For all the Mexico sleevers out there I have a question! If you have or have had a complication when you got home did your insurance cover it? Did you buy complication insurance? If so, did you use it? How did you approach your PCP about having this surgery abroad? Thank you in advance for your comments!

Edited January 14, 201412 yr by ht3013

I have a quick question; why Mexico? This is the first I've heard about surgery there rather than US.

I have a quick question; why Mexico? This is the first I've heard about surgery there rather than US.

Many people can not get their Insurance to cover the procedure (if they have insurance at all); surgery is much cheaper in foreign countries such as Mexico.

Edited January 14, 201412 yr by anmiller07

I have a quick question; why Mexico? This is the first I've heard about surgery there rather than US.

Many people can not get their Insurance to cover the procedure (if they have insurance at all); surgery is much cheaper in foreign countries such as Mexico.

Exactly. I have very decent insurance through work. That said, our plan does not allow bariatric procedures for weight loss. It goes a step farther than just that though. It also excludes bariatric procedures even with comorbidities involved. I've learned that it is very common for government employee plans, (especially smaller municipal and county), to be written this way to help keep insurance costs in the plan down. It sucks, as I have a few comorbidities, and would love to go through insurance.

Since I don't have that option, my options for surgery are to go local, which in my market would be approximately 12k for a VSG, or go the Medical Tourism route, which is running me about 4.3k, That's a big difference, obviously. Complications can happen anywhere with any surgeon. If you do your homework and feel comfortable with the surgeon, it shouldn't matter what country you do it at, imo.

ht3013 - (sorry for the delay, work)....I am still pre-op, (having my VSG on the 27th). My gastroenterologist is on board with this, (and her opinion was a very big factor for me). She would prefer I get it done in the US, but understands the need to look elsewhere due to way the US medical and insurance industries are. My PCP has not been supportive, but since I see my gastro doc much, much more than the PCP, I could not care less.

At this point, my plan is to go to one of two pre-selected, (by me), highly rated ER's in my area should an emergency situation arise. I am still hunting for a bariatric surgeon in my area who would be willing to provide post-op followup care, but so far have been unsuccessful. Heck, no one is even willing to do a simple 10-day post-op incision check for me. It can be frustrating, but you have to weigh what is important to you. For minor things, I can use my gastro doc. For surgical needs that are an emergency, you should do your homework on your area ERs and the surgeons that are affiliated with them and the hospital. A general surgeon spends plenty of time on people's insides, and will be able to handle things that pop up.

Thank you for your response. I live in cleveland so I have access to the cleveland clinic. I'm just not at a 40 bmi to use my insurance.