Tijauana. You will find people here who love their physicians and others who have nothing good to say. The city itself is dirty, smelly, and not particularly friendly, however the hospital itself and staff were modern, clean, curteous, and professional. One month out I am not sorry I went there--it was half the cost and I am losing weight the same as everyone else.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

<p><p>JUST RESPONDING ONCE AGAIN TO THESE POSTS...HAVE NOTHING AGAINST T.J. AT ALL ! JUST HAVE HAD A REALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM AGAINST DR. THAT DON'T HAVE THE EDIECT THAT SHOULD FOLLOW THROUGH WITH EVERY PATIENT (IN THE CASE MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND I HAVE HAD WITH OUR DR. (HUACUZ) IN THE LAST SEVERAL OF MONTHS . IT'S JUST VERY SAD TO BELIEVE AND SET HI EXPECTATIONS AFTER SEVERAL OF MONTHS OF RESEARCH AND MANY LONG INTENCE HOURS OF RULING OUT CHOICES TO WHOME TO CHOOSE FOR THE SURGERY THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE. WELL ,WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET TO IS THAT WE BELIEVE AND OUR DR. HAS FAILED MANY OF US....AND I WON'T GET INTO A LOT OF DETAIL ,BUT I HAVE CONCREAT EVIDENCE THAT MANY THAT I KNOW PERSONALLY HAVE HAD COMPLICATIONS THAT WERE CAUSED FROM MALPRACTICE ON HIS BEHALFAND FURTHER MORE,ARE AND HAVE BEEN PUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER WAY....FROM COMPLICATIONS!!! SO, I GUESS BEING THAT IT'S NOT ONLY ME ,BUT MORE THAT WERE TURNED AWAY AND NEGLECTED FROM THE PROPER CARE ,AS WE AS AS HIS PAITIENCE WERE INTILED OF.I GUESS ALL THAT I CAN SAY AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS, THAT I HAPPILY BEING SEEN AS A PAIENT OF Dr. Ortiz AND HAVE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER AND MORE AT EASE. (IT IS MY HEALTH AT RISK, IAND I TREASURE IT VERY DEARLY!!! )I HAPPILY CAN SAY THAT MY WEIGHT CONTINUES TO COME OFF SLOWLY AS IT SHOULD AND MY TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS IS 70/DAY OF SURGERY WEIGHING @ 268 LBS. 5'7" ON FEB.23 2006 . GOOD LUCK TO ALL :whoo:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all,

I too was banded in TJ on august 15th by Dr Ortiz. It was fine, mostly met my expectations, and I am recovering back home up in Canada.SOme things you don't really get if you go with a Mx doctor though is immediate follow up care. I've heard that docs here will call the patient a few days later to check on them - that hasn't happened. I think that there is more that could be done to support patients post op and hopefully the Mx docs will add that to their scope of practice. however, maybe that's what you forfeit when you save the money by going down there.

I chose Ortiz because he has done over 4000 of these ops, does 5 or so a day and has done them for many years. He trains other doctors in the technique. I opted for someone who is technically expert at the procedure, and cared less about bedside manner ( One patient on my day didn't even meet him!) which was fine.

It is a highly competitive market down in Tijuana and as you get ready to commit to one doc or another , narrow it down. I have the perception that their prices may be a bit Fluid to get the business. I had another doc's rep offer to lower the price twice in the week after I had made contact, but while I was still researching....I had in the meantime already committed to Ortiz, in part because he could fit me in on a date that would work with my schedule.

Ortiz's practice is filled with some docs that really seemed to care, and some great nurses. He has set up a competent and squeaky clean center.

that's my feedback. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you are going to Mexico it is all about the $$$$$ I had looked every where for information and decided on Dr. Ortiz and have not regeted it once. He has a top notch practice

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I read a lot of good things about DR. Gonzaea in TJ. I emailed them and a doctor called me right back. Your BMI has to be 33 or above. I've filled out the medical forms and am going to set up a date to have the surgery. End of Sept or early Oct. Price is 7,500. Frpm Tucson AZ I can get a cheap easy flight to San Diago. I will also get my fills an follow up in TJ

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello all! thank you all for your replies to this thread here is my experience that I wrote on the doctor Gonzalez thread, everything went great!

I'm back!!!

Sorry I didn't post sooner but I left home only a couple of days and everything just went crazy. I had a great experience with everything, the little details are not even worth mentioning. All the doctors, Laura, the hotel and the surgical facility all were great. I'm speechless. I read about other people posting and I'm sure, they are exagerating! Not so, Christine everything was just as you had described it. I thank all of you for your referrals I feel so lucky that I found this forum otherwise who knows where I would have gone for my lap band. The day after surgery I did not believe it, I felt as if nothing had happened. Well let me tell everyone: Go to doctor Gonzalez and doctor Valenzuela. Calls and emails daily since I got back home, asking about my flight back, my pain, my incisions, my diet I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!! I'm happy to tears. And I'm losing weight!!!!!!!!!!

The nurses were awesome, a couple have a little bit of a problem with their English, but they knew what I needed. Laura was ready to answer my calls (and did) 24/7. When do these people rest? I don't know but I am very grateful

. Lap-bandit (I got your PM, thanks!), do not worry for a second, you are going to be in the greatest care with the greatest group of professionals.

Thanks again everyone and I'll be sure to keep you posted!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×