I am sure this will seem like an overly simple question to some, but I am curious what the advantage is of choosing to go to Mexico to have your surgery is? I am anxious enough to undergo such a permanent elective surgery, that being in a country other than my home would seem to add additional stress to an otherwise already stressful situation. And when you have the surgery in Mexico, who does your follow-up visits? Thanks for any insight you can give.

For me, it's money. I am self-pay and it's 20k cheaper.

It's all about the Benjamin's lol. When your self pay there's a big difference between $5k and $20k when it's coming out of your pocket. My primary has a weight loss clinic and she is doing my follow up and aftercare.

For me, it's money. I am self-pay and it's 20k cheaper.

I am confused, because the self pay total I have been given including hospital stays wasn't even 20k. Is the experience more and the outcomes better?

I think you have to evaluate you that on a case by case basis (experience/outcomes), however in my area it is 25k for a sleeve with a skilled surgeon. I chose my doctor in TJ because he has similar experience to the US doctor that I couldn't afford.

Money is my reason as well. My insurance does not cover WLS and I cannot afford 20K for it in the US. I could save money and do it in a year or so but once I made the decision I wanted to have the surgery right then. My surgery was March 23 and I was so excited I moved it to March 9. There is no way I could wait a year or longer. Also the Mexico surgeons have done thousands of these surgeries due to Medical Tourism whereas American surgeons have only done hundreds. You never hear of people coming to America from another country to have surgery so these other countries must be doing something right.

I know it is scary but these doctors are all in border towns that are really not that different from the US towns 2 miles away from them. I live in TX and have been to some border towns and if I did go through all the hoopla to get in and out I would never have known I had crossed the border.

If you don't have insurance you should research Mexico and see if it is right for you.

Ok this is making sense now, thank you everyone hope everyone has fantastic outcomes with the desired results.

After paying $16,000.00 for the band and only $5500.00 for my revision the answer seemed so simple.

I am confused, because the self pay total I have been given including hospital stays wasn't even 20k. Is the experience more and the outcomes better?

Every area of the country is different... Where I live it nobody would touch me for under 20K.... I could have traveled to Las Vegas, Texas, or Lousiana and had surgery for just under 10k... but since those places are all very far from me, I'd have to travel to get there and stay in a hotel, etc and pay 10K for it PLUS hotel expense, I'd rather go to Mexico and get it even cheaper.. There is nothing about crossing into Mexico that is scary to me and the doctors are perfectly competent so I see no reason to go to a US doctor when I can save thousands in Mexico.

It's not only the price, but it is the service, environment, and expertise. I am an Critical Care Nurse practitioner. I have been researching this for over a year. I could of done mine here in Miami for 10k, but none of the groups around me were a Center of excellence, most centers near me also performed these WLS in normal hospitals. Big turn off. Hospital acquired infection rates are at an all time high. I feel much better knowing that the center that I'm having mine done does only WLS... That's it. So no chance of a flu outbreak, catching something from another patient due to poor staff hand hygiene, etc. Also these centers specialize in this and they not only provide the surgery but the full service and experience. It almost feels like luxury but affordable. They depend on people like us to keep business running so they're work is top notch. But of course you'll have to really think about what is best for u.

I am sending one of my best friends to Mexico. She has BCBS, but her company has a specific exclusion for weight loss and she can't afford $12k, which is what I paid self-pay here in FL. I suggested that she research doctors in Mexico and she is scheduled for March 21 in TJ. I feel totally comfortable suggesting Mexico for her and she has done enough research to feel comfortable with her choice. From reading here at VST, I recommended three doctors that had great reviews and she chose one of them. Good luck with whatever your choice ends up being.

I myself was a little freaked out at first about the thought of going to Mexico. But after researching it and all the good reviews. I honestly feel better having surgery there instead of the states. I guess its what makes you feel comfortable. I know I'm paying around $6000 including airfare. Which it would cost $13,000 here.

Lissa- what dr is your friend going to I chose Dr Garcia