I have been thinking about this for quite a while and now it is bugging me enough to write it down here, and see if anyone else had a similar experience.

I was sleeved/revised by Dr. Lopez in Tijuana on May 23, 2014. I felt very comfortable with my decision- I thoroughly researched all the doctors and have friends who have used Dr. Lopez in previous years. Also, to preface my account, I was sleeved by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali in '07 and that was an AWESOME experience!! Best hospital experience I have ever had and I have had a lot!

So, back to it...Everything seemed to be going well until I woke up in my windowless little closet of a room after the surgery sicker than hell. Horrible reaction to the anesthesia which isn't new for me. The part that bothered me was that every time I tried to get anti-nausea drugs or ice chips from the staff, they treated me like I was putting them out. As a matter of fact, none of the staff was very friendly or helpful. I was never encouraged to walk or sip my Water. I found my breath exerciser thing buried under a towel on a chair still wrapped in plastic when I was discharged, with no instruction on using it.

OK- here's the part that REALLY bothered me: When Dr. Lopez and another doctor came in to see me the day after surgery, Dr. Lopez started off by saying I had a great revision and they removed my lap-band and by-the-way I fixed your hiatal hernia. Well, that shocked me because I had my lap-band removed in 2009. Turns out that almost everyone I spoke with in those 5 days had a hiatal hernia repaired that they were not aware was a problem previous to surgery.

Maybe hiatal hernias are very common. Maybe it was a slip of the tongue regarding 'removing' my lap-band. In any case, it's still gnawing at me and I am curious if anyone else felt uncomfortable in Mi Doctor hospital and/or with the staff of Dr. Lopez.

Really, just self pay here in the US? Try looking into that option. My friend just had her surgery in the US. $28,000. That is not even an option for my daughter. We both live on limited budget. I am retired with fixed income so I am unable to help her. She is single so only one income. Not sure how we can pull that kind of money out of the air. In the mean time others... the ins company, decide who can and who cannot have the surgery. This is not even a patient doctor decision as to the necessity of surgery! So what are the other options beside Mexico? Just not have it? I see my daughter live a lonely and unhappy life because she feels like an outcast due to her size. She has no energy to even get out and walk or do other exercise because her feet, knees, and back hurt so bad. It has become a vicious cycle. I am proud that she wants to make a better life for herself, starting with this surgery. Unfortunate, yes, that she could not afford to have the surgery here, but we have done what we can to make the best educated decision based on information available to us, and we will be heading to Mexico. As far as after surgery, whether it be the surgery was performed here or in Mexico, self pay is deemed elective surgery. So complications, if they occur, must be addressed for either patient. The location of where the WLS occurred should be irrelevant in regards to follow up care here in the US.

Yes really

I read your other posts I am sorry she didn't qualify with her insurance plan but there are other options

Waiting until January so you have 2 years documented

Appealing that decision as far as the state insurance commissioner

Having self pay in the us at a different location- compare pricing.

Really I hope the best for you both and I hope Mexico is a good decision for you

Though but for the grace of God go I.

@@Jersrose43 I have limited amount of money in the time frame I have available to me to get this surgery. After this summer, I am committed to projects and will not have the time needed to recover available to me. If I could raise another 5 or 10 or 20 k before my time frame ran out, then I would consider surgery in the USA. I would also consider Mexico. Why would I want to pay double, triple or 5 times as much when I can get high quality surgery for less? I don't think a surgeon being in the USA automatically qualifies him or her as better than all surgeons in Mexico.

Again, I will not accept blanket condemnation of all Mexican surgeons, nor will I accept blanket praises. I will add that I do not accept blanket praises of all American surgeons either.

Edited June 27, 201412 yr by Travelmego

@@Jersrose43 I have limited amount of money in the time frame I have available to me to get this surgery. After this summer, I am committed and will not have the time needed to recover available to me. If I could raise another 5 or 10 or 20 k before my time frame ran out, then I would consider surgery in the USA. I would also consider Mexico. Why would I want to pay double, triple or 5 times as much when I can get high quality surgery for less? I don't think a surgeon being in the USA automatically qualifies him or her as better than all surgeons in Mexico. Again, I will not accept blanket condemnation of all Mexican surgeons, nor will I accept blanket praises. I will add that I do not accept blanket praises of all American surgeons either.

Am I glad that you are not accepting of blanket praise. That is what I like to hear. May you be blessed with a great surgeon regardless of locale.

And likewise, I hope you reconsider your blanket condemnation of getting surgery outside of the USA. That is what I would like to hear. Cheers!

Some parts of the USA (southern states like texas, louisiana, florida etc) offer self-pay rates that are very, very competitive with Mexico rates.

Many also run specials during the summer for example or for lower-income folks. Just putting that out there for those that were not aware of that option. I have seen specials in the 4-5k range in the US lately.

To those talking about dr. Corvala, I just had my surgery by him three weeks ago. Highly recommend! I had no issues at all. Not even nausea. I was there 5 nights. They were unable to get an IV in me the night before surgery. This happens EVERY time I need an IV but I was extra dehydrated from traveling so I had a pic line in my chest. It was done in an operating room and cost us $400 extra. The one who did it said that's only his second time having to do one for a surgery patient though so not a common issue. Meds to go home with were are $200. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Very nice hospital. Excellent care and staff. And I'm down 31lbs already!

And likewise, I hope you reconsider your blanket condemnation of getting surgery outside of the USA. That is what I would like to hear. Cheers!

I don't condemn it. If it's the right decision for you. Go for it. I just don't understand it As per the other poster. I would rather search the entirety of the US and find an appropriate option here than to go outside the country. It's just not something I can relate to for me That said I want to make clear that I have a boatload of family members who have had cosmetics done in Brazil, cancer treatment in Portugal (my mom) and hip surgery is Costa Rica. It was the right decision for them based on time, expense and their mental fortitude. I also saw some complication and what they went thru to get treatment upon return. I would rather move mountains to make it happen here. That said I can't afford a sleeve in nj cash - it's $25k. But in Texas, Louisiana and other southern states or Wyoming, Nebraska not so much.

Edited June 27, 201412 yr by Jersrose43

Sooo, you would rather go with the worst surgeon in the USA than the best surgeon in Mexico? Not me.

@@woo woo Where have you seen these specials of 4 - 5k in the USA. I would like a link if you have one. What is included in their packages? Do you stay over in the hospital or is it same day discharge?

Edited June 28, 201412 yr by Travelmego

@@woo woo Where have you seen these specials of 4 - 5k in the USA. I would like a link if you have one. What is included in their packages? Do you stay over in the hospital or is it same day discharge?

Did I say 4-5? I said not so much as 25 as it is here in nj

And they're not bad docs prices for healthcare are greater on the coasts less in south and Midwest

That was addressed to woowoo who said 4 - 5.

@@Travelmego I live in Dallas/Ft Worth area, many of the popular surgeons advertise on tv here. I saw an ad on tv this week for 10,900 self-pay sleeve for anyone, or 4900 for "those who qualify". This one was for Dr. David Kim.

He has a program called "Making Bariatrics Affordable". This is the website I found through a search: http://www.drdkim.net/special-pricing/

I would not be surprised if the prices on the other "big" Dallas area surgeons are close to these or will be soon as there is a lot of competition here between Dr Kim, Dr Nicholson, Dr Barker and possibly a couple others.

I know for sure that Dr Kim and Dr Nicholson regularly serve out of town patients.

Ok, great @@woo woo - really appreciate that. I wonder if qualifying means you have a hernia and can have part of the cost offset by insurance that way. I am going to check it out. I won't change my surgeon now - still going to Mexico - but I would love to know the details.

Ok, great @@woo woo - really appreciate that. I wonder if qualifying means you have a hernia and can have part of the cost offset by insurance that way. I am going to check it out. I won't change my surgeon now - still going to Mexico - but I would love to know the details.

Especially since I've noticed many of us who have the surgery end up discovering a hernia.