Where and how much did you pay?

[bdw 1]

I just want to know where everyone had their surgery (or will have), how much they paid, who the surgeon was (or will be) and what your overall experience was and how you are doing now.

I really wanted to stay here in the states but couldn't find an affordable option here, I did lots and lots of internet reasearch. I paid for my own surgery, no insurance. I finally settled on Dr Ismael Cabrera and Dr Louisiana Valenzuela (they perform surgery as a team) at Hospital MI Doctor in Tijuna, Mexcio. Everything was great, I was very pleased. The only thing that could have been a little better was some of the nurses could have spoken better English or in a few cases any English. The doctors and important personel all spoke really good english or good enough to communicate well. The facility was very nice, they call it a hospital but I thought it was more like a Sugery Center than a hospital, well at least compared to hospitals in the US. It was new, very modern and squeaky clean, exactly like the pictures. I paid $4500 for the surgery, total with other expenses like passport and airfare I'm into it for around $5300. I'm a 43yo 5'7" white male. I had surgery on Jan 10th 2013. I started out at 246lbs at the start of my pre surgery low carb diet (12/27/12, 2 weeks before) As of today 2/16/13 I've lost 38lbs, I've been in a little bit of a stall only lost 1lb in the last 7 or 8 days but i don't expect that to last too long and I knew it was coming. No complications at all and it's been one of the best decisions I've made about my health. I've struggled all my life with my weight and eating too much. I feel 1000 times better.

[mariamitani 405]

Piedras negras Mexico with DR.Guillermo Alvarez, Endobariatrics.com. He also has a Facebook account were you can view over 100 photos of before and afters. I paid 8700 + plane ticket from Michigan 475. Everything went smoothly , The drive back was ruff because of the surgery, besides that everything went well. Im currently 8 weeks out and have lost 45 lbs I feel great and am so happy at all the complements I get. The scars are very small and

fading. I'm so happy I finally did it I have been also trying to lose weight for so long. The best part that Im having a hard time grasping is that I will never be Morbidly obese again. Unless I try really hard LOL

[kmwheel 127]

I was with Dr. Kelly in Tijuana 9/14/2012. Cost was $5500 inclusive, and my husband traveled with me. With expenses and flight, I think we spent about $6500 total. I have had zero complications, recovery was quick, and I felt that the care they gave me was above average. I just wish I could have done it sooner. At 5 months out, I've lost 64 lbs., so my average loss is 12.8 lbs. per month. I think one of my biggest surprises from this journey is that I enjoy food more now than I ever have...I just don't need to eat as much!

[wannabaloser 59]

I am having surgery on March 9 with Dr. Fernando Garcia. I am going to pay $5200 (I have to pay $500 extra for a high BMI). Airfare for my husband and I is $600. I had to put down a $500 deposit to hold my date.

I am so excited but so nervous. It felt like the date would never get here and now it feels like it is coming too quick!

[ShellyBean 38]

What was the process for out of country? Was is difficult getting started?

[HuskeRN0802 0]

i would love more info on how to go about doing surgery out of the country. $6,000 seems a lot more doable than $12,000!

[ashleep 22]

What was the process for out of country? Was is difficult getting started?

I am going to Dr. Kelly with Mexico Bariatric Center on May 23rd for 5200 + the cost of airfare. If you go to Mexicobariatriccenter.com there is a contact page where you'll enter your information and they contact you back very quickly and provide more than enough info. Christy emailed me and is such a sweetie! I did a lot of research and have found that there are a lot of good dr.'s, I didn't find many negatives about dr. Kelly.

[JonB 114]

Wow - I'm glad I have insurance. My surgery was done at a brand new hospital by the top rated bariatric surgeon in the state. The insurance bill was over $22,000! My only expenses are a $25 co-pay for each doctor visit.

[pacificpeach 32]

I had my surgery in Las Vegas with Dr Thomas Umbach. He was incredible! He has different fee's for cash or credit. His cash fee is $10,400.00. He also does the surgery outpatient which I really liked because I don't like hospitals. His staff is also top notch. I would recommend him to anyone!

[sonjakp 23]

I'm almost a year out and lost a 115 lbs I went to Dr Aceves in Mexicali Mexico and paid $8.700 and $347 plane ticket..

[Pixie Dust 526]

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance & it's a covered benefit (thank heavens!) I am responsible for my $25 co-pays for each doc visit & I have a hospital deductible. Since I still hadn't met my annual deductible, the absolute most I'll have out of pocket is $1000 (which includes the co-pays related to this WLS program.) My surgery will cost $19,000 to $20,000 & that doesn't include all the visits I'm making to diff docs & the psych eval, etc...so again, thank heavens for insurance!

So happy my husband didn't listen to me when I asked him to leave his job at Blue Cross to work for one of the car industries considering how that all worked out!

I think it's wonderful tho that there is the option of having this type of surgery in Mexico for at least half the cost or less!