Plastic Surgery Abroad

Thank you, I will check everything you suggest.

I agree with this. I had my weight loss surgery abroad. It was not too expensive. I developed gastric reflux symptoms right away and thought is was just par for the procedure so I endured those symptoms for several years. As it turns out, I had a hiatal hernia prior to the weight loss surgery (this was known) which is usually surgically repaired during the weight loss procedure in this country (to prevent the symptoms I ended up with), but I "got what I paid for" and it was not corrected at the time of surgery and I endured several years of misery. After I had the hiatal hernia repair here at home, the symptoms that literally made me miserable for several years went away immediately. At no time, did that surgeon or anyone from his office call or email me to check on me. That made me wonder........if a surgeon does not follow up on his own work, how will he know how to "tweek" his procedure to make it better next time? How will he know what he does that works well and what he does that does not work well, so that he can learn from his own experiences. After I thought about what could have happened to me and after I reminded myself that I would be looking at the plastic surgeon's work for the rest of my life...........I did not consider going out of the USA for plastics. I had several procedures done in my state by a fabulous board certified plastic surgeon. He is accountable to me and I am thrilled with his work. What I see when I look in the mirror was worth the extra money. Thank God for our USA docs!

While I totally agree that some Surgeons abroad are worthless, I don't agree with a "blanket statement" that all surgeons aboard are worthless. 

I know others who have gone to plastic surgeons aboard that I wouldn't send my dog to.  However, I know some who have had amazing results, great follow up and excellent service all the way around.  The same goes for WLS aboard,  you can get good and you can get bad. 

I think it is all about doing your research, IF there are any negative reports, AVOID  that surgeon completely and move on to another.  Some hear the negatives and get so wrapped up in the price, they ignore them and often times, they end up regretting it.

For me, my plastics aboard experience has been excellent, safe and worth bragging about.  I trust my surgeon because safety is his priority.  He's honest and clear about expectations.  I wouldn't put him in a "blanket category" that degrades all plastic surgeons aboard.   But then again, I had a plastic surgeon here in the states who was willing to consult with my PCP on my follow up care, so my care stateside was just as good when I returned after 17 days with my surgeon and his RN caring for me daily.

I'm assuming your post is directed at me so here's my reply........First of all, reread my statement and tell me where you see a "blanket statement" that all surgeons abroad are worthless or a statement that degrades them? There are good and bad in every profession (including medicine) in every country and you are right.......researching a potential surgeon is key. The truth is............ here, you mainly see and hear about one side of the story which is your side.......those who are pleased with their outcome and did not have to seek multiple revisions from a surgeon in this country to correct what another created. Those people who did not have a good experience probably do not want to discuss it with this forum or show their pictures because they are embarrassed and they do not want the oppositional discussion that you are presenting to me. Surgery abroad IS cheaper but also with more risk (my opinion) and I took the cheaper route once and it was a problem FOR ME, thus I won't do that again. I do not look in the mirror everyday and see my inner anatomy, so the method in which my stomach was cut/stapled (weight loss surgery) is of no concern to me at this point. Plastic surgery is different, as the method and skill possessed by a surgeon will be keenly visible (and with plastic surgery that's the point isn't it?) . Again......  if a surgeon does not follow up on his own work, see what works, what does not work, tweek his procedures accordingly, how will he become top notch? You are pleased with your outcome......that is your experience. That does not mean however, that all who are influenced by your recommendation/referral for a particular surgeon in any country will have the same experience. I am also very pleased with my results from my plastic surgeon here in the USA.

If you knew that you had a hiatal hernia going into WLS, did you not discuss it with your surgeon before your surgery?

I do take exception with you lumping all abroad surgeons in with your WL surgeon.  There are some amazing DS surgeons that folks have been using for years that reside in Mexico, Brazil and Spain.  

As for PS out of the US, I've had wonderful results from Dr Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico.  I had better after care while I was in Mexico, than I would have received in the states.  Dr Sauceda came by daily to see me in the clinic and at the hotel.  His RN came by daily while I was in the hotel to help me shower, deal with my stitches and drains and get me back into my garments.  I've been in Dr Sauceda's OR twice now and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone.  I'm as thrilled with my results, as you are with yours. 

When you read the post and you see the words "this was known" in parenthesis that means it was discussed, otherwise why would I bother to mention it......right? When you "take exception" to me "lumping all abroad surgeons in with my weight loss surgeon" I would ask you to find the portion of my post that does that, because I didn't say that at all. Also, this is a forum that members can express opinions/talk about experiences etc. My opinion and my experience may differ from yours. Don't try to bully me for expressing my opinion because it differs from yours............cause I'm not interested nor am I intimidated. Lastly, You can say all the great stuff you want about your surgeon (and it does not bother me that you do that) and I won't argue with you. My USA experience with surgery was much better than my foreign medical experience and that is a fact. Though you don't find me trying to sway others toward a particular surgeon..........if someone asked for the name of a great plastic surgeon in my area, I would not hesitate to give his name. Regards!

Who did you see in KY if you don;t mind me asking?  I like in the South and might consider them.

Dr Bradley Calobrace, Louisville Ky.  He is a fabulous surgeon!    www.calobrace.com

Strongly agree with John's comments.

Post bariatric plastic surgery has one of the higher complication rates around. It is strongly recommended by most authorities on this to not consider trying to do long-distance surgery and follow-up for these procedures. Doing this in a foreign country adds even more potential land mines.

We do stress that you have  your PCP on board for follow  up before you go to Dr Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico.

I'm in Mexico for my 2nd time.  I had an upper body lift and a revision to my left arm this morning.  My first time I had an LBL, BL, arms and sm TL, and 4 days later a full neck and face lift, that was 2 years ago.  The care that I received was top notch.  The after care includes time in the 24/7 clini****il you can manage being at the hotel.  Dr Sauceda comes by daily to check on you and when you are at the hotel, his RN, Paty comes by daily to help you shower and puts ointment and gauze back on you, then gets you back into your compression garments.

Leg compressions are put on your legs before your surgery.  I didn't even feel a ***** for the epidural and was out the entire time with twilight sedation.  In recovery, I talked to my daughter and mom and was coherent and felt terrific.  

I had no problems with my first recovery.  My PCP did have her NPs remove my stitches at 3 weeks that were still in, BL and sm TL.  I was in Monterrey for 14 days the first time.  This time I'll be here 7 days.  I'll be in the clinic for 1 or 2 days, then at the hotel.

I can't be happier with my choice of Dr Sauceda, his artistry and the care that I receive both in the clinic and the hotel.   I will continue to recommend folks read our information on our group forum and learn as much as you can about Medical Tourism.  It isn't for everyone, but it can be a wonderful experience.  

Yes, we do have a few folks that have had seromas and they post about them.  Also, when their PCPs aren't on board, some have gone to urgent care to get their stitches out.  Others have been in swell hell with almost 20lbs of weight gain.  They've also posted that most of that weight has come back off.  We are nothing but truthful, but no one has ever said that they wish they had never gone to Monterrey and Dr Sauceda.