Nervous about Mexico Surgery!!

[davidblackmisty 0]

Ok so I have definetly decided on surgery in Mexico with Dr. Rod. I am 100% confident in his ability as a surgeon and I know I will be fine during surgery. My nerves are coming into play reading posts from people who had surgery here in the states. They seem to have SO much more Dr. support. Before surgery they go thru all kinds of tests and from what I'm understanding in Mexico you go thru basic tests the day before surgery. States patients have nutritionists and Mexico patients seem to be on their own with written instructions to decipher. States patients have their WLS Dr. close so they can make an appointment for any concerns but most Mexico patients can't afford to return there for follow up.

Did anyone else who went to Mexico have these fears? If so what did you do? My insurance won't cover this surgery and I don't have the $17,000 cash to have it done locally so I am for sure going to Mexico but I would just like to hear from people and see how they dealt with all this alone.

[pnw218 14]

I had surgery last February, and really haven't needed any aftercare. The food plan I chose to use was easy to follow. google Cornell University Gastric Sleeve Guidelines.

My primary doctor has been supportive and ran full labs at about 3 months post op. Everything was great - just a little low in Vit D, but then the sun really isn't out much in my corner of the world! LOL

There is always that "what if" factor in every surgery ... I based my willingness to go to Mexico on prior surgeries. I have always recovered quickly, with few pain meds and no complications.

Would be nice if you could find a doctor before you have surgery just in case you do need something afterwards.

Good Luck!

[Krista2653 5]

I also am headed to Mexico (next week!) for surgery and I feel you when it comes to reading the battery of tests that some people go through before surgery in the US and the it seems so minimal with MX surgeries.

The thing that I try to remember is that there are THOUSANDS of people who have had surgery in MX and will undergo the same tests as we will and they are healthy and happy with their experience.

I am relatively healthy besides being obese and so I'm more comfy with the choice to go to MX. If I had multiple co-morbidities, I may have made different choices.

I know that I had to complete a medical questionaire with my physician and have heard of other patients who have had to complete additional tests and send him the results before he would agree to do surgery.

If you are overly concerned, go to your PCP and let them know what you are doing and see if they can run some tests that ARE covered under your insurance to put your mind at ease.

[Mary Gordon 3]

i went to Mexico with Dr. Aceves and i haven?t had any complications or after care....but i know that if i ever need anything i can call Nina and she?ll gladly answer my questions. Goodluck and wish you the best.

[sunshinegirl64 0]

That is the ONLY drawback to going to Mexico. This forum is a huge blessing to those of us who have had our surgery abroad. That and having a PCP who knew ahead of time and approved of the surgery and was willing to take on the aftercare. That should really be something that you clear up ahead of time. I have had absolutely no complications at all. 6 weeks out yesterday and really have never felt better in my life. I was totally freaked by the idea of Mexico but was the only way I could have the surgery due to a lower BMI. Ended up being the best decision of my life.

Good Luck to you but as everyone else will tell you, hundreds if not thousands of people do this and very successfully!

[davidblackmisty 0]

Thanks for everyones support!

I have had previous surgeries and done great! Even after my c-sections I was up and doing basics things after 2 days. Maybe a little slower than normal but I handle pain pretty well and I heal VERY quickly.

I was wondering what they give you for pain to take home. Is it medicine from Mexico or America?

I am just worried that I will take the wrong Vitamins or not know I need something in particular without the follow up care. Luckily I am healthy at this point except being 245 lbs and 5'2". I am almost 30 and just starting to notice some comorbidies. I am having occasional acid reflux and joint pain. Also my feet KILL me and I am sure its from carrying this weight around. I am hoping that since these issues are just starting that they will be cured quickly and easily with the surgery. I also want to get it done before more severe issues start showing up such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

[laylasmojo 10]

Thanks for everyones support!

I have had previous surgeries and done great! Even after my c-sections I was up and doing basics things after 2 days. Maybe a little slower than normal but I handle pain pretty well and I heal VERY quickly.

I was wondering what they give you for pain to take home. Is it medicine from Mexico or America?

I am just worried that I will take the wrong Vitamins or not know I need something in particular without the follow up care. Luckily I am healthy at this point except being 245 lbs and 5'2". I am almost 30 and just starting to notice some comorbidies. I am having occasional acid reflux and joint pain. Also my feet KILL me and I am sure its from carrying this weight around. I am hoping that since these issues are just starting that they will be cured quickly and easily with the surgery. I also want to get it done before more severe issues start showing up such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

If you are worried about the Vitamins that you take try goimng to bariatricadvantage.com they have a Vitamin pack specially formulated for sleeve patients.

[nurse_ally's mom 0]

I believe a lot of the of the pre-op counseling and consults are required by insurance companies who pay for these procedures. That is why it sometimes takes months to get scheduled for surgery. I think I would rather pay out of my own pocket and be in the driver's seat as far as the who, where and when of my surgery than have it all dictated by an insurance company, and you still end up paying out-of-pocket expense with insurance.

My theory may be all wet, but my daughter did her research, made her decision and had her surgery done, all within about 2 months' time. Just my 2 cents :thumbup1:

[davidblackmisty 0]

Nurse, I totally agree with you in not wanting to go thru insurance hurdles just to have to pay almost as much as MX patients once you add in copays and deductibles.

I would like to have my Dr. close to tell me what I am doing wrong or right tho.

[shrinkinggrl 0]

I am going to MX 8/30 for surgery. I am driving down from Arizona and am currently planning to go back there for my 3 month follow up. Not 100% sure on it yet, but pretty sure. I've been told the total cost in MX for the 3 month post op tests is often less than the insurance co pay for same in US>:001_rolleyes:

[teh ericka 1]

I'll be heading to Mexico for surgery on Sept 16th with Dr. Almanza. Price was certainly a factor when deciding to have it done across the border, but having worked with insurance companies before, I know how difficult it can be to get what you want and when you want it, and I've actually felt much more comfortable being able to dictate and control things on my own rather than relying on others. I can't STAND waiting on other people to catch up with me when it comes to making decisions.

A huge battery of tests isn't all that necessary in my opinion. My boyfriend had gastric bypass in the US and had the same tests I'll be having-- basic bloodwork, vitals, etc. The only thing he had that I won't have is a psych eval-- and he says that was completely pointless anyway.

If you're confident in your doctor's abilities like you said, I wouldn't worry about it too much :svengo:

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I had surgery in Mexico. I went by myself. I haven't needed any aftercare at all. I had my PCP do some labwork which my insurance paid for because I told him if he coded it for weight loss, they wouldn't pay.

Dr. Aceves gives Toradol to take home. Nobody says a word about bringing medicine home.

You can ask any of us what you should be taking when you get home.

Calcium citrate not carbonate. Vit D. Most everyone is deficient in vit d anyway. A good multi Vitamin , B complex and subligual B12 which you can get at Walmart.< /strong>

A lot of people take Biotin to prevent hair loss, but I can tell you it doesn't work.

[thinoneday 445]

Ok so I have definetly decided on surgery in Mexico with Dr. Rod. I am 100% confident in his ability as a surgeon and I know I will be fine during surgery. My nerves are coming into play reading posts from people who had surgery here in the states. They seem to have SO much more Dr. support. Before surgery they go thru all kinds of tests and from what I'm understanding in Mexico you go thru basic tests the day before surgery. States patients have nutritionists and Mexico patients seem to be on their own with written instructions to decipher. States patients have their WLS Dr. close so they can make an appointment for any concerns but most Mexico patients can't afford to return there for follow up.

Did anyone else who went to Mexico have these fears? If so what did you do? My insurance won't cover this surgery and I don't have the $17,000 cash to have it done locally so I am for sure going to Mexico but I would just like to hear from people and see how they dealt with all this alone.

What I would do if i were you, would be to start hunting around your area and see if there are any physicians that are willing to take you as a patient after you have your surgery in mexico. . . make sure they are bariatric certified though . . . not saying that you'll have problems, but you will want a doctor who knows what they are doing in case you do have complications. . . good luck!

[stcyt 15]

I was sleeved by Dr Rod in march. I had an easy recovery and no problems, but I did worry about "what if" I had complications after I got home. I figured the worst thing that would happen was that I would end up at the ER here and they would have to call in a local bariatric surgeon to take a look. I never checked it out myself... but healthcare professional friends of mine said that my insurance would have to cover it if it was threateing my health (I have kaiser).

As far as nutrition goes... its been pretty easy to get info and you could always hire a nut in your area if you really need it. This board has been invaluable as far as support goes.

It did give me quite a bit of peace of mind to have my pcp on board.

take care

stacey

[DougNichols 124]

If I did self-pay or Mexico, I'd definitely go for the behavior modification program OF SOME TYPE. Just to figure out why I have such issues with food, and develop a plan to resolve these. Otherwise the surgery is just a stop-gap measure for 2 years until you return to your bad habits.