Surgery in Mexico ?

 

 

Hi to all: After reading about some OH members having surgery in Mexico I have some questions and concerns.

1- How does one have a follow-up visit with the doctor ?

2- What happens if you have a problem with the surgery ?

3- Who pays if you have to go back to Mexico, for re-surgery ?

4- Is it safe to be in Mexico ?

5- Is the hospital fully equipped to handle any emergency you may have ?

All of these questions and concerns, all OH members should think about before going to Mexico for surgery.

I'm a newbie to OH, that's why I bring up these questions, I want to be fully informed about everything that happens in the WLS world. I have not had WLS yet, still waiting for approval from my ins.co.

Hope to hear from you.

 

Tenacious 88 (FL)

 

1- How does one have a follow-up visit with the doctor ?
You get a pcp to follow you in the states. One will do your pre op, the surgeon in Mexico will okay your pre op, schedule your surgery.

I did 4 days in hospital 5 days in hotel w a private nurse visiting every day and a office visit to get stitches out.


2- What happens if you have a problem with the surgery ?
If there is an emergency in Mexico, you go back to the hospital. If its in the states, you woudl go to a local hospital. If you are thinking about sueing the surgeon in Mexico that's a huge problem.
3- Who pays if you have to go back to Mexico, for re-surgery ?

You would work that out with the surgeon, but if he/she messed up the first time what in the world would you let them do it again? The point is to research your surgeon carefully, think twice, cut once. I have to say though, a lot of Mexico patients research their doctors WAAAAAAAAAAAAY MORE than US patients, In us some people just go with who takes their insurance, never looking into their license or problems or complication rates. I meet people in person every day who have no clue about their surgeon, just that he is at the local hospital.
4- Is it safe to be in Mexico ?

most places. I would not go to Tijuana for anything.

5- Is the hospital fully equipped to handle any emergency you may have ? the hospital I went to was private but it was not a COE or a trauma center. I knew that going in.

Hi: Emily
              Thanks you for answering my questions and concerns. I don't think that I would be as comfortable as you are about having surgery in Mexico. I know there are good and bad doctors no matter where one goes, but for me I'll stay in the USA.
Please continue doing well, Merry Christmas / Happy New Year.
88

If you're a self-pay, going outside the US can be a HUGE savings. *Most* follow-up care can be done by your PCP, if he or she is knowledgeable about WLS, or at least willing to learn from YOU. (Sadly, some docs have a God complex and can't learn from ANYONE.)

If you choose to go outside the US, research your surgeon and hospital---just like you should if you choose to stay INSIDE the US for WLS. I don't know which form of WLS you want, but there's a list of 'vetted' surgeons on www.dsfacts.com that I'd trust for myself. Check out this list, even if you DON'T want a DS---these surgeons are GOOD, and they can do ANY of the 'Big Four' WLS.

Emily and I went to the same surgeon so the same answers apply except I am in Canada.

 Also in regards to number 5, I think the hospital did an excellent job at handling my emergency. From what I could tell they were fully equipped to handle it. On my 9th day post-op I had an artery burst (bad luck, not the surgeon's fault) so I had to be rushed back to the hospital for emergency surgery. 

If you are going to go to Mexico I recommend getting travel insurance and taking someone with you though (:

Hi: You and Emily are two very lucky ladies. You did your homework and got excellent results. Happy to hear your emergency was able to be taken care of. Not planing on going to Mexico any time soon, but thanks for the buddy recommendation. Stay well.
Merry Christmas / Happy New Year
PS: Love Canada

88 FL

I too agree with the other posters. As a self pay who works in a hospital I had excellent care. Follow up with my pcp and if need would go to a local hospital. I would do it again in a heartbeat and would recommend it to others.

 my surgeon - who is excellent, as is his entire team - works in a wonderful little hospital that is, indeed, fully equipped. I would not have had surgery other than in a hospital, that's for sure. the city was safe as far as I knew. not sure what is going on now.

my surgeon kept me there 3 nights and I was very ready to go home (even the long day of travel) at two but he is a very careful man. if any problem was going to arise, it would have happened by then.

my PCP agreed to treat me afterward, although there really isn't any aftercare with a VSG - just get labs done and keep on top of it.

Hi: The bottom line to all the talk about WLS in Mexico, is Money. As always we need to follow the money trail. I'm not a rich man, so I can understand why people seek out surgery in Mexico. It's sad to read about people *****ally need surgery because of medical issues, but the insurance companies in the US will not approve their claims. Surgery for these friends, is not like getting cosmetic surgery to make one look better, this surgery is about life and dead for some of these patients. I thank you for sharing.

88 FL

My person rule of thumb is if you cant drink the water there, they are not operating on me there.

But thats me.