To Mexico or not To Mexico....

[wannalise 15]

Hey all.

I actually have a surgery date here in the states, have done all the psych and preop, however it is still a terrifying thing to me that I must put down 3500 and then make payments for years until I pay off my 14000 loan. I chose to go to this center because they are a center of excellence and have a great follow up program and I know that post surgery I will need all the help I can get, I have a very unhealthy relationship with food and I know that surgery alone will not change this. So, I guess I am looking to hear about your tips, experiences, and what it actually cost you to have surgery in Mexico. I had it all lined up at one point and the reactions I got from family and friends were similar to if I had suggested doing the surgery myself.

Anywho! Thanks for reading all my rambles.

Anna

[thinoneday 445]

Hey there, well let me tell you, I had to hand over $5000 and then $10,500 to get my surgery here in San Antonio Texas. . and you know what I'd do it again and again and again. . . i am so happy i had my surgery here at home. . . the care was outstanding, the doctor fantastic, fabulous follow up care for as long as i need it. . .and just the comfort in knowing that the doctor who did the surgery is right here and i can rely on him whenever, and if ever i need him for a problem. . also i didn't have any problems with my surgery whatsoever. . . no infection, no nausea, nothing . . . i can't tell you were you should go or what you should do, alot of folks have gone to mx and have had success, but honey, my thinking is "you get what you pay for" Good luck and best of everything . . .

Edited February 7, 2010 by thinoneday

[excited2lose 0]

I am two weeks out as of tomorrow and I can't tell you how happy I am to have follow up so close to home. I have used my doctor's personal phone number twice now. I have been in, talked with the nurses, had an exam. I just feel good having that available right her. The NUT, psych, doctor and nurses are all there for me 24/7. Also, I have a workout program that is paid for for 6 months post op. You really can't beat that. I can't say I am a fan of surgery in Mexico-I am sorry!

[2b4me 0]

Hi,

I don't think you can make an informed decision unless you actually see what you are getting. There is so much money, time and of course, health involved, why not visit the place(s) in MX you think you might like to use. Really, getting first hand research is the way to go as with all due respect to Posters, including myself, only you can make 'the' decision, based on what you have seen.

Please, do yourself a favour and spend some time and a few bucks doing this. You won't regret it, regardless of your final decision.

Take care,

Cheryl

[mistiblu 0]

I have UHC insurance but because my BMI wasn't high enough and I had no weight related problems they wouldn't approve me for VSG. Well now that I've had surgery in MX I feel I have the best of both worlds. I had surgery that went off without a problem in MX and have f/u with my PCP here in Tulsa who has referred me to a gastroenterologist who specializes on WLS. I've also been referred to a dietician who also specializes in WLS patients. Through the wellness program at my job I have a trainer who creates an exercise program for me and meets with me every 3 mths for review. Having WLS in MX was the best and smartest money I'd ever invested in but I do know this isn't the case for everyone.

[filodough 1]

I also had my surgery in Mexico with Dr. Alvarez. My experience was fantastic. I had a speedy recovery. The one thing that was tough was traveling because I did not have a lot of energy, but it was not unbearable. The level of care was excellent. I would say certainly research the surgeon that you will use (there are a few whose patients have rave reviews about them).

The other thing that I got from folks on the boards is to make sure you have a good post-surgery support team. I enlisted a nutritionist, a therapist and I will be joining a weight loss support team this week.

Feel free to ask me any questions.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

Dr. Aceves has done sleeve surgery on over half the people on this board. He is so great and so is his entire staff and the hospital where he does surgery. You get three nights in the hospital, one night in a very nice resort after you do all your tests at the hospital. They do an EKG, a chest xray, all sorts of blood work and you take all the test results and x ray home with you. You get picked up by a driver either at the San Diego airport or the Comfort Inn in San Diego and your entire experience will be wonderful. You'll have to call the number to the right of this screen to find out the price, but it's usually 9,000 or less.

[wannalise 15]

Does anyone know anything about the experience with Dr. Almanza specifically?

[2b4me 0]

I wrote about my experience in this forum, with the thread "before, during and after TJ, Mexico" (or similar title).

I had an excellent experience that I would rate as 9 out of 10.

[lucygoose 0]

Wannalise,

I had surgery in MX on Dec. 8th by Dr. Alvarez. I feel like I got excellent care. It would have cost me $25,000 to have it close to home and it cost me around $10,000 to have it in MX. However, about 3 weeks out I had complications that landed me in the hospital for 11 days. (unfortunately - they do happen even when you follow all of the rules). The hospital bills so far have reached around $50,000. I am resigned to deal with those the best I can and not let it affect every aspect of my life. HOWEVER, the one thing that I wish I could change was my aftercare. I have virtually none. Even tho the hospital Dr.s called every bariatric Dr. in Atlanta - no one would see me due to legality reasons. My care is limited to my PCP and Gasterenterolgist who admit they know nothing about the sleeve.

So, as far as the surgery and it's experiences in MX I would do it again. To know that I had the aftercare I needed would be priceless.