Mexico? Any horror stories? So cheap!

I just looked at Dr Ramos Kelly Bariatric Website and cannot believe how CHEAP it is to have the VSG.

it states 4,500 for everything (including 3 nights in a  luxury hotel, a driver with car for shopping, free phone calls)

This is CRAZY??  Why  so cheap.

My Gap alone with insurance is 4000 in Australia.

What happens if you have complications and need to stay longer and what happens with aftercare?

 

 

 

My Mexico horor story.. 165 lbs down in a little over 8 months and a bunch of money in my pocket. =). I used Garcia and couldn't be happier. I was worried about Mexico surgery too but did alot of research and went for it. My insurance did not cover wls. You should go the the Mexico board and get more info, if you are intrested. There is great info and reviews about several doctors. I stayed 2 days in a hospital and another couple in the Marriott. I followed up with my doctor here in the states for labs.

I'm right behind Hollirose!  My surgery with Dr. Garcia is scheduled for 1/22 (2 weeks away, OMG!).  I can not believe the attentiveness of my travel coordinator (Alma at Ready 4 A Change) has been AMAZING!  In fact their on site person Melissa just called me two nights ago to chat and give me details.  My total cost for surgery is $4700.  I'm flying from Georgia to San Diego and paid for my mom to come with me, and splurged on first class on the way home for us and my total surgery expenses are about $6400!  I highly recommend the Mexico Self Pay forum on verticalsleevetalk.com as it gets far more traffic than the one here.  I feel very confident in my decision.  Especially after my PCP appointment yesterday.  I was originally going to have surgery at our local military hospital (I'm an Army dependent) and she told me would much rather me go to highly regarded and reputable surgeon in Mexico then to the on post surgeon who is not entirely honest about his complication rate....go to the search bar up top and search Dr. Fernando Garcia, Dr. Aceves, and Dr. G Alvarez.  These are the top 3 guys down there, although I am hearing more and more good things about Dr. ponce De Leon and Dr. Kelly too.  Dr. Ungson does the DS as well for $11,000.  

Dr. Ungson charges more than that - I was quoted $13,000 for Aceves alone to do the DS, $14,500 for Aceves to do it with Ungson assisting him, and $16,000+ for Ungson alone.

ArmyWife29 you are my sleeve sister!  I finally found somebody being sleeved the same day.  I have been checking the Jan boards but had only found many the day before and lots after.  WOO HOOO!  I was looking into Mexico in case the insurance wouldn't come around.

Awesome!  There is a guy named Mike who found me on VST too who the same day as us...he is headed to Mexico with the same doctor as me too!  I'm going to add you as a friend so we can stay in touch :)

That will be great you have someone you "know" before you get there!

I had a great experience at the Hospiten Hospital in Cancun with Dr. Verboonen. The nursing care I got in that hospital was far better than anything I have seen or experienced here in the U.S. The nurses here just don't care. The nurses down there not only care, they enjoy their jobs. My father in law had a mini stroke last year and during his 3 days in the hospital would call for the nurse and it would take 20 to 30 minutes for them to come in while they are at the nursing station talking. I hit the call button and in 30 seconds would have 2 to 3 nurses in my room. During the night they took my blood pressure and kept me comfortable. It was a truly great experience. My whole cost for the surgery plus hotel, flights, food AND gifts for the kids and family was less than $7000 and I paid for the premium hospital as they have a cheaper option. It exceeded my expectations in every way.

Aftercare is a little weak, you will want to find a support group locally, get your primary care doctor on board with what you are doing to give you gallbladder meds and take your bloodwork ever once in a while and get yourself a nutritionist who is familiar with WLS as well as a therapist to talk you through why you got fat in the first place. There is always some emotional issue associated with it.

I went to Dr. Ramos Kelly and the experience was better than the US. The Doc came in every day to speak with me and my family the nurses on staff were friendly and courteous. They always had an english speaker on the floor. My surgery took 60 min from the time I left the room til they brought me back to my room. My recovery was quick and painless. I had no pain. None. I had more pain from the IV getting put in than I had from the entire surgery and recovery. The hotel was beautiful and clean and in a safe area. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I completely recommend Dr. Kelly.  He is a kind generous man and he will make sure you are taken care of. If you need to stay longer he will acommodate you. 4 people had the sleeve when I was there and none of us had any problems and one man went right back to work the day after his surgery. lol

 

Aftercare I went to my primary and told her what I was doing and she agreed to support me. Dr. Kelly told me what labs needed to be run and when and I took that to my primary and she does all of my follow up labs. I would talk with your doctor before you decide to do the surgery. Some won't do the aftercare.

I am getting my surgery in Mexico and I am a nurse here in the states.  One of the reasons why it might be so cheap is because in the states, the prices are inflated due to malpractice insurance, hospital fees, insurance companies, and all the other charges that get added on for various reasons.  WLS has been performed in other countries for a lot longer than here in the states and it's pretty stream line.  However, you still need to do your research.  There are no guarantees no matter where you go.  The problem with WLS in other countries is you don't have all the post op care like you would if you had the procedure by where you live.  There are pros and cons to both.  Since I have to pay out of pocket, I had two options: another country or not have the procedure done.  It comes down to your gut feeling....no pun intended.  If you go to any surgeon, any hospital, any facility, and you don't feel comfortable and safe, don't do it!