Weight Loss in Mexico

Hi Everyone,
Did you every stop and think “you really do get what you pay for."  Yes I know that there are a lot of different prices when it comes to Weight Loss Surgery.  If you are a self-pay patient people look at going outside the US—it just cost a lot less and for many Mexico is the first place they may look.  All you have to do is look around on the internet.  So ask yourself why are their prices lower for so many doctors in Mexico? 

What I am going to talk about are some of my concerns about WLS in Mexico—and yes I went to Mexico myself. Here are some of the things I have learned while doing my research into doctors and hospitals or clinics.

1.     Your recovery is done is a Recovery House or Hotel for some.  I have heard some of you say that there are nurses 24-7 in these Recovery Houses.  PLEASE ask to see documentation that proves they are really a RN.  There is nothing wrong with asking questions—this is your health and your life we are talking about. Make sure that is truly who will be taking care of you during your stay in a Recovery House.  If it is a hotel they come and check on your and are NOT there 24-7.


2.    Ask questions about what kind of staples they use-I have heard that some of these doctors are using black market supplies—such as staples.  We go to these facilities thinking that we are getting top of the line supplies, drugs and staples.  You should receive very best medical titanium staples you can have.  Please make them prove to you what they are going to use on you.  Feel really comfortable with the answers they give you.
 

3.    You have every RIGHT to know what they are putting in your body.  They are going to be there for the rest of your life?  Why is it that we think that we can’t question a hospital or a doctor about these things?  We ask more questions when we go to buy a new car than we do about Weight Loss Surgery. Well at least a lot of people do.  We want this surgery and we assume too much sometimes.

I know that I had the answers before I went to have Weight Loss Surgery.  I knew I was paying more, and I knew why.  I have also heard that some of these less expensive doctors are using veterinary supplies.  We are not animals we are humans and we do deserve to have the very best we can.  Please READ EVERYTHING you can find about the Doctor you are going to have do your surgery. 

I am also saying there are some very good doctors in Mexico, but take a little time and check things out.

Hugs,
Suzanne
 

Hey Suzanne,

Thanks for posting this. I have health insurance through BCBSNC, but my plan has a very high deductible (10k), so you could say that I am self pay. I was looking into wls in mexico, but I have to admit that some things worry me. Where would I go if I were to have a leak? Is aftercare something I could go to my pcp for, and this might sound crazy but I'm scared I won't fit in the airplane seat (5'5, 300lbs). I've heard so many great things about Dr. Aceves though, and I would love to give him a try.

Hi,

Dr. Aceves is the very best you can have--I speak from experience.  I would have picked him over ANYONE.  I had the money to pay for it in the US and after I started my research I knew without a doubt that is was going to be Dr. Aceves for me. A lot of US doctors just don't have as much experience as he does.  I wanted the best I could find.  Your PCP will do any after care that you need.  Honestly there is very little after care with the sleeve.  Maybe some blood panels now and then at the begining of your journey.  You will NOT have any leaks.  Dr. Aceves checks you 3 times before he will allow you to go home. 

STOP putting up the doors in front of your success--like the plane.  You can get a seatbelt extender.  Ask ahead of time before you get on the plane if you will fit in their seat.  It is normal to have fears--we all had them, but they didn't stop us.  But, honestly how many more days of your life do you want to give away being overweight?  It is just one more day that you can never have back.

I can tell you that last time I knew Dr. Aceves charges $8,750 for sleeve surgery.  Please feel free to ask me any question that you might have.  I have all kinds of information and some answers for you too.  Go back and read some of my previous posts that I have posted.  They might answer a lot of your questions and also address some of your fears.

You deserve to become healthy and I am proud of you for talking about weight loss surgery.  That is the very first step.  To say it out loud.

Hugs,
Suzanne

Wow, you are so very encouraging! Thank you so much for saying the words that I really needed to hear. I just emailed Dr. Aceves' office, but I still have so many questions to ask. I'm going to check our your posts right now!

Thanks,
Stephanie

Hi,

I love a person that asks a lot of questions.  Smart girl to do that.  I am always here to answer any and all your questions.  I want you to feel very comfortable with the answers and if you don't keep asking me OK. 

This is ALL about you and NO one else.  You have to do what is right for you.  I know you can become very successful and lose this weight.  If diet and exercise alone worked for EVERYONE we wouldn't have any fat people in the world.  We need something else.  There is NO shame in having weight loss surgery.  It takes a whole lot of courage to do what you are about to do.  I am so proud of you for starting this process.

Hugs,
Suzanne

Ok... so I read all of your posts, great info by the way. They did answer a lot, but I only have a few more questions to ask you.

1.  Did you have to make a down payment to schedule surgery?
2.  What was your pain level after the surgery?
3.  How was your flight home: were you uncomfortable in any way (pain-wise)?

Hi,

1.  Did you have to make a down payment to schedule surgery?
Answer:  Yes. they will ask you to send them a personal check for $500.00
 
2.  What was your pain level after the surgery?
Answer:  I had very little pain.  They do an excellent job with pain management thought medication.  If you are in ANY pain tell them, they will take care of it.  I had a small amount of pain in my chest, but that was caused from the gas that they had pumped in my stomach area to be able to work on my sleeve.  That can be taken care of by using GAS-X thin strips that melt in your mouth. YOU need to take those with you.  They do NOT have GAS-X in Mexico, so I highly recommend you buy 2 or 3 boxes and take them with you.

3.  How was your flight home: were you uncomfortable in any way (pain-wise)? 
Answer:  I had a great flight home.  NO pain at ALL.  They give you pain meds to take home and they medication just melts in your mouth.  I didn't have any problems at all. I do suggest when you are getting your boarding pass or checking in with the Airlines that you tell them that you just had surgery and are on your way home.  They will give you a boarding pass to board with the 1st group of people.  If you feel you need a wheel chair order one the night before through the airlines.  They are glad to provide that service for you.  I had NO need for one.

Hugs,
Suzanne


 

Thanks again for taking the time to answer all of my questions. It is a blessing to have such an awesome support system!

Hi,

Not a problem at all. I also was very blessing to have great support and a lot of new friends, who helped me along my journey.

Hugs,
Suzanne

 Very good points. I had also decided to have my surgery with Dr. Aceves, and am currently in the process of setting up my surgery time too. I have researched so many surgeons and read countless reviews the past month, and Dr. Aceves has come out on top each time. I am more than confident in him, and am excited to make this journey through him. Finding this thread only solidified my choice in Dr. Aceves as being the right choice for me. Being in an hospital for 3 days after the surgery was a huge thing for me. Can't wait for January to come.