Yes, I'm a cash payor and my surgeon is Dr. Alberto Aceves. I decided to have the surgery only 2 weeks ago after spending Thanksgiving vacation with someone who had gone from 300 lbs to 130 lbs with gastric bypass and has kept it off for several years. She was so encouraging. I had looked at bariatric surgery 10 years ago, but being the same weight, I was turned down. After Thanksgiving I started my research and I read so many good things about Alberto Aceves that I scheduled the surgery. He seems to attract attention based on his medical experience and skill without being flashy, or having third parties represent him, etc. Aceves seems to base his decisions on good medical sense and is a FACS. I was in a relationship with a surgeon way back when - the guy that actually did Sandra Day O'Connor breast cancer surgery, and he told me not to ever have a surgeon without those credentials. So the combination of good reports, member of FACS, working at a full fledged hospital, won me over. I looked at someone else for half the price and lots of testimonials on YouTube, but he just didn't have the credentials, the 3 day hospital stay, or the experience. So yes, it will be more expensive, but its my life and long term health at stake so I wanted the best. So I'm packing tomorrow .... and anxious to get on with it.
Divina