Surgery in Mexico

 I know the successes of surgery in Mexico and I also know the horror stories. I would save, borrow take a loan out to have surgery here in the US. In Mexico you have no protection, no back-up and everyone is shocked when they need medical treatment and find out what they are up against.  So good luck to those who have had no problems and sorry for those that walked right into a nightmare.  Jane

Its a tough decision that's for sure.  I have seen people have issues in the USA too, so do they not help you if you had gone to Mexico?  I'm from Canada and I know there are a few doctors here who are good but I actually feel more confident getting my surgery done in Mexico.  I did research doctors though and feel that the doctor I have chosen is a very good doctor with a good technique and reputation (I'm getting a VSG).  Unless there is a conspiracy on every board and all his bad reviews are being removed (I hope not!), I feel 100% fine with my decision.  My doctor actually suggested I go to Mexico, as he has had patients who have had their VSGs done there.  I am grateful that if something happens when I get home I won't have to worry about thousands of dollars in medical bills and whatnot.  I am hoping that nothing happens though.  But ya never know.\

I can imagine it must be different in the states though if people don't have insurance or no doctor will touch them if they got butchered in Mexico.  I feel sad for them too, and have met some people from Canada who have had relatives get hacked up down there and end up being hospitalized when they got home. 

A problem for some people in the US is that they don't arrange for follow up care before going to Mexico.  I can't imagine why you would do that, but people do. Then they get back home, develop a problem, and can't find a local doc to treat them.  In an emergency you can go to any ER in the US and they must provide emergency life saving care for you.  For instance, if you have an infection, they will look at you and write you a prescription.  But then they will tell you to see your own doctor for follow up.

I think the problem comes when people don't arrange for follow up at home.  There are docs that are happy to treat patients that had surgery in Mexico and there are those that don't want anything to do with those patients.  It makes no sense to me that some people have surgery far from home with no follow up close to home arranged ahead of time.  Personally, I think surgeons should refuse to operate on patients that have no arrangements for follow up care.  And I would include surgeons in the US in that; some patients have surgery in another state, for instance.  They need a doc close to home in case of emergencies that can see them.

I had wondered about this very thing--where people who have surgery away from home go for follow up.  I'm glad to see it discussed. (It doesn't affect me; I'm just curious.)

 Where is this coming from?  

I had surgery in Mexico, and I did my due diligence to find local providers to treat me afterwards.  Right now, I'm looking at options for my required six month follow up.   I'm pretty sure I'm actually going to go back to Mexico where the cost will be 1/10th the cost of following up here.  

My favorite counter-argument to having surgery in Mexico is the idea that I would have to pay out of pocket for any complications that happened when I sought treatment here.  The truth is that my surgery and any consequences thereof are not covered by insurance.   I'd have to pay out of pocket no matter where I received treatment.

Although I understand that there are some shady operators in Mexico, I have to tell you that while I was in Mexico I had amazing care in a modern and CLEAN hospital.   I had five nights in the hospital, whereas I would have gotten one night in the hospital back home.  My doctors visited me once or twice a day, and spoke with me for as long as I needed.   When I had my first dumping episode, there was a nurse available to treat me with anti-nausea medicine.   When I had incision pain, my doctors were able to fix it right away.   All my drains were removed before I went home, and when I got home, incision care was minimal.  

My surgeons provided me with my Xrays, test results and surgical reports for the benefit of my doctors here.  They were written in English and contained as much, if not more, detail than any surgical reports I have read (I used to review medical records for my job).  

Before I went to Mexico, I researched the surgical program extensively.  I read virtually every review on this site, and I also did a general google search.  I verified my surgeon's credentials.   (Quite frankly, the program I chose actually had fewer complaints than the one I was considering in Minnesota, which is another Center of Excellence).  I spoke to people who had surgery with this doctor.  

This post is NOT an endorsement for my surgeon (although I would endorse him).  People need to do their own research and make their own decisions, but there is no reason that medical tourism shouldn't be a viable option.  

I had RNY in Mexico and 2 rounds of Plastic Surgery. All were great experiences, in fact they were better than US Dr./hospital experiences I've had. I will be going back one of these days for another round of plastics.

Like any country there are good and bad doctors and programs. Research is key... reading, emailing, chatting with former patients.

Have a plan in place for follow-up care and understand that if your insurance won't cover the surgery chances are if you have complications they won't cover those either. It's not the right choice for everyone but it was the best decision I ever made.

I hope everyone considering medical tourism has as great an experiences as I had.

~Michelle "Shelly"

Sorry Jane but i have to agree with most of the posters here . . . I too had my VSG in Mexico. I did my extensive research beforehand and knew what I was getting. I was self pay and there's no way I wanted to wait YEARS to save up the money to have it done in the U.S. For me, the trip was easy. My care was FABULOUS. First, I knew I was in very competent hands with my surgeon, who also had excellent credentials. He had been doing this surgery, more years of surgeries and more surgeries than the U.S. dcotors. Those on the surgical team numbered more than 6 (I lost count as I went under.) I had 24 hour nursing care and never needed for a thing. I had no complications, even months after, and have healed nicely. The doctor also visited with me after the surgery. I know it's not for everybody but I'd do it again in a heartbeat and also plan to go to Mexico for my plastic surgery, once I save up for it. Do your research. Talk to others who have used the same surgeon, etc. Good luck to to you all.

 I arranged for a US PCP to follow up with me post op if I needed it but all I have ever needed is lab work done.

my experience in Mexico was outstanding - excellent surgeon, wonderful hospital and easily MUCH better care than I would have paid much more for here in the US at my local hospital.

 for those that had surgery in mexico i would love to get some info from you, i am debating going to mexico as well.