Hey,

So my jobs insurence don't cover the gastric sleeve. I have tried every diet possible and it never works. So I gping to have to pay cash for the surgery.... can't afford the 10k-16k here in the states so I have considered going to Mexico for the surgery it's only about 4k cash.. which I have... has anyone done this and have a recommendation?

Thanks[emoji2] [emoji2] [emoji2]

I've gone to Mexico twice, first time for my LapBand in 2005 and just last month for my revision to the VSG. Both times, Dr. Pedro Kuri was my surgeon. His price was $5,500 + $1,000 to remove my band. Travel expenses to San Diego Airport are not included.

I trust Dr. Kuri and his team implicitly.

I had VSG with Dr. Illan in January. I highly recommend Dr. Illan. There is a Gastric Sleeve Mexico forum. That forum has some reviews and discussions about searching out a reputable doc in Mexico.

I am going to Mexico next month. Pompeii Surgical, I have researched, and Dr. Q seems to be an excellent dr. My friend had surgery with him over a year ago. they have an online site, and a facebook group. everyone has been pretty supportive. Good luck

I'm going in 4 weeks... I'm going through A Slimmer Me with Dr. Montano. There are many many great doctors there so if you do your research and reward reviews here you'll be fine! I'm excited to go in a couple of weeks.

I just had surgery at OCC with Dr Ortez on Tuesday. Everything was 5*. Look him up! He is in Tijuana. I'm heading home tomorrow and couldn't be happier to start my new journey!

I'm in Tijuana at the moment and found out that there's been another Patient Death at ALM (ALM) with Dr. Jose Luis Curiel Marchena . The patient death occurred about 3-4 weeks ago. A mother traveled with her 14-year-old daughter to have weight loss surgery in Tijuana. The patient bled out during surgery and passed away. I found out about this from my contact at the US Consulate here in Tijuana. The consulate didn't know how to handle the situation since the daughter was a minor and all alone in Tijuana.

Ok, that's Alex Brechers (the Bariatric Pal "administrator"), post not mine. I don't know why his (the original posters) information didn't copy when I pasted it but this is very recent.

I am going to Ponce Bariatrics in Tijuana on Thursday 4/27
Four days away!!!

I've read reviews of Dr. Ponce and his team and feel comfortable. Several people on this forum have used him with great reviews.

I think Mexico is a good option. Check reviews of the doctor you're looking at using and call their office with questions.

I called the office last week with a question and Dr. Frayre, his assistant and chief plastics guy, answered the phone. My patient coordinator is Ana Cristina and she is absolutely fantastic as very on top of things.

I'm in Tijuana at the moment and found out that there's been another Patient Death at ALM (ALM) with Dr. Jose Luis Curiel Marchena . The patient death occurred about 3-4 weeks ago. A mother traveled with her 14-year-old daughter to have weight loss surgery in Tijuana. The patient bled out during surgery and passed away. I found out about this from my contact at the US Consulate here in Tijuana. The consulate didn't know how to handle the situation since the daughter was a minor and all alone in Tijuana.
Ok, that's Alex Brechers (the Bariatric Pal "administrator"), post not mine. I don't know why his (the original posters) information didn't copy when I pasted it but this is very recent.

Thanks for this info!
I have not read the post but it would be helpful to know her level of obesity and any medications and pre-existing conditions she had that may have led to her death.
I'm a nurse so this makes me sad for her family but I also understand that any surgery is a risk.
If the death rate is climbing with a specific surgeon I'd definitely research their methods and practice.
I think this is great information and a good prompt for all of us to know the success rate as well as failure rate of those who we trust with our lives.

I just have to say one more thing about my surgical team...
I had an "oh no!" moment this morning and decided to send my patient coordinator an email while I was thinking about it.

I was not expecting a reply until tomorrow sometime but they replied today. On a Sunday. Two hours after I sent the message.

I am so impressed because they really do have someone there 24/7 to help.

I hope the rest of you guys are getting excellent service. It makes me so happy to see the positive notes and comments you have to say about your teams. I think your positive attitudes are so helpful and inspiring to me.

We've got this!

I'm 14 days post surgery. Dr. Garcia from Tijuana Bariatrics did my sleeve. Zero problems and I have high blood pressure, am (was?) Diabetic with a high BMI. They are awesome!

HW 420
SW 347
CW 334
Sleeved April 10, 2017

I'm 14 days post surgery. Dr. Garcia from Tijuana Bariatrics did my sleeve. Zero problems and I have high blood pressure, am (was?) Diabetic with a high BMI. They are awesome!

HW 420
SW 347
CW 334
Sleeved April 10, 2017

Congrats! I have my surgery in about 6.5hrs from now and I'm excited but anxious. Haha.
I hope for zero pain, zero complications and zero infection. As of yesterday I've lost 7lb on the pre op diet.
Can't wait to be on the losers bench.

I'm 3 weeks post op down 40 lbs and rolling.Ibwent to Dr Fernando Garcia.Him,his Drs,his staff were all amazing.Anwered every question beforehand and after surgery as well.When I was there every person I saw that used another Dr was having issues holding fluids or throwing up.Allnhis patients were up and about walking smoothly.I highly Recommend Tijuana Bariatrics and Dr Garcia.Inalready have multiple friends starting the process with him.

MrsDaniel and I were there together and we raced around the walk area!!!!How are you doing?

I am at the hospital now. I have an IV hooked up and am waiting for some pre op tests to be finished then surgery!

My surgery went pretty well. I had a hard time with my throats hurting after they too the tube out in recovery.
I don't tend to do well with anesthesia because I am very sensitive to it so I was really loopy and emotional after I woke up. I was gagging on the dryness of my throats and was only able to communicate a little to the nurses in that state.
I stayed there a little longer before coming back to my room. I spent the next hour coughing and coughing before I asked "agua pocito, no traga, dolor gargantas" (little water no swallow, throats pain)
For those of you who do not speak Spanish, the nurses I had were wonderful and patient and knew some English. My advice is know the basics for what you'll need and either write them down or commit to memory.

In the US my profession is a nurse and I do have allergies so I also asked "medicina nombre" (name of medicine) a lot.

My Spanish is broken at best but they were kind and patient with me.

I used the google translate app a lot and made sure to update the offline settings for Spanish before I went.

I've been up a few times walking from my bed to the bathroom which about 12-15' away without problem of assistance since I got back from recovery. From coughing a lot I've made my stomach muscled sore but they're tolerable. The drain is the most tender. I have three incisions.

All of my fluid intake yesterday was done via IV. Today I start orally.

I've only been able to sleep for about 90m at a time because the heat and humidity are not my friends and if there is AC here I don't know how to operate it and nobody has volunteered that information. When my translator comes in this morning that's the first thing I'll ask.

I've seen a few people walking halls and my doctor has checked on patients in the rooms on either side of me so maybe some of y'all are down here and if so, I truly and sincerely wish you the best of luck in your recovery processes.