I see a lot of posts about surgery in Mexico. I realize it may be a cheaper option, but I really hope you consider your safety. An ICE agent was just ambushed there. Please be careful.

Yes, safety is a concern, however Mexico and Tijuana is a big place. There are good sections and bad sections. Stick to the area around the hospital and you will be OK.

Some people lack insurance, their insurance doesn't cover the procedure or the person does not qualify for one reason or another. Sometimes the procedure is so expensive in the States the cost of the out of pocket will even exceed the cost of a Mexian proceedure.

I personally did not want to wait for the insurance which can take from several months to close to a year. I had some dreadful health issues and was plain feeling badly. Nearly 3 months and 90 pounds later I feel like a new man.

The hospital I choose is clean, modern and efficient. I was pleased with it and the results.

It's not for everyone but for those who choose it it can be a God send.

There are areas of Mexico that are safer than others. The violence involves drug cartels and government officials, from what I understand. They aren't targeting bariatric surgery patients. If you go to the U.S. State Department website, they are very specific about the dangerous areas of Mexico. The areas where most people are getting VSG surgery are not among them. That said, thank you chubbybrit for reminding us all to be safe about traveling there!

Can I just say something without the risk of people jumping down my throat? People post over and over about the dangers of Mexico, but until you've gone to one of these border cities you really have no idea what you're talking about.

I just returned from my surgery in TJ 3 days ago. NOT ONCE did I feel afraid or threatened in any manner, and myself and some of the other bariatric patients took a walk 5 blocks down the road to the shopping mall and spent a few hours there shopping without a guide...and surprise! I felt just as safe there as I do walking around my suburban neighborhood in the midwest. In any larger city there's going to be crime, that's just a fact of life. But that's because ALL cities have good and bad areas. It isn't like you're going down there to score drugs or get involved in a life of crime, so the odds of people coming after you are incredibly low. In fact, did anyone ever stop to think about the fact that only the bad stuff is put onto the news?

I found the people of Tijuana to be wonderful and extremely helpful. If I had to make the choice again whether or not to go to Mexico, I would do it in a heartbeat. I feel like threads like this one scare people who are pre-op and make them unnecessarily nervous prior to having a rather invasive surgery. So please, if you're just basing your opinions on what "you've heard," try to put yourselves in the position of people heading across the border to get the surgery that will likely save their lives. I know I was terrified prior to crossing the border, primarily from things I heard on this forum from people who had in fact, NEVER crossed into Mexico via car, or visited a border city period. Just my two cents.

i agree with you 100%. i may be one of those individuals who have to cross the border for surgery (if insurance doesn't approve it). i've been to other 3rd world countries for vacation and the key is to be smart (don't go wearing the most expensive clothes, flashy jewelry, well known bad areas). violence can happen anywhere (as we all living in the U.S know). as long as the hospital is a clean safe place and the surgeon is qualified i say go for it (you have a higher chance of dying from a heart attach than getting harm in mexico).

Can I just say something without the risk of people jumping down my throat? People post over and over about the dangers of Mexico, but until you've gone to one of these border cities you really have no idea what you're talking about.

I just returned from my surgery in TJ 3 days ago. NOT ONCE did I feel afraid or threatened in any manner, and myself and some of the other bariatric patients took a walk 5 blocks down the road to the shopping mall and spent a few hours there shopping without a guide...and surprise! I felt just as safe there as I do walking around my suburban neighborhood in the midwest. In any larger city there's going to be crime, that's just a fact of life. But that's because ALL cities have good and bad areas. It isn't like you're going down there to score drugs or get involved in a life of crime, so the odds of people coming after you are incredibly low. In fact, did anyone ever stop to think about the fact that only the bad stuff is put onto the news?

I found the people of Tijuana to be wonderful and extremely helpful. If I had to make the choice again whether or not to go to Mexico, I would do it in a heartbeat. I feel like threads like this one scare people who are pre-op and make them unnecessarily nervous prior to having a rather invasive surgery. So please, if you're just basing your opinions on what "you've heard," try to put yourselves in the position of people heading across the border to get the surgery that will likely save their lives. I know I was terrified prior to crossing the border, primarily from things I heard on this forum from people who had in fact, NEVER crossed into Mexico via car, or visited a border city period. Just my two cents.

how much do one of the mexico surgery's cost?

how much do one of the Mexico surgery's cost?

It varies with location and "specials" they may be running. Mine was $4500 plus air travel and hotel for 3 nights in San Diego.

Great responses, I deal a lot with Mexico safety issues, just offering my concern. Cartels are violent and no they aren't looking for the Sleeve Surgery Cartel (bad humor) - its the cross fire and females being alone.

My advice if you are a female, don't go alone. :-)

Great tips too. My surgery will be done in Virginia. I just worry about everyone else :-) Its in my nature.

I see a lot of posts about surgery in Mexico. I realize it may be a cheaper option, but I really hope you consider your safety. An ICE agent was just ambushed there. Please be careful.

I agree with what other people have posted...many people have posted very valid points regarding Tijuana. I have lived here all my life (excluding med school) and have never had a problem. This also applies to my family. You have to remember that cities like Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, have similar situations, you just have to stick with the right people. I know SO MANY people that have retired in nearby Rosarito and also a lot of Americans that do business in Mexico.

Bottom line: Some of the best surgeons in Mexico operate in Tijuana...some of the best hospitals are in Tijuana. The testimonials that patients write for me are astounding. Some patients write that they feel health care in Tijuana is "...better. The nurses and the doctors are so compassionate. In the US I don’t find that...I really don’t. They’re much more compassionate here. It’s so great"

If money is an issue, or you simply want to make a 'good purchase' you should definitely consider having you surgery done over the border. My American patients thank me all the time and wonder what all the 'hype' in the news about Tijuana is about. It's really not bad at all.

Best,

Can I just say something without the risk of people jumping down my throat? People post over and over about the dangers of Mexico, but until you've gone to one of these border cities you really have no idea what you're talking about.

I just returned from my surgery in TJ 3 days ago. NOT ONCE did I feel afraid or threatened in any manner, and myself and some of the other bariatric patients took a walk 5 blocks down the road to the shopping mall and spent a few hours there shopping without a guide...and surprise! I felt just as safe there as I do walking around my suburban neighborhood in the midwest. In any larger city there's going to be crime, that's just a fact of life. But that's because ALL cities have good and bad areas. It isn't like you're going down there to score drugs or get involved in a life of crime, so the odds of people coming after you are incredibly low. In fact, did anyone ever stop to think about the fact that only the bad stuff is put onto the news?

I found the people of Tijuana to be wonderful and extremely helpful. If I had to make the choice again whether or not to go to Mexico, I would do it in a heartbeat. I feel like threads like this one scare people who are pre-op and make them unnecessarily nervous prior to having a rather invasive surgery. So please, if you're just basing your opinions on what "you've heard," try to put yourselves in the position of people heading across the border to get the surgery that will likely save their lives. I know I was terrified prior to crossing the border, primarily from things I heard on this forum from people who had in fact, NEVER crossed into Mexico via car, or visited a border city period. Just my two cents.

Thanks for the wonderful comments...we (the honest Tijuana citizens) strive to get better day in and day out!!

i agree with you 100%. i may be one of those individuals who have to cross the border for surgery (if insurance doesn't approve it). i've been to other 3rd world countries for vacation and the key is to be smart (don't go wearing the most expensive clothes, flashy jewelry, well known bad areas). violence can happen anywhere (as we all living in the U.S know). as long as the hospital is a clean safe place and the surgeon is qualified i say go for it (you have a higher chance of dying from a heart attach than getting harm in mexico).

I know this is my 3rd post here, but it is "right up my alley". This is completely true Mina...I'm glad many people are finding out that Tijuana is relatively safe when you go there for the RIGHT reasons! We have great doctors, hospitals, restaurants (http://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch?query=+tijuana+plascencia&srchst=cse).

We, as doctors continuously prove to patients that can go 'head to head' with any doctor. I, myself went to med school in the US but decided to practice here because my roots are here, and I just have more fun practicing medicine here.

Just my 2 cents...if anyone has doubts/questions, send them to me and I will be glad to answer them.

Best,

I am sorry you can not compare the crime of the United States to Mexico. I work in the law enforcement field and the murder rates in Mexico border cities are through the roof. I would rather walk around in the worst part of Detroit before going to a border town. I would personally take a loan out then go to a border town.

I am sorry you can not compare the crime of the United States to Mexico. I work in the law enforcement field and the murder rates in Mexico border cities are through the roof. I would rather walk around in the worst part of Detroit before going to a border town. I would personally take a loan out then go to a border town.

Yeah, but if you are not doing a drug deal or roaming around alone in an industrial area at 4 am, you can't really compare. As I was doing neither, I felt quite safe in Mexicali. On the other hand, I got held up at gunpoint in Chicago in broad daylight one time, just going about my business on the street.

sorry you got held up at gun point, but that is not a true statement. Two ICE agents were driving and were ambused, one killed. That was a cartel.

I am not trying to come off bitchy, I just happen to know a little bit about what is going on down there. Just want everyone to be safe, that is all.

More doom and gloom from the anti-Mexico camp. Why am I not surprised? You suggest taking out a loan andstaying in the states, but for many taking out $15000+ is not an option (myself included). You seem to think tha because you work in law enforcement that you're privvy to all of this information, yet you have not backed any of your claims with personal experience. All you seem to be doing is regurgitating the same information people could get by turning on CNN.

As for the ICE agents, did you ever stop to think they were targeted because they were in law enforcement? Just throwing that little nugget out there. Perhaps you should save your scare tactics for those who support your standpoint. People come here to reaof firsthand experience, not to listen to the rants of disgruntled law enforcement.

I will go ahead and get off of my soapbox now.

I think I am going to leave this board - there was no need to be nasty in that last message

and no they weren't targeted because they were law enforcement - don't even throw that in there.

You take that risk - have fun.

There is a whole lot of nice people on this board, but I am allowed to have an opinion............