Mexico - I will take any advice!

Jennifer L.
on 6/29/12 8:03 am - Dayton, OH

Other with

Hey Everyone! So I have been on and off this board for about four years. I almost had the surgery alittle over 3 years ago until at the last minute we realized that my insurance didn't cover the DS because my husbands work place said no to having that as an option (it took us awhile to discover this). However, a month later I was pregnant so I feel it was all for a reason.

After many failed attempts to lose weight on my own I have made a decision to get the surgery in Mexico. We are in a position where the money can be saved by next spring. Who should I use? Why should I use them?

Also how do I manage my aftercare and making sure I get my vitamins? The last thing I want to do is muck up my body because I didn't understand everything I needed to know about my aftercare and vitamins.

Any and all advice is not only welcomed, but needed!

You can choose who you will become but that wont change the fact that you will always be you!

"Don't be shocked that people die, be surprised you're still alive" ~Flyleaf

"They say never burn a bridge, but you're one bridge I'll never walk down again" ~Spoken

MajorMom
on 6/29/12 8:51 am - VA

DS on 08/09/07 with

Welcome! The best list of surgeons and a great research site is www.dsfacts.com. If you're going to Mex, one of the best is Dr Ungson. gungson@hotmail.com or Luz, his coordinator at luzesandovalb@gmail.com

For vitamins I follow Vitalady's advice, with my surgeon's blessing, www.vitalady.com.

--gina

5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!

Jennifer L.
on 6/29/12 8:57 am - Dayton, OH

Other with

Thanks! I have heard many good things about Dr. Ungson and even have been on his website many many many times. I just wasn't sure if there might be someone else out there. I just wish I knew more of what to expect with going to Mexico. The only other country I have been to outside of the US was Canada... and that was not much of a culture shock. lol

You can choose who you will become but that wont change the fact that you will always be you!

"Don't be shocked that people die, be surprised you're still alive" ~Flyleaf

"They say never burn a bridge, but you're one bridge I'll never walk down again" ~Spoken

MajorMom
on 6/29/12 9:10 am - VA

DS on 08/09/07 with

There may be some Dr Ungson patients on the private DS Facebook group and Proboards, If you'd like the links let me know and I'll PM them to you.

--g

5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!

Jennifer L.
on 6/29/12 9:11 am - Dayton, OH

Other with

That would be wonderful!! Thank you! :)

You can choose who you will become but that wont change the fact that you will always be you!

"Don't be shocked that people die, be surprised you're still alive" ~Flyleaf

"They say never burn a bridge, but you're one bridge I'll never walk down again" ~Spoken

Emily F.
on 6/29/12 9:43 am

DS on 04/05/10 with

Hey Jennifer!!! Welcome. I'm Emily. You can click on my name and look at my blog. I blogged my whole experience in Mexico to help anyone deciding on going. Its on page 3.

Prices may have changed in the two years. But it was 13G for open. You need to find your own flight and tell Luz, she will pick you up from the airport. Its Hermasillo, Mexico. You can check flights. For my mother and me, it was 2G from Florida to Hermasillo.

It was honest to God the BEST hospital experience I've ever had my whole life. Even my mother just raves and raves. The 13 G covered the surgeon, Ungson, asst surgeon, internists, sleep doc, How do you spell anasia?? lol 4 days hospital, 5 days hotel. You will need to pay cash for your meds, about 200 and I bought extra pain pills to take at home. If you travel with someone, they will need to take extra money to get food, there's hospital food andA FANTASTIC restaurant in the hotel.

I went to a wls support group at home before surgery and got a pcp that is pro wls. I saw her before I left, she did my pre op work up, that you have to fax to Ungson before he will schedule your surgery. I saw her post op 3,6,9,12, and then every six months. I use vitalady's labwork and diagnosis codes and never had trouble with insurance covering my labs.

Holla at me if you need anything.

Jennifer L.
on 7/1/12 1:48 pm - Dayton, OH

Other with

I read your story and it was helpful to show my husband. I don't think I would be able to have the surgery until around May. I am nervous about everything but at the same time I know this is what I need.

I do wonder about getting medication in Mexico and then flying back to America... wouldn't customs flag me?

You can choose who you will become but that wont change the fact that you will always be you!

"Don't be shocked that people die, be surprised you're still alive" ~Flyleaf

"They say never burn a bridge, but you're one bridge I'll never walk down again" ~Spoken

Emily F.
on 7/1/12 2:49 pm

DS on 04/05/10 with

On July 1, 2012 at 1:48 PM Pacific Time, Jennifer L. wrote:

I read your story and it was helpful to show my husband. I don't think I would be able to have the surgery until around May. I am nervous about everything but at the same time I know this is what I need.

I do wonder about getting medication in Mexico and then flying back to America... wouldn't customs flag me?

No, not at all. I had hepron needles in my bag. I had the pain pills with me. I also have medication I took every since day two. No problems whatso ever.

Huneypie
on 6/29/12 10:11 am - London, United Kingdom

DS with

Dr Ungson appears to proctoring Dr Alberto Alvarez at the Almater Hospital in Mexicali. They've performed the DS on patients together so this may be another option.

Start BMI 35 - 40ish? Join us on the Lightweights Board! The Lightweight Creed.
Sleeved Nov 2010 Dr López Corvala, Mexico. DS Jul 2012 Dr Himpens, Belgium
I my DS For more on the DS go to DSfacts.com

Valerie G.
on 6/29/12 1:30 pm - "The OG", OH

DS on 10/31/05 with

I concur -- Dr Ungson in MX or Marchenesi in Brazil.

Valerie
1 year to lose the weight - 6 years maintaining it with the DS
There is room on this earth for all of God's creatures..next to the mashed potatoes

its-killen-me
on 6/30/12 6:53 pm - Selkirk, Canada

DS on 06/14/12 with

I had mine done by Dr. Jamie Ponce de Leon at INT hospital in Tiajuna. Some questions to ask are do they use Titanium Staples, Is it done Laproscopically and is it all preformed in one procedure. Dr. Ponce de leon charges less. I live in Canada and I had better care there than I could have at home. I am 16 days post op - pureed foods for awhile yet. keep in mind some Doctors at home (in canada anywy) will not touch you if they didn't do the surgery. if you are interested pm me and I will give you the name of a excellent medical guide--Not the one I used. Thanks Barb I paid 8500.00 all incusive flights, hotels, medicines, driver and surgery . I also received a Dvd of the surgery and of the leak test.

Dr. Jamie Ponce de Leon - Medical guide Laurie Wolf Received money Never showed up - Only thing booked were flights. Surgeon and Medical team, and hospital were awesome . There is another Medical guide named Trish she is good. PM me for info.

beemerbeeper
on 7/1/12 1:43 pm - AL

DS on 09/30/09 with

UNGSON.

Jennifer L.
on 7/1/12 1:51 pm - Dayton, OH

Other with

Thanks everyone! I am pretty sure Dr. Ungson would be the person I would go with... his name has been the main one I have heard over the years but I wasnt sure if anyone here used anyone else. I want as many personal accounts as I can find on here... my husband is convinced but now I need to convince my mom since she would be the one who would have to come with me to Mexico... lol

You can choose who you will become but that wont change the fact that you will always be you!

"Don't be shocked that people die, be surprised you're still alive" ~Flyleaf

"They say never burn a bridge, but you're one bridge I'll never walk down again" ~Spoken

Sherrie P.
on 7/1/12 7:45 pm

RNY on 02/06/13 with

I was banded in Monterrey in 2005, by Dr. Sanchez - who was murdered a few years later.

I have no regrets about the care I received in Mexico.

The struggle was the judgement from people that found out I went to Mexico for surgery.

The biggest regret was the Lap Band...

I am currently working on revision to RNY or DS if the insurance will pay for it.

If not, I am going to consider Mexico again.

Best of luck to you.

Jennifer L.
on 7/1/12 11:55 pm - Dayton, OH

Other with

That is terrible to hear about Dr. Sanchez... so sad.

I will probably tell very very few people that I am going to Mexico to get this done. Most wouldn't really agree with the idea of surgery in the first place, let alone going to Mexico to do it. I have decided that I will probably keep my surgery to myself. This will be VERY hard for me because I am an open book... heart on my sleeve... tell you my life story kind of person. However, it is no ones business about my surgery, my need for the surgery, and my decision to go to Mexico to do it. I am the one who has to live in my body. I am the one who is dealing with this stuff day after day - not them - me. And this surgery has been something I have researched for 4 years, I know it is the best option for me. I knew it 4 years ago and that opinion hasn't changed no matter the cir****tances. I also know that, without insurance approval, Mexico will be the best option for me. Of course I wish my insurance would cover it so I wouldn't have to worry about all of this other stuff... but since that is not an option, this is my best bet. Plus it is at a time where we know we will have the money. I don't know if we can say this about the future... so it doesn't make sense for me to wait any longer. It will be the best money I have ever spent.

You can choose who you will become but that wont change the fact that you will always be you!

"Don't be shocked that people die, be surprised you're still alive" ~Flyleaf

"They say never burn a bridge, but you're one bridge I'll never walk down again" ~Spoken

Huneypie
on 7/2/12 9:22 am - London, United Kingdom

DS with

You may want to PM Dudette whose account of her Mexico DS is hear http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/4394183/Shopping-DS-Surgeons-in-Mexico/action,replies/topic_id,4394183/page,3/

Start BMI 35 - 40ish? Join us on the Lightweights Board! The Lightweight Creed.
Sleeved Nov 2010 Dr López Corvala, Mexico. DS Jul 2012 Dr Himpens, Belgium
I my DS For more on the DS go to DSfacts.com

Jennifer L.
on 7/2/12 11:05 am - Dayton, OH

Other with

I will probably stick with the overall OH DS board consensus with Dr. Ungson. I have been around here for awhile... have seen people with positive results from him... I am sure there are others out there but overall I see Ungson is best and I trust the overall opinion of DS vets.

Also, if anyone wants to answer this one... is there a DS surgeon in the US that everyone would recommend that has a payment plan? I know there is care credit but not really an option for me. I do have some good DS surgeons here in my area BUT they don't have payment plans... just offer care credit. So just wondering if there is anyone else in the US that does or is more affordable (here in Dayton, Ohio they charge over $30,000).

Thanks everyone for taking the time to answer my questions and give me advice! It is a big step I am taking... very excited but can take as much guidance as possible!

You can choose who you will become but that wont change the fact that you will always be you!

"Don't be shocked that people die, be surprised you're still alive" ~Flyleaf

"They say never burn a bridge, but you're one bridge I'll never walk down again" ~Spoken

nightowl
on 7/2/12 10:34 pm - Topeka, KS

DS on 07/02/10 with

You may get more people commenting on your new question if you start a new thread.
The most competitve DS self-pay price in the US from someone well-respected and experienced in the DS is Dr. Stewart in Denton, TX, for something like 23k. However, I am not aware of any DS surgeons that extend credit themselves.

nightowl
on 7/2/12 11:18 pm - Topeka, KS

DS on 07/02/10 with

There is also a special deal going on in California for an experienced DS surgeon needing to get some more surgeries done at a specific hospital for it to gain COE status. We are not supossed to talk about it here, so you might have to deal in private messages about it. It doesn't extend credit though.

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Weight Loss Surgery Directory

Mexico - I will take any advice!