VSG in Mexico Questions

 This question is for anyone who has gone to Mexico for surgery. I do have a Dr. in mind. All he does is VSG and bands I want to have VSG. My questions are
1. Have you had any complications since you came home and if you did could you find a bariatric doctor that would even talk to you once they found out you had surgery in Mexico.
2. What did your primary care physician have to say, did they tell you to find a new physician. 
3. Do you even need to follow up with a bariatric surgeon once you get home.
4. Did anyone have a leak while you were there and they had to open you up to restaple or glue?
5. Are they prepared for emergencies during surgery, like what, I don't know, just asking.
I know some of these questions could be answered by the Dr.s office but I wanted to ask actual patients. From the reviews of this doctor I will be in confident hands....but what happens when you get home and need surgicial follow up?
Thank You

I went to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali and had a great experience.  To answer your questions:
1) I haven't had a single complication since returning home.  I had kind of a slow recovery while I was in the hospital (nausea and vomiting on Days 2 and 3).  I was scheduled to go home on Day 4, but since I was still feeling bad on Day 3, they asked if I would like to stay another day.  I agreed and they hooked me back up to an IV that evening.  Well, I woke up early the next morning feeling like a whole new person, so they let me go home as originally scheduled.  We didn't discuss what the cost would be if I did stay another day, but I was kind of under the impression that they weren't going to charge me for it.  Once I returned home I felt great and haven't had any other issues.
2) I told my PCP before I left and she seemed slightly concerned, but said she knew that it was becoming more and more common for people to travel to Mexico for these procedures.  She said she would check out Dr. Aceves's website and let me know if she found anything of concern.  I never heard back from her so I assume she was satisfied.  She also said she'd be more than happy to order any of the necessary post-op tests.
3) No need to follow-up with a bariatric surgeon when you return.  Unless I suppose you were having major complications that required a specialist.
4) None of the other patients experienced complications while I was there.  I was probably the worst off and all I had was a little nausea and vomiting.
5) My surgery was performed in a hospital where I stayed for three nights, so they were prepared for emergencies.
I just wanted to add that I felt very well taken care of while I was there and would not hesitate to return.  Good luck with your decision!

1.  I had no complications.  My hubby had surg same day and he had infection and and ilias and spent 5 days in hosp.  He broke all the rules and did not take meds, though. He also got super dehydrated and pushed himself hard at work right after surgery.  We haven't looked for a bariatric surgeon here.  While in hosp here, my hubby got a really bad attitude from all the nurses but the doctor (who had done some bariatric surgeries in the past) didn't comment at all.

2.  Our PCP just said that it is a personal decision.  Haven't seen her since because just haven't had to go in for any reason.

3.  This is the first I heard of having to FU with a BS when we got home.  We don't have any here.  We don't have a NUT either or anyone doing any kind of follow up at all.  Hmmmm.

4. no

5.  How prepared they are for emergencies depends fully on where you go and this is something you should look into further.  Some places are more of a surgical clinic.  Some are full fledged hospitals.  Our hospital specializes in kidney transplants and has a very well-equipped ICU and blood bank.

Hi, maxcat.  There are scores of us here who went to Mexico, so you should get a lot of replies.  I went to Dr. Alvarez (endobariatric.com) in Piedras Negras, just over the border from Eagle Pass, TX.  I could not have been more pleased.

1.  Not the first complication.  I never even considered trying to find a bariatric doctor (never occurred to me!), because my primary care doc said he would be more than happy to do any follow-up necessary.  He is Indian, so I guess he thinks more "globally" than some :-)

2.  See above.

3.  Nope.

4.  Nope.

5.  I guess so.  I just never worried about it and assumed so.

There have been a small handful of folks on here who had complications -- Nova Scotia Dawn had a leak and Political Junkie 2 had some problems -- so maybe some of them will chime in.

Best wishes on your journey!     --Dorothy

I had my sleeve done in MX about 18 mos ago.
I had zero problems or complications.
My PCP was very supportive of both my decision to have WLS in general, the sleeve in particular and no problems with MX.
No need for followup per se and my PCP does my routiine labs and they are covered under my insurance.
I had my surgery in a hospital with all the facilities to handle any emergency,
If I had needed surgical or emergency follow up I would have gone to an emergency room.

1.  My wife and I both went to Mexico for our surgeries the same day.  Neither of us have had the first of any complications.

2.  Our PCP was on board from the start.  He understood why we were going.  He has since recommended it to some of his other patients.  He said he would be more than happy to do follow up blood-work and regular check ups to make sure we were getting the proper nutrition.

3.  Just regular blood work for vitamins and such.

4.  No leak for the both of us.

5.  I went to Dr. Joya in Puerta Vallerta and they had an ER and trauma unit.  He does his surgeries in one of two hospitals and they are prepared for any type of issues.

If you get home and need assistance, then go to the ER.  My PCP explained it to me like this... It is your choice to go to Mexico for surgery, just like someone who chooses to clean a loaded gun and shoots himself.  They won't turn you away from treatment because your "choice" doesn't work out, but I doubt you'll have any issues.

I had surgery 2 months ago in Monterrey, Mexico w/Dr. Miguel Zapata.  I chose him based on his credentials and proximatey, along with Monterrey being a very safe city.
1-not one complication, very standard recovery.
2-my PCP and all other docs were very supportive and will do my follow-up boodwork.
3-nope
4-nope
5-ER if ever necessary

the experience was financially a great deal, the hospital was private with rooms like suites, the nursing staff was great and at least one person on staff spoke English for each shift, Dr. Zapata and Alma, his coordinator are available to me thru email or by phone if I have questions.

hi, i also went with dr. Aceves and i haven´t had any complications.
no one had a leak or any other complications when i was there.
yes they are prepared for emergencies, it´s a well prepared hospital and they´ve had a lot of experience with these kind of surgeries. i guess if i need any surgical follow up, i can call our patient coordinator and i´m sure she can help  me. i will give you her toll free number go ahead and contact her and she´ll give you further information at no cost.

Nina Eguia
Patient Coordinator, Dr Aceves
888 344 3916  toll free
[email protected]      

I went to see Dr Alvarez.......I would go again in a heartbeat !!

1.  no complications at ALL.  howewver, here in Canada...the Dr's have to treat you...they have no choice, so if I did have any.....they would have had to see me.

2.Mine was a little skeptical.....but I was very well informed and told him I was going, and then we set out a patient care plan together.  He is now very much on board.

3.I did not need any specialists....just my PCP .......all good.

4.None that I knew off regarding leaks.

5.My surgery was in a full blown hospital...not a clinic.  They were prepared for anything.

If you need any other questions answered...just PM me.

Good Luck in your choice!!

I had VSG with Dr. Joya in Puerta Vallarta, MX on 11/11/09.  Staff and hospital were wonderful!  Spent first night at oceanfront resort hotel, 2 nights in hospital, and 2 nights at the resort again.  Flew to Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday, surgery was on Wednesday, flew home on Sunday, returned to work on Monday (office job).

1.  No complications.  Some internal muscle pain on left side of my abdomen off and on for 3 weeks, managed with pain meds and a heating pad at night.  No nausea, no vomiting, no leak or other problems.  I paid an extra $500 for a "complication fund" which would have covered any complications which may have occurred while in MX, which is offered by Dr. Joya.  Did not find nor have a need for a bariatric doctor.
2.  My PCP was not supportive, said he felt it was 'very risky.'  He told me that if I had any problems when I returned that I should go to the ER.  I have had other problems with this PCP in the past, so I decided to look for a supportive doc.  I found a new PCP that has been 100% supportive.  I went to the new PCP 9 days after returning from Mexico; she removed my stitches.  I provided her with copies of my medical documents from Dr. Joya - she reviewed them and placed them in my file.  Followed up with her again 3 weeks later to review my food/water intake and for her to take another look at my incisions.  I'll see her again in March to review my blood test results which the PCP ordered to check my levels of everything.  She said that she wants to check these levels 2-3 times per year for right now.  So far my PCP is very happy with my progress  This is my PCP's first experience with a VSG patient, so I am also 'educating' her on things about VSG (she has only had RNY and lap-band patients in the past).  BTW-my insurance company would not pay for VSG (or any WLS), but so far they have paid for all of my follow-up appointments with my PCP.
3.  No need for bariatric doctor.
4.  No leak, no complications.  Also, my sister was with me and got her VSG right after me.  She had no complications, problems, or leaks.  My sister did not have any abdominal pain afterward.  We met 3 other patients while we were there.  One of them was originally scheduled for VSG, but then switched to RNY (not sure of reason why).  The second patient was scheduled for RNY and had no complications, leaks, or problems.  The third patient had VSG as scheduled and had no complications, leaks, or problems.  All of us were staying at the same hospital and resort.
5.  My VSG was at Cornerstone Hospital, which was a fully-functional, fully-staffed, professional hospital.  Hospital staff checked on me continuously throughout my stay, and were just wonderful.