HAS ANYONE GOTTEN THEIR SLEEVE IN TIJUANA MEXICO?

[Rootman 1,101]

Wait.....people actually go to Mexico for surgery??????? What is the benefit of that?

Yep what Sheila said. Sometimes it can be only 1/6th the cost. You can typically get it done much sooner and if you qualify and can pay - you qualify - no sudden surprises by the insurance company.

There are some downsides:

• Little to NO recompense if something goes wrong - and YES it does go wrong once in a while in EVERY hospital
• Little to NO follow up visits, you'll have to use your own doc.
• Long travel MAY be involved and customs to return to the USA
• Cost of a passport, travel and possible accommodations should you arrive early and stay ofter release
• Typical very short hospital stay, ONE night is sometimes typical - further time may in a "recovery house"
• Personal safety MAY be an issue, sites like Tijuana MAY not be as secure as sites in cities in the US. This is way overblown IMHO.
• Language barrier, while usually SOMEONE speaks english not all staff do.
• Smaller facilities e.g. Hospital Jerusalem is actually in a strip mall and very, very small.
• Doctors may not hold USA certification
• Your health insurance MAY refuse to pay for further care if complications arise from foreign surgery.
• Should you need a blood transfusion, Mexican blood supplies may not be tested as throughly as US blood supplies
• Culture shock depending on how xenophobic you are
• May not have all the bells and whistles. Example: Catheters are rarely used as spinal blocks are not usually given. Simple external stitches for incision closure instead of internal disolveable stitches and steri-strips.
• Some work like lab and x-ray may have to be done off site. You will be shuttled for these though.
• Some equipment may not be "state of the art"

Many of these points may not apply or even matter. It's up to YOU and your loved ones to decide if it's right for you. It probably saved my life as I think I would of been a goner in a few months or years had I not had it done. I would probably still be "qualifying" had I waited for insurance.

[sadie_mo 2]

Wait.....people actually go to Mexico for surgery??????? What is the benefit of that?

for me the benefit is I could never afford the surgery in the US and my insurance has a restriction on weight loss surgery. You will see several people on this site went to Mexico and several that wish that had.

[AChristian 112]

This will only continue to go back and forth. My post, and fellow sleever's post aren't intended for coordinators. If you spend alot on your websites as you say, then you shouldn't need to stalk the boards of vertical sleeve. You should be on your website pushing your business not on vertical sleeve interfering when patients are speaking of their persoal experiences. Unprofessional, if you ask me.

[doggz109 41]

Ohhh ok. Thanks for the replies.....didn't know it was that much cheaper there. I can understand that without insurance that might be your only choice. Thanks for the info!

[Kimmes 38]

I too had surgery in Mx and worked directly with Dr Kelly and Trish. I have only positive things to say and a wonderful experience. My care was top notch, nice clean safe hospital and no complication. A hospital -Florance Health Care/Oasis of Hope - not a strip mall surgical suite.

Excellent service, care and Christian environment. No complaints or complications here. If you want more details on my experience read my blog or send me a message and I am happy to share.

Kim