low BMI Mexico patients

cmayes · 05-11-2008, 08:12 PM

I'd like to hear from some low BMI patients that had their LB done in Mexico. I am considering Dr. Oritz in Tiajuana and want to hear from others who have went to him. Any advice? Also, what do you do about fills? Do you have them done locally or do you go to Mexico for fills? I am concerned about the costs associated with fills following the surgery.

LuvHaleiwa · 05-12-2008, 11:03 AM

I didn't get banded with Dr. Ortiz, but I did get banded in Mexico. My BMI at the time was 31. I have gone back to Mexico 2x for fills as it is so expensive to do so here in Wisconsin - it was actually cheaper to fly back there and I can do it and come back in the same day. All I pay for is the airfare - the doctor's office has someone pick me up at the airport and the fills are free.

tarrn13 · 05-12-2008, 11:11 AM

cmayes, I was banded by dr ortiz 3/25 and use fill centers usa as my aftercare provider, had my 1st fill on may 1st and am having my second one here on thursday, there are 30 locations throughout the country so maybe there is one by you, I go that route since it is far cheaper than a flight and boarding for my dogs to return to mexico, also dr o is on the board of directors of fill centers as he is one of the founders of it, you could also try private practioners but your success with getting accepted by one varies significantly, just have your post care plan in place before you have surgery. Since you asked my BMI was like 34.5 when I started and is now 30.5, getting down there slowly but surely, the biggest thing to remember is the less to lose the slower it goes.

good luck, you'll have a great exp with dr. o, my whole trip was smooth sailing.

Liz1531 · 05-13-2008, 12:30 AM

I had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz. I actually posted my whole story on his website blog thingy. It was a pretty smooth surgery. I was back at work Monday and didn't even need any of the pain meds. Truly the worst part is the gas!! That came and went for about two weeks. I was just back in the office on Saturday for a check up and they are so nice. Claudia knows my son and asks to see him every time we come in. She is great!

myellen · 05-13-2008, 02:00 PM

My experience was great. I was banded on May 6th, so today is 1 week post OP. I would highly recomend Dr. Ortiz and his staff.

I am going to get my fills in Mexico by Dr. Otiz office. When I was getting my band, there was a guy that had flown in to get his port replaced. He went to a local Doctor in TN, and they punctured his port. I am sure that it is rare, but its not worth the risk. Also Dr. Ortiz office does the fill under X-RAY, so they put in as much as you need, not the trial and error BS fill centers use, by doing .5 -1 CC at a time and tell you to come back in 4 weeks and charge you again.

The fill is free, but there are associated costs. $100 X-RAY, plus the cost of the Hotel and transportation(flight+transport to/from airport). But in the end its worth it, and its nice to have it filled in your own Drs. office so they can check you out while you are there.

AudricIan · 05-21-2008, 11:48 AM

I went to Dr. Ortiz also. I am almost 6 months since my surgery and I feel great. My experience was great and post op recovery went almost too well, I didn't even think I had a band and my stoma wasn't swollen or anything. I didn't need pain meds either. While I was still at the clinic, one of the nice nursing assistants came by and patted my back and rubbed it to help with the gas pain. That pain subsided rather fast. The day after my surgery when I checked into the hotel, I got a cab and went shopping for about 2 hours. I felt great! I feel even better now as I am only 20 lbs from my goal weight....yea BABY! I drive to TJ for fills as I am only 2 hrs away. I have only had 2 fills and that is all I have needed. This second fill is still kind of tight. I forsee maybe one more fill in my future and that will probably be when I am closer to my goal weight just for maintenance. We may be moving to Chicago soon so I will probably start using fill center for aftercare at that point. Good luck to you!

anyagirl · 06-16-2008, 08:13 PM

I highly recommend dr arturo rodriguez in monterrey, mexico. he did a beautiful job on me and i only had twenty pounds to lose. you have to look with a magnifine glass to see my scars and my surgery was only eight and a half months ago. visit his website at thebariatric.com

good luck
anya

lcoates · 06-23-2008, 05:37 PM

I also went to Dr. Ortiz in TJ. I was very pleased with my experience too. I was banded on May 8th and will be going for my first fill July 3rd in Washington. I have lost 15 lbs so far and am wanting to lose more. It is a healthy half a pound to one pound a week weight loss at this point. AudricIan, your weight loss is an inspiration. Keep up the good work and you will be a size 7 before you know it. I would love to be a 7. Take care all : )

snowbird · 06-23-2008, 07:35 PM

My BMI was 37.5, and I went to Dr. Ortiz. I was very pleased with the experience. My husband and daughter have also been banded by Dr. Ortiz, but they had higher BMI's than I did.

Phoenix · 06-23-2008, 08:06 PM

My story starts out the same as AudricIan's and I hope it keeps unfolding just as nicely!

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on 6/16/08 (just last week) Starting BMI 31.5. The surgery went well and the staff was great.

I had (and have) a bit more pain, but manageable with ibuprofen. I spent the whole day here at the office today and I feel just fine.

I'm in Phoenix. I'll go back to Dr. Ortiz for at least the first fill and this board has been more than helpful to find local providers who will do fills for patients banded in Mexico. Gas prices being what they are, it will still be cheaper to fly to San Diego than drive it.

No regrets, I just wish I were thru the three weeks of liquids already!

Phoenix · 06-23-2008, 08:09 PM

PS) Dr Kuri, also in Tijuana wouldn't accept me at a BMI under 35. Dr. Ortiz didn't have those restrictions.

FWIW, once True Results and Dr. Simpson (both in Phoenix) knew I was self pay, they didn't have BMI or co-morbidity restrictions.

low BMI Mexico patients

low BMI Mexico patients

Not a low BMI patient, but I did go to Dr. Ortiz