Hey anyone here from SLC? Do you have a family doctor you recommend to see you after surgery? That's the last thing standing in my way to get my sleeve done in Mexico. Please help! Thank you in advanced!

You don't have a family doctor already? I don't think you can go wrong there. Pick one covered by your insurance, or call around for rates if you are cash pay.

Hi I live in SLC, I see ST Marks Family Medicine. I'm heading to Mexico next month, my insurance doesn't cover surgery ..

Hi I live in SLC, I see ST Marks Family Medicine. I'm heading to Mexico next month, my insurance doesn't cover surgery ..

Hi Utah chica, have you told your Dr you are going to Mexico for the surgery and if so have they agreed to be supportive of your decision and do your follow up care/labs etc? I also live in Utah and had a very bad reaction from my PCP when I brought up WLS....I didn't even mention Mexico. So, I am looking for a new provider and hopefully have surgery in May. Which surgeon are you going with in Mexico and if you don't mind me asking how much are you paying? Thank you ahead of time for any help/response.

No I didn't tell her I was planning to go to Mexico but that I wanted to have the gastric sleeve surgery. She was excited for my new journey and said she would help with recommendations. I knew my insurance wouldn't cover the surgery. I've been wanting to have the surgery and did all my research with many doctors in Tijuana. There are plenty out there with many all inclusive plans. I really liked the doctor I chose which is Dr. Garcia with everything and due to my weight it is $5000.00. I hope I answered your questions, please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

No I didn't tell her I was planning to go to Mexico but that I wanted to have the gastric sleeve surgery. She was excited for my new journey and said she would help with recommendations. I knew my insurance wouldn't cover the surgery. I've been wanting to have the surgery and did all my research with many doctors in Tijuana. There are plenty out there with many all inclusive plans. I really liked the doctor I chose which is Dr. Garcia with everything and due to my weight it is $5000.00. I hope I answered your questions, please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thank you for the response. When is your surgery with Dr Garcia?

March 2, I just finished my first week of my Pre-op diet.. Omg, seriously difficult..

That's awesome UtahChica! You are so close to really making this happen! I am so excited for you. Which hospital does Dr Garcia work out of? That is kind of my hang up right now..I am wanting to have surgery in a hospital vs a clinic. Thanks for your replying!

I told my PCP that I wanted to do my gastric sleeve surgery and he was very supportive of me going to Mexico for my surgery. He was just concerned that I did my research and got into a great Doctor.

In the end, after extensive research, I chose Dr. Carlos Altamirano Cano. At the time I booked through Bariactric Pal and my trip and surgery went off without a hitch. The staff at Florence Hospital was amazing and took wonderful care of me.

After I was discharged from the hospital I spent 2 days at the recovery house where I had Juan who took me all over Tijuana and Ensanada. I felt that 2 days was a little much, it would have been nice to return home after the first day. I was pretty wiped out by the time I got back to Utah.

The think that impressed me the most about Dr. Altamirano was how much he genuinely cares about his patients. He calls you as your date is nearing, he explains EVERYTHING in great detail, and most of all... he stopped in and saw me at the recovery house and spent an hour of his own time with me. What doctor does that these days, house calls? As far as I'm concerned, I selected the very best surgeon $4400 could buy. I know I will have life long support from him as long as I want/need it.

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Thanks for all the great advice. I also live in Utah and am thinking of doing surgery in Mexico around April or May of this year and I am way nervous to tell my PCP about this as he is new to me and I've seen him only once. So this will be interesting.

I have being doing a lot of research on doctors and I seem to be leaning towards Dr. Carlos Altamirano

Hi everyone! I am in Draper, Utah and am thinking about having VSG with Dr. Altamirano in April or May also. I am a little hesitant about asking my PCP to follow. I have told my family that I am looking into this, and they are definitely very concerned about my decision to do this in Tijuana, as you can imagine! Have any of you experienced this with your families, and how did you convince them that this is quality health care?

I leave on Tuesday to Tijuana with Dr. Garcia, I'll let you know how everything goes. I started a IG account, it's private right now I haven't told me people about it just yet. My family is supportive and I'm excited, nervous and calm all at the same time. I also decided not to tell anyone at work but my close friend. I work with all women and I don't want to hear any negative comments.

Many.... My IG account is VegMex_VSG..

I am also from Utah. But I am having surgery in fremont, calif. due to my husband working in Calif. and our insurance is thru Kaiser there. I was wondering if you guys flew or are planning to fly home after. I have a long history with blood clots (3 DVTs) and know flying puts you more at risk for them. I will stay in Calif. for a bit then drive home.

I am also from Utah. But I am having surgery in fremont, calif. due to my husband working in Calif. and our insurance is thru Kaiser there. I was wondering if you guys flew or are planning to fly home after. I have a long history with blood clots (3 DVTs) and know flying puts you more at risk for them. I will stay in Calif. for a bit then drive home.

With your history of DVTs, I would definitely talk to your surgeon about flying home after. It is a short flight, however, so you will most likely be fine, but see what your doctor says.

I am also from Utah and will be seeing my pcp next week to break the news about going to Mexico lol fingers crossed she is ok with it

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So excited to see so many from Utah here. I live in Wyoming but will have my surgery at LDS next month. I went through Rocky Mtn Associated Physicians. Good luck to all!

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