CER Hospital in Tijuana or Mi Doctor? Dr.Valenzuela or Dr.Garcia?

I want to have vsg surgery in Tijuana in Sept. I've been doing a lot of research but I'm having a hard time choosing a facility. I've narrowed it down to Dr.garcia and Dr.Valenzuela. I have heard lots of great things about both. The most important part for me is deciding what facility I would be most comfortable with.

I've heard a lot of people have gone to Mi doctor but stated it was outdated, has anyone recently been? How was your experience? As far as dr garcia I've heard great things about him but not so much about cer hospital. I'm leaning towards cer but have yet to see any pictures or videos of what the rooms and or look like. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I was mi doctor and had Valenzuela in January 2015. She was a wonderful surgeon and I had no issues. I thought the hospital was fine.

Awesome thank you for your input! I'm new to all of this and have never been out of the country so it's a little scary! I just want to make sure I make the right decision. It definitely worries me not being able to see what the facility looks like beforehand for example cer. I hear lots of great things about Dr Garcia but really nothing about the facility! I do feel better knowing Mi Doctor is a hospital not a clinic.

Dr. Garcia and CER were amazing so great, that I took my best friend there 3 months later. I went in Dec 2015 and after having 4 surgeries for other things in the US felt this was the best experience I've had. I'm also at goal weight now.

 

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I had my surgery May 24, 2016 with Dr. Garcia at CER. I had a great experience. The facility was clean and comfortable and Dr. Garcia and his staff were top notch. I liked that CER was not a full hospital (although state of the art and equipped for any emergency) because I didn't worry about people with contagious illnesses in the other rooms. The only thing I wish was better was more hallway for those regular walks after surgery.

 

 

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I'm glad to hear yall had a great experience with Dr fernando garcia and his team! I would love to see pictures and videos! Plz keep me updated. I forgot to ask do they do the leak test there? And how long were yall in the hospital? Also Who did you go through? I know about tijuana bariatrics but I have another company called bariatric mexico surgery (bms) they have been in contact I wonder if they are part of tijuana bariatrics? I say this because I filled out medical form thru TB but the other company gave me the approval. I may just email them back and ask I just don't want to be lied to. I want to go through someone I know I can trust.

I went through Tijuana bariatrics and they made everything easy. I flew in on a Monday and they met me at the airport and took me to the Hilton (which was paid for as part of the package). So one night at Hilton then 2 nights in CER and then it was supposed to be 2 nights in Hilton but I just stayed one and then headed home. The Hilton collaborates with the hospital and provides free broth and popsicles. . Unfortunately I didn't take any photos while there. CER has a website with pics of the facility though which helped me in deciding to go there.

 

 

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I booked my appointment with dr Valenzuela and paid 500 extra because of all the surgeons mentioned on their website, she seemed to have more experience. However, when the day of my surgery came, I saw her for two minutes before they wheeled me in. I did not see her face again. The doctor that actually took care of me was a wonderful guy and I do not have any complains about him or their team but I can't help but feel a little cheated. [emoji20]

 

 

I can and I will.

I was sleeved by Dr Fernando Garcia at Florence Oasis Hospital April 2013 (I was part of the first group of patients there.) He and the other physicians I saw were so nice. I was so scared, but Dr Garcia patted my leg and said, "We are going to take very good care of you," and they did.

I'm a nurse myself, and I think that the nursing staff there was amazing. If I rang the bell, they were right there, and pain and nausea meds were given before I needed them. I liked the nice courtyard, and after I went to the hotel it was nice to be able to walk around outside.

I was 230 at my highest weight, prediabetic, constant joint pain. I got down to 198 (I think) before surgery, and I've been at 148-158 for over two years. Im going back on protein shakes for a couple of weeks to get that 10 pounds back off. If I can figure it out I'll edit thesis post to add a before and after pic.

Deborah

I have the VSG last August at CER with Dr. Garcia, and my experience was very positive. He and his staff were kind, attentive, and efficient. I experienced minimal pain and discomfort, and felt that I was take care off throughout the duration of my stay. My room was spacious, completely private, and had everything I needed. I brought a HDMI cable to hook my laptop up to the TV so my parents and I could watch movies while I was recovering. My parents were my support team, and they stayed at the Marriott and had a free shuttle back and forth to CER every day. They enjoyed their stay. Other supporters stayed in the room with the patient, but didn't get much rest with the nurses coming in throughout the night (to be expected) and the chaise lounge not being very comfortable. 

 

The only negative for CER was that it was extremely noisy when I was there. It's new, and they're still working on construction on some of the floors. There's also construction just outside the hospital. Babies with cleft palates were being treated on the same floor, so naturally they were crying at night. If you're a light sleeper or are prone to headaches from noise, I'd consider bringing some earplugs and comfortable headphones. I also have this tiny portable white noise machine that I take with me to help drown out noise when I'm traveling (I've stayed in a lot of hotels next to airports). 

 

I did not receive much follow-up care through Dr. Garcia, but I also didn't seek it out. I could have emailed them with any questions. I was given a folder with nutritional guidelines, and a package with pain medication, bandages and such for the incisions. For me, this was sufficient because I consulted with a local Registered Dietician who has worked with bariatric patients, and my endocrinologist had agreed in advance to provide follow-up care. 

 

I'm extremely happy with my decision. I have lost 70 pounds in the past 11 months, have had no complications, have perfect lab results, and have no skin issues, and little hair loss. I've gone from a BMI in the low 30s to a BMI in the low 20s. 

I booked my appointment with dr Valenzuela and paid 500 extra because of all the surgeons mentioned on their website, she seemed to have more experience. However, when the day of my surgery came, I saw her for two minutes before they wheeled me in. I did not see her face again. The doctor that actually took care of me was a wonderful guy and I do not have any complains about him or their team but I can't help but feel a little cheated.

I can and I will.

Thank you for your response! I'm glad to hear everything went well! After researchING them I have decided to stay away, I don't blame you for feeling cheated. They emailed me with the price of $5000!the website advertised a much lower price! And to top it off I was told a companion was free but since the hospital has been so crowed they have been having companions stay at the hotel and it is an additional fee of $200!

I've decided to go with Dr Garcia at Tijuana Bariatrics. Everyone seems to have had a really good experience with him and his staff!

CER Hospital in Tijuana or Mi Doctor? Dr.Valenzuela or Dr.Garcia?

I want to have vsg surgery in Tijuana in Sept. I've been doing a lot of research but I'm having a hard time choosing a facility. I've narrowed it down to Dr.garcia and Dr.Valenzuela. I have heard lots of great things about both. The most important part for me is deciding what facility I would be most comfortable with.

I've heard a lot of people have gone to Mi doctor but stated it was outdated, has anyone recently been? How was your experience? As far as dr garcia I've heard great things about him but not so much about cer hospital. I'm leaning towards cer but have yet to see any pictures or videos of what the rooms and or look like. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Hi! Did you ever find out the difference between BSM and Tijuana Bariatrics? I ask, because i am going through the same process as you are right now and trying to decide between the same two docs.

 

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I had my surgery May 24, 2016 with Dr. Garcia at CER. I had a great experience. The facility was clean and comfortable and Dr. Garcia and his staff were top notch. I liked that CER was not a full hospital (although state of the art and equipped for any emergency) because I didn't worry about people with contagious illnesses in the other rooms. The only thing I wish was better was more hallway for those regular walks after surgery.

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Yes, you really have to do laps one those short hallways!!