Having Surgery In Mexico 05/28/09

No interest.  I've already done my research and I keep doing it for newbies with questions.  Some people have religion, I have researching mexican surgeons! HA!

Do you mean Gastricsleevesurgeon.com?  No clue, I don't have access to change things in his website. ;o).  I know it's listed here because he's in my avatar since I have his name there.

You believe the best is Mexico City, we disagree.  I did express my opinion based on a HUGE amount of research.  I think with stats, reputation, affiliations, etc., the best are as listed.

We all have our own opinions and have to research the way we feel is best.  Heck, I knew my doc's credit score when I was researching, I left no stone unturned.  I'm more than happy with my decision and if I had it to do again I'd still go to the same doctor.

The thing is that you want to inform people but you just do it on the north of the country so it is not totally objective. I just wanted to mention you that.

Yes the top is in the capital, we have the best medical universities UNAM and people across the country come here because here are the best specialist (all specialities included).

I chose not to have my surgery in Mexico City for 3 reasons:

1) it is approximately $16-18K and I don't have that money
2) they don't accept lower BMI : I am 31.8
3) Those top surgeons I went to meet didn't do as much sleeve as the ones we know.

So I am aware I am not going with a top surgeon but you know I am not here to sell any doctor's names.

That being said i really considered Dr.Aceves and I think is a great choice but my husband don't want to put one foot over there. (we are very concerned with security since several of us have been aggressed in Mexico)

For the website of DrAceves, I used the link from OH and I think he should add it on his profile because it is a good reference :-)

I think finally that you are brave in you search of informing people and you are probably on of the best informed here but your point about mexican surgeons is at the end of the day only about the north of the country. And I mean it is normal you had no reason to go deeper but  as i mentioned before medical tourism is very different from the rest. And it is fine. In our cases because we are self-pay it is a win win situation.

The big lack of our doctors is that there is no serious psychological evaluation and it is a SHAME! Hey my doc included! You never know how you are operating and by allowing to people to get to the last minute in mexico to make all the tests, they are taking a big chance, because not everyone is ready for Wls! And i don't see that very ethical... but again we all take advantage of this!

You are making an assumption that I did not research the doctors in Mexico City.  You are mistaken.  Besides, why would I tell US  or Canadian folks about doctors that you claim don't do medical tourism?  When they are searching for a doctor what is the value?  So they can go and have the same thing done in 3 or 4 steps?  Then they are not saving money by going to MX and most go there because of skill and price.  Mexican doctors usually have a few years on the US docs, meaning MX is better about doing surgery.  We have to wait 10 years longer for the FDA to approve devices and such so the MX doctors have more experience and training.

Many are not informed about which cities are safe and which are not.  I live on a border state, I live it and breathe it.  I am quite comfortable with Mexicali and a few other border states.  Certainly not all, but some of them.  There are some I wouldn't go to with armed guards during the day time.  Others I would walk around with no problem.

If you think FACS should be added to his profile you might want to email nina and suggest it.  I have no say so in what is in my doctor's website.

I just like to have a way for people to verify the information for themselves.  Some patient coordinators are great, some are really horrible.  Some will tell you anything you want to hear so you will have surgery with their doctor.  It's a sales job instead of doing what is right for the one needing surgery.  I spend time showing people how to research the information, verify it, and not have to depend on coordinators that should really be in the used car business.

Psych evals... you know, I have mixed feelings on that one.  If they were done properly I could go for it.  But here in the US it's usually just a formality and the psych works for/with the surgeon so they are going to approve everyone.  It's just busy time.  But I have to say something else.  You really don't know what to expect with WLS until you are done with it.  You really have no clue what hurdles you will have or what to expect.  A psych eval just isn't going to pick up those issues.  They are unique for each person.  What you might expect turns out totally different and there is no way a psychologist can see these issues before they happen.  It's just not something I would have understood until I went through it.  What is hard for some was easy for me, what is easy for some is hard for me.

I don't see a lot of value in psych evals, not unless you think the person is mentally retarded (can't learn to chew, small bites, nutritional issues, etc.), severe schizophrenia, etc.  If it is something kinda obvious and the doc needs to cover his butt when he declines the surgery, yeah... I get that.  But we all have issues and we all deal with it in our own way.  I'm not a real fan of therapy, I'm more biologically based.  But some are... for those therapy DURING weight loss makes 10x more sense to me than before.  We all have issue before hand, that's what got us fat.

You are right, not everyone is ready for surgery.  My doc told me that he's had people that were great on the phone, could BS everyone with the best of them but once they were in Mexico and the stress was on there was no more BSing people.  He sent them for a psych eval locally and turned them down.  You can't rule out everything.  In the US psych evals are done in a situation that is less stressful for the poeple and they are far more likely to hide information.

Check out the band boards, people give tips on how to pass the psych eval, how to lie so you get to have surgery.  But when you go to a country that is not your own the stres****s and you can't hide emotional issues quite as well.

I don't really agree but I respect your opinion. I just came from having surgery with Dr Alvarez and I am 3 days out. I decided to go back to work part-time because I really feel exceptional. I was personally very satisfied with the care received. It may not be the nicest clinic out there but his personality and care made up for it.I don't really understand you when you're implying that his credentials can't be checked. How do you find the others' credentials checkable?

There is a thread on the sleeve board right now where someone was verifying his training.  The person doing the training said he could not comfirm the claims made by Dr. Alvarez, a doctor in France.  Instead of studying under him extensively for sleeves as claimed he was actually doing an experimental lab on a pig.  Not what he claims that training was all about at all.

She posted her question about the differing information from Alvarez vs. the one running the lab and she was slam dunked by a few people that are a little overboard in their defense of Dr. Alvarez.  It was actually suggested that she go with what the coordinator claims instead of the teacher.  HAHA

One NEVER believes any coordinator and this is a prime example of why.

I know how you feel as I had the same feelings this morning when I found out the funding had gone through. I was excited and scared at the same time and I didn't know which emotion the tears were for...lol I called Judy @ Dr. Zapata's group and talked to her for over 30 minutes just to get the excitement out so I could get some work done.  Airline reservations are made. Now I have to get my mind wrapped around the liquid diet. I asked Judy when I would be able to have a shot of Tequila. She said that's a clear liquid so I could have it the night before the surgery....roflmao!!!

Hayley

Hi Teresa. I can certainly relate to the nervousness and excitement you are having. I went to Dr. Zapata on Jan 29th, 2009 and had my surgery the next day. You will absolutely LOVE Dr. Zapata. He is a wonderful competent doctor. I never felt so safe and confident in a doctor. You will meet Alma who is also a lovely lady and she will guide you through everything. I hope you're not going by yourself. I had 2 people with me...and it was great cause one of my friends stayed with me at the hospital and got me out and walking the halls almost every hour. I never experienced any nausea or pain - just a little discomfort. I was shopping at the mall across the street from the hotel 2 days later. That's how good I was feeling! You will be fine under Dr. Zapata's hands. Please let us know when you come home and how you are doing!