What do you do when you get home from MX with no doctor around?

[eccampbe 3]

I've decided to have my gastric sleeve surgery done in MX but I'm scared about afterwards. In the US, there is usually a team of people who continue to help you throughout you post op experience. Will US doctors still help you after you've had surgery in the US? Are there any books or websites that can be helpful during this time?

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[ohyoufunny 11]

I went to my surgeons office every two weeks after surgery until 6 weeks out.. then we go every 3 months. Until 1 year out. I have also visited my PCP twice since my surgery (3 months ago)for follow up. Your PCP knows you best and should be able to assist you with most things, but I also believe Bariatric offices around you should be willing to see you. It's no different than someone moving after surgery..

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[laceemouse 631]

Most of the big clinics in Mexico have websites, Facebook groups, and other ways for people to ask questions before the surgery and get help and support after the surgery. I would have been scared to have surgery in Mexico for the same reasons you are bringing up but I know a lot of people do it and have great experiences. Have you chosen a surgeon there? I was ask them what you are supposed to do post-op. I am 7 weeks out tomorrow and have had 3 appointments with my surgeon and called the office at least 3 times with questions/concerns.

[trekker954 421]

My surgeon Visits are 2 weeks, 3 moths, six months and 1 year. Included are 12 nutritionist apps within a year. I don't go monthly. Also there are group support meeting open to anyone/everyone regardless where u had surgery, yes even Mexico and no charge. This is Cleveland clinic florida.

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[mariernest 32]

My friend had sleeve in Tiajuana came home and got infection and pneumonia. No one here would touch her. One even told her to either go back to Mexico or go home and die. Finally she found Weightwise BariatricPal in Edmond Oklahoma and they fixed her but almost lost her. Her friends who went to Mexico all did great. m

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[Gipsy Girl 9]

My pcp is working with me. I also have set up appointments with local weight management doctors, nutritionists, and exercise specialists. They don't know I am getting the surgery in a week, but they do have my blood work and physical. After surgery and meeting them, I will let them know. This should be interesting.

[eccampbe 3]

My pcp is working with me. I also have set up appointments with local weight management doctors, nutritionists, and exercise specialists. They don't know I am getting the surgery in a week, but they do have my blood work and physical. After surgery and meeting them, I will let them know. This should be interesting.

Lol. Please keep me posted. I'd love to know how this works out. Good luck

[MrsPenguin 103]

I went from Mexico to New Zealand a week after surgery. I was given a post op diet by my surgeon, but I have had to take responsibility for my post op care. I spent a lot of time researching what to do and also made a list of questions for the surgeon. In New Zealand, I have made an appointment with my GP here just to let him know I did the sleeve and have an appointment with a bariatric nutritionist to make sure I'm on the right track. Good luck with your journey and do some homework ahead of time.

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[biginjapan 647]

Here in Japan I've spoken to my gastroenterologist about having the surgery in Mexico, and he had no problem with me doing it there. I don't think I'll have any problems with follow-up care here, other than communicating my needs clearly (things sometimes get lost in translation, even in English!). Like Mrs Penguin, I've done a lot of research of what I need to do. I'm still hoping to find a nutritionist that speaks English and understands the needs of bariatric patients. What I'd really like is a support group, but since what's here is all in Japanese, I'd be out of luck, even if I had the surgery here in Japan. My Japanese is okay, but not nearly good enough to talk about medical and nutritional issues.

[theantichick 2,204]

I consider myself lucky that my insurance covered it with a local surgeon. But I'd have done the MX route if I'd needed to. What I would have done if that had been the case was meet with my PCP and see if she was comfortable doing followup care/testing. If she wasn't, I'd have asked her for a referral to a gastroenterologist and met with that specialist and explained the situation and gotten their agreement to do the followup. A lot of surgeons don't like to do followup for another surgeon but I think when you are proactive and get things arranged in advance it tends to go better. Most of the followup, even with minor complications, is going to be something a PCP can handle if they're willing. Only a serious complication would need a surgeon, and then most experienced gastroenterologists would be capable.