Lurker turned member... Still trying to figure out which surgeon to use.

Hi all,

So I finally lost my lurker status and went legit and created an account here at OH.  I'm looking to have the VSG surgery in mid-December and have poured over tons of information.  I initially thought about having a lap band but have decided the VSG surgery would be best for me.  The next important question that I can think of is figure out WHO will do the surgery.  I've created a spreadsheet and have come up with the following "finalists":  Alvarez, Joya, and Ortiz.  I did consider (and still might be considering) Dr. Acevez, but I'm trying not to go over a set budget that I have for this surgery.  

Dr. Alvarez is at the top of my budget, and I've not see any negatives.  I also really appreciate how available he himself is on social media and how he likes to follow-up and do reunions from past patients.  Dr. Joya provides the longest recovery time (hospital/hotel combined), which I think is a plus, but I had a harder time finding testimonials about him and the VSG.  I've seen a few people on here, but even his reviews are not as recent/many as Alvarez.  On a few boards I've seen Dr. Ortiz pop up, and while I think I've seen mostly positive things about him, I'd like to know the experience of others of not being in an actual hospital and what the post-op care was like directly after surgery.

I'm looking for the good, bad, ugly, and epic.  Please do not hesitate to message me if you can provide information one-on-one that you are not wishing to disclose in the forums.

Thanks for your help!

Laura

Like you, I'm in the beginning stages of trying to figure out who will do my surgery. Can you tell me which companies you've selected? I'm not  too familiar with the actual doctor's names...just the site that they're associated with.

Hi there! My husband had VSG with Dr. Joya this past May. He has done well. Everything was exactly as described and promised. His website     www.drjoya.com     has tons of information. His co-ordinator, Gerald, was quick to respond to my emails and queries. Flying down from waaay up in Canada - it was quite the experience. But at no time did we feel unsafe, uncared for and had no complaints or concerns. The Sunset Plaza was the most beautiful hotel we had ever stayed at. Likewise - the Hospital was amazing. I'm an RN of 30yrs and work in ER. So I'm a bit exacting about any medical care and watch everything like a hawk. We know others who have gone to Dr. Joya and have had great experiences also. Good luck!

Hi Laura,

I had surgery almost two months ago with Dr. Ortiz.  I had previously worked for a bariatric surgeon in the states, however, there was no way my insurance was going to cover surgery - so I went to Mexico as a cash patient.   I chose Dr. Ortiz because of the "Center of Excellence" designation.  Doctors have to meet some rigorous standards in order to have the designation, so I knew I would be in good hands.  Further, COE support groups are reciprocal, so when I came back to the states, I could attend any of the ones here for no added cost.  The surgery was about $6500.00.  This included the hotel stay, but not airfare (although I didn't need it since I live close to the border).  The shuttle back and forth across the border is also included, as well as the food, etc.

Please feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Carol

This Dr. Ortiz performs his surgeries at a center of excellence?  Which hospital?  Is it the same designation or accrediting board that gives the"center of excellence" title to American hospitals?  

I'm going to check this out thanks for the info! 

Karla

Hi Laura!  I'm so glad you posted :)

I am in the same boat.  I am hoping to have sleeve surgery in the beginning of December, have a budget and have been researching surgeons.  My "finalists" include Dr Joya and Dr Ortiz as well.

I'm looking forward to reading more responses!

I had my VSG with Dr. Kelly last November. I had an excellent experience. Message me if you have any questions about him or my time in TJ.

Hi I just found this site and am so excited about it! I am planning to have VSG by the end of November (hopefully sooner) with Dr. Ortiz. I chose him because it is a Center of Excellence and lots of state's hospitals have not attained to that level. I have friends and family that freak out by the whole "going to Mexico for surgery thing" so the Center of Excellence status eases my mindand hopefully theirs!

I'm schedule with Dr Fernando Garcia on 10/26/2013 inTejuana. Will update you guys.

I am having surgery with Dr. Joya on October 28th,  I did a lot of research before choosing him.