Surgery in Mexico

[nursejenjen2003 0]

I was also banded by Dr. Rodriguez in Juarez, Mexico. He was great and the staff was great. I am an RN here in the US and the care in Mexico was better than the care one would receive here in the states. The nurse to pt ratio there is 1:2. They explain everything to you and they are really there for you if you need anything or have any questions. They have a website www.belitemexico.com; I worked with the patient facilitator Jessica and she was wonderful!

[Hisferever 0]

Hi, I see that it's been awhile since you went to Dr. Kuri, I was wondering how you all did and are doing now that it's been awhile. I am thinking about going to Mexico to habe him do mine. Any response would be greatly apprecaited. Thank you

[joiful 0]

I have had 20 fills and unfills. I have had the thicker stuff and then just the regular saline. I just had my year anniversary of being banded. I would never go to where I went. I am finally seeing a specialist Nov. 5th, they couldn't get me in any sooner. I went to Bajonar.

[Saara 0]

I went to see Dr. Kuri in December and since I have lost 30+lbs. Another gentleman that went when I did has lost 70+ lbs. We were all very impresses with Dr. Kuri and all of his associates. His facilities were state of the art. and by that I mean there were nice marble floors in the hospital and hardwood floors in the room. Everything was spotless. They picked us up at the airport in San Diego and took us right to the hospital. when we were ready to go home Megel the driver picked us up at the hotel that we stayed at in Tijuana and took us back to a hotel in San Diego where we planned to stay an extra night before flying out. I have pictures that I took of the facilities if you would like me to email them to you. There were 4 of us that had surgery during my stay.

[scodwyer 0]

Has anyone gone to Dr Kuri recently and just how dangerous is it right now to go there?

[Plumbum 0]

1. Rodriguez is a very average Mexican doctor.

2. I worked in Tampico for 4 years. Three weeks there & Three weeks here. I never said I lived there. 1980 to 1984.

3. Dr. Rod took 2 hrs longer than the 1 1/2 hrs. scheduled. I'm convinced the band was on too tight. Most of what I read now days points to The surgeon putting the band on too tight as the reason for erosion.

The beauty of it is "we'll never know". Because it was done in Mexico. It's dead & stinkin, South of the border. Thats where it'll stay, and my money with it.

I'll give you one thing, You sure know how to spell Coyote.

Why would you choose a very average doctor to cut you open?????

[bobogang6 0]

I am scheduled to have a lap band on Oct. 22 with Dr. Rumbaut. My family doctor called me today and told me that she was against me going to mexico for lapband. She said the doctors and hospitals have no regulations and I would be sorry if I did. So now I am scared to death to go, but I can't afford it here in the states. Please tell me all you know about dr Rumbaut and the hospital he uses!

thank you,

Tonya B SC

[scodwyer 0]

I am scheduled to have a lap band on Oct. 22 with Dr. Rumbaut. My family doctor called me today and told me that she was against me going to Mexico for lapband. She said the doctors and hospitals have no regulations and I would be sorry if I did. So now I am scared to death to go, but I can't afford it here in the states. Please tell me all you know about dr Rumbaut and the hospital he uses!

thank you,

Tonya B SC

Tonya,

I can tell you that honestly in general I have found that many doctors in the US are prejudice against patients who decide to have lapband surgery in Mexico. For some, it is a matter of economics, for others it is misinformation and dare I say racism. I live in the Chicagoland area and I experienced the later when attempting to get my first fill. It is shameful to be price gauged just because you tell them you had surgery outside of the US! Before deciding to have surgery in Mexico, I called around and thought I had found an acceptable bariatric center to do my fills and an acceptable price.

After coming home, having a great experience, I then called to schedule my fill. I hand delivered my xrays plus my operation report. After 2 weeks, and several calls, they jacked the price up 3 times what I was originally quoted! They made some pretty discriminating comments about Mexican surgeons, which even more lessened my opinion of them. I found a great doctor from the U of I that does my fills now .

My doctor had much more experience (4000 surgeries) than other surgeons in my area, but because as one bariatric center told me, " because you did not have surgery with us and especially since you had it in Mexico, our fill rates are higher." Well, it is good to shop around: she quoted $950 for a fill plus initial consult, but I received a fill for $150.00 from another Chicagoland doctor. Not all doctors are alike.

Ultimately, you need to do your homework and research and talk to real patients. The surgeon you have chosen has a great reputation , and just remember, just because they don't reside in this country, doesn't mean they are leSss capable or caring.

Susan

[pantsgap 0]

I highly recommend my surgeon, Doctor Jose Rodriguez with Be Light Weight. The total cost was $5,900 plus my round trip airfare of $400 on Southwest (could have been much cheaper if I gave more advanced notice). The hospital was the Star Medica in Juarez. I flew into El Paso, Texas and then the hospital has a shuttle to the hospital. After your surgery (2 days) they braought me back to the hospital. everyone spoke English, the hospital was impeccably clean, doctors, nurses and staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. Hope that helps! Rick

[wstorms 2]

I had my surgery in Juarez, by Dr. Natera. I was in a private hospital that was very clean!! He did a wonderful job. The only problem was finding aftercare.

My aftercare is being provided by a surgeon from San Antonio, Dr. Steggeman. Dr. Steggeman informed me at my appointment Friday that he and 8 other bariatric doctors in Texas are going to start doing surgery in Mexico starting January 2010. They are contracting with a hospital in Cancun that has the same standards as US hospitals. The cost of labor and materials is just so much cheaper in Mexico that they can offer their cash pay customers a much cheaper surgery rate if they do the surgery in Mexico. That way people can have a US surgeon do their surgery for a cheaper price and then come back to the US for aftercare.

Lapband patients will stay three days, and bipass patience will stay five days.

[LisaRN 0]

Hi. I am brand new here and I have been just reading for a few days.

I live in Phoenix and I am considering going to Mexico for surgery. I would be paying cash and going back for aftercare would not be a problem.

So far I am considering Dr. Aceves, Dr. Corvala, and Dr. Valenzuela. The later 2 are through World Med assist. I am not sure if its better to go through a company or just on my own.

Its been a while since people have been posting about their experiences - good or bad. I am hoping you guys have some recent insight.

Thanks in advance,

Lisa

[ocotillo 0]

Hi. I am brand new here and I have been just reading for a few days.

I live in Phoenix and I am considering going to Mexico for surgery. I would be paying cash and going back for aftercare would not be a problem.

So far I am considering Dr. Aceves, Dr. Corvala, and Dr. Valenzuela. The later 2 are through World Med assist. I am not sure if its better to go through a company or just on my own.

Its been a while since people have been posting about their experiences - good or bad. I am hoping you guys have some recent insight.

Thanks in advance,

Lisa

I'm in Tucson and was banded in Tijuana with Dr. Aerial Ortiz. Good experience and I've had 2 fills there also. Both of those went well too. I went to Mexico because my insurance wouldn't pay for weight loss surgery or anything else and economically, even with travel and the cost of the fills, it's cheaper than I can get locally. I've posted more extensively about this experience somewhere else...you might look for more posts by me. The hardest part about going across the border for me is coming back to the US....long lines sometimes.

[Deetrix 0]

All this talk of Mexican surgeons and no one had mentioned Dr. Ariel Ortiz until now (Ocotillo)....I was becoming quite concerned as I thought I did my research....I'm having my lapband done on October 13 by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana so I'm happy to finally hear someone speak of him and say that their experience was good.....I'm getting nervous about going to Mexico, especially with all the crime and violence going on around the border towns....If there is anything anyone can say about their experience with Dr. Ariel Ortiz, I'd appreciate it. Also, any suggestions for kicking up the weight loss before surgery. I started Atkins Induction about 3 weeks ago and have only lost 10 pounds...I need to lose at least another 4 (to have my 05% off by surgery)....Thanks and good luck to everyone having their upcoming surgeries.:smile:

[ocotillo 0]

All this talk of Mexican surgeons and no one had mentioned Dr. Ariel Ortiz until now (Ocotillo)....I was becoming quite concerned as I thought I did my research....I'm having my LAP-BAND®® done on October 13 by Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana so I'm happy to finally hear someone speak of him and say that their experience was good.....I'm getting nervous about going to Mexico, especially with all the crime and violence going on around the border towns....If there is anything anyone can say about their experience with Dr. Ariel Ortiz, I'd appreciate it. Also, any suggestions for kicking up the weight loss before surgery. I started Atkins Induction about 3 weeks ago and have only lost 10 pounds...I need to lose at least another 4 (to have my 05% off by surgery)....Thanks and good luck to everyone having their upcoming surgeries.:smile:

You are doing fine....I had to lose 13 pounds and as long as you are close, they won't refuse to do the surgery...just keep plugging away at it. The surgery is a little like a assembly line. There will probably be several other people there also, so thay take you one at a time and do all the tests, then lead you off to the surgery room, poke you with needles, put compression leggings on you, wheel you off to the surgery and you wake up several hours later in lala land. At least I did. There is some pain, but for me it wasn't bad. It really is like an assembly line, so if you are really looking for that personalized service that may be lacking there, but everything else is fine. Are you using their shuttle service? I would recommend it for the first time. They take you right there, no worries. I've walked across for both of my fills and taken a taxi to the clinic. I didn't have any problem with that either. Please PM if you have any other questions....Good luck.

[DianaG 0]

Tonya,

I had my surgery here in the States with a great doctor and facility.

Having said that, my neighbor couldn't afford to get it done here,so she went to Monterrey Mexico and had hers done by Dr. Rumbaut. This was over a year ago and she has lost 105 pounds. She was very impressed by the facility, staff ( all of whom spoke English). She had taken her friend who is fluent in Spanish with her, but didn't need a translator, although she was glad her friend was with her for moral support! She was most especially impressed by Dr. Rumbaut!! She is always talking about the VIP treatment and the skill of Dr. Rumbaut. The only thing that is not good, is that she had to go to Kansas (from Arkansas) to get a fill. She is at her sweet spot, so she hasn't gone there for quite some time. So, be sure to find a facility here where you can get the fills before you go to Mexico. That is unless you can afford to go back to Mexico to get them.

If my insurance had not covered a lot of the cost, I would have probably gone there also. I am one of the lucky ones who had a great surgeon and after care. The surgeon had actually taken my gall bladder out several years ago.....so I was thrilled that he was the one who did the lap-band for me.

I guess I better put in a DISCLAIMER here....I am not one of those people who have been hired by a surgeon (or clinic) to heap praise on the person they were hired by!!! I am just telling you that I have heard great things about this particular doctor. I hope that prejudice is not what is influencing your family doctor's attitude, or that she is just repeating a general attitude about going out of the country for surgery. Sometimes people don't have any choice in the matter because they can't afford the surgery here for various reasons.

Good luck to you no matter where you go for surgery!! It is truly a life changing experience!!