I'm new to this site but looking through several posts I see that people go down south of the border to have the VSG done, is there a reason for this? Or is it strictly because of costs that people are going there.

So let me ask you this... If your insurance would have covered this procedure would you still have looked to Mexico? I guess you just hear horror stories about medical procedures going bad down there, so just curious.

I self paid but had the funds to choose any doctor I wanted. I started with a list of three doctors, two stateside and one in Mexico. After doing months of research and reading testimonials and actually talking to all three offices via email and on the phone, I opted to go with Dr. Aceves in Mexico.

I got "more bang for my buck" and a more experienced doctor. I got to spend several days in the hospital instead of being shuffled out after 23 hours. I had top notch care from an incredibly skilled and experienced surgeon.

Frankly, I've seen more complications on these boards from the US doctors than the ones in Mexico in the three years I've been around!

Sure, for some people it's price but the difference in price ISN'T that big when you go with Dr. Aceves. I paid $10K for my surgery and flights vs. the $14-17K I was quoted from the other two doctors. That wasn't enough of a difference for me to choose my surgeon solely based upon cost. But when it came down to post op care my doctor and his team won hands down. If I won a million dollars tomorrow I'd still take my mom and sister to Dr. Aceves over a different surgeon.

And to answer your other question about insurance? NO WAY! Tricare still doesn't cover the sleeve and that means any doctor at a MTF doing this surgery might be experienced with bariatric surgery or laparoscopy but it's highly unlikely they're skilled with the sleeve. I know all doctors get their experience somewhere but for me this was a huge factor in my decision making process: number of sleeves vs. number of leaks. Dr. Aceves still has the best record on this front, too!

~Cheri

I am also going to Dr Garcia on 17th May. I am Australian but live in Canada. the healthcare system here (Alberta) covers the procedure - but I had an eroded lapband removed in January, and had to drive 4 hours each way to go to the doctor/hospital - it became difficult with my work to organize appointments and the driving was a pain!!

Two weeks ago I said - well I can keep waiting for the "free" surgery, or I can pay the money and have it done at my convenience. My situation may be different - but my choice was definitely to go to Mexico - I am excited and confident - also, I love to fly and travel - so to me everything is an adventure.

Congratulations on your decision. I will definately keep you posted as I am a May 7 sleever!

I actually have this situation - insurance coverage and I'm still going to Mexico. I originally was told insurance wouldn't cover me. So I did a TON of research on VSG in Mexico and settled on Dr. Aceves. Three weeks before my surgery date I found out that my insurance WILL cover VSG through the bariatric surgery center in my town. This meant I could save the $8500 it was going to cost me in Mexico (though US surgery would probably cost me about $2000). After much thought, I decided to proceed with self-paying and going to Mexico. Why? Three primary reasons:

1) I don't want to wait the six months my insurance requires (six visits to a dietician)

2) The local surgeon had WAY less experience that Dr. Aceves. Now, I could have continued to research US doctors that had more experience - but that would take more time (see point one

3) The surgeons in my area seem to be more inclined to use a larger bougie size due to some literature that indicates lower complication rates (when using a bougie over 40-Fr) - but I believe the weight loss is more with the smaller size, even if the complication rate is higher (though it's still at under 3% according to several studies). That's not to say that I couldn't find a surgeon near me that uses a smaller size - but that goes back to time

Perhaps it's merely impatience - but I'm so excited about my choice of Dr. Aceves that even the chance of saving $6500 by waiting six months wasn't enough to sway me!

My sister had her weight loss surgery in Mexico and said it was cleaner, more attentive and the best overall surgery experience she'd had and will never go anywhere else. So where am I going? Mexico

If you google "gastric sleeve horror stories" or "gastric sleeve nightmares", etc. just check out where the majority (almost every one I read) had surgery...yup, the good ol' USA

So let me ask you this... If your insurance would have covered this procedure would you still have looked to Mexico? I guess you just hear horror stories about medical procedures going bad down there, so just curious.

I will be having my procedure done by Dr. Jamaal at the University of Iowa... They claim to be the birth place of baratric surgery, so hopefully everything goes as planned.

I was in the predicament that you are asking about and I CHOSE to go to Dr. Aceves. There was a doctor in the LA area who was going to do my revision for the same price as Dr. Aceves. After researching and really thinking about it and talking to my loved ones I decided to still go to Dr. Aceves in Mexico. EVERYTHING I have read on him is excellent and he is the man when it comes to revisions. Insurance would not cover but I could have stayed in the US for the same price.

Im attempting to get my insurance to pay here in the states. Im a single parent, so cash is not an easy thing to come by. But honestly, if I had the cash available, Id be on my flight to mexico. The doctors here have little experience with sleeves. The surgeon Im seeing has many many years of bariatric experience and I know the sleeve is a simpler surgery, but he has 12 under his belt. That doesn't exactly make me feel confident. But Im desperate to have this done. If I could afford it, Id rather go to Mexico with a surgeon who has done a 1000 plus sleeves. IF my insurance denies, Ive already chosen a mexican surgeon and will eat ramen every day if I must.

I too am a single mother and my insurance will not cover any bariatric surgery (along with a seeing a nutritionist) they cover nothing. For a US procedure the cost is far greater than the Mexico cost.

I have been saving since 2005 and I am heading to Mexico and I took a small loan as well.

While I worry about extra skin and such I know this will change my life and for the better. I will be healthier and get back to where I need/should be. Any doctor or location comes with risks because each person is different. Go where you feel comfortable and that works best for you.

Best of luck

Frankly' date=' I've seen more complications on these boards from the US doctors than the ones in Mexico in the three years I've been around!

~Cheri[/quote']

I have only been here since November of 2012 and I have noticed this as well. Thats why Experience does count!!!. I felt that they acted in a more professional manner in mexico too.