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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member Granna1965's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Gwen
    Surgery date
    09/24/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Brad Snyder
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Last Activity
    03-09-2018 09:19 AM
    Location
    East Texas
    Posts
    256
    Said "Thanks" 10 Times
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    Blog Entries
    4

    Default Mexico Sleevers!

    I have a dear friend who is very interested in getting sleeved. His insurance is blue cross blue shield and wont pay because he doesnt qualify with the at least two required options. So his next option is going to Mexico and self pay. Which is not a problem for him. I am just curious what do they charge for this procedure and which Doctors ( of the two on our forum) do you recommend more? Thanks for your input in advance for he really needs this information and I would love to see him sleeved before it starts effecting his health.

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    Highest Weight: 302 (2007)

  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member Shirleybird's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    10/11/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Almanza
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Last Activity
    05-31-2015 03:06 PM
    Posts
    191
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    Was Thanked 58 Times in 56 Posts
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    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: Mexico Sleevers!

    I had Dr. Almanza at the Jerusalem Hospital. It was just over 4,000.00 dollars and I was very pleased with everything.



  4. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member barrbdoll's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Emily
    Surgery date
    04/16/2012
    Surgeon
    Dr. Ariel Ortiz
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Last Activity
    07-24-2017 06:31 AM
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    462
    Said "Thanks" 109 Times
    Was Thanked 132 Times in 114 Posts
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    Default Re: Mexico Sleevers!

    Lots of options in Mexico.... Some of the cheaper surgeons like Almanza charge around 4-4500. I chose to pay a bit more and go to Dr. Ariel Ortiz.. Best decision I ever made! Regardless of who your friend chooses, the cost is wayyyyyy cheaper than the US so please research and do your due diligence... obviously not a decision to take lightly... People choose surgeons based on a variety of reasons.. whether it's cost, comfort, accolades, etc... Ask lots of questions and don't be pushed to make a snap decision... I researched for over 5 years and ALWAYS came back to Dr. Ariel Ortiz...... My story is one of thousands.. Try not to get overwhelmed with your research.. There are a lot of Mexico sleevers on the board so feel free to reach out to them individually for advice....

    Best of Luck!!



  5. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member forfourpaws's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Deborah
    Surgery date
    12/10/2013
    Surgeon
    Guillermo Alvarez
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Posts
    34
    Said "Thanks" 5 Times
    Was Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3 Times

    Default Re: Mexico Sleevers!

    I was just sleeved 12/10 by Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras, Mexico, and was blown away by how awesome everything was. My sister was sleeved somewhere in Mexico a year ago, and while (1) she has had no problems and (2) it was several thousand dollars cheaper, she describes the differences in our experiences sort of like a Camry versus a Lexus. After hearing her experience, I chose to look for another option.

    DISCLAIMER: PLEASE don't think I'm bashing anyone else's choice or experience -- it is a personal decision and each of us have to be happy with it -- just relaying ours.

    Some of the reasons I chose Dr. Alvarez were low complication rates, how many surgeries he does a day (definitely ask this), his surgical focus (only sleeves vs. tummy tucks etc.), the technique used (oversewing the sleeve/etc.), the fact that I would be staying in a full hospital (vs. a clinic) for two full days (vs. going to a recovery house), news reports I found on the surgeon, conversations with people previously sleeved by him (including Susan, his coordinator), the extensive info he has on YouTube (him answering questions and testimonials), his accessibility after my visit (he's available by phone and email, as is Susan), the fact that he travels to the US several times each year to do "patient reunions," etc. I was also happy to hear that Dr. Alvarez has sleeved his mom, niece and aunt recently -- if he's working on his own family you would hope he's doing a good job!

    DISCLAIMER #2: I am hesitating to hit "Reply" just because I want to make sure this doesn't come across as criticizing anyone's choices or another surgeon -- so PLEASE readers don't think that! I can only speak for MY decision. I am happy that there are affordable options and a variety of surgeons so we can all make the choice that we feel best about. Ok, enough disclaimers!

    Best of luck to your friend on his journey!



  6. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member Cyndy-loo's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Cyndy-loo
    Surgery date
    05/12/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Almanza
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    11-13-2018 08:44 AM
    Location
    Leader
    Posts
    269
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    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Mexico Sleevers!

    Glad to hear it as that is who I have chosen as well.



  7. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  8. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    01/06/2012
    Surgeon
    Dr Almanza
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    253
    Said "Thanks" 23 Times
    Was Thanked 57 Times in 45 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1 Times

    Default Re: Mexico Sleevers!

    I had Dr Almanza and would recommend him in a minute. He and his staff were friendly and helpful every step. He was personable when he came in before the surgery to introduce himself. Also, he himself has had the surgery, and even showed us his scar. I had NO problems or issues. I want to tell everyone I know who struggles to go see Dr. Almanza!!

  9. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member Kindle's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    12/20/2013
    Surgeon
    Ariel Ortiz & Arturo Martinez
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    1,659
    Said "Thanks" 699 Times
    Was Thanked 1,627 Times in 805 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 2 Times
    Blog Entries
    43

    Default Re: Mexico Sleevers!

    ...



  10. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have not had a gastric sleeve.
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Posts
    420
    Said "Thanks" 118 Times
    Was Thanked 85 Times in 80 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1,736 Times

    Default Re: Mexico Sleevers!

    Quote Originally Posted by Shirleybird View Post
    I had Dr. Almanza at the Jerusalem Hospital. It was just over 4,000.00 dollars and I was very pleased with everything.

    Ditto, Almanza was great and I had no complications at all. My mom dad and sister have all had the sleeve also and also used Almanza with no complications.


  11. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member SRAMIREZ802@AOL.COM's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    SHANNON
    Surgeon
    ALMANZA
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Last Activity
    07-28-2014 09:54 AM
    Location
    LOUISVILLE KY
    Posts
    21
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 26 Times

    Default Re: Mexico Sleevers!

    Me too almanza they were all great just went 12/9



  12. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member tracke38's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Traci
    Surgery date
    03/12/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Lufti
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Last Activity
    07-18-2016 12:00 AM
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    200
    Said "Thanks" 32 Times
    Was Thanked 53 Times in 52 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 402 Times

    Default Re: Mexico Sleevers!

    What two options are causing your friend issues? Is he working with a team? My surgeon has staff available (Psych, Nut, RN) who walks you through all the steps required by Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Your friend might just have to change to a Doc that has gotten approvals with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Don't give up! Your friend should ask his primary for a referral to a doctor in the network (they have access to this info). Keep us posted, and stay encouraged!



  13. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member tinman's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/23/2012
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last Activity
    11-08-2023 05:37 PM
    Posts
    1,154
    Said "Thanks" 65 Times
    Was Thanked 1,328 Times in 515 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3 Times

    Default Re: Mexico Sleevers!

    I had it done by Dr. Almanza back in August of 2012. I chose Dr. Almanza for a multitude of reasons, but, the over riding one for me was the amount of surgeries that he has done. I figured with over 10,000 VSG surgeries under his belt, he had seen just about everything that could possible happen on the table and had dealt with it. In other words, there wouldn't be any surprises while he was performing the procedure.

    I could not have been more happy with the clinic, the Doctor, or the results. I recommend that you do your recovery at the Hotel Ticuan. That's where I went. Very nice hotel on downtown TJ and the doctor keeps nurses on call at the hotel 24/7. All I had to do was dial room 109 and they would come up and tend to me just as if I was in a real hospital. And, just like a hospital, the nurses came in several times a day to check vitals and clean and dress the surgery sites. Once a day, we would load into a van and go to the clinic for a bag of saline and a checkup. All in all, very relaxed and calm way to recover.

    Like the others on here have stated, you need to do your own due diligence and make the decisions based on what is important to you. Make a list of those priorities and then pick your surgeon.

    Good luck, any of the surgeons listed on this thread are a good choice. It would be difficult to make a bad choice from that list.



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