Why is having surgery in Mexico such a taboo subject?

[jjinWA 511]

I had sleeve surgery in the US at the Franciscan Weight Management System here in Federal Way, Washington, by Dr. Houseworth. I have not seen him since the day of surgery, as my follow up appts have been with his Nurse Practitioner. I am 4 months out and have see her twice. My daughter did all the prep testing with Dr. Houseworth also, but even though the insurance company paid for all the testing, they ultimately refused her WLS. So after spending several thousand in pretesting, she is now left with only one option.... To go to Mexico. We selected dr. Ariel Ortiz with FACS credentials,through OCC, which is a Center of Excelleance. Both distinctions that are also assigned to Dr. Houseworth. I asked the NP today if she would be willing to do the followup work for my daughter when she returned from surgery. She discussed with dr. Houseworth and he declined to keep her as a patient if she had her surgery in Mexico, even though she has done all the pretesting with him. REALLY???? I don't get it. Is she just supposed to forgo having the surgery because the insurance declined coverage? She cannot even get approved for a loan for $28,000 that it would cost her to have the surgery here in the US. What option does she have if she does not go to Mexico? I am at a loss as to why the drs refuse to see patients after having surgery in Mexico. She has been refused service by Dr. Holzclaw, my PCP, also. Is this just a Washington state issue? Does anyone know of a dr in the Seattle/Tacoma are that will accept my daughters as patients after they return from Mexico? I am so frustrated and ticked off!

[BeagleLover 1,020]

One other possible option for your daughter is to hire the Lindstroms to present her case to the insurance company to reverse the denial.

[jjinWA 511]

One daughter has been denied twice. The other specifically excludes WLS. No luck for either of them unfortunately.

[pinkbunies 359]

Racism and profits is the bet way I know ho to put it

[built2livenotexist 119]

I am currently sitting on my luxurious king size bed at a 4.5 star beach front resort after having my surgery in gorgeous Puerta Vallarta, MX with Dr. Juan Francisco Hidalgo on the 22nd. My insurance company would not approve me in the states either.

Some of the Eurocentric crap I've heard from Americans is disappointing to say the least. You'd think that Mexico was the newer civilization and not the US! The people of this country have been kind and forgiving of my ignorance of their customs and inability to speak the language; unlike many Americans I know (and am ashamed to be related to)

I went through a standard medical history that was several pages long and spent my initial hours with staff going through pre-op testing. I even had a video conference with the doctor and his staff to answer my billion questions and receive 2 years additional post-op Skype follow-up. I can barely get into my regular doc when I'm actually sick let alone if I have random questions.

I was given my complete chart, post-op notes, test results and x-rays to take home. The doctor will be visiting me in my room to check my incision sites both mornings before I leave.

The care and professionalism I've received here belies some of the ignorant elitist crap I've heard from people and I'm glad that I have an educated mind of my own to make informed decisions about my care. The insurance company who I pay premiums to, back in the good old US wasn't willing to help me; I'm sure glad I had options.

[Mrs. Reid 392]

If I end up using my Plan B and going to Mexico, I'm not going to tell my doctor about it till I get home. My clinic is in a large medical center and they don't turn away patients. If I end up in Mexico, I won't be seeing the surgeon anyway. I can get expert nutritional advice online and my doctor does blood work every six months anyway. If she does not want to see me, I will simply change doctors. I figure if anything goes horribly wrong I can always go to the ER.

[jjinWA 511]

Yes, ER is the only option that we have at this point. So sad we have to resort to that.

[thesuse2000 698]

Have you tried asking the OCC if they can recommend a doctor/practice in your area for after care? I had my band surgery at the OCC (great experience) and they connected me with my surgeon in NY who did my follow ups and who ended up doing my band revision and then sleeve revision. I hope they can help.

[gabbykittyvsg 184]

I would go to Mexico in a heartbeat if I couldn't get the sleeve at my local hospital. My surgeon said she supports patients going to Mexico if they don't have insurance coverage and will gladly do the follow up with her standard post-op program when they get back. I'd go there over going to some of the horrible programs I've hear some people going through here in the US.

I think a big part of doctors not accepting Medical Tourism patients is because of perceived liability issues, not racism. So many people sue for trivial reasons that it scares doctors away from taking on patients they didn't operate on. Many doctors won't do the follow up on patients who had the surgery somewhere else in the US either.

[BitterSweet* 835]

I'm so sorry, that's terrible. The suggestion you got about asking OCC for a recommendation is a good one. I'm going to OCC as well and not telling my doctor until I get back. It's military so they don't have a choice about seeing me, and God forbid I need more care, the hospital where I work is a Bariatric Center of Excellence and they would just refer me that group of surgeons. Hood luck to you and your daughters. Sorry about all of the frustration y'all have to endure.

[jjinWA 511]

I will contact OCC and see if they can recommend a dr. here in the US for follow up. We are not very far via plane trip, we can fly down to Mexico for follow up work if more serious issue occur. Thanks everyone for your feedback.

[pinkbunies 359]

when your ready to take charge and get it out of the way, its so cheap. Forgot trying to get it done in the US. Go to Mexico. You could have it done as early as next week.

I'm sitting at home after having my surgery done this past Wednesday. I walked 3 miles today. I was going to do it in the states but didn't see a need to wait 3 months and gain more weight only so they can do the operation here for 3 times the price.

[JerzyTomato74 91]

Technically, the doctor who does your surgery is responsible for your post-op care. Your doctor is not necessarily going to know the quality of care you received in Mexico or with any other doctor for that matter, as well as the quality of the work that was done. In my opinion, if you choose to go to Mexico, you should follow up in Mexico. The doctor who does your surgery is more familiar with what he did to you than a doctor here who doesn't know what was done. This is a huge liability risk. The other thing to consider is that the medical standards are not the same as in the US.

[It's Allgood 30]

I went to Mexico and my PCP is following me. If needed, I can go back to Mexico for follow-up.

[BitterSweet* 835]

I think the thought of it can be alarming at first, but it really is unfounded and ridiculous. People all over the world have surgery for one thing or another and a different doctor provides care for them later on. Yes, it's best to go back to the surgeon for follow up, but PCPs are more than capable of managing post-op bariatric patients.

What happens when you move related to a job transfer or to care for an ailing parent? You certainly aren't going to travel back to the original surgeon just for a follow-up; you'd do what everyone has to do, find a new doctor and transfer your medical records.