I'm new to the forum and to WLS in general. I've attended a few free seminars and I have my first consult with a surgeon on Thursday. While I'm 98% positive I'm going to go forward with the sleeve surgery (pending approval) I'm still researching and trying to learn as much as I can about it in general. I'm noticing that quite a few people are getting the surgery done in Mexico. I'm wondering why? Is there an advantage with going out of the country (USA) for the surgery?

I was going to say that also, my pcp is very supportive and has already been talking to me about a tummy tuck ( my insurance will pay) I love my pcp so he is all the aftercare I need. That is important.

Completely agree! I had great care by Dr. Alvarez. I'd go as far as saying I got better care and more attention. It's been since May9th last year and I still tell people Dr A saved my life. 66lbs later.

Dr Alvarez is the sh*T!

I'm self pay and in the process of evaluating Docs. Mexico seems like the best option because the cost is significantly less and there are many excellent surgeons. Logic seems to dictate that if you only do one thing and you do it often, you will be good at it. The surgeons I've researched locally don't have close to the number of procedures of some of the well known Mexican Docs. So Mexico seems like an easy decision for me.

Yep, my PCP is also supportive of my MX surgeon. It just sucks that my insurance won't pay anything if its even close to WLS care. Luckily, my PCP is good

As Bluto mentioned the Mexican doctors have performed thousands of surgeries compared to the hundreds that many doctors in the states have performed. They are top notch and definitely go the extra mile. For instance many doctors do not do 3 leak tests; those in Mexico do.

I'll be back to Mexico for arms when it's time and anything else that will need tuck or lifted. Im newly sleeved, 5 days post op, so it will be a bit but already planning and budgeting.

I'm also looking to book my trip to Mexico for sleeve. Trying to decide between Ready 4 a change vs Medical Tourism and the doctors of Dr. Cabrera Garcia vs Dr. Fernando Garcia. Any feedback would be appreciated.

I'm also looking to book my trip to Mexico for sleeve. Trying to decide between Ready 4 a Change vs Medical Tourism and the doctors of Dr. Cabrera Garcia vs Dr. Fernando Garcia. Any feedback would be appreciated.

If you search the forum for those drs they should have a thread specially for them with the info you're looking for.

I'm pretty sure everyone is going to have rave reviews of their MX dr. I've only heard of one dr with a poor review so just do your research and you'll find what you need.

Good luck!

I used Cabrera and they were fantastic, saw me everyday in the hospital, I went through Mexico bariatric. Have questions, ask away

I am going with Dr. Fernando Garcia with Read4aChange. I researched and found he had the best reviews. I chose R4aC because of Alma. She is so nice and helpful. She set up my appoinment for March 23 and told me to worry about the deposit later. She said she wanted me to get the date I wanted and they have alot if people scheduling due to income tax time. She also said I can rescheit uf needed. Also the $500 deposit is refundable if something were to happen and most companies don't offer that.

Sorry about the typos. I am on a tablet. I can reschedule if needed.

geez at this point im almost nervous about having the surgery done in the states. it seems more people go to Mexico than the us.

Can i ask though, if your insurance did cover it, and you felt you had a good surgeon, would you still opt for Mexico or would you stay in the states?

I never even considered Mexico as again my insurance covers and i have found a local surgeon but after reading all this im wonding if mabye i should start researching mexico?

geez at this point im almost nervous about having the surgery done in the states. it seems more people go to Mexico than the us.

Can i ask though, if your insurance did cover it, and you felt you had a good surgeon, would you still opt for Mexico or would you stay in the states?

I never even considered Mexico as again my insurance covers and i have found a local surgeon but after reading all this im wonding if mabye i should start researching mexico?

I am going to Mx because my employer's insurance excludes all weight loss surgery, no exceptions. The out-of-pocket cost where I live is prohibitive. I researched a LOT and decided on a surgeon, not the least expensive, not the most expensive but one I felt comfortable with.

If my insurance covered it, I wouldn't have any issues getting it done here. There are a couple of Centers of Excellence within driving distance of me and I also live close to some amazing medical institutions that have tons of resources for bariatric patients. My PCP is extremely supportive and, while Mexico wasn't his first choice, he understands why it was my choice. He is happy to treat me post-op and if he runs across something he feels is out of his element, he checked with a collegue at a nearby bariatric practice who agreed to see me if I needed them.

So, I trust the care I'd get here, and even more importantly, I wouldn't have to leave my child for several days, if I were to have it done here vs Mexico.

It's just not to be for me and I choose to look at the positives of going away...I'll get a little more pampered, a mini-vacation of sorts, time alone with my significant other, and my sleeve.

geez at this point im almost nervous about having the surgery done in the states. it seems more people go to Mexico than the us.

Can i ask though, if your insurance did cover it, and you felt you had a good surgeon, would you still opt for Mexico or would you stay in the states?

I never even considered Mexico as again my insurance covers and i have found a local surgeon but after reading all this im wonding if mabye i should start researching mexico?

Then I would do it in the United States by a Center of Excellence facility that is close to my home. In fact, I tried convincing a COE to do it and I would pay out of pocket. Yes, I was willing to pay the $20,000+, but they wouldn't do it because my BMI was too low with no co-morbidities. I wasn't willing to wait until I gained more weight, I wanted to nip it in the bud.

Mary

My local Center of Excellence surgeon is apparently the **** around here. Even though my insurance doesn't cover any WLS, I still wanted to go. I listen to his spill about this and that. When asked about his leaks, he says he's only human. WHAT????!!!!!! Really.

Dr Illan and Mexico, here I come. For $4,000, no deposit, hospital, hotel, and the wonderful "Omar".