New Here!

I am considering going to Mexico for surgery,since I will be self-pay..Any advice..What Doctor? What Airline? Any info would help!! Thanks,Kristie

Do you know what procudure you are going to have done, or are you still considering all the different procedures? I am going to Dr Aguirre in Ensenada and have the Open RNY procedure done Oct 25. Here is his profile if you are interested in knowing more about him. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeon+profile+Alejandro+Aguirre+MD+lcp.html I personally would not choose any other doctor to do the open RNY procedure. He just seems to be the best for me. He only does Open RNY though if you do not want the scar you might go laproscopic and you would need to choose someone else, but there are many good doctors out there. I am sure there are going to be alot of people with great info for you! Also welcome to the board, I hope you enjoy yourself and find everything that you need.

Welcome to the board! The doctor you choose will depend on a couple of things. Which surgery do you want? How much are you wanting to spend? Do you want to set up everything yourself or go all inclusive? I went to Dr. Joya for several reasons. I wanted all inclusive because I didn't want to stress the airline, hotel and everything. They took care of it all for me. They even made arrangements for my husband to stay at the hotel during my hospital stay if he had wanted. (He ended up sleeping in a chair at the hospital lol) I also didn't want the open surgery.. I wanted it done lap. RNY is enough of a change for me without having a huge incision to care for. You have to figure out what exactly you want... but so far I've seen that Dr. A and Dr. Joya seem to be the most popular here. ~Audrey~

Hi, Kristie. I also went to Dr. Joya. They take care of the airline, hotel, everything. Check out my profile for my story. Kina 220/193/120

Hi Kristie! This is such a big decision so I'm glad you're researching! KansasKat and I were down in Puerto Vallarta at the same time for laproscopic RNY and Dr. Joya was awesome. His staff coordinates everything from airfare to hotel (and they pick you up at the airport) and he is a wonderful surgeon. He is very caring and very thorough so you are in excellent hands. His assistant surgeons are also fantastic. They put you up in a resort after the surgery and the doctors visit you daily. They have a special now - $12,000 for airfare, surgery, hospital for four days, hotel for two days, and all preop labs. Stay at the resort an extra five days just so you have good, reasonably priced medical care close at hand and have time to have your drain and staples removed. It's $80 per extra night and that will be the best $400 you will ever spend. Good luck and keep asking questions!

Hi... If you're taking suggestions, may I suggest Dr. Aguirre... 1) Superior Surgical SKills 2) Long track record of success 3) I went to him and would do it again. a) Not for the faint of heart b) South of the Border best for CERTAIN types of personalities c) Follow-up and Support for Post Operative Care is most likely not provided (Therefore you need to be VERY aware and try to find a knowledgeable physician in your local hometown/area.)

I also had Dr. Joya. It was great. They took care of everything. All I did was tell what day I wanted surgery and they took it from there. I was there when KansasKat and Donna were there. We had a great time. The hospital was beautiful and the nurses and docs are the best. It was a relaxing(for what you are going through) time and enjoyed everything about it. Audrey was there when I was there also and they took great care of us!!! Dr. Joya is the best around!!! Good luck!! Jen

I WENT TO ENESENADA MEXICO AND HAD SURGERY WITH DR. AGUIRRE. I THINK HE IS FANTASTIC. I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED. EVEN THO I HAVE A SCAR THAT GOES FROM CENTER OF CHEST TO MY BELLY BUTTON I AM STILL VERY PLEASED. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY COMPLICATIONS. (HOWEVER THIS DOESNT MEAN THAT THERE ARENT ANY. I HAVE BEEN FOTUNATE NOT TO HAVE ANY.) DR. AGUIRRE IS A VERY COMPITANT DR. HE IS REALLY GOOD AT WHAT HE DOES. AND THERE IS A REASON HE PREFORMS ONLY OPEN RNY. HE IS GOOD AT IT. HE FEELS MORE COMPFOTABLE DOING IT THAT WAY BECAUSE HE HAS BETTER CONTROL OF THINGS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND HE DOUBLE STITCHES YOU TO CUT DOWN RISK OF LEAKS. AND HE CHECKS YOU OUT WHILE HE IS IN THERE, MEANING HE MAKES SURE YOUR OTHER ORGANS ARE HEALTHY TOO. HE IS VERY THOURUOGH. AND HE IS SO VERY CARING. THERE ARE SEVERAL GOOD DRS TO CHOSE FROM. BUT I REALY LIKED DR. AGUIRRE. I MENTIONED TO HIM THAT MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE CHILDREN. I WAS PREGNANT ONCE AFTER 5 YEARS OF MARRAIGE AND TRYING TO HAVE A BABY. BUT IT ENDED IN A MISCAIRRAGE. AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET PREGNANT SINCE THEN. SO WHILE HE WAS DOING MY SURGERY HE EXAMINED MY OVERIES AND SAID I AM VERY HEALTHY. I WAS HAPPY TO KNOW THIS. AND I AM HAPPY THAT HE WOULD DO THAT FOR ME. IVE ALSO HEARD OF HIM BEING ABLE TO REMOVE SOME EXCESS SCAR TISSUE FROM ANOTHER PATIENT WHO HAD A GALLBLADDER SURGERY YEARS BEFORE. THIS SHOWS HOW CARING HE IS. IM NOT TRYING TO TELL YOU TO CHOSE DR. AGUIRRE. BUT I AM TELLING YOU HE IS WORTH RESEARCHING WHILE YOU ARE TRYING TO DECIDE ON A SURGEON FOR YOURSELF. HOPE THIS HELPS CINDY