Lab band or sleeve in Mexico?

Does anyone have any experience?

What doctor did you use?

When was your surgery?

What surgery did you have?

How much did you pay?

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/mexico/

Having worked in the Bariatric field for a few years, I have been acquainted with several people who have had a surgery outside of the U.S., having medical problems, and can't find follow-up care...and can't afford to travel back to their original surgeon.  U.S. surgeon's are often restricted by their malpractice insurance from treating people who have had procedures elsewhere.

Travel is a biggie.....people who have come to Phoenix from outlying AZ cities even run into problems getting immediate and good aftercare.

PLEASE consider the follow-up care and how important it is for your successful journey.  Support groups?  Labs?  Complications?

That being said, good luck!  Let us know how we can support you!!!!

I wanted to address some of the concerns you raised. For the most part surgeons do not want to deal a patient who has complications from another surgeon's work whether the surgery occured in the US or elsewhere. Case in point was a good friend of mine that had surgery  (RNY) at a local center of excellence. She was visiting family in TX and began have serious problems. No surgeon in the area would treat her and she had to return to Phx, in great pain, to her original surgeon to address the issue which turned out to be strictures. The issue is not so much having surgery in the US vs. Mexico but doctors being very relcutant to "fix something they did not cause". Additionally if you are self pay and concerned your insurance will not cover complicatiions the problem will the the same whether you had your surgery in the US, Mexico or on Mars.
In terms of aftercare, the sleeve requires very little aftercare. I have had no problems getting my labs done by my PCP and totally covered under my insurance. There are many support groups in the greater Phx area that are free and open to everyone where they had their surgery and whichever procedure they had so that is not a huge problem.
You have to be comfortable with your choice and it is good to see you posting and asking questions. I would encourage you to post on both the lap band and VSG board and ask the same questions as you will get answers and feed back from folks who have "been there, done that"

Dr. Schlesinger, Dr. Juarez and Dr. Simpson - routinely take other surgeon's patient's that have had surgery in the U.S.  ....  An O.H. friend recently had surgery with Dr. Husted in KY, had an emergency here in AZ (her home), couldn't afford to return to KY for emergency care and found great help from Dr. Schlesinger here.  ....  Another friend lives in the AZ mountains, quite far from Dr. Juarez, her surgeon.  She had emergency care in her small town.....where the doctor's communicated via phone with Dr. Juarez..  ....  Because their surgeon's were in the U.S.

Your point is certainly valid and I don't have any reason to push people to U.S. Bariatric surgeons...I just have had so many experiences with peeps who have had a rough go when things haven't gone well with their out of Country recovery;  in fact, 60 minutes did an entire program on it.   You have been very fortunate so your experience is a positive one to share.  My goal is just to bring up points of consideration so that people realize the possibilities of any decision.  Of course there are many success stories coming out of other Countries!

The bottom line, is that if one of my family members did not have insurance to cover a lifesaving procedure of any type,  then I would certainly help them research ALL their options; to include surgery outside of the U.S.  We often have to take a risk to save our lives.  Surgery of any type; done anywhere includes some risk.

The perfect scenario would be to have an outstanding surgeon in your own neighborhood with a fabulous aftercare program ...all of which is covered by insurance..... life doesn't always dish us perfect scenarios though, right?

Kudos to you!  So glad the sleeve is doin the job for you!  I think the sleeve is an amazing procedure and I wish the insurances would get on board a bit more in covering it!!!!  If I were starting from scratch; I would start with the sleeve, knowing that the option to add the switch later would be availble if needed.

Congrats on your WL success!!!

She had emergency care in her small town.....where the doctor's communicated via phone with Dr. Juarez..  ....  Because their surgeon's were in the U.S.

This could easily be done with a surgeon in MX as well. They have phones and they do speak English.
It is wonderful that the docs you mentioned will treat other doc's patients however I know of SEVERAL cases where docs will not touch any surgery that had been done by a surgeon other than themselves and this occured within the US and involved US surgeons.
I also did not go in to this thinking well I can have the switch later. For me having a procedure that involved malabsorbtion was not an option. I have personal knowledge of friends who have had serious, ongoing, medical issues directly attributed to malabsorbtion who had their procedure done in the US, at a center of excellence using a highly rated surgeon.
I too have seen 60 minute type epidsodes talking about the risks of out of country surgeries and if I recall correctly most involved plastic surgery type procedures.
I stand by my suggestion that folks that are considering having surgery procedures in MX talk to folks that have been there done that.

You said:  ~~"I stand by my suggestion that folks that are considering having surgery procedures in MX talk to folks that have been there done that." ~~

You mean like Betty?  ....  One does not have to experience joy or sorrow personally to understand the concept....that is called "education".  I've never seen Ireland, yet I know it's there..  I've never had any surgery out of Country but wouldn't rule it out if my life depended on it.  ....  Giving people the range of possibilities to consider is a responsibility that all surgeons and people who work in the business should share with pre-ops.  Don't take "my" thoughts personally.  You have had a great experience and that speaks volumes for the positive possibilities.  As you pointed out; many have complications within the U.S. as well.  That's why it's very important to have all the weapons for safety lined up in your corner BEFORE you undertake the risk of a surgery.  Having a specialist in proximity and, who may be under insurance coverage is definitely a bonus for anyone.


Whatever you do is it truthful, necessary and kind?  Cool saying!

Good luck on the rest of your journey!  Kudos to you for speaking up; it doesn't hurt our forum to have some healthy debate.....it possibly helps the pre-ops weigh their options....always a good thing! 

 

I have NO idea who Betty is.  Education is one thing and experience is quite another. Information is one thing, personal experience is another.All I am saying is it behooves someone considering WLS out of the US to talk to folks that have that experience. If I were considering going to Ireland talking to folks that have gone there would be much more helpful to me, personally, than reading a book about it.  
You keep talking about safety and having a "specialist" in your corner being so important but you seem to downplay the concept that having surgery in the US vs Mexico means that a local surgeon WILL treat complications and this is simply not always the case.  I know personally of situations where freinds experienced complications from a surgery done in the US, in AZ, who had to return to AZ to get medical help because the surgeons where she was would NOT treat her because they did not want to deal with her since they had not treated her.  This can and does happen with surgeries done in the US and to imply differently is not fair.
The fact that you would not consider going out of the US for surgery unless you life was in danger shows your bias for US surgeons which is fine, but does not change the bias.
The bottom line is there are excellent surgeons both in the US and other countries and sharing personal experiences with folks considering a WLS procedure is, to me, far more useful than folks advising folks on things they have not experienced.

O.K. , if experience is the only thing that has any validity then MY experience with people going out of Country (not just Mexico) has included MANY post-ops who have had troubles and have been unable to get immediate and appropriate care.  Many have turned to me since I have been in the loop for several years.  I have worked in Bariatric programs for 7 years.  ....  I would be more likely to see and hear of the complications being experienced.  The successes are at home telling everyone to go to their surgeon!  .....   

The right to refuse care of a paitent exists across the world.  It is our responsibility to set ourselves up in a situation that can cover future possible emergencies.  i.e. good insurance, big savings account, knowledge of the surgeons and types of surgeries, etc.  If someone is out of state or out of their city then I would suspect they would find good care ahead of time in that area.  There are posts daily on the general forum of people asking for good pcp's, etc who can do their follow-up care.  The time to get your specialists lined up for aftercare is NOT when you've got an emergency!  Having one in your neighborhood is not only a comfort but may very well be a lfiesaver!

My "opinion" is based on my experience.  Your "opinion" is based on your experience.

People should include all possibilities, both good and bad in their considerations for surgery anywhere.

I never said experience was the only VALID source of information, although I think it is a good source.
My experience includes knowing of cases where surgery done in the US has had major post op complications that US doctors refused to treat. I NEVER said anything about using a particular surgeon and never even mentioned any surgeon's name. If I recall correctly you were the one that brought up specific surgeons.
Emergencies happen, even with planning. One cannot predict what will happen when leaving their local area for a weekend and it would be absurd for everyone to find doctors, surgeons, dentists etc everytime they leave their homes and travel somewhere for a few days. The case I was referring to was a friend who had surgery here in the Valley in a center of excellence, with a well known surgeon. She was doing fine and had no problems. Several months after surgery she went to visit family in TX for a weekend and experienced some major, unforeseen problems and the hospital and doctors there would NOT treat her forcing her to return to Phx, in serious pain, to get treatment/surgery to correct the problem. She could not have anticipated having a problem/emergency. It had nothing to do with where she had her surgery and this can happen anywhere anytime. Not just with folks having surgery out of the country. I am also somewhat offended  by the comment you made earlier about a surgeon here being able to consult with the original surgeon because they both spoke English. Surgeons in MX can and do speak English and are available by phone.
While some people do NOT plan ahead for the long term that is true for folks having surgery both in the US and out of country.I agree that planning is critical no matter where you had your surgery.  I had a plan worked out with my PCP to follow me for labs. I had no problem setting up support groups or a nutritionist because I did plan ahead. Not planning ahead is NOT limited to folks having surgery in other countries.
I fail to see why you think poor planning is limited to folks that had surgery in Mexico.
Also who the heck is the person you referenced in you previous post. I still have NO idea who she is or what she had to do with the discussion.

You said:
"I am also somewhat offended  by the comment you made earlier about a surgeon here being able to consult with the original surgeon because they both spoke English."

Nope, I never said that.  I have always been very careful to never even say "Mexican surgeon"...I have always referred to "any surgery outside of the U.S." ...that could be Canada, Spain, Brazil, etc. Whether or not anyone speaks English, German or can't speak at all has little to do with the situation.

You Said:
"Also who the heck is the person you referenced in you previous post. I still have NO idea who she is or what she had to do with the discussion"

Read the entire thread.

We diagree.  Period.  Be well friend.