Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Did anyone approved by insurance in the US get banded in Mexico?



Recommended Posts

I've been deliberately staying out of the recent thread about Mexico vs. US, but this thought just came to me. Is there anyone on this board who had approval from insurance to go to a US doctor but chose to go to Mexico instead? I suspect the answer may help newbies understand the main reason why Mexico is often chosen, but now that I ask it I'm really curious myself. Please post your experience!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not totally sure. But I think if you can get insurance to cover surgery after the fact, the surgeon would need to be "in network". So probably a Mexican doctor wouldn't be on that list. Although sometimes insurance will cover partial costs if you have a procedure out-of-network. But like I said, I'm not positive. You could certainly try submit a claim.

For me Cigna denied me twice and I could have used someone locally (and paid out of pocket). But the experience and price in Mexico totally surpassed what I could find here.

I have read about some bandsters having the procedure covered in the US but deciding to go to Mx. for more experienced surgeons.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm not totally sure. But I think if you can get insurance to cover surgery after the fact, the surgeon would need to be "in network". So probably a Mexican doctor wouldn't be on that list. Although sometimes insurance will cover partial costs if you have a procedure out-of-network. But like I said, I'm not positive. You could certainly try submit a claim.

I was banded in the US. Insurance definitely wouldn't cover an elective surgery out of the country.

I have read about some bandsters having the procedure covered in the US but deciding to go to Mx. for more experienced surgeons.

I'd love to hear from some. Anyone?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Unless I hear from anyone who was approved by insurance but chose Mexico due to surgeon/hospital issues, it seems to me the question of why people go to Mexico to get banded has been answered: it's financial.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think you have an agenda here and I'm not sure why. There is already a thread about why people go to Mexico. Sure it is partially financial, but not my only motivation. Honestly, when I first read about Drs. Sanchez and Rumbaut in Monterrey while I was still pursuing insurance coverage, I thought "wow, it's too bad I can't go to these guys, they are ten times more experienced than a local surgeon."

So yes, for me, money was a factor. Anyone who is self-pay will probably agree with that. But there is a doctor here in Denver who does the band for $9950 -- and I STILL opted to go to Mexico. That is the SAME price (with airfare) that my surgeon charges. I cared more about experience than location.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think you have an agenda here and I'm not sure why.

"Agenda" sounds a little sinsister. Clarification is more accurate. I am tired of watching people get beat up on other threads for saying they would not go to Mexico for surgery, and having everyone come back and say they went to Mexico because Mexico has the best surgeons. So I was asking for anyone who TRULY went to Mexico because of the quality of the surgeons. And I got my answer: people go to Mexico for financial reasons. They may be happy with the surgeons or hospitals after they've made that decision, but the ACTUAL reason for the decision is money, not quality.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have Aetna and could have waited for approval for surgery at another facility but A) Didn't want to wait and :) Was impressed by the surgerons experience in Mexico. I actually was approved for surgery but the Dr that I wanted to go to only operated at a hospital that did not renew it's contract with Aetna. "Clarification" I'm really not convinced of since you had your band done in the states what difference does it make? Are you considering getting another band? The actual reason is NOT money versus quality because I believe that I got better quality treatment and a higher quality surgeon than many people in the states. IMHO I do think there is some type of agenda here also, let it go everyone picks their own surgeon for whatever reason it may be. Good luck in your weight loss journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If my insurance covered the procedure I would not be going to Mexico (because I'd only be paying the copay for the surgery in the US), that's true, but if I wasn't positive about the experience and training of the doctor I've chosen, I wouldn't be going to Mexico either.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My insurance doesn't cover any wls, so I was self-pay. I'm blessed in the fact that I could afford to pay for surgery here, but I chose Dr. Ortiz in Mexico for all the right reasons. So, the answer to your question is, no, not everyone chooses a doctor from another country due to financial reasons. Sorry.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

post_old.gif 08-30-2006, 10:49 AM

no.name user_online.gif vbmenu_register("postmenu_288972", true);

Texas Toast

Join Date: Dec 2005

Posts: 23

im_aim.gif

He is the best of the best's best and there is no better.

This is on the Robert Raumbart sp? thread.

He is in Mexico, You dont recommed mexico, so have you used him?

Do you have a band- there is no signature information.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Gonnabethin- I'm betting no.name is one of the banned users since she appears to be very negative and nasty in some posts.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

    • Jenopolis

      Had a sleeve in 2017, lost over 100 pounds. Had a DS surgery this year (2025) for more sustainable weight loss. 🤞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      The 14th was my day. I am home and recovery is going pretty smooth. They even let me walk out of the hospital. Picture of me in recovery curtesy of my boyfriend lol. 

      · 3 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Glad it went well!! Wishing you a speedy recovery and wonderful success!! 🤗

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

      3. Selina333

        Neat you have a pic of this day! I was sooo happy to get my surgery. It was well worth it! And I'm not even near my goal. I had surgery Dec. 2!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×