Nevermind

I am looking into going with him but would like your experience with him, good or bad. I am self-pay. Also, did you have drain, how long stay in hospital, aftercare? I would be flying from out-of-state so need to get as much information as possible. Does he has a specific coofinator who works out of his office and NOT the recruiting type places? All input is appreciated.

So I have been looking into surgeons in Mexico and some here in the US. I have been researching for a while now and even had a full bariatric work-up (up to pre-surgery visit) before learning my insurance has an exclusion. My sis had the sleeve in the US and her surgeon had her drain tube left in for a full week (just to be extra safe, he said). I consulted over the phone with a surgeon's staff in Texas (Dr. Stowers?) today and was told he doesn't keep a drain tube in AT ALL. I was perplexed and told the office rep that I have not heard of any surgeons not leaving it in AT THE VERY LEAST for the duration of the hospital stay. I was told that it is just a one night hospital stay...I was also told that if I have a hiatal hernia (which 90% of patients have) that, since I have insurance, the cost would be lower. I seem to have some red flags in my head going off, so obviously I don't think he's the surgeon for me. Has anyone here experienced this response regarding the drain tube? I appreciate your responses.

Ok. So I have been researching going to Mexico for the surgery. I really like Dr. Alvarez and everything I've researched about him but the cost for him to do it (without airfare) is close to what I would pay here in Florida where I live. I am not made of money and I do realize that there are a lot of good reviews for the "cheaper" Mexico surgeons. Here is my question: Which Mexico dr's are good (and, of course, I will research it to death) but aren't over 8 grand. I really do not see (for example) Jerusalem Hospital as an option for me, no offense to anyone who has gone that route. The reason is I really would just feel humiliated being in a room with everyone else that is getting surgery that day and sitting there with my hospital gown and cap on. I am a very private person and really need my privacy. Plus, I don't feel comfortable going with a surgeon that lines people up and just gets as many done in a day that he possibly can. I really just want to weigh all my options. I will probably wait until I can come up with the money to do it here in Florida, but that will take some time and I have a physical condition that causes me constant pain and losing weight is critical for me (even though my BMI is 37.7). Thanks for your responses and no offense intended towards anyone.

There is a thread I thought I saw (or maybe an entirely different forum). It was people telling about complications but I didnt see the doctor's names. How can I check to see which doctors have the greatest rate of leaks or other complications? Am I thinking of another site that has the users surgeons names listed.... I appreciate your responses.

I am considering this since I am already an established patient for another issue. I read on ObesityHelp that they have payment plans, (I'm self pay). I'm sure it would not be cheap (but cheap does not equal good and expensive does not equal good), however, The Cleveland Clinic is world renowned medical facility and the neurosurgeon I see there is terrific. If you know anything about this, I think there are two main doctors (Rosenthal? And another???)

Thanks for all the information. Very helpful. I will definitely research. I wonder, though, how many of these doctors "say" you have a hiatal hernia when you don't. I know that simply having insurance pay is incentive for doctors to get a ton more money. Hmm. I am definitely "afraid" of there being hidden costs that are billed to me after-the-fact.

I know, right? Her surgeons uses a drain tube for a week for EVERY CASE! Red light, in my opinion.

Oh wow. Thanks for the responses...and so quickly. I really didn't realize it was so commonplace to NOT have a drain tube. Seems as if every bit of research I have done, there have been drain tubes involved. I guess it does depend on the surgeon. My sis had one for a week (and the doc said it was a precaution and 'better safe than sorry'). Her husband helped her for a week draining the tube and she said it was gross. Is it safer to have the drain? I mean, I understand the reasoning behind it but I would think that bacteria getting in it may be an issue (but I'm not a medical professional either). Again, thanks!

Yes, I appreciate the information very much. It has made me think that going to Mexico may not be the best option for me. I am very distrusting at this point because I paid a $700 fee for a local doctor and they supposedly checked my insurance and said it was covered. I called my insurance and was told it was covered also... BUT it ended up being an exclusion. I feel cheated out of my $700 from a local "Center for Bariatric Excellence" because they told me false information and wouldn't refund my money and the office personnel were so rude and made me feel like I was "bugging" them by even asking questions. I have learned a hard lesson from that experience. You are certainly correct. Anyone making this decision has to do their due diligence and know what is going on, good and bad. Thanks for the wishes of success. Good luck to you, as well.

Thank you for your responses. I actually am quite surprised also that Dr. Shillingford (in Boca Raton, FL) does the surgery for $10,500. I am sure he is competing with the surgeons in Mexico. I am assuming he is going for the self-pays who frequently get denied by insurance. I know that the doctors who bill insurance are billing two or three times what they bill self-pay patients. My sister just had the surgery a few months ago in another state and the surgeon billed her insurance quite a bit more than self-pay usually costs. Does anyone know of any doctors that do in-house financing. I can only get approved for about 5,000 through Care Credit...My credit is not perfect because of student loan debt.

Ok, so long story short, I am going to have to be self-pay. I anticipate having the money for either Dr. Shillingford (in Florida, where I live) which is $10,800. However, I am seriously considering Dr. Alvarez (Mexico) because I just feel his reviews, demeanor, patient care seems to be outstanding. My question is this: will I receive adequate pain meds. I am always done very poorly after any kind of surgery, and feel that I may not receive the needed pain meds. Dr. Alvarez's coordinator, Susan, said after the surgery only liquid Torodal (I think) is given but most people require little pain meds. I'm scared because I already deal with a lot of pain from chronic daily headache which is relentless but I don't really take anything for. Any suggestions or comments concerning the pain after surgery and making sure that it is available, if needed. Sorry for the long post to ask a simple question. Thanks all.

Thanks for the responses. Just to clarify, I am seeking the VSG surgery. When I posted this from my tablet, I clicked on "General Weight Loss Surgery Discussions". If this is showing up on a lapband thread, it was totally unintentional. I'm having some issues with this site since its conversion. I will take all comments into consideration and make the best decision for me. Thanks all.

My insurance denied me after I went through the entire process with my Florida surgeon. (FYI: I don't even feel comfortable going back to the surgeon here in Florida who did all my pre-op stuff because I know they are cheating people....long story). Now I am looking for cash pay options and I am wondering if I should go to Mexico. Are the prices posted all inclusive prices? I don't want to be get bills for "this and that" AFTER the surgery? Also, I would prefer to do surgery in US but I will do what I have to...... My BMI is 37.7 and 2 or 3 comorbidities, if that helps.

You are all soooo helpful. I love the support on this forum. I will definitely do my homework. I hope to post when I have a decision as I move forward...

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. I appreciate each and every one of you. Looks like a lot of options. I am just curious as to why there is such a large gap in what different surgeons charge, if anyone cares to comment. Also, do you guys think I will be able to simply transfer all my pre-surgery stuff since I've had it all done, but am not going to have the surgeon I've seen do it ? (For inquiring minds, and without going into all the details because I don't have the strength...the bariatric surgery center I've been to are just herding people through the doors....gimmicky stuff to get the upfront fees then not helping with a damn thing---I may post something further at another date but it has just taken too much out of me).

Thanks so much. I just can't pay almost 20K. I am thinking of Dr. Alvarez? His YouTube channel he seems so knowledgeable....