Jesser

I can't wait until I get to go!!

Does anyone know if you send off your deposit and reserve a surgery date but lets say you didn't save up enough money by your surgery date, could you push your date back without losing the deposit you sent?

I haven't had the surgery yet, but from browsing around on here for months I've read a lot of different replies to this. In my opinion, I would try to do the pre-op for as long as you can- in your case the 14 days if at all possible because it will shrink your liver. That makes it easier for the surgeon to maneuver around. I also read that if it is small enough, the surgeon may only have to do 4 incisions instead of 5! again, I'm just kinda telling you a little bit of what I've read along the way.

What exactly is a hernia?

Is anyone thinking about scheduling surgery with Dr. Ortiz around March 2013?

I see that Dr. Garcia has gotten very popular around this site I've heard so many positive things so far, and he's got a very reasonable price. I'm wondering if anyone has had any negative experience with him at all? Just weighing all of my options on the surgeons is all. thanks! If I could come up with the money, I will probably go with Dr. Alvarez because he's over here by me in Tx, and I've heard great things about him. But if I can't get a loan, I may have to decide on a less expensive surgeon and I'm definitely considering Garcia!

I don't have a 401k set up (even though I should) I don't make a lot of money, and I need every dollar I make, I can't afford to put any of it back right now. My only options really are to try and get a loan at my bank or just try and save up, but that could take forever. I know something will come up and I'd use the saved money and more than likely wouldn't be able to get the surgery. I need to win the lottery lol

That's great! Does he offer any type of financing program? Or does he go through a lighter me and ready for a change only?

I'm kind of in the same situation you are in! I tell my family how bad I want and need this, and they just laugh it off because it's in Mexico and tell me how crazy I am. Little do they know, I'm gonna do it! I would love their support, and I need it, but whether they give it to me or not I'm going through with it regardless. I'm looking at going in March as well. I haven't picked a surgeon yet. Which 2 are you debating on?

Omg! Lol I would have probably freaked out. It's already scary going there all alone, and to see a junky vehicle pull up to get you, that would make me want to run back in the airport and haul butt back to Texas!

Hello! I've looked into Dr. Ortiz also. I haven't made up my mind and picked a surgeon yet, but I've heard good things about him. I'm like you though, I haven't ran across too many people that have used him. I was very impressed with his website and credentials. He works in a Center of Excellence and he's a member of the FACS, which is wonderful. Ive watched a lot of his YouTube videos, he speaks plain English so no worries about the language barrier. you're in good hands! I can't wait to get the money and book my surgery!! I just have to make up my mind on the surgeon! Haha

Would you only go to a Dr. That was in the FACS? I've noticed that those are the more expensive doctors, but they have excellent credentials.

I've tried getting in touch with Dr. Kelly through email and Omar's cell, I never got a reply back either time. I figured that was a sign to use someone else I guess... I've heard he's a good surgeon, and lots of people love him.

I'm just anxious and ready to pick a surgeon, and start making my plans. Everything is so up in the air right now and it's driving me crazy! Lol

Thank you that's what I thought possibly. And that's probably why they do charge more than a lot of the others. It's like do I spend probably 9 grand and go with a FACS doctor in a center of excellence, or do I go with one that I can afford but maybe that doctor won't have as much training as the others... I just don't want something to go wrong and them not know what to do. I may be over analyzing it all...

I definitely want to go to a surgeon that speaks English. That would make me feel so much more at ease. I'm already gonna be a nervous wreck being in a diff country!

Thank you everyone for the input! My situation is, I live in Texas and I don't have the money to even book the surgery at the moment. I'm in the process of saving up for it, or I'm going to try to get a personal loan from my bank. I really don't want to get it financed through a lot of the other places because the interest would kill me. I will prob get back around $3000 or so at tax time, so I'm trying to come up with the remainder before then. I've looked at several surgeons... Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Aceves and Dr. Alvarez all are in the FACS I believe and have excellent reviews but they are way more expensive. I know that I this is my life and I should save up the money and go with who I absolutely feel the most comfortable with. I guess where I get confused is so many people go with Garcia, Lopez, Rod and they all have good experiences for like half the cost of the other surgeons. I don't make a lot of money so I'm just debating on going with one of the less expensive surgeons... I just don't know :/

Yes I am lol I get so confused! I read all of the different experiences and it really confuses me on which dr to choose... Lol

Members of the American College of Surgeons are referred to as "Fellows." The letters FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon's name mean that the surgeon's education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College.

Is Dr. Lopez a member of the FACS? Just curious...

How come some doctors do three incisions, but others do five? Do they all use different methods? Just curious.

Ok, thanks! Yes, I was writing to a different email address lol

I've tried getting in contact with Dr. Kelly, but can never find out where he is exactly. I've also tried sending him an email requesting more info about 2 weeks ago, and never heard back from him or anyone else

So, I bought me a little lock box the other day so I can start saving up for the surgery. Seems like its going to take forever, but every day I get a little closer! I live here in Texas, so my family feels more comfortable if I go to Dr. Alvarez. He seems like an awesome doctor and I've heard lots of great reviews on him, but it's going to take twice as long to come up with the money to go to him. I know surgery isn't something you should take lightly and I shouldn't just go to someone for the best deal or whatever. I've also read others who have went to doctors much cheaper in Tijuana and they are doing just fine. I just don't know what to do! Lol