Plastics in Mexico.Whats your take on this one?

Is it safe? Are people still going? What doctors are good there?

There are a few that are discussed here that are very good - from the pics I've seen.  Dr. Sauecada (sp) in Montery MX is one that comes to mind.

True medical standards in other countries are different than what they are in the US.  But that should not equate that all drs are horrible.  Finding the right PS in any country requires research.

That addresses one aspect of safety...the other aspect is general travel safety.  You have to watch for travel advisories, check with the embassy, travel boards, etc.  I know that when Mexico comes up as a work possibility for me, I'm told in advance that I will have a personal driver/body guard while I'm there, I'm not to take a taxi ever, not to go out by myself, etc.

It's a matter of the drug cartels are waging war and even if you are not a high profile person (i.e., celebrity,  military person, etc) - if you look American, you stand a chance of being kidnapped on that alone.

Resort areas maybe safer, but you still have to get there.

In short - do your research, be prepared.

I am currently in Monterrey, MX & a patient of Dr. Sauceda. I remember doing months & months of research on PS abroad. I really worried about leaving the country & being away from home etc... But, I have to say that I have been impressed with my surgeon & my recovery experience here.
I really like what Lisa had to say in her post. Although this area of Monterrey is not what I expected in my mind of Mexico at all. It is a middle class to upper middle class area & the costs of goods are higher than they are in the states. The people are very business (white collar) oriented & I have not seen anyone that has made me uneasy in 2 weeks. That does not even happen in my own neighborhood! I would not ever travel alone here & stick close to the area just in case. But you are here to recover, not vacation so it's no problem! ;-)

I also would like to add that for some, the costs of PS in the states is a consideration on why we at least look abroad. Financially it would have prohibited me from being able to have the procedures I did together. I could have had one with what we were able to afford. Instead I was able to have both areas done that I really wanted repaired.

I was lucky too I had a friend who had PS with Dr. S in December. I respected her opinions & appreciated her results. It was still not an easy decision for me because I am a worry wort. But, in the end everything has been wonderful. Now to just get home (Saturday) & continue to have an unremarkable recovery at home. I can't wait to be back in my own home, with my family, & sleep in my own bed. ;-)

Feel free to ask questions. Everyone was so helpful to me, but ultimately you have to take your own research into account & of course make the right decision for you.

Good Luck,

Have a local doctor who knows what you are surgery you plan and who agrees. to assume your care when you get home. If not, you will find yourself doing a lot of "Do It Yourself"  postop care.

Postop fluid collections (that later get infected) are a huge issue here.

See if your insurance, or perhaps travel insurance, would cover you if you developed problems while away and needed to stay longer or receive extra services.

See if your insurance covers you for care of complications after you are home.

Ask about how you will be treated for blood clot prevention, since a large surgery like this plus the compression garment plus travel (over 3 hours) are all separate  risk factors for clot development.

Check online for the actual agency that lists your surgeon's credentials, and understand that "board certification" means different things in different countries.
 
Check the accredidation of the facility where  your surgery will be performed at: http://www.jointcommissioninternational.org/International-Es sentials-for-Quality-and-Patient-Safety/  and request their free "International Essentials for Quality and Patient Safety" handbook.

If cost savings is your main concern, consider a residency or University training program close to your home as an option.

Hope this helps,

Agree 100% with John. It is a very poor decision to do this kind of surgery so far from home, which has nothing to do with the skill of the surgeon. Complications are frequent and often delayed in how they present, which makes bariatric patients exceptionally ill suited for this. In addition, Mexico is in the middle of narco civil war with no really areas considered safe for travel presently (this from the US state department). Monterray, where Dr. Sauceda works I believe, was added to the list of areas to avoid this Summer.

Dr Sauceda is in Monterrey and I never felt safer.  He looks after his patients by having them picked up and dropped off at the airport by his hired driver.  He puts us into reputable hotels where we are safe.   He even picks us up the day of our surgery and delivers us back to the hotel when we are discharged.   I also had complications, which he had me fly back for and attended to with no cost to me.  If I choose to have more procedures, he would be my first email. 
I understand the both of you saying the same thing, why recommend someone out of country?  Medical Tourism is a huge industry, and I'm sure takes monies out of your pocket.  But the proof is in the pudding and this man knows his stuff and has a realistic view on what he can do for bariatric patients.  His patients are thrilled by their experience down there, and the work that he does.
Each time Mexico and Dr. Sauceda are mentioned on this board one particular surgeon says the same thin.   Dr S looks after his patients and if you review his board, you would see that. 

Bonnie
who doesn't like her choice of a plastic surgeon slammed when it all turned out very well.

Are you saying that he paid for your return flight and accommodations for the complications? Does he do that for all of his patients? If so, that is wonderful!

He covered everything when I went back with a belly full of fluid.  He repaired a seroma hole, removed the fluid, installed a new drain.  He paid clinic fees, and airfare, he paid hotel, and to and from the airport.  The only expense I had was food.   He is a very caring and talented man who I would assume would look after all his patients.

Bonnie

That is truly fantastic that he made the process as easy as possible for you. It says a lot about his character.

Your own example is prime example of why this is ill-advised.  Wound breakdown or seromas are not rare in weight loss patients and they often require multiple return visits to manage and occassionally they require significant reoperation.  If this recurs again are you planning on  commuting back and forth to Mexico to have this managed? A small number of these seormas and wounds are eventually complicated by secondary infection that can be quite serious. This type of event is the major flaw when considering any type of surgical tourism, be it to Mexico or even long distances within the United States. For low morbity operations like breast implants, liposuction, or nasal surgery you can make a more compelling case, but for major post bariatric procedures this is problematic

Just this week my partner was consulting on a weight loss patient who'd had a gastric sleeve in Mexico to save $2500 and who had complications shortly after returning stateside that required multiple surgeries, short term dialysis, and an extended ICU stay. Her hospital bill here is in excess of $3 million USD and her insurer is refusing to pay her bill as her elective procedure was done in Mexico. This is an exceptional example, but hospitalizations after big bariatric plastic surgery procedures are more frequent then I think you realize.