Just a warning about a medical tourism coordinator

Did you know that according to the CDC the US has higher hospital infection born stats than Mexico?

I was actually going to give you a link to a goldmine of information on exactly what you are writing about with links to verify licensing, etc. but I think your take on all this is a bit too negative and I don't think I am willing to share my work with you.  WLS is life saving for people. They don't need warnings, they need factual info on how to do this.  Many will die without surgery but hey... they'll die obese and in the US, right? ;o)

You're writting specifically about Mexico. I write globally. You can travel for health care to United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Israel, India, Nigeria etc. Medical statistics and safety of medical procedures differ a lot between countries. I'm not negative, I'm cautious. When I hear stories that someone travelled abroad for surgery not knowing the name of the surgeon, not having the consultatution with him before travel, not knowing what to expect- it's not safe, it's not rational. You can't be too careful when it comes to your health and life.  You took it too personally (unnecessarily).

True, I do refer to Mexico and that is why I pointed out the fact I was writing specifically about Mexico.  But you did kinda type with a wide paintbrush and that simply is not accurate information.

Most people in the US do not travel to:

~~ United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Israel, India, Nigeria etc.~~

The vast majority for all surgery types go to Mexico and there is nobody on this planet more critical of Mexico than me.  But, I did something about it.  I have a blog on HOW to research, the crappy things coordinators do to get your business, how they go about lying, how to catch them in lies, how to verify licensing, board certification, the works.  I am the person responsible for the recent media attention for a really, seriously harmful surgeon in Mexico.  I proved myself to them that I was telling the truth, they did their research and found even more people that were harmed than I even knew about. You might say I put my time where my mouth is.  One simple article in a blog is not going to do that, it takes weeks and months of research, talking to the govt of that country, I put my heart and soul into safe surgery in Mexico.  As I happen upon good links for other countries where people are getting (for example) plastics.  But I am clear.. I know very little about plastics. But here is "X" link that you might find useful for the Dominican Republic (not my favorite place for any surgery) etc.  Since I am not strong in plastics I do have a plastic surgeon helping me, he teaches me about various types of training, anything plastics related he helps me with links and information because plastics is not my strong suit.

I had the money for surgery x2 in the US, I opted for self pay for a variety of reasons.  My ins would have paid all of one surgery and the bulk of the 2nd.  But I opted for self pay for a variety of reasons, everything from privacy issues to convenience but!!!  I really did my research and I knew what I was getting myself into.  I even knew the credit score of my surgeon!  If a surgeon in Mexico has lousy credit they also are unlikely to pay their staff in a timely manner and that, quite frankly, is a big sign.

I love when doctors from all countries post every now and again and answer questions. The plastic surgeon above is a great example. But when  surgeon posts daily and answers a ton of questions you know what that tells me?  It tells me they are not spending their time in OR. That's another red flag.  That tells me they don't have as many patients as they infer/claim and they can't afford advertising so they post on patient support boards. But people such as the above surgeon?  I think it's great and it's a much needed service.

I fully admit to being very opinionated on this topic but I defend my stance with years of research.

Tell me something, please. (I fully understand this is none of my business so you have every right not to respond!)  Have you ever had surgery outside the US?  Do you have any personal experience?  I am not claiming that one needs personal experience to write about a topic, I am merely curious.

BTW.. I sincerely did not take your post personally.  I think it would probably make me a little weird if I took a post from someone I do not know personally.  It's just that the very topic you are writing about is a passion of mine and I have devoted a massive amount of time researching, talking to doctors, patient coordinators, people who have been maimed, family members of dead patients.  The reason I do not wish to share my blog with you as well as other sources is I have a hunch you will zone in on the negatives, examples of maimed people.

I disagree with big warnings and such. Especially when it comes to bariatrics... people ARE going to travel.  They really do believe things happen to others, they will be fine.  They will disregard warnings but over the years I have learned that if given the tools and knowledge on how to research, they will.  The reality is they are desperate and they are willing to take a chance and they truly do not need to take chances, they just need the tools and knowledge and they will put in time to research.

Of course, there are MANY people who do not research, they doctor shop by price. They are looking for the best price regardless of country.  Those are the people that worry me the most but... you just can't save people from themselves.  Especially when they come home dead. :( 

My occupation is related to medicine and I've been working in this industry (medicine) for many years. That's how I know what you should expect as a patient/medical tourist. I live in a quite popular medical tourism destination and I know that you get high quality health care here where I live. I never claimed that people form USA often travel to any country I listed.  Medical tourists are in many countries, not only in USA. Medical tourism is a global market and I don't concentrate only on USA. 

To be honest I don't understand- are you arguing with me? Why? If yes,what's upset you?

What are you talking about?  I'm not arguing at all. 

Good grief, never mind.

Oh, I'm so glad my plastic surgery went well. I was abroad too. My surgery took place in Prague at Forme clinic. I found agency called MedicaltravelCzech and they helped to find Forme clinic where I underwent tummy tuck surgery. It was cheaper but still full service. I have no problems with agency or clinic.

...Ok.