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

Highly recommended Beverly Hills surgeon or Mexico?



Recommended Posts

I am cash pay. I went for the initial consult to the Beverly Hills board certified doc who explained his history and what he surgically does to prevent complications, why choose him with his excellent record. I was convinced. However, once I heard the price, $19k, I wondered whether it would be worth the risk to do this in Mexico. Where it is apparently much much less.

But the risks. Patients aren't protected there by the threat of lawsuits etc. Is the extra $10k worth it to keep me safe? I have small children and I'm a single mom. What do you all think? I want to get sleeved in July. Thanks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There are a ton of people here who have had their surgery in Mexico. If I had to self-pay I would definitely talk to them and see what they think.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for responding. How much do the Mexican docs check their work, test the stitches, do staples as well as hand stitching? The most common thing to go wrong that the surgeon can have any fault in at all would be the sewing, right?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't go to Mexico if you do not have to. I am sure they are competent. However, I choose this clinic based on the mds experience and the fact it is in the US. Any malpractice issues in Mexico would be a serious problem. Highly recommend looking at Dr. Hoehn and staff. Private hospital aswell.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Dr. Illan in Tijuana. He loves what he does and cares about his patients. You will stay two nights in the hospital and one night in a local hotel before you are "discharged". Once you get home, he is always available by email, phone or Skype. I am three months post-op and have had ZERO complications. Going back next month as my sister's companion.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a great experience with Dr. Illan in Mexico. Complications can happen anywhere and aren't always the fault of the doctor. If I could have afforded surgery closer to home I would have done it though, just because it would be easier to get follow up care.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you have insurance? I have a fantastic surgeon at UCLA and it is one of the best clinics in the country.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So much to think about. Dr Illan in Mexico seems to have nothing but positive reviews. I'll look at Vegas and UCLA too. The doctor I consulted said he reduced the chances of leaking to almost nonexistent by stitching in addition to the staples and now it seems that most doctors do both. I'm not sure what advantage I get from doing it with this doctor if that isn't one.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I forgot to respond, no, we have a health share which is reviewing my medical need for weight loss surgery but probably won't cover it. I expect them not to. So I am cash pay. The difference between here and Mexico is so great and Mexico is not very far from here (Los Angeles). I just need it done in July so I can have two weeks off.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The UCLA bariatric clinic has no history of leaks. If insurance will cover even half of it, I seriously recommend UCLA. However, even if insurance covers it, they all require 3-6 months of supervised weight loss. FEP, which is for federal employees is 3 months but I think most are 6. So that might leave Mexico as your only option if you need it next month. As long as you thoroughly research the clinic, people get great results in Mexico. I'd start the process asap because I bet the good Mexican clinics have waiting periods.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I highly recommend Dr. Ramos Kelly in Tijuana. He has done some of his medical training in the US, including at USC and as a trauma surgeon at LA County Hospital. I had surgery in April 2017 and have had no complications. He visited me twice a day in the hospital and then each day in the TJ hotel I stayed at after leaving the hospital. I'm in So Cal and took the train to San Diego where Dr. Kelly's driver picked me up. It was a great experience and I'm losing weight! I couldn't be happier with my decision!

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

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 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

    ×