Why Have Gastric Sleeve Surgery In Mexico?

[CJinMichigan 14]

I've seen many people on this forum say they had their surgery done in Mexico. I am curious why they didn't do it in the USA. Is it the cost factor? Isn't it expensive to travel to a foreign country? Weren't you worried about sub-standard medical care? I was wondering if someone could explain the reasons they would chose Mexico. Thanks!

[Sassygirl06 962]

I did not go to mexico, however I know that for some people without medical coverage, or with an insurance company that wont cover the procedure it is the only way. The price for the procedure here can range from 15,000 to 60,000 dollars. Most people just cant afford it. Going to mexico the surgery runs anywhere between 5000 and 10,000. They usually include the hotel and hospital fees in that price. So its just a matter of paying for the airline ticket after that. As for substandard care, I have only heard good things about the doctors and hospitals down there. I'm sure there are the bad ones, but do research on all of the doctors that you would consider. there are bad ones here too. the main concern that I would have is the follow up care weeks after the surgery, or if you had complications, if you went to mexico you wouldnt really be able to go back after you were home. there is a self pay forum on this board with a lot of information on going to mexico as a self pay. good luck!

[Paola 62]

I am not having mine in Mexico, my surgery will be in Dominican Republic, even though I live in the US. I am Dominican, so this is not a big leap for me. About the sub-standard part, I get a liitle annoyed when I see words like that. Keep in mind that there are great doctors and facilities outside the US. There will always be good and bad doctors and facilities no matter where you are. As a patient you just have to research well where you are going and your surgeon.

[FishingNurse 1,210]

I was a lucky girl and my insurance paid for surgery 100%!

When I first joined this forum I was shocked that people went to Mexico for the surgery! That was just crazy!

But now I have seen dozens of people on this forum being taken care of well and having great success after being sleeved in Mexico and my opinions have changed 100%. If I would have paid out of pocket for my surgery here, I would have paid $ 40,000 plus. If I didn't have insurance I would consider going to Mexico for sure!

I know lots of people go to Mexico for dental work too!

[bellabbr 50]

My insurance wouldn't cover. Self Pay in the US was 13-15K and all the doctors in the area I called only had about 50 of these under their belts.

I went to Mexico which was 4500 plus a $300 ticket to San Diego and one night stay in a hotel. Everything else was included. My Dr averages 140 of these a month and have never lost a patient, less than 1% leak rate, less than 1% infection rate. The care was way better than I ever received in the US. If a family member wants to have this surgery and their insurance covers it, I would still send them to Mexico to my Dr. You can't beat experience.

[CJinMichigan 14]

Paola, sorry I meant no offense. My husband has spent lots of time in Mexico with his job and he knows first hand that the area of Mexico he was in had sub-standard medical care compared to the USA. That is what I based my comment on.

[Paola 62]

@CJinMichigan, I understand what you are saying now. Not to worry, I am not offended.

[Kimmes 38]

I did it - I went to Mexico on Jan 6, 2011 and was sleeved by Dr Kelly - WHY? Insurance would not cover me.

BUt I think going to Mexico was a blessing for me.... why>

My surgeon at the University of Minnesota had done 150 VSG surgeries - Dr Kelly had done over 1500 - who do you think has more experience?

Here in Minnesota my VSG would have been done as an out patient procedure I would have been discharged the same day and not seen my surgeon again for over a month- my cost IF insurance would have paid -after with deductible/coinsurance would have been $4000 of the $21,000 billed to insurance. Oh and I would have paid additional for pain pills etc

In MEXIO - I was in the hospital for 3 nights was at a hotel 2 nights saw Dr Kelly daily - my cost was $4500 (almost the same as it would have been in US - but inpatient care and saw the Dr for 5 days straight) - was sent home with a weeks supply of pain pills, antibiotics and ointment - no additional charge.

I have talked to my coordinator monthly (Trish) since surgery and consider her a friend now. She was on the ground in Mexico and I saw her daily as well.

I would do the exact same thing over again now that I know the treatment I received - and i would send family and friends without hesitation. The care and attention I got at florence Hospital was amazing (my daugher is an RN her at the University of MN Childrens Amplatz Hospital and she was amazed at the care and follow-up I received)

So that is why I did it. My personal choice and opinion - my true experience. I get angry when people post "opinions" about treatment and care in Mexico when they do not have any personal experience to base their opinions on - it is all hearsay - unless you personally have been there and experienced it. Again this is just my personal experience - maybe not the experience of every - but it worked for me - Met goal in under 10 months, currently 6 pounds below goal 11 months out today!

Kim

[kemo46 82]

It is a myth that it is sub-standard care in Mexico. There are world-class surgeons that practice in state of the art hospitals in Mexico. There are also some that are not. You have to do your research.The cost was a big factor but not the deciding factor for me. I am sending you a PM. Check out my blog as well. www.kemo46.blogspot.com

[Suzannesh 376]

^{Hi Everyone,}

^{Did you every stop and think “you really do get what you pay for.” Yes I know that there are a lot of different prices when it comes to Weight Loss Surgery. If you are a self-pay patient people look at going outside the US—it just cost a lot less and for many Mexico is the first place they may look. All you have to do is look around on the internet. So ask yourself why are their prices lower for so many doctors in Mexico?}

^{What I am going to talk about are some of my concerns about WLS in Mexico—and yes I went to Mexico myself. Here are some of the things I have learned while doing my research into doctors and hospitals or clinics.}

^{1. Your recovery is done is a Recovery House or Hotel for some. I have heard some of you say that there are nurses 24-7 in these Recovery Houses. PLEASE ask to see documentation that proves they are really a RN. There is nothing wrong with asking questions—this is your health and your life we are talking about. Make sure that is truly who will be taking care of you during your stay in a Recovery House. If it is a hotel they come and check on your and are NOT there 24-7.}

^{2. Ask questions about what kind of staples they use-I have heard that some of these doctors are using black market supplies—such as staples. We go to these facilities thinking that we are getting top of the line supplies, drugs and staples. You should receive very best medical titanium staples you can have. Please make them prove to you what they are going to use on you. Feel really comfortable with the answers they give you.}

^{3. You have every RIGHT to know what they are putting in your body. They are going to be there for the rest of your life? Why is it that we think that we can’t question a hospital or a doctor about these things? We ask more questions when we go to buy a new car than we do about Weight Loss Surgery. Well at least a lot of people do. We want this surgery and we assume too much sometimes.}

^{I know that I had the answers before I went to have Weight Loss Surgery. I knew I was paying more, and I knew why. I have also heard that some of these less expensive doctors are using veterinary supplies. We are not animals we are humans and we do deserve to have the very best we can. Please READ EVERYTHING you can find about the Doctor you are going to have do your surgery.}

^{I am also saying there are some very good doctors in Mexico, but take a little time and check things out.}

^Suzanne

^{Sleeved 10/21/2011}

[circa 333]

Is there substandard medical care in Mexico. Yes. In some cases, there is. Is there substandard medical care in the United States? Yes. In some cases, there is. The WLS centers in Mexico are specialized places that have been licensed, tested and proven by thousands of successful patients. You take risks with any medical procedure. I feel safer not being in a hospital, personally. Surgical centers don't bother me in the least. Many of these surgeries are now being performed on an outpatient basis here in the US so recovering at a hotel or recovery house is actually a step up to going home from the hospital for me. Infection ratees in surgical centers are substantially lower than those of ORs in hospitals. I think everyone needs to do research on not only the person performing the surgery, but also the place where the surgery is performed. Back home, I would rather have surgery in a gas station bathroom than one of the hospital OR's because of infection rates being so high. Every place is different. Just do your research and make the best decision you can for yourself.