Need Help Deciding to Go to Mexico

[ABB'sObesityFight 7]

I know I want/need to get VSG surgery. I found a great doctor in my area who offers a really good price for the US of $15,999 for self pay. That to me still seems like a lot of money with all of my other bills. I was researching Mexico, specifically Tijuana, and wanted to get all y'alls opinion on if I should go there? I am sure there are great surgeons there but I am concerned about cleanliness and immediate post-op care, and post-op care throughout the following year. Everyone that I have talked to and mentioned that I was considering this keeps telling me I am crazy and should never consider this, but they do have never researched it or had anything done in MX.

What was your experience and do you have a recommendation?

Any and all help is much appreciated!

[sharonintx 1,275]

I had a great experience in Mexico. You'll find some that loved it and some that had a less than enjoyable experience. When I went the Bariatric Pal web site was not as extensive as it is now. There are excellent resources here and a coordinator specifically for Mexico surgeons. Really I am kind of impressed with what this site has turned into as far as the assistance it offers it's members.

You'll find plenty of opinions and options from the members themselves too.

From my personal standpoint, Mexico is an excellent option. Why would we spend 15K here in the US when we can go right next door to Mexico and spend a third or less for the same exact thing? I certainly would not. Mexican doctors are no different from anywhere else. Some good, some not so much. Whatever you decide do not let the nationality of a physician be deciding factor. I loved Mexico and my Dr did an excellent job. The staff was friendly and professional and they didn't mind my grumpy nature at all.

[Kindle 8,667]

I had VSG with Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Arturo Martinez at Obesity Control Center 17 months ago. They both have impressive credentials, decades of surgical experience, and OCC is an International Center of Excellence with a full staff of anesthesiologists, a cardiac specialist, advanced life support doctors, RNs and a nutritionist all dedicated specifically to bariatric patients. The care I received was top notch, I had a pain free recovery, outstanding postop communication and have been easily maintaining below goal for 9 months.

There is a very lengthy thread about OCC in the Mexico subforum with posts from dozens of patients. Pretty much everything you would want to know. Or feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Dr. Corvala is the other surgeon I considered, but in the end I preferred the OCC surgical facility over a regular hospital.

Research, figure out what is important to you, ask lots of questions and Good luck with your decision!

["Henry" 109]

Hi ABB'sObesityFight,

I would like to help you. Would you like to Skype with one of our surgeons?

[maggie409 765]

I have decided to go through BariatricPal and David Lopez as my coordinator. Dr Jesus Marti Lopez will be my surgeon. I have been very impressed so far. Everyone is efficient and helpful. I have also already spoken with my surgeon and a skyped for close to an hour today with my Nutritionist. She was soooo helpful and informative. My surgery is scheduled for June 15th and I am very confident in my decision. As an added bonus my husband is going with me and he will be staying in a condominium while I am in the hospital and it is no extra cost. As for Post-op care, I will be able to Skype with my NUT and my surgeon. A local PA where I live has had WLS and she has agreed to provide me post-op visits to do blood work, check Vitamin levels, weigh-in, and offer whatever advise I may need. Good luck with your choice. If you want more info, just let me know.

[Guest ClaireInCanada]

In 1983 I had WLS. it failed miserably in that I lost no weight. I did not gain any either because not a day passed where I was not throwing up I lost hair got diagnosed with osteoarthritis etc.

While i was able to carry 4 lovely chikdren to term weight loss seemed forever out of my reach. I have been 305 lbs for over 30+ years.

Finally two years ago I persuaded my GP to refer me to the Bariatric program in Canada. I waited months to see the doctor only to be told some people never lose weight, he was just the first step and it would take another 3 years minimum for approval for a surgery date IF I GOT APPROVED.

SO I started the process and started researching my prior surgery and revisions. Turns out only two doctors do the type of serious revision I needed. One via our healthcare plan at a hospital in Hamilton, Ontario with a 5-8 year waiting list and a self-pay in Montreal that charged min. of 25g with outpatient status.

I turned to Mexico and out of all the coordinators I chose Bariatric Pal and I researched the holeee double hockeysticks out of the doctors recommended.

You can see who I chose in my profile. What made the difference in my gruelling 4 1/2 hour surgery and my recovery? Not only my gifted medical team but the unwavering determination of Bariatric Pal Team not leaving my side.

They spoke for me, fed me, contacted my loved ones, made sure I walked, ate and rested once I was discharged from the hospital and even waited at the airport to make sure I made my flight after a delay at the border.

I haven't thrown up in a month. I am 25+ lbs down and loving this new gastric bypass life.

If you want to talk to me about going to Mexico. Hit me up. I will be happy to listen and answer any questions you may have.

[ABB'sObesityFight 7]

Thank for all the help! After reading your reviews and doing quite a bit of research myself, I have decided to go to Mexico to see Dr. Ortiz.

I am scheduled for the sleeve on 7/2/2015.

[dsdeleon 1]

I just got back from VSG with the amazing Dr Ariel Ortiz a month ago. I really can't imagine it have going smoother. It was half a fun, wild adventure and half learning how to take care of myself. Please reach out to the thread as I did and the help is great. There is also a Facebook group.

Also I love your screenname, I am always saying how I am in a battle against obesity in this journey.

[sh1211 38]

Check out Dr. Zavalza and his partner Dr. Luna. You will be in the best hands possible. I am so very happy with my decision to use them. The care pre & post has been fantastic!

[wantingabetterlife 364]

You would be surprised at how safe you feel while there. I went unaccompanied and was scared to death when I got off the plane in San Diego. As soon as I got picked up in the van, there were four other patients that welcomed me and made me feel so much better. Only one of them had a support person with them. She checked on all of us and brought us anything we needed. All of us walked together in the hospital and at the hotel when we were released. The drivers also take very good care of you while in their care.

As far as cleanliness, I can say that I have been in hospitals in the US that couldn't even compare to the cleanliness at my surgery center in TJ. It was nice to see that they took such great care to make sure everything was clean. You do have to keep in mind, some things are behind the times in Mexico. Not everything is state of the art and brand new!

There are many great doctors in TJ and the care received is very comparable to the US. Others that have not researched WLS in Mexico will always say you are crazy to go there. They don't know how many of us have been and how happy we were with the outcome. Be happy with your decision and ask a hundred questions on here!! Best of luck to you on your journey!

[Paulina Green 39]

I know I want/need to get VSG surgery. I found a great doctor in my area who offers a really good price for the US of $15,999 for self pay. That to me still seems like a lot of money with all of my other bills. I was researching Mexico, specifically Tijuana, and wanted to get all y'alls opinion on if I should go there? I am sure there are great surgeons there but I am concerned about cleanliness and immediate post-op care, and post-op care throughout the following year. Everyone that I have talked to and mentioned that I was considering this keeps telling me I am crazy and should never consider this, but they do have never researched it or had anything done in MX.

What was your experience and do you have a recommendation?

Any and all help is much appreciated!

US is very expensive, first, doctors in Tijuana are very skilled, you just have to do a really good research because there are more than two doctors out there that have not so cool stories, true or not, I preferred to go after those who didn't, second, prices in Tijuana are more affordable plus they include you EVERYTHING, even meds and transportation from and to San Diego, and third but not least... they have coordinators, a nutritionist, an internal med expert, cardiologist, they give a whole team of experts that will take care of you + they make you feel at home.... with all that money you are gonna save.. you can rather spend it later on vacations. Wish you the best, try and do your research on Bariatric pal, I used Dr. J Lopez but they have a group of expert, I've heard Altamirano and Zalvalza are also great.

[Guest ClaireInCanada]

The Bariatric Pal Team of doctors represented are the best. dr. Ponce de leon is also represented with, Dr. Lopez, Altamirano and Zalvalza to name a few. I went with Bariatric Paso for the language skills and the All-but Airfare Inclusiveness then I checked out all the doctors!! LOL

[badgerboy100 6]

I liked dr lopez and dr ponce de leon via bariatric pal as lower cost options but am going with with Corvala and hospital angeles. It is more expensive but I like the hospital angeles facility should something go wrong and corvala's level of experience. Corvala actually trained dr lopez. Ortiz and the OCC is also well regarded on this site. I will post in early july how my experience goes. I agree this site is becoming more promotional.

[krissyleigh 30]

I liked dr lopez and dr Ponce de leon via bariatric pal as lower cost options but am going with with Corvala and hospital Angeles. It is more expensive but I like the hospital angeles facility should something go wrong and corvala's level of experience. Corvala actually trained dr lopez. Ortiz and the OCC is also well regarded on this site. I will post in early july how my experience goes. I agree this site is becoming more promotional.

Did you go through with the surgery with dr. Corvala? How did it go?

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