Mexico

[andcol 1]

I was just wondering why so many people go to Mexico to have the sleeve done??

[kortolano 100]

My husband and I are going in February

[Eat That Frog 53]

It's much cheaper in Mexico. I am self pay and it cost me $17,500.00. I wish I had the courage to go to Mexico because I am going to be paying for this for a long time. How much is it in Mexico?

[SexySlim 107]

1) doesn't have insurance

2) has insurance but don't want to do the 3 or 6 month diet and requirements

3) want to be sleeved by a Mexican surgeon with more experience than a US surgeon

4) self-pay is cheaper than the US self-pay

5) hospital stay is longer

6) doesn't meet US insurance requirements (BMI and/or comorbidities)

[SexySlim 107]

It's much cheaper in Mexico. I am self pay and it cost me 17' date='500.00. I wish I had the courage to go to Mexico because I am going to be paying for this for a long time. How much is it in Mexico?[/quote']

I paid $5500 with Dr. Kelly. The range is $4000-$8500 I believe depending on the surgeon.

[andcol 1]

Thanks for the replies--- I'm seeing Dr.Ren at NYU will have to postpone everything because of all the devistation on Long Island NY where I live

(( just hoping my insurance approves the surgery

[amykins 202]

I had surgery in Mexico for several reasons:

1. My insurance doesn't cover any weight loss surgeries

2. The cheapest surgeon in the Vegas area charges about $12000 for outpatient surgery

3. The surgeon I chose has done more sleeve surgeries than all the WLS surgeons in Las Vegas combined and for several thousands less.

4. Dr Aceves was more expensive than most Mexico surgeons, but after much research, thought and prayer, I knew he was the one for me. I went alone, and wanted to feel safe and secure in my choice of surgeon and hospital. I got that, plus more than I ever expected. They treated all of us like VIPs and I never felt alone or scared. For me, that was worth every extra penny.

[CCCross 31]

I was just wondering why so many people go to Mexico to have the sleeve done??

I went to Mexico because I don't have health insurance and kept getting denied from purchasing insurance because of my BMI. I also have had no problem getting insurance now that I'm down almost 42 pounds. Blue cross blue shield approved me and I disclosed my surgery.

Oh and just so you know, its common practice for insurance to not cover complications from a surgery the patient had before they had insurance coverage. The phrase "pre existing condition" comes to mind...

[amytug 996]

I wish someone would come back and give an educated response to the previous poster. I have heard nothing but wonderful stories about a lot of the dr's In mx. Not all of them. If I was hearing horror stories left and right, I would never even consider mx. So many people have said that they recieved superior care in mx vs. the states.

[mggonzal 54]

US Surgeon is not always = quality and Mexican surgeon is not = to bad attention, we need to make a research and then make a desition, I spent 2800 dlls and 4 mo going to UCSD and didn't forward to my surgery... Just wasting time and money, I had an appt with Dr Aceves and 2 weeks later I had my surgery ... Is not how much money I paid, my health has no price, but this Dr is one or the best surgeons in Latinamerica, I spent 3 days on an excellent hospital and I received an excellent attention.... My sister has her surgery in Los angeles, it was ambulatory never seen her surgeon after de surgery was done....as Ive seen in Mexico the attention a patient recive is personalized you can speak with you Doctor and ask all your questions... In USA you spent the 90% of time talking with nurses ot assistants... And of course you will pay 2 or 3 times morethan in Mexico... Of course if the service would be 2 or 3 times better than in Mexico I would pay it for having my surgery in USA. Also my surgeon is plenty recognized in the USA

[CCCross 31]

I wish someone would come back and give an educated response to the previous poster. I have heard nothing but wonderful stories about a lot of the dr's In mx. Not all of them. If I was hearing horror stories left and right' date=' I would never even consider mx. So many people have said that they recieved superior care in mx vs. the states.[/quote']

Sometimes educating people who have a prejudice against an idea or action or even people is impossible if they have some sort of experience that has made them reach this conclusion.

People have to make their own decisions. Unfortunately, we cant force people out of that close minded mindset.

[CCCross 31]

This is going to be a sensitive topic because those who have had any surgery done in Mexico will want to defend their choice. And i'm not scolding them. I'm simply giving my opinion based upon my years in the medical profession. That's all it is.

However' date=' to say that you only see good reports from Mexico again does not prove anything. Many of the people who have had bad surgeries are dead. It's hard to report when you're dead. Many of them had infections metastasize into their incision and spread throughout their body leaving them maimed. Again, hard to report to an internet website when you are maimed.

My post was my opinion based on my experience in the medical field. There is no prejudice. I don't hate Mexicans. There are some excellent US surgeons who are Mexicans. It is VERY sad that you would even think to post that I am "close-minded" because I don't feel the same as you. Just because I have seen and written death reports for people who come from Mexican hospitals does not mean that I am close minded. Shame on you.[/quote']

I didn't say you were racist. I did comment that some people are and I apologize that you feel I was calling you racist. I did say you were prejudice against going to Mexico for surgeries because of experiences you had. Prejudice because of pre conceived notions due to personal experience. I'm prejudice against snakes because I had a bad experience. Do I feel that you are close minded because you are writing off all surgeons in Mexico because you have seen a few bad apples? Yes I do think you should open your mind to the possibility that because your family has only seen the negative experiences that it may be difficult to see the positive.

[CCCross 31]

And prejudice and racism are 2 different things. I never said you had anything against Hispanics.

[NORCALRN 60]

i went to mx b/c i do not qualify for bariatric surgery(no co-morbidities, etc). 7 months of planning. about 2 weeks after surgery - i had a fever - kaiser did exploratory lap and gave me hosp. aquired pneumonia which led to everything else. wish anesthia had just perfused my lungs a bit harder - that would have likely prevented the crisis that followed. i, too have worked in the medical field (my family too) for about 20 years. i have my BSN, PHN and consider myself well-educated. kaiser covered everything.....i owe then $30 dollars!! i am very grateful for health care and very lucky. done with the feding tube at least for now. it might have to be replaced....its a wait and see. gotta eat and no sliding food!!

[NORCALRN 60]

i wonder where one would locate those stats on those that attend medical school in the US that have citizenship elsewhere. they, too must pay for his/her education, apply for funding, etc. the beauty of being an adult is that one can take responibility for decisions and choices....hopefully without being judged. but even if there is poor tolerance, it sure feels good to know that independence is a wonderful thing, regardless of what others say/feel. we are lucky to have what we have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!