phantompouch 19 Posted August 23, 2013 How di dyou come to choose this 'surgeon' ? I wish you every success and good health....in your journey.......?I was going to go to Mexico however, I decided to find a surgeon who was very well educated and well trained in the USA.....instead.....prior to my surgery,I had to have alot of evaluations: a series of blood tests, physical exam, a colonoscopy,an endoscopy, a cardiac evaluation, a pulmonary evaluation with an overnight sleep study to check for sleep apnia,a meeting with the nuticionist, a followup with the surgeon, a psychiatric evaluation,,,,,it was a long process with alot of evaluations......it took approx. 10 months to have these procedures before the surgeon would even do the VSG.....I was on puree foods and now,at 5 weeks post op...I am introducing some regular food...very slowly,,,,I hope that all goes well for you.....have you had any testing done ?What does the surgeon require in Mexico ? Have you met with your own physician for clearance ? Stay well and all the very best.......always...... R Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sbarbiegirl 109 Posted August 23, 2013 I choose Dr Alverez because my insurance does not cover wls. So I am self pay. I did a lot of research and I feel like he is the one. I'm in Houston. So the drive is only 5 or 6 hours. No hassle with flights. I don't have an pcp. I never got to the doctor. But I just had a baby in 2012 and had tons of blood work. EKG and my heart checked out prior to giving birth. Due to high weight my obgym did all kinds of testing. I am very fortunate not to have diabetes or any known Heath conditions. I was just wondering If I would be required to do these testing before going to Mexico. I see that some people used the same doctor and had to have EKG faxed before going. Susan told me i did not need this. I would do an EKG and blood work before surgery. I think if you are over 40 it's required. Hopefully all goes well. I can't wait to start my new journey. 1 Pattie1966 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pattie1966 35 Posted August 26, 2013 I choose Dr Alverez because my insurance does not cover wls. So I am self pay. I did a lot of research and I feel like he is the one. I'm in Houston. So the drive is only 5 or 6 hours. No hassle with flights. I don't have an pcp. I never got to the doctor. But I just had a baby in 2012 and had tons of blood work. EKG and my heart checked out prior to giving birth. Due to high weight my obgym did all kinds of testing. I am very fortunate not to have diabetes or any known Heath conditions. I was just wondering If I would be required to do these testing before going to Mexico. I see that some people used the same doctor and had to have EKG faxed before going. Susan told me i did not need this. I would do an EKG and blood work before surgery. I think if you are over 40 it's required. Hopefully all goes well. I can't wait to start my new journey. Hi. I am self pay too and going to Mexico from STL on Sept 25th. When is your surgery date? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phantompouch 19 Posted August 26, 2013 Best wishes on your journey......I also thought of going to Mexico however, after a long and indepth review-- I decided NOT to go there and find someone in the New York City area that was very well trained....and had years of doing this procedure....and also had a well trained medical Fellowship in Post Graduate Surgical training.......I had to go through many months of testing on every level so that I could obtain clearance from the insurance company.....and for me,that was important to do since I have some medical issues already going into the surgery...... All the best....for Good health.....and much Success..... !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoMoreDonuts 10 Posted August 26, 2013 The doctors in Mexico are very well trained & actually have been the procedure there longer than doctors in the US. 2 greersc and mylifeinpink reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phantompouch 19 Posted August 26, 2013 Just make sure that whomever you choose to do the VSG---that the doctor is well trained and has a Post Graduate Fellowship in doing bariatric surgical procedures.......the surgeon that had has been doing a variety of gastric procedures for approx. 15 yrs...and he has a Fellowship( a surgical Fellowship of 3 yrs) training in bariatrics.....all the best for much success for good health.......!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites