How to convince my dad that surgery in Mexico is not a scam?

[supbanana 153]

Hi all,

I'm getting my sleeve done in Tijuana. I've done research here and read all of the posts I can find about both the doctor I'm seeing and experiences travelling to Mexico for the sugery. I feel pretty comfortable with my decision and I'm really excited about going and getting this over with.

The problem is, my dad is terrified. He's always been protective of me, but he's convinced himself that this is some scam and as soon as I'm over the Mexican border someone is going to steal my cashier's check and leave me stranded or worse. In fact, he's calling me so often and his concern is so sincere that now I'm a little concerned myself, which annoys me.

I just honestly have no idea what to tell him or what proof to show him to convince him that it's safe, so that he'll feel better about it and settle down a little (or a lot). Any ideas? I mentioned all of the positive reviews here, but he just scoffed and said that of course there would be good reviews, the surgeons could hire anyone off the street to write a bogus review.

I hope this doesn't offend anybody because that is sincerely not my intent and I don't mean in any way to imply that Medical Tourism is full of scam artists, I just would feel a lot better if my dad was more at ease.

[sknyinside 99]

Would he or you feel better if he could travel with you?

[saffikeagan 8/31/13 48]

I told my Mom that some of the surgeons have practiced, trained, and/or been certified in the US. They just choose to work in Mexico as it's so much cheeper without all the high malpractice insurance costs etc.

[supbanana 153]

Would he or you feel better if he could travel with you?

I think that's his main problem. He's disabled and can't make the trip, but he's said several times that he wishes he could go. I kind of wish he could go with me because he's a pretty big, strong guy and I've always felt safer around him, but my mom is making the trip with me so that helps. Of course, he and my mom have been separated since I was 4, so that doesn't make him feel any better.

[Jesser 295]

Hi all' date='

I'm getting my sleeve done in Tijuana. I've done research here and read all of the posts I can find about both the doctor I'm seeing and experiences travelling to Mexico for the sugery. I feel pretty comfortable with my decision and I'm really excited about going and getting this over with.

The problem is, my dad is terrified. He's always been protective of me, but he's convinced himself that this is some scam and as soon as I'm over the Mexican border someone is going to steal my cashier's check and leave me stranded or worse. In fact, he's calling me so often and his concern is so sincere that now I'm a little concerned myself, which annoys me.

I just honestly have no idea what to tell him or what proof to show him to convince him that it's safe, so that he'll feel better about it and settle down a little (or a lot). Any ideas? I mentioned all of the positive reviews here, but he just scoffed and said that of course there would be good reviews, the surgeons could hire anyone off the street to write a bogus review.

I hope this doesn't offend anybody because that is sincerely not my intent and I don't mean in any way to imply that medical tourism is full of scam artists, I just would feel a lot better if my dad was more at ease.[/quote']

I know how you feel! My family tries to get me to back out all the time. I've befriended a few coordinators on FB and you can see a lot of the patients on there and ask them questions as well. I don't really know what you could tell him to reassure him that it's not a scam :/ when I first heard about it I was scared out of my mind too, but I've talked with soooo many people about this and all have had good experiences going to Mexico. I haven't went yet, but hopefully soon

[supbanana 153]

I told my Mom that some of the surgeons have practiced, trained, and/or been certified in the US. They just choose to work in Mexico as it's so much cheeper without all the high malpractice insurance costs etc.

I've told him this and he's okay with the surgeon's skills, his problem is that he thinks I won't even make it to the hospital. He sincerely feels that I'll be robbed as soon as I get across the border. I have no idea how to dissuade him of those concerns, short of going there, getting the surgery, and coming back alive and well, which might be the only option here.

[supbanana 153]

I know how you feel! My family tries to get me to back out all the time. I've befriended a few coordinators on FB and you can see a lot of the patients on there and ask them questions as well. I don't really know what you could tell him to reassure him that it's not a scam :/ when I first heard about it I was scared out of my mind too, but I've talked with soooo many people about this and all have had good experiences going to Mexico. I haven't went yet, but hopefully soon

I just added some relevant pages on FB too, it made me feel a lot better! That's a good idea. I admit I was scared as well, I think most people are, but I have the luxury of getting online and talking to people. My dad doesn't know the first thing about computers or the Internet so all he has is my word.

I hope you get to go soon as well, and I hope you have a wonderful experience!

[Bea Amaya 859]

Sorry about this extra stress on your decision! If you are anywhere near the Houston area I'd be happy to chat with your dad in person! Actually, for me, when I found out another lady at work had done the same thing I was about to do I made arrangements to talk it over with her face-to-face...it was a BIG comfort to me and I had already decided to go ahead! If there is any way you could get in touch with someone in-person to sit down with you and your dad, that might be a great way to ease his fears just a bit.

GOOD LUCK with this, as you really don't need the extra stress and worry!!!

Disclaimer: I've lived overseas and travel a bit, so I'm not the typical American scared of "foreign" places and the things they have to offer. Also, my husband is Mexican-American and I've been to Mexico 50 times or so over my life.

[saffikeagan 8/31/13 48]

Yup. Someone told me that TJ is safe unlike the Texas border towns because all the docs were sick of loosing money from the medical tourists who were too afraid to go. They went on strike and demanded the city get cleaned up. Of course, their strike meant the city lost a lot of money so the government had to clean house. They have, and TJ is safe again now.

[saffikeagan 8/31/13 48]

When are you going? and where do you live?

[supbanana 153]

Sorry about this extra stress on your decision! If you are anywhere near the Houston area I'd be happy to chat with your dad in person!

GOOD LUCK with this, as you really don't need the extra stress and worry!!!

Thank you so much for your offer! That's very sweet of you. Idk about my dad, but your comment made me feel even better about this. I'll have to look around and see if there is anyone in my area. I live in Eureka, California, so a little too far away for a chat with you, but I still really appreciate it.

Yup. Someone told me that TJ is safe unlike the Texas border towns because all the docs were sick of loosing money from the medical tourists who were too afraid to go. They went on strike and demanded the city get cleaned up. Of course, their strike meant the city lost a lot of money so the government had to clean house. They have, and TJ is safe again now.

When are you going? and where do you live?

That's really interesting, I'll have to look more into that. Thank you for the info! I'm going August 9th and I live in Eureka, California, USA.

[Jesser 295]

I read through some of your posts... You're going with Dr. Illan?! he will actually Skype with you! So your Dad can see him on the computer and talk with him!

[stephanie1678 80]

Yup. Someone told me that TJ is safe unlike the Texas border towns because all the docs were sick of loosing money from the medical tourists who were too afraid to go. They went on strike and demanded the city get cleaned up. Of course, their strike meant the city lost a lot of money so the government had to clean house. They have, and TJ is safe again now.

The medical tourist doctors have more clout than the drug cartel?

Just kidding here of course.

[saffikeagan 8/31/13 48]

8/9 seems to be a popular day. I'm sure you can meet with other sleevers in the SAN airport and go in a large group. Would that make you Father feel better? Have you checked out the August sleevers topic and connected with those peep?

[supbanana 153]

I read through some of your posts... You're going with Dr. Illan?! he will actually Skype with you! So your Dad can see him on the computer and talk with him!

Wow, no kidding? I think I'll call his office tomorrow, I haven't actually talked to anyone over the phone yet. That's so cool that he does that. Maybe if my dad hears from the surgeon himself that his patients indeed make it safely to the operating table he'll feel better. Of course, I can hear my dad now, "well, sure, anyone could buy a lab coat off the street." But it will make me feel more comfortable, so that's the important thing.