Why Mexico?

[sleevertobe 22]

Seems like there are a lot of people going to Mexico for the sleeve surgery. Why is this?

[MGM 140]

Because a lot of insurance doesn't cover this, and if a person does their research, then Mexico gives them hope. I would never be able to self pay here. But I'm going to Dr. Kelly in Mexico in August. I finally feel like I'm going to live again instead of just existing.

[kimmy*custis 276]

I am assuming it is cheaper there, I cant think of another reason to travel for a surgery. Everything is sooo expensive here, especially if your insurance doesnt cover it.

[MGM 140]

I am paying $5500

[kimmy*custis 276]

That is a great deal, try to get that done here, probably triple that amount...at least!

[shellbell33081 115]

I paid $5000 for mine, in Mexico. I also feel the surgeon in Mexico are more experienced because they do more surgeries on a daily basis. It was a good experience.

[Lauranbob Mc 94]

my surgery in the US cost 50,000

[MGM 140]

The cost difference is because their money is worth less than ours, they don't charge triple and quadruple because of insurance bureaucracy...AND from what I'm reading, they are actually more experienced because they do more of them because their self pay is affordable.

[Wheetsin 714]

Yes - as above. Most often because it's cheaper than self-pay in the US. Secondly because some people just prefer a MX surgeon.

I don't know what MX rates are. My surgeon in the US charges $11,999.00 for everything start to finish.

I was thinking about doing it self pay (was getting tired of waiting on insurance) and would have paid my surgeon's rates. For one, he's the surgeon I wanted to use. For two, the hospital's about 45 mins from home. The price difference for me was worth it to be so close to home, not have to worry about travel, have instant access if something went wrong, know that I had a surgeon who would handle any needed aftercare, etc. Some things are just worth paying for.

[BeautyVGSJourney 99]

I had my surgery with dr. Ponce de leon in Tijuana Mexico yesterday! I am still in the hospital and will be here until tomorrow. Dr. Ponce has a lot of experience and it's a much added bonus that the cost of my surgery was less than $6000 including air fair and everything else. I have four sleeve sister sand one sleeve brother here right now, who also had their sleeves with him yesterday. Not to mention the surgeons and other medical personal I have meet who had their sleeve done by him and have nothing but praises for him. Good luch in your journey!

[4ALongerLife 329]

Money money money.... it's about 1/2 of what you pay in the States, if you go to Mexico.

[clk 3,519]

Not only money. Experience and quality of care! I could have chosen any doctor and did research three from the outset - two stateside and Dr. Aceves in Mexico. After contacting each office and having several interactions with each, Dr. Aceves won HANDS DOWN. Yes, he was cheaper but only by a few thousand - not enough for me to make my decision solely based on money.

I got 4 days in the hospital instead of being sent home 23 hours later with drains in my body. I got to see my doctor and his assistant several times a day every day I was there. I had top notch care from one of the best sleeve surgeons out there. Dr. Aceves has done well over a thousand sleeves by now and still has a record of zero leaks. Oh, and at nearly two years out I still hear from the office occasionally asking how I'm doing!

And to continue on an only loosely related note, I've lived overseas for most of the last ten years and I will tell you that in my experience a lot of Americans have this idea that health care is somehow lacking in other countries simply because they aren't as developed as the US. Now, granted, in some places this is absolutely true (Dushanbe, for instance!) but in other places the care can be superior (at least as far as personable doctors and staff go) and equal to the care in the states - at a FRACTION of the cost. Case in point: I just had twelve tests done to figure out if I have a problem with my hormones. I had my labs sent to Almaty, Kazakhstan and I had my ultrasounds (three of them) performed here in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Total cost for nine blood tests and three ultrasounds, all performed on the same day I made the appointment with results in my hand within 24 hours? Less than 3,000 som...or roughly $65! All in safe, sanitary and totally up to US standard conditions. I also had IVF w/ICSI performed in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2007 for a fifth of what I was quoted stateside and again, great conditions and successful results.

So sometimes people choose to go elsewhere because they can. Because the medical care in the US is completely F'd up and it's almost impossible to get good quality care at a reasonable price.

Okay, I'm done! This is clearly a peeve of mine, sorry to completely go off. I see this same question posted over and over again and it never fails to annoy me that some people think that going anywhere but the US is automatically based upon money and is always going to be a less safe option.

~Cheri

[shangefan 193]

What Cheri said!

[MyGastricSleeveLife 180]

I just wanted to chime in that everyone is different and people have to do what's right for them. For me, that was to pay more and have the surgery done locally. I have absolutely no issues with doctors in Mexico, but for me personally I have more peace of mind knowing that I have a doctor locally who I can call and see anytime and who is right here in case anything bad happens (which I pray won't happen)! I trust my doctor completely & don't care that I'm spending more. I'm self-pay & his charge is $14,500 (ended up being $15,100 bc of administrative fees) which includes everything for the actual surgery and a year of follow-up care. We are financing it, so we will actually end up paying more than that over time. However, it is what my husband and I feel is best for me.

Again, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with those who go to Mexico or even to another state from where they live. We all have things we do that we feel are right for us & I think it's great that there are even options available like Mexico out there because I know the surgery would not be possible for some people otherwise. We all need to do what's right for us.

As far as them having more experience & therefore being "better" though, I don't think that's necessarily true. My doctor does surgeries almost daily also. Any doctor has the same chance for mistakes and complications no matter how many surgeries they've performed.

[sleevertobe 22]

Wow. ThAnks for all your responses. I didn't know most insurances did not cover the sleeve or it was cheaper in Mexico. Also some people just have that preference. I just joined yesterday after getting my surgery date and saw a lot of people talking about Mexico and thought maybe there was something I didn't know. Well I pray you all continue in great health.