So confused! Where to start?!

[gastricsleever 259]

I have decided I'm willing to go to Mexico for the gastric sleeve surgery. i've done all my research and I honestly just cannot afford it in the US anywhere!

So...WHERE do you start?! How do you find a doctor or facility? Any tips would be greatly appreciated, I'd love to have this done before October, maybe in September, so I need to start doing my research. How did you pick yours? Any recommendations?

Thanks SOO much in advance! This group has been so helpful for me

[rducharme 17]

There is lots of good advice on this board. The doctors here ( discussed on this board) are the cream that has risen to the top. I am having my sleeve surgery in a few days (May 27) by Dr ACEVES. He is probably the most expensive ($8,750) but I had reasons to select him other than cost. You will probably want one of the TJ doctors, and they cost $5-6K and are very qualified. Some even offer financing. The most important thing to do is pick a date within 90 days and just go get it done. Take a dump, or get off the toilet.

[Losin4good 689]

The way I did it was I made a list of all of the surgeons people talked about on here. And then I did my research. And I researched the heck out of them! I dont know about everyone else, but for me there was one surgeon that stood out to me, and it just seemed like he was the right choice. I felt at peace with that decision.

It all worked out perfectly, like it was happening exactly how it was meant to. So i know i made the right decision!

Best of luck to you!

I am 9 months, 10 days post op and have lost more than 150 pounds. My life is truly amazing!

[jenna1 4]

I was turned down for surgery in because my insurance doesn't cover it here in CT (or anywhere in the US). So I found on this forum that there is surgery in Mexico. After a bunch of research, I decided to go with Dr. Quinones. My reason for him is:

1. He is a certified instructor, he taught Dr. Aceves what he does know.

2. He will perform surgery, and then for your stay, he personally checks up on you. (its cool to know that the person who did your surgery and knows exactly whats going on is changing your IV's and taking care of you also.)

3. He performs surgery in a hospital. (not a clinic)

4. You stay at a hospital for 2 nights 3 days and then a hotel for 1 night instead of staying at a hotel right after surgery.

5. There is no extra charge to bring a loved one with you.

6. He speaks FLUENT English.

The list can go on and on, his coordinator, Bill, is very helpful and an awesome guy too.

My surgery has not happened yet, I am in the process of booking it for June 14th! I know, so soon.

Message me or feel free or call me with any questions!

[North_Chicky 29]

I'm in the same boat. I've decided to get this done in Mexico and am currently researching doctors. It's very overwhelming. I've decided on a doctor and then I'll read about another doctor and start considering them. Airport is an issue for me. There seems to be a better flight selection into San Diego than some of the other destinations. I wish it was easier to decide.

[cinward2001 141]

Make a list of what's important, then research each doctor. Maybe have a check-list for each one that you research, call their offices, make notes, etc.

When I was researching for the band 7+ yrs ago, I knew I wanted to have the surgery done in a hospital. Not saying the clinics are bad...just that, if I'm under general anesthesia and having something done to my insides, I want the full deal in health care, you know? So that was one of my first criteria.

Then, obviously, I wanted an experienced surgeon. I chose Dr. Rumbaut because he'd actually done a lot of the proctoring here in the US for the band. Why not get the surgeon who teaches the other surgeons to do the surgery?

From there, I did some price comparison, but not a lot. Just having it done in MX meant a lot less money...I wasn't going to shop for the bargain basement prices at that point.

So for the sleeve, it just made sense to go back to Dr. R. Dr. R did a great job with the band and it made sense to me to have the same person who put it in, take it out and do the conversion.

So figure out what's most important to YOU! If it's the cost first, put that on your check list first. If it's travel options/location, put that near the top. Clinic vs hospital, etc. Where you stay post-op? You get the idea...by writing them down, it becomes clearer and the research is easier.

[superstartover 101]

For me dr alvarez stuck out because i am four hours away here in texas and if i went to the other mexican docs i would have to travel by plane here i could get in my car and drive four hours and be there if i.had an issue. He is more expensive but was a good fit for me. Ive seen many others on the board reccomend other very qualified surgeons it is just a matter of your personal preference and what doc seems best for your needs.

[gastricsleever 259]

Wow, thanks for the information! I'm looking into all the tips that you all gave me as we speak! Hoping to have the surgery in September, if all my savings and funds work out.

[gastricsleever 259]

I don't think I've taken a break from my computer yet in the past week! After LOTS of reading, I've got my choices down to 2 doctors - Dr. Quinones and Dr. Ariel Ortiz....more research to come!

[HoosierGirl 780]

I used Dr Ortiz and blogged about my research and surgery experience hoping it might help someone else. (Now the blog is like free therapy for me! Lol)

You are welcome to read the blog or message me. Good luck and good job doing your research! Www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com

[SaraLou 8]

I used Dr Ortiz and blogged about my research and surgery experience hoping it might help someone else. (Now the blog is like free therapy for me! Lol)

You are welcome to read the blog or message me. Good luck and good job doing your research! Www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com

Girl...I just read every entry in your blog. Thank you! Your writing is so inspiring! I do have some questions for you. #1 How much $$ in total did your surgery cost you? #2 how did you get over the fear? I'm not scared of surgery in Mexico. I'm scared of surgery anywhere! I had emergency gallbladder removal a couple of years ago and I was so scared that my BP and heart rate went through the roof. They had to give me a triple dose of Valium and I was still freaking out. Then a few months ago I had a DNC and the same thing happened. I am so scared of not waking up. Did you have any of these feelings?

[HoosierGirl 780]

SaraLou - glad the blog helped! Before surgery, I was really needing to find out all I could and vowed I would blog to help others. This surgery been simply amazing for me! Hope it will be for you too! OK - to answer your questions...Dr. Ortiz asks his patients not to disclose price. But what I found is he is about middle of the road. Less than Dr. Alvarez or Dr. Aceves, but more than dr. Ponce de leon and others. He is the same price as Dr. Pompa who also practices at a Center of Excellence. Call his office and they will give you the rate and they don't pester you like the coordinating companies do. I felt it was a good value. Next - I got over the fear by getting very logical with myself. My physical appearance sucked. I felt tired all the time. I was on two blood pressure medications. The only thing being heavy was getting me misery and less life span. Plus, people a lot sicker than me have surgery, recover and thrive. Why not me? Why not set my mind to doing ALL the doctors said and kicking-butt during this surgery? For me, it was totally a mental attitude. The pre-surgery diet was a breeze because I kept telling myself, "I can stand this because it's only two weeks...my solution is only two weeks away!!!" Although I was nervous before surgery, I kept telling myself, "You've got this. You can do anything you set your mind to. You have chosen experts in their field. An anesthesiologist and cardiac specialist are right here during surgery in case anything happens. I am a very short flight to San Diego. etc. etc." And I TOLD their staff I was nervous and they helped me through it. Never did I feel like I was just a number and never did I feel like they couldn't "help" me. The pre-surgery phase is crazy with wild dreams, irrational fears, and the biggest nagging feeling ever. If you can get through the pre-surgery mind-games, the surgery and recovery are a SNAP! Ha ha!

[JulieJ 24]

SaraLou - glad the blog helped! Before surgery' date=' I was really needing to find out all I could and vowed I would blog to help others. This surgery been simply amazing for me! Hope it will be for you too! OK - to answer your questions...Dr. Ortiz asks his patients not to disclose price. But what I found is he is about middle of the road. Less than Dr. Alvarez or Dr. Aceves, but more than dr. Ponce de leon and others. He is the same price as Dr. Pompa who also practices at a Center of Excellence. Call his office and they will give you the rate and they don't pester you like the coordinating companies do. I felt it was a good value. Next - I got over the fear by getting very logical with myself. My physical appearance sucked. I felt tired all the time. I was on two blood pressure medications. The only thing being heavy was getting me misery and less life span. Plus, people a lot sicker than me have surgery, recover and thrive. Why not me? Why not set my mind to doing ALL the doctors said and kicking-butt during this surgery? For me, it was totally a mental attitude. The pre-surgery diet was a breeze because I kept telling myself, "I can stand this because it's only two weeks...my solution is only two weeks away!!!" Although I was nervous before surgery, I kept telling myself, "You've got this. You can do anything you set your mind to. You have chosen experts in their field. An anesthesiologist and cardiac specialist are right here during surgery in case anything happens. I am a very short flight to San Diego. etc. etc." And I TOLD their staff I was nervous and they helped me through it. Never did I feel like I was just a number and never did I feel like they couldn't "help" me. The pre-surgery phase is crazy with wild dreams, irrational fears, and the biggest nagging feeling ever. If you can get through the pre-surgery mind-games, the surgery and recovery are a SNAP! Ha ha![/quote']

I read your blog last night and found it very helpful. I am scheduled for surgery July 1st with Dr. Ortiz.

[HoosierGirl 780]

I read your blog last night and found it very helpful. I am scheduled for surgery July 1st with Dr. Ortiz.

Very excited for you! Hope you have a positive and uneventful experience too! Good luck!

[Vetniemeer 36]

Very excited for you! Hope you have a positive and uneventful experience too! Good luck!

Your blog helped me make my decision and gave me the encouragement I needed....THANK YOU! I'm curious how you are doing now since you've no entries since May. I hope all continues to be going well and continued success on your journey!