Benin

I appreciate all of you writing about your experiences. I only plan on taking 1 person with me, and he is there to support me after surgery. This is whether I stay in state or go to Mexico. All I really care about is a skilled surgeon who has a record of minimal complications/deaths. And then, of course, communication. I still haven't had a reply from them so I'm probably not going to keep begging for information. It isn't like they didn't get my email. They did. I got a reply saying I'd receive more info, but that was clearly a while ago now. Oh well. If it isn't meant to be, then you'll know. That's my mantra.

In my area, the range is $9,800 to $14,000.

Oh jeez.. didn't mean to go there! Well, I hope I get a reply soon. I did write in the date range you specified, though.

That is the website I used. I got a reply from Omar on the 3rd with no other replies. I'm happy that it worked out for you. I have heard so many good stories so I really wanted that information! The longer I wait for any basic information from them, the more I feel like many he isn't "my" surgeon.. if that makes sense.

I wrote through his website asking for information a week ago. Finally on Tuesday, I got a reply that they got my message and would be sending me some information. Still waiting. Is this a typical response from them? I usually get really fast replies so this has surprised me since it was a basic inquiry (when coordinators/doctors just forward typical intro forms/information). I like prompt answers so it makes me hesitant to even consider his practice, but I figured I would ask if this is the norm.

Wow! That makes me feel a lot more comfortable. I'm going to message you!

Thanks all. I think I was just freaking out, which I think is normal considering the circumstances of what I went through with my dad. My hesitation does make me think I should consider finding a way to fork up the extra cash for a local surgery, but we'll see.

I'm struggling with this. I need to dig up more research about whether or not PE/DVT has any sort of genetic predisposition. My father was in an accident that left him hospitalized for months with *a lot* of surgeries (as well as broken legs, so he didn't even walk for the first month of his stay). I know that alone put his risk for DVT/PE through the roof so it should have come as no surprise. I know a VSG that lasts much less time, is much less invasive, and allows me to walk afterward is different entirely from what he experienced so I can't compare. That said, he developed DVT around week 5 of his hospital stay despite his anticoagulants and had 2 pulmonary embolisms. Watching that happen to him (I was with him for both), particularly the second one where he had to be not only intubated, but on a ventilator for days in ICU.. I'm really scared of something like this happening to me. I had to sign a release to put some sort of net above his liver after the second one. I have been researching surgeons like crazy since I'm self-pay, but I'm wondering if maybe I should just come up with the extra $8,000 over to find someone local instead so I don't have a flight to worry about, as they can increase your risk of DVT/PE's. Sorry for the novel, but does anyone know off hand if PE's could have a genetic component? Or what the occurrence rate of developing a PE is with a BMI over 40?

I'm either going to be the last day or so of August or early September. Having a hard time choosing between Dr. Kelly, Dr. Ponce de Leon, and Dr. Rod! Two of them are in Tijuana also.

I considered all of those surgeons, but I need in house financing for the remainder. I have $5k period, so I'd need part of that out for a flight if the package wasn't all inclusive with air (most aren't). My credit is pretty terrible so obtaining another type of loan is unlikely. Some of the surgeons in Mexico would cost almost $9k with airfare, but I have a surgeon in my home state that charges $9600. If I had that much cash, I'd just go see him since he covers a year of complications. I could probably come up with a total of $10k by January/February, but I'd really like my health to start get better now! I have a higher BMI than typical (50-59 range) so I have thought about this a lot and am ready to get the ball rolling.

Okay, is it really THAT bad in Juarez? Has anyone had the VSG done there? I'm self pay due to an exclusion, and there is a surgeon in my state who does VSG for right at 10k, which is super reasonable. That said, I only have about $5k right now, so I'm thinking of going through BeLite and financing the remainder, which wouldn't be too much. I know you can go to Tijuana instead of Juarez if you want, but I've seen some great pictures of the Juarez hospital.