Mexico vs. US surgery

[Lynn'sTwins 0]

I am researching options for a sleeve surgery. I was very intrigued by Dr. Aceves package price and process. ($8750). However I am also researching the Baylor hospital in Plano Texas...where I live.

I called to get information and their package price is $12,400.

Here is what is scary....I was told that if I had surgery in Mexico, then had a post op issue, no doctor would want to take me as a patient due to liability! I was told that dr. Nick Nicholson would charge $1500 for an office visit if I felt I had a leak or trouble from a mexico surgery. The lady told me "why would any doctor want to take you as a patient with problems caused by another mexican doctor? We fix their mistakes all the time and often, there is not much we can do. Death has occured"

Are there follow-ups needed after surgery that my General Practicioner couldn't handle?

Was the lady using a scare tactic...or is there ANY validity to her statements?

[Norma 10]

No Emergency Rm can refused treatment for an emergency. She was most likely trying to scare you. If you are having the sleeve, there is no regular follow-up like there is for the band. I am sure that in states near the border they feel competition more than other states. I would not worry about it. There are some doctors in Mexico and in America that I would not go to so do your research.

[Ruthi 60]

She sort of contradicted herself with her statement. She said they wouldnt take you but at the same time said they fix the mistakes of other doctors all the time. Drs in the ER do NOT turn any real emergency away, its a liabiltiy issue. Complications usually happen with the sleeve within the first day or two and that is why Dr Aceves has you stay for 2 additonal days. I dont really know of or have heard of any complications from the Sleeve for any of Dr Aceves' patients. He may have had a complication with the surgery but it wasnt from the sleeve itself but from the patient health issues. Best of luck to you

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Dr. Aceves has never had a leak and does 3 leak tests. I am going back to him to have my post op tests. I have no desire to go to my pcp regarding anything related to the sleeve. I could always go back to my band dr. if I had some sort of emergency, but I honestly can't imagine what that would be. Dr. Aceves makes sure you don't have complications before you leave the hospital.

[kaykay 1]

If you end up deciding to stay in Dallas, you might also look at my husband's surgeon, Dr. James Davidson. My husband has been very impressed with him. Their package price is comparable. (Davidson's is 12,500.)

www.bscdallas.com

Edited August 11, 2009 by kaykay
add the link...

[burnsun 27]

I agree and not agree with the nurse / clerk. Yes they likely do treat the people with complications from Mexico. People have complications....mine were not due to the surgeon....they were 4 1/2 years out....... and can happen to anyone pregnant with band and sever morning sickness!!!

Nor do I question that price....though I would make sure it includes all things!!!!!!!!!!!! Pre op tests, blood work and anesthesia.

Second my band issues were not covered by my insurance...I had to pay for the emergency removal and the asesthesia....... they covered the hospital stay, x rays and determining what was wrong and other issues to keep the baby alive at that point which was to keep me alive!

The would not pay (even though life threatening) cause our policy does not include any types of WLS. And the removal was considered a WLS

[blueskidoo 0]

I chose Dr. Aceves because he seemed to have everything pretty well covered. Staying in the hospital for 3 days and doing the leak tests was good with me. I discussed it with my PCP and he was thrilled. He is perfectly happy to handle all my follow up care, blood work etc.

It all depends on your Dr. though.

I could have stayed in the US also, but I wanted someone with the experience to keep me from getting leak in the first place.

[MacMadame 81]

Was the lady using a scare tactic...or is there ANY validity to her statements?

Personally, I don't think there is. There is if you get a BAND. But not a sleeve. First of all, you wouldn't go to them for your aftercare. You'd have that done by a combination of your MX surgeon (via phone & email) and your PCP. So they wouldn't even be involved at all.

Secondly, if you go to a hospital with a leak or kidney stones or a blood clot or a bowel obstruction, they absolutely will treat you. Some of those things will even be covered by your insurance. (Everything but a leak can happen to anyone at any time and can't be proved to be tied to your surgery.)

It's different with a band because you require regular adjustments and those can only be done by a bariatric center of some sort. The centers don't want to take other doctor's patients because the money is made on the surgery, not on the fill visit. Insurance won't pay for any complication that requires removing the band because they can prove the band caused it.

But the sleeve is not like that. People don't always realize that and that's why they give bad advice.

[medtour 0]

Going Abroad or having the procedure done in the USA is a personal choice. For self paying, usually it is the money, safety of the destination country & the level of comfort with quality of the medical care that drives the decision. I would suggest that if you plan on having it done in the USA, look for a ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery) Center of Excellence Bariatric surgeon & hospital.

Abroad, like Mexico since they don't have a ASMBS Hospital Certifications, considering the surgeons past reputation with US or Candian's patients may be a good factor.

[Bob_350lbs 105]

When I told my PCP, I was thinking of going to MX for WLS, he backed away and shooked his head, and said, don't come to me if you have problems related to what they did to you, it was almost like a *pre-existing* condition..too much liability. But, if you walk into an emergency room, they cannot turn anyone away, if it is a true emergency. That is why people risk their lives to cross the border, they are desperate to get medical treatment.

[Malaika 50]

When I told my PCP, I was thinking of going to MX for WLS, he backed away and shooked his head, and said, don't come to me if you have problems related to what they did to you, it was almost like a *pre-existing* condition..too much liability. But, if you walk into an emergency room, they cannot turn anyone away, if it is a true emergency. That is why people risk their lives to cross the border, they are desperate to get medical treatment.

Your PCP needs to join the 21st century -- when I told my PCP he was all for it and said he would be more than happy to continue treating me afterwards. I never felt like I was "risking my life" to cross the border or that I was anywhere near "desperate" to get medical treatment. Dr. Aceves is FACS certified - as many surgeons in the US. Alamater Hospital was cleaner than any hospital I have ever been in in the US and the treatment received by the nurses and doctors was instantaneous - not push a call button and HOPE a nurse would show up or not push a button more than once and then have a nurse with an attitude show up to "help" you.

I know some believe Mexico to be a 3rd world country; however, at least in Mexicali, the medical facilities were top notch, as was the staff.

[Bob_350lbs 105]

Believe me, I have already switched to another doctor who gets it. I didn't mean you risked your life for medical treatment, I meant it the other way around, people from MX take great risks to get treatment in our ERs because we don't turn people away who cannot pay. That is why my ex-mother-inlaw came here, not for the ER, but because her son had polio, in 1955, and March of Dimes paid for everything, he spent a month in SF at the Children's Hospital. They came here legally, but left a country they loved, because if you aren't rich, you don't get the same care. Anyway, if I would have come to this message board before I had the VG, I would have chose Dr. Aceves..but my *old* PCP (in more ways than one) really scared me and was so unsupportive..and I didn't really have anyone to tell me otherwise. I do believe that Dr. Aceves and his hospital is a blessing, and I am happy that others are finding this information out before making their decision. I am sorry, did not mean to offend anyone. My post came out all wrong.

[Malaika 50]

Aw okay - now rereading your post with that explanation, makes perfect sense.

However, on another note, I didn't think it was YOU saying it I thought it was more of your PCP's archaeic thinking.

[Oregon Rose 2]

Does the price you are being quoted for surgery in Houston include everything: the surgeon, anesthesiologist, hospital stay, operating room, and pathologist? If so, the price is quite good. If not...

I paid $17,500 (included everything except airfare and hotel) for surgery in San Francisco. My surgeon was one of the pioneers in this procedure and has enormous experience. The price for the surgery in Portland (where the surgeons have only been doing VSG for about a year) is $35,000. Hotels in SF are really cheap now because of the recession.

The surgeons at Lap. Assoc. of San Francisco arranged for special rates with all of the other providers to bring the cost down. I believe the surgeon also charged a reduced rate. This made it much more affordable.

Best wishes,

[bigdd 0]

Im going to Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in mexico Nov.10 Anybody else been there?