Mexico versus US for cash patients

[planningband07 52]

Did you go to Mexico partly because you couldn't qualify? I am concerned that I may not qualify because Cigna and other insurances are very difficult to get approval from. Mexico is my next stop if insurance doesn't work. I am determined to have this done ASAP

[coltonwade 27]

I was self pay , wanted to stay in the US .

My surgeon was Dr Jorge Rincon in San Antonio TX . his price is $12,000 includes fills/aftercare for the first yr.

Price includes everything except pre op testing which runs about $600 .

Cliick on my Sig line ( my fill info ) and it will take you to his website.

Dr Rincon is AWESOME. I Highly Recommend him .

Mindy

[preciouspup 0]

Did you go to Mexico partly because you couldn't qualify? I am concerned that I may not qualify because Cigna and other insurances are very difficult to get approval from. Mexico is my next stop if insurance doesn't work. I am determined to have this done ASAP

I don't know who you were talking to about the above question but for me, no...I would have qualified if my insurance would have covered but it didn't. I went to Mexico because it was the only place I could find it under 10,000 and I was taking out a loan to pay for it. I do not regret going to Mexico though because I had a great doc.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Mexico is great, I wouldn't do things differently for anything.

One up side to Mexico is that you are usually in the hospital/clinic for at least a day. In my docs case you are in the hospital for two nights. In the US you go home when you wake up. Not a lot of supervision.

If you are considering Mexico it is a great place for a safe surgery but you HAVE to do your research.

Please, see the link in my sig.

[FLMan 0]

Bloo Eyes I am scheduled with Dr. Kuri on 1/9/08 in TJ Mexico. Very exciteded! I am 331 now and I exercise at least 4 days a week at the gym. I am hoping that will help get the weight off when I am banded. If you have any helpful hints... PLEASE!!!

[jdee 0]

I went to Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico. It was a immaculate facility. Dr. Rumbaut and his staff were fantastic. It was about half of the us price.

[beachgirl 2]

I agree. I had insurance but went to 3 seminars and they were bragging about "I've done over 1000 of these" and that just wasn't enough for me. Dr. Zapata had done over 7000 and trained most US surgeons and has never lost a patient and the seminar I went to in Paducah he had lost 2 patients with the bypass and had only done 250 bands. I wanted someone with lots of experience.

I wouldn't trade my experience in Mexico for anything. Can't wait to go back. Good luck with whatever you decide. You've got to do what's best for you.

[KikiVal315 4]

hey fl & bloo...

kuri is on my list to consult with on 12/1.

**words of wisdom this way too, please**

yes, my crappy insurance wont cover this.mexico was always on my mind. after researching, i decided on kuri and another doc in t.j. i have yet to decide on who will perform my surgery.

[derseiger 0]

Hi Soc, I went to Acuna Mexico and my doc. was Jose Rodriguez. The hospital is small and quaint but all the modern necessities. Very few english speaking nurses but its not hard to get what you need from them they take great care of you. The only concern I ever had was going so far away but was made very comfortable.

[VegasGrace 1]

You can't beat Dr. Huacuz for experience and bedside manner. Plus mine was only $7,000...which included everything.

Good luck!

[restmgr985 0]

I was banded in mexico on oct 10th by Dr Zapada. I was refered there by my cousin and his wife. Everything was awesome, if i had to do it again i would. I found a doctor locally to do checkups and fills for 185 bucks . cant beat that . less than half the cost of doing it locally, thats alot of money in my pocket . I paid 7500 for the surgery and 528 for a plane flight.

[coltonwade 27]

the best thing you can do is research . Dont base your choice on price alone.

There are good docs in the US and Good docs in Mexico .

BUT There are bad docs in the US and Bad docs in Mexico.

I dont think that this surgery is something that you can Bargain shop for .

That's just my input

Mindy

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

the best thing you can do is research . Dont base your choice on price alone.

There are good docs in the US and Good docs in Mexico .

BUT There are bad docs in the US and Bad docs in Mexico.

I dont think that this surgery is something that you can Bargain shop for .

That's just my input

Mindy

I couldn't agree more. Many of the "cheapest" docs are cheap for a reason. They depend on price shoppers vs. those researching stats and history.

[coltonwade 27]

I couldn't agree more. Many of the "cheapest" docs are cheap for a reason. They depend on price shoppers vs. those researching stats and history.

<br /> <br /> Exactly . I am not one of those people that think because i was banded in the US that everyone should be or because I WASNT banded in Mexico NO ONe should be. However, I will NOT tell anyone " YOU SHOULD go here or you SHOULD go there" because if i did and some thing were to happen to that person I would NEVER forgive myself. So i am one that tends to just give info on both and let that person choose for themselves. I dont think its right to push one way or another. I think its best to give UNBIASED info for both and let that person make the choice. I could never live with myself if someone went to a doc and something happened to them based on my recommendation . That is including my doc . I do recommend my doc but i want people to check out all options and i tell them that as well. Mindy

[coltonwade 27]

I went to Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. Cost was $8500.00. Great experience. As to US or Mexico, think this way. Doctors in Mexico have been doing the surgery since 1991. They have done thousands where US doctors have done hundreds. Who has the most experience??

This is also not a fair comparison for a few reasons. for one doctors over seas ( not just in mexico ) have been doing the surgery for a few yrs longer than docs in the US , lap band was approved in the US in 2001 .So they docs over seas have had longer to aquire more "experience" Also Quantity does not always mean Quality . Granted not to say that docs in Mexico are not experienced and good docs. But its not really fair to make a statement like that and not qualify that docs in the US Also HAVE EXPERIENCE and are trained competent professionals as well .. In fact My doc was trained by a Mexico doc.Just my input.

Mindy