I am sold on Dr. Aceves and am quite happy to go down there from So. Cal. to have this done, paying out of pocket. I checked with my husband's insurance carrier (HealthNet PPO) and apparently they are saying they will cover the sleeve if the doctor thinks it's medically necessary. In other words, just like they'll cover the band. It always has to be medically necessary for insurance to cover it. So my question to you all who have investigated this thoroughly, would you still go to Mexico (Dr. Aceves) for the sleeve if your insurance would pay? Keep in mind that my insurance won't pay every single penny of it - I'd probably still have about a $5K co-pay as that's the most I'm required to pay out of pocket a year for medical care. I know you'll say - depends on the doctor - and yes, I realize that. The doctor I've seen for the band consult also does RNY AND the sleeve. I'm now questioning HOW MANY VSG he's done. I guess I'll have to take him at his word. He works with Beverly Hills Physicians; they are all over the place and do a lot of different procedures both bariatric and cosmetic. So what do you think?:thumbup:

When you say "that would be way too much at that point" do you mean too strong a medication or too much in that you couldn't swallow a pill? I actually have some Vicodin at home from my knee surgery so if need be I could take that. I seem to recall they give you liquid Vicodin or something along those lines, right? My surgery date as currently scheduled with Dr. Aceves is August 10th, arriving on August 9th for all the lab work. Just hope I don't create more stomach problems (acid reflux, heartburn, etc.)for myself by having the surgery whereas I have none now, except too much fat.:tongue_smilie:

You really don't need narcotics after 3 days. They do send you home with pain meds but not Vicodin, that would be way too much at that point.

You can see your family doctor if something was wrong or if ... worse case scenario here... if you have a leak you can see any general surgeon. You wouldn't have to return to Mexico for anything unless you wanted to.

When you say "that would be way too much at that point" do you mean too strong a medication or too much in that you couldn't swallow a pill? I actually have some Vicodin at home from my knee surgery so if need be I could take that. I seem to recall they give you liquid Vicodin or something along those lines, right? My surgery date as currently scheduled with Dr. Aceves is August 10th, arriving on August 9th for all the lab work. Just hope I don't create more stomach problems (acid reflux, heartburn, etc.)for myself by having the surgery whereas I have none now, except too much fat.:tongue_smilie:

No, what I mean is that you won't need narcotics. You won't be in that kind of pain. I didn't take anything including Tylenol type products after the 2nd day.

Some doctors have a morphine pump waiting in recovery for banded folks. That's not a reflection of the surgery type, that is a reflection of the surgeon.

With a sleeve you'll need pain management for the first two days, maybe three. After that if you read on the boards most do not even take the pain meds people were sent home with.

If you do have pain then you could probably get a liquid narcotic upon arriving home but I'll bet you don't need it. ;o)

You might have reflux for a couple of months but it usually goes away. I don't know about the US doc but Dr. Aceves has you take Nexium mups for three months.

OK, thanks. I'm taking Protonix for an ulcer and that's a good drug.

OK, thanks. I'm taking Protonix for an ulcer and that's a good drug.

Yes, it is a good drug and it's tiny as well. A very small tablet.

OK, some more questions: What do you do for pain meds after you leave Mexico? Do they send you home with Vicodin or get you a script that you have to get filled in Mexicali, or how does that work? What if you have an issue after you're home, some problem from the surgery? You can't go see the doctor you decided NOT to go to, so what to do about that? Yes, I understand you can call Dr. Aceves' office and get someone on the phone to discuss your issue, but if you need to be seen that's another trip back to Mexico. How did you resolve this in your mind before going for it?

I never took any pain medication after the first night in the hospital; didn't need any.

I also made sure before I had the surgery that my PCP would continue any follow-up that needed to be done. I determined that if I had a leak or something major, then I would find a surgeon to treat me here or drive back to Mexicali. Given that Dr. Aceves has never had a leak, I didn't give it all that much time or consideration.

Thanks guys, another concern marked off the "head" list!:tongue_smilie:

I would have stayed in the US if at home here in STL.....my kids require way to much to keep the eight of them going...............but then I could not have fibbed about what I did.............

So far the only one other than my husband who noticed my scars was my one some who doesn't talk!

But for me and my family most of it is about money. And my husband is laid off after the 24th on July............. so I still went....but we found out after I had mad plans, put the deposit down and had the check cut.............I would have canceled.....but he didn't want me too!

And I didn't use any pain meds but liquid tylenol (kids with the adult dosage) and stoped that after my flight home

Well my Advice comes from a different point of view....

First of all I was Born and Raised in Laredo Texas, the border with Nvo. Laredo.

Its 3 Hours away from Monterrey Mexico.

(which is where My Family is from)

So needless to say that here EVERYBODY & their Mother that has no insurance goes Across for Medical reasons.

I personaly WOULD NOT GO....(heard of tooooo many bad stories)

It is very scary to me....But I have a reason to be scared...

My father had eye surgery with one of the "BEST" surgeons in Mexico, and well This IDIOT left My father blind in one eye and tore the retina in another... He took off his IRIS!

Got paid and sent him home.

Ok Drs make mistakes but how do you get that fixed in Mexico Being a US CITIZEN????

How do you get compensated for Medical Malpractice in Mexico.

Sue?? It wont work......

$$$$ Talks in Mexico

Now with WLS I know MOST U.S. Drs actualy get their training in Mexico, but.....Like I said Its just MY PERSONAL FEAR.....

So if my insurance paid, I would Get in in the USA!

Besides Mexico is Not a SAFE PLACE RIGHT NOW!

I have not stepped across the border in about 5 years.

Kidnappings and Shootings happen EVERYDAY!

So PLEASE if you choose to go to Mexico BECAREFULL and wear the UGLIEST Clothes you can wear, nothing Flashy, no purses... nothing leave everything in the Hotel! PLEASE!

I'm sorry to be so paranoid,

My Brother in law and My Husband Both work for U.S. Homeland security (different branches) which also adds to my paranoia :thumbup1:

Ok so That was just my opinion....

Best of luck to you!

Well my Advice comes from a different point of view....

First of all I was Born and Raised in Laredo Texas, the border with Nvo. Laredo.

Its 3 Hours away from Monterrey Mexico.

(which is where My Family is from)

So needless to say that here EVERYBODY & their Mother that has no insurance goes Across for Medical reasons.

I personaly WOULD NOT GO....(heard of tooooo many bad stories)

It is very scary to me....But I have a reason to be scared...

My father had eye surgery with one of the "BEST" surgeons in Mexico, and well This IDIOT left My father blind in one eye and tore the retina in another... He took off his IRIS!

Got paid and sent him home.

Ok Drs make mistakes but how do you get that fixed in Mexico Being a US CITIZEN????

How do you get compensated for Medical Malpractice in Mexico.

Sue?? It wont work......

$$$$ Talks in Mexico

Now with WLS I know MOST U.S. Drs actualy get their training in Mexico, but.....Like I said Its just MY PERSONAL FEAR.....

So if my insurance paid, I would Get in in the USA!

Besides Mexico is Not a SAFE PLACE RIGHT NOW!

I have not stepped across the border in about 5 years.

Kidnappings and Shootings happen EVERYDAY!

So PLEASE if you choose to go to Mexico BECAREFULL and wear the UGLIEST Clothes you can wear, nothing Flashy, no purses... nothing leave everything in the Hotel! PLEASE!

I'm sorry to be so paranoid,

My Brother in law and My Husband Both work for U.S. Homeland security (different branches) which also adds to my paranoia :thumbup1:

Ok so That was just my opinion....

Best of luck to you!

My experience was nothing like you describe but I was in Mexacali and not Monterrey. I traveled alone, walked around the resort alone, and went to the pharmacy alone. Everyone was pleasant and kind. I have no problems recommending people to use the surgeon I did (Dr. Aceves) but have no experience with other Mexican surgeons or locales.

My experience was nothing like you describe but I was in Mexacali and not Monterrey. I traveled alone, walked around the resort alone, and went to the pharmacy alone. Everyone was pleasant and kind. I have no problems recommending people to use the surgeon I did (Dr. Aceves) but have no experience with other Mexican surgeons or locales.

My experience in Mexicali was absolutely wonderful as well ... so good, we're headed back there the end of this week. I am sorry things are so bad for you in Monterrey.

Yeah....I know Mexico is not all bad...

It was just my 2 cents, I swear I didnt mean anything wrong by it......

that is why I said it my was "PERSONAL EXPERIENCE".

Then again like you all said you went to Mexicali, that is not in the Border where all the Drug Cartels are having their wars.... I live it everyday....

It is horrible to hear that your High School Friend has been Kidnapped and is being held for ransom.... then 2 weeks later they find Him in a ranch Dead....

This is our life since a while back.

I mean there is nothing Wrong with being a little extra carefull right??

I BET YOUR DR WAS GREAT!!! As a matter of fact my Dr got his training in Mexico.

GREAT SURGEONS are and come from Mexico!

In my Fathers case (which has nothing to do with WLS) was unique yet life altering....

he will never be the same again.

Once Again I am sorry for my post I REALLY and TRULLY did not mean anything wrong by it.

I just want you all to be VERY carefull when traveling to Mexico....Especially if you are not familiar with the place. (I dont know mexicali) I guess My opinion wouldnt count there....

Best wishes to everyone

And BE SAFE!!!:thumbup1:

You do not have to apologize - as you said, it was simply your experience and opinion and it is your right to voice how you feel.

Don't feel bad and certainly don't apologize.

It is good to know about other border towns in Mexico. I am thankful I was in Mexicali.

You do not have to apologize - as you said, it was simply your experience and opinion and it is your right to voice how you feel.

Don't feel bad and certainly don't apologize.

It is good to know about other border towns in Mexico. I am thankful I was in Mexicali.

Thank you :thumbup1:

I am going to be there in a couple of weeks, July 23 is my re-birthday, but I wouldn't have gone if A) I hadn't heard from everyone that mexicali is an ok place to be, and :scared0: If I was going to be responsible for figuring out how to get from place A to place B etc. It is really smart of Dr. Aceves to have the driver pick you up at the parking lot (or the airport) and take you everywhere you need to go.

I feel so much safer knowing I will be escorted by someone who knows the area and the language, especially once I am post-op.

I am going to be there in a couple of weeks, July 23 is my re-birthday, but I wouldn't have gone if A) I hadn't heard from everyone that mexicali is an ok place to be, and :scared0: If I was going to be responsible for figuring out how to get from place A to place B etc. It is really smart of Dr. Aceves to have the driver pick you up at the parking lot (or the airport) and take you everywhere you need to go.

I feel so much safer knowing I will be escorted by someone who knows the area and the language, especially once I am post-op.

yes, it's a great way to go and was very wise of him and it's easier to let someone else do the driving in Mexicali ...although this time, we're driving to the hospital and resort ourselves.