I am cash pay. I went for the initial consult to the Beverly Hills board certified doc who explained his history and what he surgically does to prevent complications, why choose him with his excellent record. I was convinced. However, once I heard the price, $19k, I wondered whether it would be worth the risk to do this in Mexico. Where it is apparently much much less.

But the risks. Patients aren't protected there by the threat of lawsuits etc. Is the extra $10k worth it to keep me safe? I have small children and I'm a single mom. What do you all think? I want to get sleeved in July. Thanks.

The Bariatric Center of Kansas City, Dr hoehn. 12k

There are a ton of people here who have had their surgery in Mexico. If I had to self-pay I would definitely talk to them and see what they think.

Read up on Dr Ilian in Mexico If I was self pay that's where I would go.

Thanks for responding. How much do the Mexican docs check their work, test the stitches, do staples as well as hand stitching? The most common thing to go wrong that the surgeon can have any fault in at all would be the sewing, right?

Don't go to Mexico if you do not have to. I am sure they are competent. However, I choose this clinic based on the mds experience and the fact it is in the US. Any malpractice issues in Mexico would be a serious problem. Highly recommend looking at Dr. Hoehn and staff. Private hospital aswell.

Dr. Illan in Tijuana. He loves what he does and cares about his patients. You will stay two nights in the hospital and one night in a local hotel before you are "discharged". Once you get home, he is always available by email, phone or Skype. I am three months post-op and have had ZERO complications. Going back next month as my sister's companion.

i went to dr. luis cervantes Tijuana last week I am ofically 9 days on the losers bench!!

I'd go to Vegas. More than mexico, less than 19K

https://blossombariatrics.com/

I had a great experience with Dr. Illan in Mexico. Complications can happen anywhere and aren't always the fault of the doctor. If I could have afforded surgery closer to home I would have done it though, just because it would be easier to get follow up care.

Do you have insurance? I have a fantastic surgeon at UCLA and it is one of the best clinics in the country.

So much to think about. Dr Illan in Mexico seems to have nothing but positive reviews. I'll look at Vegas and UCLA too. The doctor I consulted said he reduced the chances of leaking to almost nonexistent by stitching in addition to the staples and now it seems that most doctors do both. I'm not sure what advantage I get from doing it with this doctor if that isn't one.

I forgot to respond, no, we have a health share which is reviewing my medical need for weight loss surgery but probably won't cover it. I expect them not to. So I am cash pay. The difference between here and Mexico is so great and Mexico is not very far from here (Los Angeles). I just need it done in July so I can have two weeks off.

The UCLA bariatric clinic has no history of leaks. If insurance will cover even half of it, I seriously recommend UCLA. However, even if insurance covers it, they all require 3-6 months of supervised weight loss. FEP, which is for federal employees is 3 months but I think most are 6. So that might leave Mexico as your only option if you need it next month. As long as you thoroughly research the clinic, people get great results in Mexico. I'd start the process asap because I bet the good Mexican clinics have waiting periods.

I highly recommend Dr. Ramos Kelly in Tijuana. He has done some of his medical training in the US, including at USC and as a trauma surgeon at LA County Hospital. I had surgery in April 2017 and have had no complications. He visited me twice a day in the hospital and then each day in the TJ hotel I stayed at after leaving the hospital. I'm in So Cal and took the train to San Diego where Dr. Kelly's driver picked me up. It was a great experience and I'm losing weight! I couldn't be happier with my decision!

I love all these responses. I am going to checkmate out all these docs and make my decision in the next couple days. The BH doc can do it in July as well, as long as I am cash pay. But it's just a ton more $ and I'm not sure if his trying to prevent leaks is really better than the other docs.

it seems a lot of the surgeons hand stitch over the staples as well.