Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Highly recommended Beverly Hills surgeon or Mexico?



Recommended Posts

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Onedayatatime365

      Looking to connect with others who are also on the journey of better health. Post-Op Gastric Sleeve (4/11/24).
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×