Kristina J.

There is no right or wrong answer here. One thing I am quite sure of though, is that no one here is making decisions lightly. This is a very important decision and whichever one you make is surely the right one based on your circumstances and financial situation. If you are lucky enough to have it covered by insurance, I high five you! For most of the rank and file whose policies have the exclusion, everyone has to make the tough decisions.
I am lucky to live in the Dallas area, lots of great Dr.s to choose from and not anywhere near the 20k that some folks have to shell out for this. So for me, I will stay local because it's the best decision for ME.
As for others who are traveling, you are not crazy for having it done elsewhere, you are making the decision that is best for YOU! You don't need to defend your decision. And quite frankly, I find some of the negative comments rather rude. We are here to support one another, not undermine one another. Can't we all just get along?
Our journeys don't always include the same path...just sayin....

I had my sleeve here in the US! It was 100% covered by my insurance. But let me start by saying, Mexico is one of my favorite places to vacation! Fear of Mexico, truly boils down to be uneducated about this country about it.
Yes, God knows many of the border towns are dangerous. However, you can't get much safer that the tourist- resort areas. How many people would travel to these areas if there were tourist constantly being abducted? Not many. The government of Mexico has a much higher police presence in the resort areas. That includes every one of the towns I have heard mentioned as a place with these sleeve centers.
Concern with using a Mexican facility/surgeon should be centered around the difference in health care standards. Mexico doesn't have the same standards as we do in the US/Canada as far as country wide regulation. HOWEVER, that doesn't mean that certain facilities can't have the same standards as we do! The MX practices that are successful are using the same standards as we do, and the people are getting way more for what they are paying for down there. These centers' target customers are people from outside of Mexico. These doctors have to align with the US/Canada standards to be successful! The facilities that aren't up to par, are discussed frequently on this board.
The reason people take it personal when someone posts on here negative things about going to Mexico, is because everyone is invested in this decision. None of us woke up one morning and drove to the hospital to have this procedure without a lot of research, thought and emotion. Don't slam someone else's decision because you don't understand how they made it. If Mexico isn't an option for you - cool. No shame in that. But making comments to imply people are crazy for considering it? That is inconsiderate. Good for those who did what they needed to do to take care of themselves!

For everyone with "Mexiphobia" there certainly is cause to exercise caution when visiting Mexico since there are numerous travel warnings regarding safety in Mexico. Fortunately I feel 100% crossing the boarder in the shuttle, traveling to the Marriott, then taking the hotel shuttle to and from the hospital, then back over the border. Am I going to be wandering down dark alleys at night? No. Now there ARE some mexican border towns that are extremely dangerous.. and guess what? THESE dangerous towns are not hot spots for Medical Tourism.. Go figure.
Personally I've traveled in Pakistan without incident, and passed through Armed Hizzbollah roadblocks in Lebanon regularly while I lived there for a short time... I just learned WHERE I could go and WHERE I should avoid. The same goes for Mexico, there are places that are safe and places that should be avoided... Heck, the same goes for Harrisburg, there are neighborhoods here I won't venture into either.

It's no skin off my back where you go, but that is such a misinformed statement that I'm not even sure where to begin.... Let me guess. You've watched Taken or Man On Fire.... Wow. Just wow ????

I can tell you why I am going to Mexico vs staying in Florida. I met with 2 surgeons here who quoted self-pay prices of $20,000 and $14,000. I don't have that kind of cash and am not in a position to charge that much.
I started out staying "I'd never..." about Mexico. It sounded like something out of a horror novel to me. Who goes to a place that is little better than a third world country for a major medical procedure?? Then, I watched a documentary on Medical Tourism. It discussed not only Medical Tourism in Mexico but in India, where it is becoming very common place for Americans to receive what would be cost-prohibitive in the US treatments. It discussed a LOT about doctor credentials and what it took in those places to be able to practice medicine. I knew then I might be in a position of having to eat a little crow.
I started researching, having discovered that my insurance through my employer has a total exclusion for weight loss surgery. I met with a surgeon I had previously connected with, who has a bariatric practice but had treated me, in conjunction with my reproductive endocrinologist, to ask her thoughts. I talked to my primary care physician who is outspoken in his opinion that the medical field in the US is broken. If you've ever suffered with a chronic illness or needed expensive care without any insurance, you know it's broken. I got the green light from him to research it more and follow up with him again.
I'm now about 18 months past the original discussions with my doctors. I'm certain that for around $6k, including airfare and other incidentals, I'm making the right choice for ME in going to Mexico. I'm not about to try to convince anyone else it's the right choice for them. My doctor agrees it's the right choice for me. I'm 33 and hypertensive and pre-diabetic, in addition to some other things that add to this being the right choice for my body. I've been on and off of diets for at least the past 10 years. My doctor has personally watched me struggle with my weight, losing some then gaining it back plus more for good measure.
In the end, I don't think that even if it doesn't make sense to you, anyone should have to justify their decision....whether it's to stay in the US and pay more money or if it's to go to Mexico.
~Kat

If you don't understand why, then go back and read some of our posts... I think it's clear why we choose mexico. I'm not saying it's the right choice for everyone if you have a better option close by then of course choose it... For me, I'm going to a competent doctor who has done thousands of procedures but happens to be in mexico simply makes sense. I'm having a two night hospital stay AND I'm saving $15,500 off of what it would cost locally.

I know that you aren't interested in going out of the country and neither was I until I started doing my research about going to MX. I would say don't limit yourself because you would be surprised at how skilled those surgeons are, especially since they perform the more frequently.

Just a note from an employer. After having this surgery I am one of those evil employers who want to see a significant validation for this surgery, like the five year rule, and no surgeries for low BMI without comorbidities. From a financial view point, this surgery cost my company half a million dollars. I certainly don't want to encourage that kind of risk financially for any company, but more importantly, it nearly killed me. This surgery needs to be carefully considered before the step is taken. It's not for short term weight issues, nor low BMI nor lack of comorbidities. It's far to drastic for that. I know that sucks, but that's reality and if it keeps someone from going through what I did, I would feel nothing had been done wrong in having those restrictions.

Missy,
I know it kinda sucks and if you're like me at ALL, part of the frustration is just being forced to! lol But, when we're fat and especially fat girls, we are at risk for blood clots and I had heard that a ton but was super annoyed when they wanted me to go through that before my original banding even though I was a relatively healthy, active, albiet morbidly obese, freaking EIGHTEEN year old (it was based on one barely increased blood clotting factor and a family history) ... mine was a retrievable one that I only had until I was no longer "obese."
Anyway, I thought it was ridiculous, until some 8 years later when I had my second daughter. Leaving out the long story, I was a big fatty again and I was having horrible post-partum headaches. After a couple of doctors visits and an MRI, I found out I had a blood clot... in my BRAIN!! So maybe, they weren't so crazy to demand I protect myself from blood clots back then after all!! lol
For my upcoming surgery, my doctor is only requiring injection blood thinners based on consult with my hematologist. But trust me, not having to worry about a PE anymore is a GREAT thing to not have to worry about!!
Congratulations on your PHENOMENAL success!!!

I definitely agree that the sleeve forums can be a little too "life is wonderful" and need to be taken with a grain of salt. But I do have to say that I am living proof that you can loose 100+ pounds with the band and then have complications and end up having to have revision surgery. (Hell, I believe in the band so much I had it twice!) I think it ALL needs to be taken with a grain of salt. In the end, I think it's important to remember that we are all struggling the same battle and people are always going to be defensive of what works for them. With whatever site you use, make sure and take the time to search the complications forum. I know I am studying that section VERY carefully before my upcoming band to sleeve revision!
With that said, had my band not slipped, I was down 100 pounds and loving life! And my mother and sister are both very happily banded and down a combined 120lbs! The band can be wonderfully successful, as can the sleeve... we just have to remember that nothing comes guaranteed. Let's support each other, not tear each other down!

I definitely agree that the sleeve forums can be a little too "life is wonderful" and need to be taken with a grain of salt. But I do have to say that I am living proof that you can loose 100+ pounds with the band and then have complications and end up having to have revision surgery. (Hell, I believe in the band so much I had it twice!) I think it ALL needs to be taken with a grain of salt. In the end, I think it's important to remember that we are all struggling the same battle and people are always going to be defensive of what works for them. With whatever site you use, make sure and take the time to search the complications forum. I know I am studying that section VERY carefully before my upcoming band to sleeve revision!
With that said, had my band not slipped, I was down 100 pounds and loving life! And my mother and sister are both very happily banded and down a combined 120lbs! The band can be wonderfully successful, as can the sleeve... we just have to remember that nothing comes guaranteed. Let's support each other, not tear each other down!

I definitely agree that the sleeve forums can be a little too "life is wonderful" and need to be taken with a grain of salt. But I do have to say that I am living proof that you can loose 100+ pounds with the band and then have complications and end up having to have revision surgery. (Hell, I believe in the band so much I had it twice!) I think it ALL needs to be taken with a grain of salt. In the end, I think it's important to remember that we are all struggling the same battle and people are always going to be defensive of what works for them. With whatever site you use, make sure and take the time to search the complications forum. I know I am studying that section VERY carefully before my upcoming band to sleeve revision!
With that said, had my band not slipped, I was down 100 pounds and loving life! And my mother and sister are both very happily banded and down a combined 120lbs! The band can be wonderfully successful, as can the sleeve... we just have to remember that nothing comes guaranteed. Let's support each other, not tear each other down!

I definitely agree that the sleeve forums can be a little too "life is wonderful" and need to be taken with a grain of salt. But I do have to say that I am living proof that you can loose 100+ pounds with the band and then have complications and end up having to have revision surgery. (Hell, I believe in the band so much I had it twice!) I think it ALL needs to be taken with a grain of salt. In the end, I think it's important to remember that we are all struggling the same battle and people are always going to be defensive of what works for them. With whatever site you use, make sure and take the time to search the complications forum. I know I am studying that section VERY carefully before my upcoming band to sleeve revision!
With that said, had my band not slipped, I was down 100 pounds and loving life! And my mother and sister are both very happily banded and down a combined 120lbs! The band can be wonderfully successful, as can the sleeve... we just have to remember that nothing comes guaranteed. Let's support each other, not tear each other down!

$10,400 is really reasonable for self pay in the states!!! Plus, how do you beat Vegas?!? Lol I would probably show up a week before surgery
For reference, I probably should have mentioned, Dr. Garcia is $4700 which includes everything except airfare to San Diego.< /p>

Before I had WLS, I was terrified. I don't think I was actually any less terrified when I checked into the hospital or when I was rolled into the OR. But, I did it anyway and I honestly don't know why I didn't run, but I'm glad I didn't, even considering how screwy my journey has been (you can find my story on my profile if you're interested!). I was a food addict and I knew what I was signing on to give up! Imagine if you were an alcoholic and you were signing on to never be able to get drunk again. You wouldn't be doubting your fears, you'd be running for the hills!!
We are not just changing our body or our eating habits, we are changing the way we live. For me at least, a lot of my day revolves around getting to my next meal. Eating is social and therapeutic and not least of all necessary process to thrive. We can't quit cold turkey like most addicts. We have to find a way to drink without getting drunk, and I think it's ok to be terrified by that idea.
But, I promise you, that this will be easier than you think. And I promise you, that you will love the new you. I promise you that will not miss food like you think you will. And most of all, I promise you will love feeling healthy!!!!

After months of deep discussion trying to explain my weight struggles to my husband, who has always been naturally fit & athletic, we finally agreed that this was the best way for him to think of my surgery. So it's a good explanation for 3 year olds AND 40 year olds! LOL!

That's pretty awesome!! Maybe that's another way I can kill time, explaining it to her! Hahaha maybe she would understand it more than I think she would. I like the idea of it not being an illness or injury in her eyes. I'll have to gauge it and see if she'd get it or not.
Anything to fill the time at this point!!! Hahahaha

I'm going to miss picking them up for 6 long weeks! My surgeon is very strict about lifting post-surgery. But I know it's for the best!
I have a boy and a girl, in May they will be 1 year and 3.5 years! They are totally my motivation for getting healthy. I want to be the best me I can be for myself, for my husband, and for my kiddos...and to keep up with them!

Me! Waiting for insurance submission...my darn PCP is holding up (or the people in his office). It's looking like I'll be in April now instead of May.
I'm spending my time nesting, doing cardio to build up my lung capacity and spending lots of time with my babies.