Long Term VSG Sleevers?

[Paulina Green 39]

I am really nervous and excited too. I am scheduled for June 2nd...less than 2 weeks away.I am a single mother to 3 kids and that's the scariest part for me. I pray everything will go smoothly.

I will also pray for you, everything it's going to be alright, have more faith, and focus in everything you will be able to do with your kids now you decide to go healthier...congrats and my best wishes.

[tnkrrbl 53]

I was at Long Term VSG last Monday (5/18)

Wow what an incredible experience

For those of you worried about the price v quality worry not. This is smart marketing for the "slow season". If you prefer to pay more Dr Maytorena performs surgery in Mexicali and charges $7000 there!

Everything was fabulous.

[Tonileigh 17]

So glad I am able to get in on this low price. Wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise. 9 days to go! Preop diet starts Tuesday.

[Chrissyg 54]

For those on the fence about Long Term, especially if it has to do with price, don't be. I was one of the first ones and am doing fabulous. I feel good and am learning to enjoy the foods I love just in a smaller version. You won't regret it and I am going to be making multiple videos on YouTube of how my new life journey began with all of the what, where, why, and hows.

Once I get them all posted, I'll come on here and share the link. Long Term is the way to go.

[cmhueto 167]

@@Chrissyg awesome!! Thanks again for sharing your experience with VSG. Can't wait to see your videos! BTW, did I see you in a youtube video on the VSG Facebook page?

[cmhueto 167]

@@tnkrrbl so glad to hear you are doing well!!! Sorry I didn't make it by to see you! And thanks for sharing your experience! My little pictures didn't do it justice did it? Thanks so much for sharing!

[Designer Edit 41]

Well, I'm feeling a little disappointed. My sister and I had our surgeries booked with Dr. Maytorena for July 9th. We're from Canada and flights to and from San Diego are limited unless we want an 18 hour trip. Nevertheless, we found flights, booked them, booked a hotel for the night before and we're trying to pay our deposits through our bank but it turns out we can't, so we were all set to call in our CC info today.

We got an email on the weekend from Ruben that the doc won't be able to do our surgeries anymore unless we switch dates which is going to be impossible without my sister losing her job.

I was already really nervous but had heard such good things about Dr. Maytorena that I felt a little more at ease. Now in order to have the only date we can do, we may have to switch surgeons (if one is available).

Has anyone had Dr. Arellano or Dr. Ponce? I'm sure they're very competent but I'm feeling a little unsure about everything now.

[Chrissyg 54]

@@Chrissyg awesome!! Thanks again for sharing your experience with VSG. Can't wait to see your videos! BTW, did I see you in a youtube video on the VSG Facebook page?

Yes there are a couple of videos on there that the doctor made. Now that I am a couple of months post-op, I want to break down my journey piece by piece. As a Hashimoto's patient, I think people may need to know how all of this affected me with the thyroid problem.

[Chrissyg 54]

Well, I'm feeling a little disappointed. My sister and I had our surgeries booked with Dr. Maytorena for July 9th. We're from Canada and flights to and from San Diego are limited unless we want an 18 hour trip. Nevertheless, we found flights, booked them, booked a hotel for the night before and we're trying to pay our deposits through our bank but it turns out we can't, so we were all set to call in our CC info today.

We got an email on the weekend from Ruben that the doc won't be able to do our surgeries anymore unless we switch dates which is going to be impossible without my sister losing her job.

I was already really nervous but had heard such good things about Dr. Maytorena that I felt a little more at ease. Now in order to have the only date we can do, we may have to switch surgeons (if one is available).

Has anyone had Dr. Arellano or Dr. Ponce? I'm sure they're very competent but I'm feeling a little unsure about everything now.

Oh wow that is a bummer. What I can tell you is that Long Term is very critical about who they have doing surgeries for them. I used Maytorena but that was because I was one of the first ones to get mine done through LTVSG. I would have been okay with anyone else they may have had at the time simply because I trust the company as much as the surgeon.

[Designer Edit 41]

Well, I'm feeling a little disappointed. My sister and I had our surgeries booked with Dr. Maytorena for July 9th. We're from Canada and flights to and from San Diego are limited unless we want an 18 hour trip. Nevertheless, we found flights, booked them, booked a hotel for the night before and we're trying to pay our deposits through our bank but it turns out we can't, so we were all set to call in our CC info today.

We got an email on the weekend from Ruben that the doc won't be able to do our surgeries anymore unless we switch dates which is going to be impossible without my sister losing her job.

I was already really nervous but had heard such good things about Dr. Maytorena that I felt a little more at ease. Now in order to have the only date we can do, we may have to switch surgeons (if one is available).

Has anyone had Dr. Arellano or Dr. Ponce? I'm sure they're very competent but I'm feeling a little unsure about everything now.

Oh wow that is a bummer. What I can tell you is that Long Term is very critical about who they have doing surgeries for them. I used Maytorena but that was because I was one of the first ones to get mine done through LTVSG. I would have been okay with anyone else they may have had at the time simply because I trust the company as much as the surgeon.

Thanks @@Chrissyg

That means a lot to hear you say that! We haven't heard back yet on availability but your vote of confidence in the clinic, as a whole, is very reassuring!!

I can't wait to see your videos and hear more about your journey. Your earlier posts on this thread are what convinced me to even consider WLS as a viable option!!

[Chrissyg 54]

@@Designer Edit

Thank you so much and I am glad that anything I have had to post has been of any help to anyone. I am so very glad that I can help. While I don't get on here much due to work. I am fixing to start working from home and I am going to be very active in responding and helping people out if they need it.

Please keep me posted on your surgeries.

[Paulina Green 39]

Well, I'm feeling a little disappointed. My sister and I had our surgeries booked with Dr. Maytorena for July 9th. We're from Canada and flights to and from San Diego are limited unless we want an 18 hour trip. Nevertheless, we found flights, booked them, booked a hotel for the night before and we're trying to pay our deposits through our bank but it turns out we can't, so we were all set to call in our CC info today.

We got an email on the weekend from Ruben that the doc won't be able to do our surgeries anymore unless we switch dates which is going to be impossible without my sister losing her job.

I was already really nervous but had heard such good things about Dr. Maytorena that I felt a little more at ease. Now in order to have the only date we can do, we may have to switch surgeons (if one is available).

Has anyone had Dr. Arellano or Dr. Ponce? I'm sure they're very competent but I'm feeling a little unsure about everything now.

I think he's one of the cheaper doctors, I don’t know if you’re going to find the same price with other doctos, I did mine with Dr. J. Lopez, and I really recommend him, I made all my arrangements with Bariatric pal, and I had no issues, I just paid 3,899 with all inclusive, I remember just paying for my brothers' meals, mine in the recovery house, tips and some souvenirs I bought for my family, that was it. It's not that I just recommend them for the price, but for its great service, the nurses at the hospital were really nice, the guy who picked me up at the airport and drove me back, he had a lot of conversation, he made us feel so comfortable, Dr. Lopez is also a great guy as well as all his team, you can talk to them on Skype before surgery, and they do a follow up with you for two years, I still Skype with them and my nutritionist, they answer any question I have, they are like a friend to me. I had no complications, and I'm feeling great, you should give them a try, they have a whole team of physicians that can help.

[kelley74 3]

@@Designer Edit

 

I had my surgery with Dr. ILLAN with Baja Bariatrics. I had a wonderful experience and he is an excellent surgeon. I chose Dr. Illan because he performs surgeries in a fully functioning hospital, not  a clinic, and he is also an ER Trauma surgeon. I've seen some negative posts on here about his patient coordinator but I had no issues. Also, they just hired a new female coordinator, in case you have any concerns stemming from the other posts. I researched doctors in MX for months and none could compare to his credentials, which was far more important to me than anything else. Good luck on your journey!!

[Ericawright 1]

I've been looking for a good surgeon in Tijuana and a person who was a patient of Dr. Maytorena recommended that I call him and find out for myself, I talked to Ruben and he gave me all the details of my surgery. I haven't decided if I'll have my surgery with Dr. Maytorena yet, but from what I've read and seen, he seems like an experienced doctor who specializes in different bariatric procedures. 

[Designer Edit 41]

@@kelley74 @@Paulina Green

Thank you for the recommendations! It's really nice to be apart of such a supportive community, even as an online forum.

We checked out the other surgeons at Long Term and they seem to have incredible surgical backgrounds as well. @@Chrissyg - I think you're absolutely right! They seem very selective of the surgeons at this clinic.

Being from Canada there are a few pros and cons. Of course we have free healthcare which means I could go through the program and have this surgery done free of charge but the downside is that free healthcare = long wait times. In Calgary, it's 3-5 years and I would have to drive 3 hrs to Edmonton to get it done. That's why we've opted to pay for it ourselves and then claim medical expenses on our tax returns to recover some of the cost. With the Canadian dollar doing poorly right now plus the cost of flights and a hotel, we really needed a cost effective option. Long Term is just that and with surgeons who could do sleeves in their sleep and have lovely personalities, I thing we're pretty set on this clinic.

I'm feeling really excited again and hopefully we'll hear from Ruben shortly about which surgeons we'll have!

Some people may not realize it but the simplest post can be the turning point for a total stranger. This is a life-changing decision and knowing that anyone could be the catalyst for another person's journey is a pretty powerful concept!