Questions about Mexico

[NewAshes 232]

There is a chance my insurance won't cover me because I only have pre diabetes and not full blown type two. I was wondering how much self pay is including the flight there and back and if you can do payments? I'd also like references as too good programs/surgeons and where to start.

Thanks

[North_Chicky 29]

I'm don't believe any surgeons include airfare in their packages. I booked with Dr. Illian through mysurgeryoptions.com. I'm paying $3999.00 us for the surgery, including 2 nights in the hospital, followed by 2 nights in a hotel. I've have transportation from San Diego airport to the hospital in Tijuana and back. My flights were around $700, from Toronto.

I haven't had my surgery yet, but you will run across a number of good surgeons (and some likely not so good ones) down in Mexico. I would recommend doing research of any surgeon that you are interested in booking with. They range from $3500-8700us.

[westcoastlady 39]

I'm don't believe any surgeons include airfare in their packages. I booked with Dr. Illian through mysurgeryoptions.com. I'm paying $3999.00 us for the surgery, including 2 nights in the hospital, followed by 2 nights in a hotel. I've have transportation from San Diego airport to the hospital in Tijuana and back. My flights were around $700, from Toronto.

I haven't had my surgery yet, but you will run across a number of good surgeons (and some likely not so good ones) down in Mexico. I would recommend doing research of any surgeon that you are interested in booking with. They range from $3500-8700us.

Couldnt of said it better. There are approx 200 Bariatric Surgeons in Mexico but only a few advertise on the internet. I used Dr. R Kelly at $5200

Most packages all include whats listed above in the other post.

Research the doctor... research the hospital... and finally the recovery hotel.

Good Luck

[920amy 409]

Very well said ladies! I used Dr. Lopez through ALighterMe.com I paid $4,750 which included 2 night hospital, and 3 night hotel, they picked me up from the airport and took me all over as well as back to the airport in San Diego. My Airfare was only about $99 (I live in AZ and got a deal through Southwest). Please do TONS of research, there are many of us who have been to Mexico, ask us all any questions you might have. I hope you find the right Dr. if you do end up as self pay. Best of luck to you!

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

Dr Ponce $5,500 airfare from WA was $200 round trip

[KatInFL 216]

There is a chance my insurance won't cover me because I only have pre diabetes and not full blown type two. I was wondering how much self pay is including the flight there and back and if you can do payments? I'd also like references as too good programs/surgeons and where to start.

Thanks

You will find the gamut of prices, but most range from $4,000 to $8,500. I wasn't able to find a single one in my research (I looked for just under a year until I booked) that included airfare. It would be tough to price competitively and still make money, I'd imagine, given the fluxuation in airfares from varying locations. I went with Dr. Illan (whom I adore and couldn't have been happier with) and paid around $4700 including airfare and incidentals. Oh, and I opted to stay an extra night in Tijuana because it made my airfare around $175 less...so I paid for the extra night at the hotel out of pocket to save overall.

I can't remember which surgeon off the top of my head, but if I recall correctly, there is only one surgeon that does a sort of in-house financing with 50% of the cost upfront and then monthly payments. You might have better luck if you use the search option for the forums in finding a surgeon that offers in-house financing. There are a lot of different financing options, if your credit meets particular lending criteria. If you don't have decent credit (and I'm not saying you do, just stating since it's a VERY common question around here), you will have a tougher time finding financing. There are a couple of dubious (at best) companies out there that will lend for outrageous interest rates, given you pay something like 65% up front.

This is a great place to start researching surgeons! What works for everyone is different. What you are looking for vs what someone else is/was looking for may be different, so it might be easier for you to look around a bit, maybe gather some questions about how different surgeons/hospitals/packages/coordinators/whatever then come back and ask those questions. When I started researching, a made a list of things that were important to me in descending order, then made a spreadsheet of surgeons and narrowed it down to a few that met my needs. From there, I asked questions, contacted surgeons, etc. and it made the process feel much less overwhelming.

~Kat

[frostypaws41 5]

Hey Kat in FL.,

Thank you so much ! Your Dr. Illan has approved me for surgery even though I had the surgery when I was 12 with my pancreas wrapped around my duodenum . Plus he is only charging me $3,999. How great is that ? Dr. Venezuela wanted to charge me an extra $1,500. And then she said she wasn't sure it would work. Only 70% chance of going ahead with it once she opened me up. So glad I was told about this forum.

I would love to hear about anyone's experience's.

Thank you!

Lisa Marie

[KatInFL 216]

Hey Kat in FL.,

Thank you so much ! Your Dr. Illan has approved me for surgery even though I had the surgery when I was 12 with my pancreas wrapped around my duodenum . Plus he is only charging me $3,999. How great is that ? Dr. Venezuela wanted to charge me an extra $1,500. And then she said she wasn't sure it would work. Only 70% chance of going ahead with it once she opened me up. So glad I was told about this forum.

I would love to hear about anyone's experience's.

Thank you!

Lisa Marie

Hi Lisa Marie,

I'm so very glad that you were able to get assistance through Dr. Illan. Like I said, I know he has a ton of general surgery experience, so I suspected he might be more comfortable given your situation.

Also, he and his team is just amazing. I adore him. I will be going back to Tijuana at some point for plastics, I'm positive, and will make sure I see him again.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me. Or ask here...these forums have a wealth of fantastic information!

~Kat

[NewAshes 232]

Thanks for the info! My doctor called and told me even though my recent test shows I'm in the range of pre diabetes I'm in their system as controled type 2 diabetes so hopefully I won't have to self pay but I'm still going to do my research just incase!

[KickRocks 163]

Hey Kat in FL.,

Thank you so much ! Your Dr. Illan has approved me for surgery even though I had the surgery when I was 12 with my pancreas wrapped around my duodenum . Plus he is only charging me $3,999. How great is that ? Dr. Venezuela wanted to charge me an extra $1,500. And then she said she wasn't sure it would work. Only 70% chance of going ahead with it once she opened me up. So glad I was told about this forum.

I would love to hear about anyone's experience's.

Thank you!

Lisa Marie

That is great to hear! I also went with Dr Illan and LOVE HIM! You will be in great hands i promise! Everything works out for a reason