:tt1: Hi! I am looking for a good surgeon in Mexico. I am interested in the "medical tourism" program. Anyone have their procedure done with Dr. Arturo Rodriguez from Monterrey, Mexico. Thanks

Hi, I went down to Mexico almost two years ago for my band and all went well. I've seen Rodriguez's name mentioned before so hopefully you'll get some responses. I'm preparing to go back down for a nose job and have been seeking info on Mexico surgeons who do those. Anyone?

I am heading down there next month to Dr. Ortiz... I was recommended to him and another MX Dr... and after comparing the two and a few more, I feel that Ortiz is the BEST around. He is a member of the FACS and the American Bariatric Surgeons, is one of the pioneers, is hired by the actualy lap band manufacturer INAMED to train American Dr.'s. He has written a book about the Lap Band procedure... and to top it off, my friend who had gastric here in the states, her Dr. said that if I'm going to MX I chose one of the best there is!!!

You will hear so MANY positive reviews about everyone's own Dr.. be prepared. When I started my research everyone came out of the woodwork to praise their own Dr. And that's great... You are going to have to do your own research to find which Dr. is BEST for YOU!!!

Congrats on taking the 1st steps in this journey... if you have any q's, feel free to ask here or you can always send personal q's to me or anyone else for that matter. This forum is AMAZING. I have LEARNED SO MUCH!

Good luck!

Why not just go to Denver and see Dr. Kirshenbaum? Only $9950 and the safety of the USA.

I honestly am NOT worried about the conditions of the Dr, the facility or the care. After all my research and my referrals/recommendations, I have heard it surpasses USA bar none. The only thing that has me 'concerned' is the status of TJ. But since I am only 2 hours away from TJ vs. Denver, and finding Dr's that are willing to work on 'others' work, I think TJ works best for me. But it's good to know about that rate in Denver. Here in Cali it's 14-20k and I know in NY it's 20-30k cash!!

You are so fortunate to be only 2 hours away from some of the world's best health care.

I'm needing dental work and would not hesitate Tijuana. But because it will require multiple visits-I'm on the East coast and airfare will kill me!

Just got back from Monterrey, Mexico. I must say, the hospital that I had my surgery in was far nicer than any hospital I've seen in the US. The staff was much nicer, too.

Congrad's on ur surgery & proud of you I'm supposed to go May 18th to Dr Zapata. Can you tell me about his pain meds. I read that he doesn't give any. Please tell me that he atleast give you Tylenol 3. Please. I can't even deal with a pain of a headache. Not that I ever have any pain. But I'm worried if I'm in pain I want something.

WOW, California - you had Lap-band surgery to lose only 48 pounds? WOW!!!

Good for you - guess when insurance is paying the rules are different! Congratulations...and good luck! :drool:

My bmi was 30 and 1 week post op I have lost 10 pounds. Everyone in my family is severly overweight and it was just a matter of time before I joined them. I actually had the surgery the same time as my aunt. There's 5 in my immediate family that have been banded and they've all had great results. Dr Zapata didn't do low bmi surgeries until a few years ago when he realized the preventative benefits of it. We had a long talk about it. Like my mom said, there's no use spending your youth struggling with weight.

As far as pain meds go, I really wish I could tell you it didn't hurt. No meds that my aunt and I were given seemed to make a difference. It hurt, but with walking and staying active it was manageable. I honestly think he's just cheap and that's why none of the meds worked. I've had surgery before and I know what the meds are supposed to feel like but this was not close. Try to wait until night time when the nurses will consult the night doc instead of Zapata. I managed a sleeping pill that way. Or bring your own. I took some good pain meds the min I left the hospital that I bought at a Mexico pharmacy.

Dr Zapata and his staff were so nice that I wish I could report a better experience in regards to pain, but everything else was wonderful.

Just remember- you will get through it. You can't expect to be a bombshell without some pain.

Great idea! I know that I never should have waited so long!

When people ask me if I would do it again and/or if I have any regrets..I telll them that I would do it again in a heartbeat...but that I would not wait so long to do it!

Congratulations for being proactive!!

(My skin would be much more elastic if I were younger!!)

You go girl!!

I used Medical Tourism Corporation and had my surgery in Juarez, Mexico. Everything was exactly as they said it would be and I have NO REGRETS! I was at a private hospital, not a clinic, it was very state of the art and cleaner than any hospital that I have ever been in. I paid $7000, which is about half of what I was going to pay having the surgery in Texas.

Personal soap box here...I think it is WRONG of insurance companies to completely write out bariatric procedures out of their policies. I have insurance with a company that most would consider to be really good. I just think they are doing a disservice to patients when they will not even look to see if there is a medical need!

Mary Kay Lady...what day were you banded? I myself was banded in December :drool:.

Great idea! I know that I never should have waited so long!

When people ask me if I would do it again and/or if I have any regrets..I telll them that I would do it again in a heartbeat...but that I would not wait so long to do it!

Congratulations for being proactive!!

(My skin would be much more elastic if I were younger!!)

You go girl!!

Thanks :drool: I'm kind of feeling like a crazy person at this point but I'm sure I'll get over it.

I was banded in Puerto Vallarta by Dr.Joya. I was a total of 250 lbs my highest but when i came to Dr.Joya i was at 200LB. my bmi was 33. But because i was on meds for my sleeping and also high blood pressure ,which all came from not being able to lose these last 50lbs they accepted me. I paid $7000.00 for all. and had my own room all was very nice. I was up and walking fast about 3 hours after my surgery. My scars are very sm. loving that.and i didnt have to take any of the pain meds that was giving to me by the hospital. I was banded on 13th of april 09. Take care.

hello rosey,

I'm having my band done in monterrey,mx by Dr Zapata. I'm getting nervous the closer time gets. I done alot of research and haven't found not a thing bad or neg about him. I'm having the surgery the 18th of May.