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:

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 :biggrin0:

Ok so That was just my opinion....

Best of luck to you!

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!!!:cool0:

I live in a border state as well, we border with Nogales. Nogales is pretty bad and I don't go there much anymore but not all cities in MX are bad. You are comparing all cities to Monterrey and cities similar to Juarez. Those are both listed as cities the MX and US gov't warn to avoid.

Since I do live in a border state I fully understand seeing something in your back yard and "feeling" like an entire country is the same but that's kinda like someone from MX coming to one of our own very dangerous cities and going home to say that all of the US is like that, it's just not realistic.

What happened to your Dad is wrong, it shouldn't have happened and I am sorry to hear it but to say that as a US citizen you can't do anything about it - that's just not true. Doctors in Mexico carry medical malpractice for a reason, not just because they like paying the premiums. With that said they do things a little differently in MX, if a doctor is honestly a dirtbag of a doctor they can be sued (granted, not likely to win) but what is more likely is you can file criminal charges and they can go to a Mexican prison.

Personally, I don't go to doctors based on whether or not I can sue them. I go to them based on research and skill. Even then sometimes things happen.

We have the same exact problem in the US with doctors and many feel very comfortable that they can sue and get lots of money when things go wrong and that's just not true. I know 4, possibly 5 people that have had their lap bands placed around a glob of fat instead of their stomachs, all different surgeons, all in the US. Not one of them could find a lawyer to take the case. To hire expert witnesses is around $25K per witness, court costs, attorney fees... the case costs more to do than when it will pay out. Some were self pay and some were insurance.

I know a guy that went to a US surgeon and came home with a self pay lap band. He returned to his surgeon complaining of pain and fever, the surgeon told him it was just post op pain. He went to an ER complaining of pain and fever, labs showed a significant infection, yet he was told it was post op pain. He returned to his surgeon a few days later when his port was bubbling out of his abdomen, it was seriously infected. His surgeon put him on antibiotics, no culture, just an Rx for antibiotics.

The gentleman went to his PCP where he finally did a culture and the antibiotics were not going to work because it was the wrong one. Had the surgeon cultured his wound he would have known that.

Fast forward to 9 months later he just had surgery again a couple of weeks ago to clean out more pus pockets and infection throughout his gut. It *still* isn't gone.

He's self paid somewhere around $25K for the placement of his band and insurance copays/deductibles for the infection and many surgeries. He has no band, an infected gut, and no recourse. The case isn't worth enough.

So really, how much better off are we for being US citizens with the ability to sue doctors?

I've been in medicine for over 20 years and I'm telling you, this stuff is common. There are very few surgeons I would let touch me, I have seen them work and I want nothing to do with it and I'm talking the US. We can file complaints with the medical board if we don't like something our surgeon does but you know, it's the good 'ol boys club in many states. Nothing happens. We had a doctor here that had to kill three people before the board finally acted on it and instead of revoking his license (for doing a procedure that was outside his scope of abilities) they just told him he can't do that particular procedure on people anymore. THREE dead people and nothing other than, "Don't do that procedure anymore."

I just don't see the value in going to a doctor based on the fact that they have medical malpractice, most times it isn't going to help the injured party anyway. A few years ago insurance companies made a 180 in the way they handle claims. They used to pay out anything without batting an eye if it was under $5K. The larger claims they would take it case by case. Mega big claims they would fight to the bitter end. Today, they fight them all to the bitter end, suing doctors is not like yesterday. It used to be ins would pay out stupid lawsuits that were not even the doctor's fault because it was cheaper than fighting it. Not so today. Today it's a different world. Today they are fighting them all and it is the ins co's that are winning.

I live in a border state as well, we border with Nogales. Nogales is pretty bad and I don't go there much anymore but not all cities in MX are bad. You are comparing all cities to Monterrey and cities similar to Juarez. Those are both listed as cities the MX and US gov't warn to avoid.

Since I do live in a border state I fully understand seeing something in your back yard and "feeling" like an entire country is the same but that's kinda like someone from MX coming to one of our own very dangerous cities and going home to say that all of the US is like that, it's just not realistic.

What happened to your Dad is wrong, it shouldn't have happened and I am sorry to hear it but to say that as a US citizen you can't do anything about it - that's just not true. Doctors in Mexico carry medical malpractice for a reason, not just because they like paying the premiums. With that said they do things a little differently in MX, if a doctor is honestly a dirtbag of a doctor they can be sued (granted, not likely to win) but what is more likely is you can file criminal charges and they can go to a Mexican prison.

Personally, I don't go to doctors based on whether or not I can sue them. I go to them based on research and skill. Even then sometimes things happen.

We have the same exact problem in the US with doctors and many feel very comfortable that they can sue and get lots of money when things go wrong and that's just not true. I know 4, possibly 5 people that have had their lap bands placed around a glob of fat instead of their stomachs, all different surgeons, all in the US. Not one of them could find a lawyer to take the case. To hire expert witnesses is around $25K per witness, court costs, attorney fees... the case costs more to do than when it will pay out. Some were self pay and some were insurance.

I know a guy that went to a US surgeon and came home with a self pay lap band. He returned to his surgeon complaining of pain and fever, the surgeon told him it was just post op pain. He went to an ER complaining of pain and fever, labs showed a significant infection, yet he was told it was post op pain. He returned to his surgeon a few days later when his port was bubbling out of his abdomen, it was seriously infected. His surgeon put him on antibiotics, no culture, just an Rx for antibiotics.

The gentleman went to his PCP where he finally did a culture and the antibiotics were not going to work because it was the wrong one. Had the surgeon cultured his wound he would have known that.

Fast forward to 9 months later he just had surgery again a couple of weeks ago to clean out more pus pockets and infection throughout his gut. It *still* isn't gone.

He's self paid somewhere around $25K for the placement of his band and insurance copays/deductibles for the infection and many surgeries. He has no band, an infected gut, and no recourse. The case isn't worth enough.

So really, how much better off are we for being US citizens with the ability to sue doctors?

I've been in medicine for over 20 years and I'm telling you, this stuff is common. There are very few surgeons I would let touch me, I have seen them work and I want nothing to do with it and I'm talking the US. We can file complaints with the medical board if we don't like something our surgeon does but you know, it's the good 'ol boys club in many states. Nothing happens. We had a doctor here that had to kill three people before the board finally acted on it and instead of revoking his license (for doing a procedure that was outside his scope of abilities) they just told him he can't do that particular procedure on people anymore. THREE dead people and nothing other than, "Don't do that procedure anymore."

I just don't see the value in going to a doctor based on the fact that they have medical malpractice, most times it isn't going to help the injured party anyway. A few years ago insurance companies made a 180 in the way they handle claims. They used to pay out anything without batting an eye if it was under $5K. The larger claims they would take it case by case. Mega big claims they would fight to the bitter end. Today, they fight them all to the bitter end, suing doctors is not like yesterday. It used to be ins would pay out stupid lawsuits that were not even the doctor's fault because it was cheaper than fighting it. Not so today. Today it's a different world. Today they are fighting them all and it is the ins co's that are winning.

Oh my poor Guy!!! That is just terrible!!

But no I didnt mean for people to choose their Drs based on the fact that they have medical mal practice issues or not.....

I just said my story and my experience and....

I Know not all Cities in Mexico are bad, that is why I also said, That I dont know Mexicali..... it wouldnt be fair to compare it to Nuevo Laredo, or Monterrey if I have never seen it or been there.

It was just a an my Opinion and my experience.

But I am sure You living in or near Tucson,

(My husband was born and raised in Tucson area)

Nogales is actualy in the same crime rate or even worse than Nuevo Laredo.

Isnt it sad though???? How it just got so bad??

Being able to cross the Border "whenever" we wanted was AWSOME.

Anyways I am sorry once again for my post, and I repeat I didnt mean anything wrong or I didnt mean to compare all mexican cities to just 2 bad ones. :thumbup: I am just paranoid now.....

Oh my poor Guy!!! That is just terrible!!

But no I didnt mean for people to choose their Drs based on the fact that they have medical mal practice issues or not.....

I just said my story and my experience and....

I Know not all Cities in Mexico are bad, that is why I also said, That I dont know Mexicali..... it wouldnt be fair to compare it to Nuevo Laredo, or Monterrey if I have never seen it or been there.

It was just a an my Opinion and my experience.

But I am sure You living in or near Tucson,

(My husband was born and raised in Tucson area)

Nogales is actualy in the same crime rate or even worse than Nuevo Laredo.

Isnt it sad though???? How it just got so bad??

Being able to cross the Border "whenever" we wanted was AWSOME.

Anyways I am sorry once again for my post, and I repeat I didnt mean anything wrong or I didnt mean to compare all mexican cities to just 2 bad ones. :thumbup: I am just paranoid now.....

You haven't written anything wrong and truly, there is no need to apologize. I just wanted to clarify the medical malpractice issue. I see people going to US surgeons based only on medical malpractice and it isn't a wise move to make. Life with medicine and Ins Co's has changed. I agreed with the changes in the beginning because people were just taking advantage of free money, whether or not the doctor actually did anything wrong was another story. So changes were good but now it's gone to the opposite extreme.

The local guy with a horrible infection posts on LBT, his ID is TJWood.

I love being able to cross the border without much distance but the closest border to me is Nogalas... it's a horrible little city! It used to be a lot of fun, I mean... I never went there at night but during the day it was fun for shopping, lunches, and such. Now I just have friends pick up stuff for me when they go to Mexicali. :yo:(

I love being able to cross the border without much distance but the closest border to me is Nogalas... it's a horrible little city! It used to be a lot of fun, I mean... I never went there at night but during the day it was fun for shopping, lunches, and such.

Tijuana was like that when I lived in SD. You'd pop down for the day, eat out, do some shopping and come home before dark. We'd take the trolley to the border then walk over. It was great.

I wouldn't go there now though. It's a war zone in a way.

Vegas

Why is it tax deductable?

Mine was tax-deductible as well. It is a medical procedure, and medical expenses are tax-deductible.

Vegas

Why is it tax deductable?

Mine was tax-deductible as well. It is a medical procedure, and medical expenses are tax-deductible.

That's right -- the surgery and any costs associated therewith can be claimed as deductions on your taxes if you itemize. I have saved all my receipts for the medications, travel, gas, food, etc. and of course for the cost of the surgery itself.

Hi. I'm a first time WLS sleever. I got my sleeve about a week ago. I tried to get covered by insurance first, but did not qualify under Kaiser. If I was approved, I would have gone that way because let's face it, I'm not made of $. But, now that I have actually been to Dr. A and experienced his magic first-hand, I feel very fortunate that things turned out the way they did. Although my finance bill will take a while to pay off, I know that my sleeve was done by a very special and caring person. And at this time, I find myself wanting to go back to Dr. A for my 3 month post op check-up, simply because I trust him and hold him in the highest esteem from my personal expierience.

Agree with you ROsey!!

As an Accountant I can tell you the cost of surgery is tax deductible if the total medical expense meets the bottom limit. Every taxpayer has a different situation. Save all your receipts and itemize your deductions. Most important:

Publication 502 (2008), Medical and Dental Expenses

and

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html#en_US_publink100014761