Question:
Has anyone had RNY in Mexico and had a difficult finding a doctor to do the post-op?

I want to have my surgery in Mexico because my insurance refuses to pay for it as it wasn't included on the company's health plan. So I am self-pay and can only afford Mexico. I am having a hard time finding a doctor willing to even check me over in case of problems, much less the normal post-op weekly or monthly checkups. Noone in Denver wants to work with anyone who has surgery out of the country. Any help?    — C P. (posted on January 3, 2008)

January 3, 2008
I would not bargain shop your health. I have read too many posts on here where people have had problems after they have gotten back from Mexico and no one to care for them when they have had problems. Keep looking in the United States. Best of luck to you. I live in Oregon and had my surgery in Fresno, CA. I had a tummy tuck, lipo and new boobies in August. I may have paid a little more than others were charging but I got the best after care. Be patient. Something will work out for you. I had to wait 4 years for my plastic surgery. It was worth the wait.
   — Carlyn M.

January 3, 2008
I don't know about Post-op, but you could try Dr. Gilberto Ungson in Hermosillo, Sonora, MX. $10,500 for surgery. Also, Dr. Rutledge performs only the Mini-Gastric Bypass (not RNY) and he's in Henderson, NV. $17K and I hear he's thorough. Keep in touch and let me know if either of these appeal to you. Tom
   — Tom Y.

January 4, 2008
Have you considered financing your proceedure. I got a rate of 1.99% from Capital One. The rate is hire if you can not pay it off in 18 months but there are a lot of different companies that do medical financing. Just in food saving, I can pa a good bid of my monthly payments. I did a lot of my testing with other doctors, where my insurance paid, but they will not pay a dime to a Baratric Doctor if your policy does not cover it. You want these other doctors to test you at your insurance companys expense.
   — William (Bill) wmil

January 4, 2008
Carol, I had my surgery (BPD/DS) in Spain 5 1/2 years ago with Dr. Aniceto Baltasar. The real key to self-paying and having surgery out of the country is making sure you have a PCP who is an advocate with you - who would be willing to research your chosen surgeon along side you, as well as be honest with you about whether or not they will continue to support you as a post-op. My PCP has been nothing short of worth her weight in gold. She orders all of my post-op labs, works with my surgeon if/when any other additional tests or follow-up is recommended, and has been so encouraging and helpful. It's super important to carefully research *any* surgeon you choose - there are MANY questions to ask, you should check out their CV and certifications, as well as get your hands on copies of any papers they have published. You will also want to make certain he/she has support available either online or IRL that you can attend. Hope that helps a little. Be sure to let me know if I can answer any questions, okay? Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

January 4, 2008
Carole, I work in a Bariatric Hospital here in Oklahoma. We have seen many patients come in that have had surgery in Mexico, that was screwed up. Like someone posted earlier, "don't bargain with your health". I am 3 weeks post -op and there is no way in h--- that I would let anyone touch me that I didn't know about. It is also important to have good follow up care. You can't do that if you go to Mexico. Please reconsider.
   — Crickett_1

January 4, 2008
Most doctors don't want to follow-up on someonoe elses surgery. The doctor makes his money with the surgery and not the follow up. Keep looking, hopefully you wil find one that will follow you up...
   — t_roxus

January 7, 2008
I had surgery in Ensenada, Mexico with Dr. Aguirre. I too could not get a "regular" doctor to agree to do my after care. What I did is call a bariatric center and told them I had already had the surgery and needed to set up follow up care with a surgeon for all of my post-op blood work. It took a couple of times but I did get a very good and caring surgeon here in the states then.
   — neisha =.