I had sleeve surgery in the US at the Franciscan Weight Management System here in Federal Way, Washington, by Dr. Houseworth. I have not seen him since the day of surgery, as my follow up appts have been with his Nurse Practitioner. I am 4 months out and have see her twice. My daughter did all the prep testing with Dr. Houseworth also, but even though the insurance company paid for all the testing, they ultimately refused her WLS. So after spending several thousand in pretesting, she is now left with only one option.... To go to Mexico. We selected dr. Ariel Ortiz with FACS credentials,through OCC, which is a Center of Excelleance. Both distinctions that are also assigned to Dr. Houseworth. I asked the NP today if she would be willing to do the followup work for my daughter when she returned from surgery. She discussed with dr. Houseworth and he declined to keep her as a patient if she had her surgery in Mexico, even though she has done all the pretesting with him. REALLY???? I don't get it. Is she just supposed to forgo having the surgery because the insurance declined coverage? She cannot even get approved for a loan for $28,000 that it would cost her to have the surgery here in the US. What option does she have if she does not go to Mexico? I am at a loss as to why the drs refuse to see patients after having surgery in Mexico. She has been refused service by Dr. Holzclaw, my PCP, also. Is this just a Washington state issue? Does anyone know of a dr in the Seattle/Tacoma are that will accept my daughters as patients after they return from Mexico? I am so frustrated and ticked off!

I lived in Germany in 2001 and was banded there. I went to a surgeon who was well known and respected globally and had more experience than ANY USA surgeon at the time. When I came home i had a heck of a time finding care and follow up and was treated as though I had done something crazy like having surery in Germany. Germany of all places. Anyway...

I think you should make some calls. Try PSSC in Edmonds. Not sure they can help but maybe they have ideas of who can help. Also, i believe their cash price is less than what your daughter has been quoted in the USA... so worth checking out. They are my surgeons and i think they are wonderful

x

Edited October 27, 201411 yr by swimbikerun

I just wanted to say to the original poster--I don't get it either. Insurance won't cover it, so I am going to save my own life, and YES--for me, that means going to Mexico. I am *extremely* fortunate to have a doctor here who has done a lot of travel medicine and she 100% supports my decision. Is it hard to put together your own "team" of a doctor and a nutritionist and a psychologist? Yes. Is it do-able? Yes. Because none of us would be here if there were ANY other options, right?? As for me, viva Mexico.

You go Becca!

For all those who pay their own way to WLS in Mexico, you need to ask your insurance why they won't refund you the dollars you save them by getting surgery!

Jerks ...

then again, I just had a chat with my insurance because they denied a medication. Between myself and the docs office, we got it approved. Granted for a lower dose but we got it approved.

I really don't think having surgery in MX is a taboo subject. I bet over half the people on this board have gone there, to one place or another.

I had way better care in MX than I would have had here in Oregon. I was in a very clean, very nice hospital for 3 days. Here they do it as an out patient surgery and send you home after day surgery, with drains. You come back in to the doctor's office in the morning for IV fluids. That is simply crazy to me!

Get a new Doctor... $28.000!!!!! You got to be kidding me! My Surgery was INSIDE the US and was only $10,000. Cash.

Not necessarily about Mexico, but my surgeon is one of the few who will see patients already operated on by other surgeons that have complications and need corrective surgery. He specializes in difficult cases (and non-invasive surgery) and therefore gets referrals from several surrounding states. Every one I have talked to who has had him have sung his praises with unbridled enthusiasm--and many were complicated referral cases. I am certainly not a difficult case but I chose him because of the fact that he so good he can correct other surgeon's problem (or botched) cases. He might be a candidate to see if you had surgery in Mexico and are having problems. He is in Oregon.

I also wonder if they need to consider insurance liability in caring for a post op patient from another surgeon and perhaps more so from another country? It's not that it cannot be done, as mentioned by other posters but it depends on the risk your other doctors are willing to take and your history with them.

I also believe a support program of NUTS, PTs, and psychologists are extremely important to give you the best chance to succeed. I wonder if a center like the one I go to that has these programs will accept someone who isn't having the surgery there?

Not necessarily about Mexico, but my surgeon is one of the few who will see patients already operated on by other surgeons that have complications and need corrective surgery. He specializes in difficult cases (and non-invasive surgery) and therefore gets referrals from several surrounding states. Every one I have talked to who has had him have sung his praises with unbridled enthusiasm--and many were complicated referral cases. I am certainly not a difficult case but I chose him because of the fact that he so good he can correct other surgeon's problem (or botched) cases. He might be a candidate to see if you had surgery in Mexico and are having problems. He is in Oregon.

I also wonder if they need to consider insurance liability in caring for a post op patient from another surgeon and perhaps more so from another country? It's not that it cannot be done, as mentioned by other posters but it depends on the risk your other doctors are willing to take and your history with them.

I also believe a support program of NUTS, PTs, and psychologists are extremely important to give you the best chance to succeed. I wonder if a center like the one I go to that has these programs will accept someone who isn't having the surgery there?

Can you share the name of your surgeon here, or send me a private message. Oregon is our neighbor so may be worth a trip if we are unable to secure a dr here in Seattle area.

I know there are docs in Vegas who do the surgery for !11Kish A friend of mine had her VSG there but she lives in Vegas so she got to recover at home.

Can you share the name of your surgeon here, or send me a private message. Oregon is our neighbor so may be worth a trip if we are unable to secure a dr here in Seattle area.

PM sent!

To those that suggest racism, I suggest going back to school. I live and had surgery in the Pacific North West. My surgeon has fixed several Mexican bariatric surgeries. That does not mean one cant get a succssful surgery in Mexico. Many people on this site have and will continue to have success in Mexico. The major problem I find having surgery in Mexico is lack of recourse if things go wrong and no follow up. Sure the price is about 1/2, but you get what you pay for. It was worth the extra cost for me for the added support and follow up care.

I can understand the Docs not wanting to get involved with another surgeons work. However, the support group I belong to NWWLC in Everett, Wa is open to all. Doesnt matter where you had surgery. http://www.nwwls.com/weight-loss-surgery-support-group-for-northwest-weight-loss-surgery-patients. See the web page for the support group schedule. I would be glad to introduce anyone to the group that is interested.

All thank you! I do not have followup in the area (the bariatric surgeon did what he threatened to do and that was put a wedge between me and health care providers) but I am in Va. and can't fly. Thank you all for letting others know so if they get the surgery and don't have followup there are options. I wish I had followup in this area but due to non compete agreements between the groups, no one will take others patients. I can't go out of the area due to physical and financial reasons.

My big concern is followup because in my case, with problems, its an issue. This is great to hear that not all doctors and hospitals have a $$$ and legal thing first but consider the patient.

We live in a litigious society. People will sue. Doctors have the right to protect themselves and their practices, or they might have no career. They have to follow the rules that a hospital has or they will not be able to practice there.

Sometimes that entails not taking on follow-up care from surgery performed in another country, so, ACCEPT IT. You sound as if you are >entitled< to any bariatric surgeon taking you on as a patient.

You would not risk your job, career, reputation or your financial solvency. Why do you expect a surgeon to fulfill your desires, yet risk his.

As far as your saying, "This is great to hear that not all doctors and hospitals have a $$$ and legal thing first but consider the patient." Cry me a river. You have unreasonable expectations. Get real.

hypothetical question. If you lived in say Ohio and needed heart surgery. Your spouse changes jobs and you now find yourself living in New Mexico. Too bad, so sad that no one will see you on follow up and you must instead return to Ohio for follow up? What happens if your surgeon retires or goes out of business or moves? i don't think anybody would think that is reasonable.

I do agree that physicians have a right to "protect" themselves. I also think patients should have the ability to access follow up. forget about Mexico for a minute - if a person went to Vegas for surgery - I suspect they may still have problems finding follow up because it is WLS.

I had the band in Germany BECAUSE I LIVED THERE. It wasn't to save money, it was covered by my company provided insurance by a certified, experienced surgeon. I still had a hard time getting support once I moved back to the Seattle area. That just doesn't seem right.

We live in a litigious society. People will sue. Doctors have the right to protect themselves and their practices, or they might have no career. They have to follow the rules that a hospital has or they will not be able to practice there.

Sometimes that entails not taking on follow-up care from surgery performed in another country, so, ACCEPT IT. You sound as if you are >entitled< to any bariatric surgeon taking you on as a patient.

You would not risk your job, career, reputation or your financial solvency. Why do you expect a surgeon to fulfill your desires, yet risk his.

As far as your saying, "This is great to hear that not all doctors and hospitals have a $$$ and legal thing first but consider the patient." Cry me a river. You have unreasonable expectations. Get real.

For me, it came down to price when I chose Mexico. I couldn't get the surgery even as a cash pay customer in the US and the turn around time was 3 months. I called Mexico, booked and was done in less than a week.

I now have this huge line of credit open with care credit and reporting. It helps my utilization and I guess I can use it at the dentist or something but still, I couldn't use it in Mexico.