Hi there!  I am a new member here and am just beginning my wls journey.  I live in GA, USA and I do have BCBS of GA, but wls is not covered.  I think I would like to have VGS.  I have saw that many folks have traveled to Mexico for surgery due to the cost.  I am a single mom, one income, and can't afford it here in the states. I've seen a Dr. Kelly (who seems to be the least expensive), Dr. Alvarez, and there is an advertisement on the side here, for a Dr. Joya.  Does anyone have any experience with these doctors?

Thanks!

 I just came back from Mexicali Mexico last Friday and had a great experience there. I would recommend Dr. Aceves

If you have any questions just ask. 

Take care Julie

I too am in Georgia... I'm just west of Douglasville

I am going to Dr Aceves at the end of next month. I can't wait!

One word of caution about going with a dr because they are cheapest: some of them have patients recover outside of the hospital. If I'm going to be that far from home for a major surgery, I want to recover in a hospital until the doctor releases me from their care.

My advice is to call as many of the doctors you are considering as possible and ask them everything you can think of. See who you feel most comfortable with, as well as who has the best answers to your questions. You can also go to youtube and search for videos of the patients of each of those doctors... I know Dr Aceves has several patients who have posted videos with lots of pictures of the hospital, the staff, and documenting their recovery.

I can't wait to get to Dr. Aceves, and I feel confident in my decision, but this is a very personal choice. Just make sure you do as much research as you can before making your decision. There are several great doctors in Mexico, so I'm sure you'll come out just fine.

Best wishes!

I used Dr. Kelly so if you have any questions just ask.
Julie

Hi:
     Dr. Alvarez, hear some great things about him, check-out he's web site.
            
           endobariatric.com

      Wishing you the best.

DR Jamie Ponce De leon  is an awesome skilled dr and his team is the best

Hi,

My name is Donna and i live in Frostburg, Maryland.

Dr. Ariel Ortiz Lagardere in Tiquana did my gastric sleeve on November 9, 2011, so it has been over three months and i am very pleased with the result.  I feel that i received a perfect sleeve because it has been so effective in helping me stop my compulsive eating.

I can honestly say that you will not find a better surgeon than Dr. Ortiz for weight loss surgery.  He was recently featured in Newsweek magazine for being one of the best.  I went to Mexico, received first rate medical attention at a reasonable price at his Obesity Control Center and all the phone followup attention that i needed after surgery and even when i was back home in Maryland.  Also, Dr. Ortiz has the highest weight loss rate for his patients. 

There is a lot of information on his website:   http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com/

This is an exciting time -- contemplating weight loss surgery, making decisions, and making preparations, if you decide to go forward.  Best wishes!!

ortiz has a higher weight loss rate than other surgeons?  is this because of his post op eating plan?

LotusLover,

I went back to the website where i thought i read that dr. ortiz has the highest weight loss among his patients and i cannot find the quote.  It is a good question, the reason why his patients have highest weight loss.   I can only guess that it has to do with the very small shrimp-like stomach that he gives his patients when he does the sleeve, in addition to all around positive experience and daily attention.  For example, i was in mexico 7 days and i was taken from the Marriott to the Obesity Control Center every day except Sunday for checkup, bandage change, drain tube removal, fluoroscopy, to have questions answered, etc.   

I don't know what other doctors' post op eating plans are but there was nothing unusual i don't think about dr. ortiz's post op eating plan. 

Donna

How much does Dr. Ortiz charge? i can only find pricing for Dr. Aceves and Dr. Alvarez.

$6,995

dr. Kelly is an excellent surgeon. I had a great experience in a hospital, not a clinic. The hotel I stayed at was beautiful after being released from the hospital.

He has done thousands of sleeves.

I went to Dr Alarez because hes done thousands of sleeves and his practice of over sewing the staple line along with his "no leak" reputation sold me. He didnt dissapoint...hes awesome!!!! Ask if you have specific questions!

 Another Georgia gal here!  I went to Dr. Alvarez, and he is top-notch!  I highly recommend him.
--Dorothy

I am in the hospital in Mexico recovering from VSG with Dr Alvarez yesterday. I'm doing really, really well and things went great from start to finish. Just PM me if you have any questions.
Best of luck with whoever you choose!

I went to Dr. Ortiz at Obesity Control Center in T.J. I had a great experience, it was the nicest hospital I'd ever been in, the aftercare doc and nurses were great, too! I just went down to have my one year check-up and did a barium swallow and they said my sleeve looks great! Also had a plastics consult, that is a whole other issue! LOL! If you want any more info. or details about my experience, please let me know! Good Luck!

Hello. I live in Dalton GA. I am scheduled for my sleeve with Dr. Almanza in Tijuana Mexico on 03/01. His fee is $4500. He does operate out of a small center not a hospital and that is one way he keeps his costs and fees down. Wish me luck and I will let you know how it goes! :)