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Insurance vs Mexico

allycatt98

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allycatt98    35

allycatt98
Posted

<p>Hi Ally...</p> <p> </p> <p>I too am in FL and have access to many local docs thatt do WLS; however, my employer has an exclusion on WLS. I am working really hard right now in overtime to save enough $$$$ to be able to afford to go to Mexico by mid year. Keep me posted on your decision and I'll keep you posted on my $$$$ to goal and who knows, maybe we will end up going at the same time. </p> <p> </p>

Hi CiCi,

I'm going up to St Augustine tomorrow for my consult. I'm dreading the trip (almost three hours each way), but I look at it as a necessary evil. I need to find a surgeon and be done with this. I'm really hoping that the doc and I hit it off tomorrow. I totally respect skill and expertise, but at the end of the day, I need someone that is capable and willing to listen to my concerns and act on them. Sometimes that's hard to find.

I'm wishing you the best with your MX preparations. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow. Who knows, I could totally end up in MX this July.

Ally

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Jredington    6

Jredington
Posted

Mexico is the way to go. To the person who is considering a private nurse. WASTE OF MONEY! if you are in need of a nurse, they should not discharge you in the first place. Seriously. I'm a bit of a baby and I survived just fine in Tijuana by myself before and after surgery. Walked a mile round trip to Walmart within 48 hours of having surgery. Also, a lot of stateside hospitals provide free bariatric support groups that meet monthly. The forums coupled with group should be more than enough support. Also, you tend to bond with other patients while you're there. I had my neighbors in and out of my room throughout my hospital stay. It was nice. Overall, I received great medical care and yes! Everyone wore gloves too. It's Mexico, not a third world country. You'll be just fine! Chin up and go get sleeved! :D my total cost, including airfare was $4800.

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allycatt98    35

allycatt98
Posted

Mexico is the way to go. To the person who is considering a private nurse. WASTE OF MONEY! if you are in need of a nurse, they should not discharge you in the first place. Seriously. I'm a bit of a baby and I survived just fine in Tijuana by myself before and after surgery. Walked a mile round trip to Walmart within 48 hours of having surgery. Also, a lot of stateside hospitals provide free bariatric support groups that meet monthly. The forums coupled with group should be more than enough support. Also, you tend to bond with other patients while you're there. I had my neighbors in and out of my room throughout my hospital stay. It was nice. Overall, I received great medical care and yes! Everyone wore gloves too. It's Mexico, not a third world country. You'll be just fine! Chin up and go get sleeved! :D my total cost, including airfare was $4800.

I disagree.... A hospital discharge is not indicative that the person no longer requires medical services or follow-up. It simply means that they no longer require the level of care required for an inpatient stay. This is one of the reasons that home health care has evolved into its current model. So yes, some people may require the services of a nurse (i.e. home health) after hospital discharge. It happens everyday and from a financial perspective, it is much more cost effective than an additional day in the hospital -- especially one that is not quoted/covered in the package price. So considering the availability of home health services as a factor when picking a coordinator is sound. For the most part, a majority of people can be discharged safely after a 1-2 day inpatient stay and I'm extremely encouraged by this.

The point of my post wasn't to debate the merits or efficacy of surgery in Mexico. It was to get a different perspective regarding insurance vs. MX. If I didn't have insurance and MX was the only route for the surgery then I would "chin up" as you mentioned and opt for the trip. However, I have insurance so my decision making process is a bit different. I'm concerned now that if I do require additional services (i.e. hernia repair, gallbladder removal, etc.) the cost of the trip to MX will end up equaling if not exceeding my original insurance projections of $6000.

I'm glad you had a great experience and I hope the same for everyone else. But this surgery (regardless of the location) should be thoughtfully considered. I want to make sure that I've performed my due diligence.

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BrandNewBrandy    79

BrandNewBrandy
Posted

I do know that some doctors in Mexico will fix a hernia for free if it is discovered during the VSG, an elective gall bladder removal during your surgery runs about $500 for most surgeons. (Both of these surgeries should be covered by your insurance should you need them in the future, not all do.) That is something you would need to ask of each doctor when you are deciding on one.

In general my research showed me that the doctors in Mexico overall had less complications than those in Mexico, their patients had less pain. I would think that this is due to the experience that they have. Insurance vs Mexico is a choice that only you can make. Good luck.

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allycatt98    35

allycatt98
Posted

I do know that some doctors in Mexico will fix a hernia for free if it is discovered during the VSG, an elective gall bladder removal during your surgery runs about $500 for most surgeons. (Both of these surgeries should be covered by your insurance should you need them in the future, not all do.) That is something you would need to ask of each doctor when you are deciding on one.

In general my research showed me that the doctors in Mexico overall had less complications than those in Mexico, their patients had less pain. I would think that this is due to the experience that they have. Insurance vs Mexico is a choice that only you can make. Good luck.

Uhm okay. I didn't have any questions about insurance coverage... I'm good in that respect. My post was to get different perspectives from people regarding the insurance vs. MX issue. All things being equal (quality of care, etc.), would you consider having surgery in MX as a cost saving measure. Consideration would have to be given for any extra fees charged by the MX surgeons for hernia repair or a Cholecystectomy as this reduces the potential cost savings. It really doesn't make sense to have the surgery in MX but then come back to the states for additional surgery.... It would be an all or nothing deal. There's no need to pay for surgery in MX then come back to the states and pay the MOOP I was trying to avoid for additional surgical procedures.

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allycatt98    35

allycatt98
Posted

Thanks to everyone that replied to my post and was willing to provide their perspective and recovery information. I feel a lot more comfortable about my decision to move forward with the surgery and I'm encouraged by all of the success that you all are having.

It feels like I've been driving all day. I drove three hours away for a consult and then turned around and came back home....Whew! I like the doctor and I've heard great things about the facility. Based upon my past history of gallstones (they were actually noted during an OB Ultrasound two years ago) he recommended removal of my gallbladder at the time of the sleeve surgery. The rapid weight loss experienced with the sleeve would only aggravate my poor gallbladder even more post-surgery. There will be additional charges for the Cholecystectomy but I dount my responsibility would be much considering that I would've already met my MOOP after the sleeve.

So it looks like I will be remaining stateside.... at least for the sleeve. Once I reach my IBW (Ideal Body Weight) I'm definitely jetting off to MX for a total body lift.

Ally

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BrandNewBrandy    79

BrandNewBrandy
Posted

Uhm okay. I didn't have any questions about insurance coverage... I'm good in that respect. My post was to get different perspectives from people regarding the insurance vs. MX issue. All things being equal (quality of care, etc.), would you consider having surgery in MX as a cost saving measure. Consideration would have to be given for any extra fees charged by the MX surgeons for hernia repair or a Cholecystectomy as this reduces the potential cost savings. It really doesn't make sense to have the surgery in MX but then come back to the states for additional surgery.... It would be an all or nothing deal. There's no need to pay for surgery in MX then come back to the states and pay the MOOP I was trying to avoid for additional surgical procedures.

Additional surgery may not be warranted regardless of the location of your surgery. There isn't a crystal ball to say that you will need your gallbladder removed in the future and I doubt insurance will pay for removal without there being evidence that its necessary.

There are plenty of people who make the decision to go to Mexico when they have insurance coverage for reasons as varied as financial, the wait being too long, they feel they will receive better care, more surgical experience, etc.

I'm glad you have come to a decision you are comfortable with and I hope you have a smooth surgery and recovery.

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allycatt98    35

allycatt98
Posted

Uhm okay. I didn't have any questions about insurance coverage... I'm good in that respect. My post was to get different perspectives from people regarding the insurance vs. MX issue. All things being equal (quality of care, etc.), would you consider having surgery in MX as a cost saving measure. Consideration would have to be given for any extra fees charged by the MX surgeons for hernia repair or a Cholecystectomy as this reduces the potential cost savings. It really doesn't make sense to have the surgery in MX but then come back to the states for additional surgery.... It would be an all or nothing deal. There's no need to pay for surgery in MX then come back to the states and pay the MOOP I was trying to avoid for additional surgical procedures.

Additional surgery may not be warranted regardless of the location of your surgery. There isn't a crystal ball to say that you will need your gallbladder removed in the future and I doubt insurance will pay for removal without there being evidence that its necessary.

There are plenty of people who make the decision to go to Mexico when they have insurance coverage for reasons as varied as financial, the wait being too long, they feel they will receive better care, more surgical experience, etc.

I'm glad you have come to a decision you are comfortable with and I hope you have a smooth surgery and recovery.

Thanks for the reply. I really don't think you understand any of this, but that's okay.

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Susysleever    265

Susysleever
Posted

I've been a nurse for over ten years so I've seen how the healthcare system here fails people. I spent over seven years in Managed Care so I have first hand knowledge of the insurance industry too. From what I've learned, the care will probably be better in Mexico because the providers and facilities are catering to tourist dollars... That's a lot different than most of the facilities we deal with here unfortunately.

I too, am a nurse. You are spot on. Living in AZ I have seen ironic border trends. Our seniors go to Mx for drugs ( maybe not now due to Medicare Part D) Mx come here for education.we go to Mx for dental work and elective surgeries. Mx come here for health care-any er treats. Shame when countries don't take care of their own.

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Go To Topic Listing Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery

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    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
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    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

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    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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