Mexico

[iggychic 1,405]

I agree with some of what you are saying. I grew up in Durham' date=' NC the city of medicine and there were always wealthy people from other countries coming to Duke. On the flip side, where I had my surgery in Mexico was also a cancer hospital. The lady across the hall from me came from Russia. I read a book about a boy who went there to work from the US. He beat his cancer after being treated in Canada. There are oncologists in other countries actually curing cancer and not just pushing pills and poison (chemo). I actually got some literature from the hospital because I was going to bring my father there for treatment. Unfortunately his was too aggressive and he died 3 weeks later. So my family is also in the "higher income" and I went to Mexico and looked into taking my father to Mexico, Canada, and Italy. Also to add my father never wanted to be treated at Duke. The doctors and surgeons are known to be great but they are not known to be personable. They are a research hospital and are all about the numbers. But like us all, we have our personal choices and that was his.[/quote']

OH I forgot about cancer. My father in law and brother in law were cured (have been in remission over 20 years) with a combination treatment of laitril (sp?) and celation (sp?) which they did in Mexico because it was not legal in the US (don't know the status now). My FIL is a retired teacher...middle income I'd say and BIL was upper income (he married well)

PS, the docs at Johns Hopkins were in general....not enjoyable to spend time with LOL But they were great docs.

[SexySlim 107]

OH I forgot about cancer. My father in law and brother in law were cured (have been in remission over 20 years) with a combination treatment of laitril (sp?) and celation (sp?) which they did in Mexico because it was not legal in the US (don't know the status now). My FIL is a retired teacher...middle income I'd say and BIL was upper income (he married well) <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

PS' date=' the docs at Johns Hopkins were in general....not enjoyable to spend time with LOL But they were great docs. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

That's awesome to hear about your family! I didn't do all of my research until it was too late. I love to hear stories like this

[nune1974 7]

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']

Hi

My surgery is on January 17 in TX, I'm paying $4700

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,146]

You have definitely presented one side, Fishy. Don't forget to research Mexican surgeons. Let's not paint all surgeons with one brush?

Amanda Rae

[Eat That Frog 53]

Hi

My surgery is on January 17 in TX, I'm paying $4700

That's amazing. The amount I paid ($17,500) included the surgeon fee and all hospital costs, I spent 3 nights in the hospital. Wonder if yours is cheaper because you are close to Mexico and they are competing with the Mexican doctors?

[amykins 202]

I'm not on one side or the other here, but how many people who have had surgery in Mexico used it as a last resort because insurance is so rediculous to work with or because the cost is SO much higher in the US? I was also considering Mexico, but as a last resort. If my mother had not come to my rescue, this post would be coming from south of the border!!! So, I just wonder if Mexico is chosen because of the quality or merely the cost?!? I personally like that the surgeons in the US are held accountable for their mistakes and it is public knowledge of such issues. That's my #1 reason for staying in the states.

As I shared above, my reasons for choosing Dr Aceves are varied. I have worked in the healthcare field for more than 10 years, 6 of them in the Las Vegas area. I know many surgeons and physicians personally and professionally, including the top WLS surgeons. I don't want to name names, but one of them, I wouldn't allow to operate on a lizard, much less my body.

There are several excelllent RNY surgeons in this area, but the surgeons who have added sleeves have just recently (1-3 years) begun sleeving. And I know for a fact that at least two of them trained with...you guessed it...Surgeons from Mexico, including Dr Aceves. And I learned that from them, not Dr Aceves. Combined, (at least 6 months ago when I met and discussed the surgery with them) they all do not have as much as most of the surgeons in Mexico, including mine.

The cheapest WLS surgeon in my area charges about $12,000 for outpatient surgery. That means he does the surgery in a surgery center and sends them overnight to a hotel. I believe they are followed by a nurse, but I don't think the nurse is 24/7.

I had surgery for 4,000 cheaper, stayed three nights in a clean hospital with nurses who were right outside my door and answered the buzzer almost as quickly as I buzzed. When I had nausea at night, the nurse sat beside me patting my back until the additional nausea meds kicked in. When my sleeve sister and I wanted to go to the paharmacy across the street to get more pantazol (PPI) to take home, one of the nurses insisted on going with us to guide us through the traffic.

My insurance didn't cover WLS in any form. However, even if it did, knowing what I know, I would probably still go to Mexico for my sleeve. With insurance, I would have to take whoever was contracted with the insurance, whether he has done 1 sleeve or 1000. I was able to choose my own surgeon that I felt would give me the best results. That to me was priceless.

[Jesser 295]

Amy, I tried sending you a private message but I believe my app is messing up on my phone and it didn't go through. I was going to ask you, have you heard any negative things on Dr. Lopez by any chance? I have really only read some scary reviews on one particular surgeon.

[TheNewSusie 471]

I'm not on one side or the other here' date=' but how many people who have had surgery in Mexico used it as a last resort because insurance is so rediculous to work with or because the cost is SO much higher in the US? I was also considering Mexico, but as a last resort. If my mother had not come to my rescue, this post would be coming from south of the border!!! So, I just wonder if Mexico is chosen because of the quality or merely the cost?!? I personally like that the surgeons in the US are held accountable for their mistakes and it is public knowledge of such issues. That's my #1 reason for staying in the states.[/quote']

I went because I knew who I wanted and I know that Dr. Alvarez was my best choice. I could've went here in the US for almost the same price, but that's not who I wanted. I knew who I trusted and wanted. He even came here to meet my parents. I don't know which doctor would go out of their way for his patients like mine did.

[mezanne1401 190]

It is good to know that at least some CHOSE to go to Mexico and didn't HAVE to go to Mexico. The very first surgeon I met with is just a butcher! Had a friend's husband use this doc and ended up in ICU for over a week, very,very sick. I wouldn't let that man operate on my SIL and Lord knows how I can't stand that woman!! This doc ended up moving to Houston and only takes cash patients because he has no contract with any insurance carrier. Scary, scary!!! I guess it just kind of bums me out that the procedure is SO much more expensive in the states. My surgery was $12.5K, which was 3 grand cheaper than in Houston. Turns out, 8,100 is just for the hospital!!! No possible way 23 hours equates 8 grand! That to me is absurd!!!

[realtor05 3]

Hi

My surgery is on January 17 in TX' date=' I'm paying 4700[/quote']

Hello

Is this a self pay surgery in Texas?

[realtor05 3]

Hello

Is this a self pay surgery in Texas?

If so, why are so many people bypassing him/her and heading to Mexico?

[SexySlim 107]

It is good to know that at least some CHOSE to go to Mexico and didn't HAVE to go to Mexico. The very first surgeon I met with is just a butcher! Had a friend's husband use this doc and ended up in ICU for over a week' date=' very,very sick. I wouldn't let that man operate on my SIL and Lord knows how I can't stand that woman!! This doc ended up moving to Houston and only takes cash patients because he has no contract with any insurance carrier. Scary, scary!!! I guess it just kind of bums me out that the procedure is SO much more expensive in the states. My surgery was 12.5K, which was 3 grand cheaper than in Houston. Turns out, 8,100 is just for the hospital!!! No possible way 23 hours equates 8 grand! That to me is absurd!!![/quote']

That's why I was told Mexico is cheaper. The hospital stay doesn't drive the bill up. I also read on here that the US hospital bill is really up to $80k but they negotiate with the insurance company to get it down to like $20 k. Insane!

[GlitteringGoldParodox 36]

To be honest' date=' i'm stunned that anyone would go to Mexico to have surgery. Having been raised in a medical family with over 40 years of experience, I can say we have seen some true tragedies come from that country.

Those saying that they felt more comfortable because a Mexican surgeon has done more sleeves than a particular US doctor is just nonsense in my opinion. Of course they have done more. They're far cheaper. That does not mean the quality is better. Walmart sells more t-shirts than Ralph Lauren. It doesn't mean that Walmart's t-shirts are better. Far from it. They can point to that their Mexican surgeons claim to have a low leak or fatality %. Well of course they do - because they can make up whatever number they want. There is no strong medical reporting agency in Mexico to keep them honest.

My mother has had a few patients who are struggling to find an insurance company now after their Mexican surgery due to complications. Problem being that there are clauses in nearly every insurance policy that exclude complications from surgery outside of the United States. So she has had to fight and fight for patients who are having complications from their surgery in Mexico and it doesn't look good in most cases.

I hope no one takes this the wrong way. Im not trying to hurt anyones feelings who are doing self-pay. Just giving my opinion based on my history in the medical field.[/quote']

I'm amazed and glad you were able to state your opinions without getting attacked. I was harassed for thanking a poster for reminding me how to do basic research I learned in school on the "Is Dr. Aceves really that good" thread. It made me more suspect about that doctor since so many were getting offensive. That is not normal. They could be fake patients with agenda for a MX doctor. It put my plans on going to MX for surgery on hold in pursuit of checking out doctors in US more. All experiences and questions should be welcomed.

[phantompouch 19]

I have researched so many surgeons in Mexico...have spoken to former patients,,,spoken to journalists who have written about poor outcomes from bariatric surgeries done in Mexico,and decided that I would not go to Mexico for the gastric sleeve procedure due to my due diligence....I do understand that there are people on this website that have had good experiences and I wish them well with good health....those others who tragically did not have a good experience....either by infections, leaks and even death...will not discuss or unable to voice their opinion...what about those former patients who now have no recourse with a surgeon from Mexico( if something went terribly wrong?) The medical mal practice claims go no where....since it is a foreign country...? It is tragic ...there are surgeons in Mexico who make sure to cover their mistakes and their medical training clearly is not the same as in the USA. One of the surgeons that I have looked at states in his resume that he has had post graduate training and a fellowship....NOT True.....all he has are CME(continuing medical education) seminars taken at lovely vacation spots around the world for several days...and then after paying the fee for the meeting....receives a certificate of completion....and posts it on his resume and website....those prospective patients reading his resume would believe that he had years of postgraduate training.....not so....only weekend seminars..... in the USA...a surgeon who does has postgrad work....is in a certified 2 to 3 year Fellowship program at a hospital and then receives the proper training and becomes credentialed... ..clearly, different then several weekend seminars.....after all....there is Truth in advertising....don't ya think ?

[amykins 202]

Amy, I tried sending you a private message but I believe my app is messing up on my phone and it didn't go through. I was going to ask you, have you heard any negative things on Dr. Lopez by any chance? I have really only read some scary reviews on one particular surgeon.

Hi Jesser, nothing comes to mind, but the surgeons I was speaking of knowing personally are Las Vegas surgeons, not from any other city or state.