Anyone considering BariatricPal Team MX in Mexico? I’d like to hear your feedback.

I'm just waiting to hear if I qualify. I filled out the health questionnaire last week. I started researching about 2 years ago and went through the insurance process last year only to get a blood clot right as I finished all of the requirements. Now that my hematologist has cleared me for surgery, I just can't bring myself to start all over with the insurance process again. It would be an incredible waste of time when I completed it all a year ago. I hadn't considered Mexico last year, but I had read so many good things about Dr Illan that when I decided to go to Mexico, I quickly decided to go with BariatricPal Team MX. I'm waiting on pins and needles to hear back and schedule my date.

Hi Sparker7,

Are you a fireman?

I agree with your comments about the process before surgery. I'm sure it would make better sense if they took obesity seriously. I friend of mine went through 8 months of nutrition visits, psych appointment (like one will help), and exercise session. Most all just wanted their $$$ and did not care or understand the real issues people have with emotions and food. Anyway, glad you are moving forward. I have a surgery date of November 4th.

Good luck. Keep posting your updates and progress.

Hi! I think I commented on your post in the Facebook group. I got the call today and am also scheduled for the 4th. It was the earliest appointment they had available. I didn't think about how my screen name may be interpreted, lol. It's a combination of my first and last names. The insurance process is completely about the money and I also assume the insurance company is trying to get people to give up. I hope your friend was able to get the procedure in the end. Will you have a companion in Mexico? My friend has now decided she doesn't feel safe going to Mexico, so I'm not certain I will not be going this alone.

Hi! I think I commented on your post in the Facebook group. I got the call today and am also scheduled for the 4th. It was the earliest appointment they had available. I didn't think about how my screen name may be interpreted, lol. It's a combination of my first and last names. The insurance process is completely about the money and I also assume the insurance company is trying to get people to give up. I hope your friend was able to get the procedure in the end. Will you have a companion in Mexico? My friend has now decided she doesn't feel safe going to Mexico, so I'm not certain I will not be going this alone.

Hi That’s cute
My friend ended up having the surgery last week in the states. It’s a circus cause they (the money grabbers) haven’t figured it all out yet.
Any way I’m arriving later on the 4th see you then. I’m starting to worry about the plane ride home. I will post and ask question about that next

I will have prescription pre-filled injections of a blood thinner to bring with me to Mexico. Does anyone know if I will need some sort of documentation or if the label with my info the pharmacy attaches is enough?

On 10/16/2017 at 0:41 AM, MJP820 said:

Anyone considering BariatricPal Team MX in Mexico? I’d like to hear your feedback.

Yes I am!! I started looking into VSG about 4 weeks ago, I went to a Bariatric specialist here in NC for an initial consult (incl. blood test and pee test!). They also went through all my paperwork and explained what my insurance covered. Long story short, my insurance only covers 50% (max OOP is $6350 + the $50 specialist copay on each visit), has a 4 month wait period with a stipulation that I cannot gain weight. Not too bad I suppose... (however my BF was looking into surgery too but his wait time is 12 months!! Which he is not happy about but his max OOP is only $800 lucky him!)....but after considering the fact that the specialist was an 8-hour round trip drive away, calculating all expenses, the wait period for both myself and the BF, the amount of days lost from work before the actual surgery due to specialist visits, and after more thought and research, I've come to the conclusion that Mexico is going to be the most convenient and cheapest option.

Next step was researching who in Mexico! What really "sealed the deal" for me was seeing several posts on here about BatritricPal Team MX (patient reviews, videos, the new hospital, safe and easy payment before surgery). So I clicked on the link to their website, researched on YouTube and their Facebook page... reached out to them, completed the questionnaire and within 48 hours received approval for surgery! Now I am just figuring out dates... looks like January 9th is going to be my date but haven't booked anything just yet!!

So after my slightly long winded answer ..lol.. yes I am totally going with BARIATRICPAL Team MX ?

I’m scheduled with Dr. Illan for Monday morning. Flying out from central Canada tomorrow morning. I have read so many good things about Dr. Illan and not one bad thing that I could not feel more confident in his capabilities.

I am also going though Bariatric Pal MX. My surgery is booked for November 7th! I was initially going through another company but found them through my research and I can't tell you happy I am. They are so responsive, the facebook group is amazing, and the support you receive from fellow patients and the staff is great. I'm flying out of Canada on the 6th, the night before my surgery and I can't be more excited.

I am also going though Bariatric Pal MX. My surgery is booked for November 7th! I was initially going through another company but found them through my research and I can't tell you happy I am. They are so responsive, the facebook group is amazing, and the support you receive from fellow patients and the staff is great. I'm flying out of Canada on the 6th, the night before my surgery and I can't be more excited. [emoji4]

Everyone here is AMAZING! I can’t praise them high enough. You won’t regret your decision [emoji1417]

46 minutes ago, Angie's_Ocean said:

Everyone here is AMAZING! I can’t praise them high enough. You won’t regret your decision

I definitely am sure of this, based on what I've seen. I'm on day 4 of pre-op. So close!

I am booked for vsg surgery on November 30/17 with BariatricPal team MX. I did quite a bit of research and i am looking forward for Dr Illan to preform my surgery. I am flying down from Alberta Canada on November 29. Very excited!!

I will have prescription pre-filled injections of a blood thinner to bring with me to Mexico. Does anyone know if I will need some sort of documentation or if the label with my info the pharmacy attaches is enough?

Ohhh that is a great question. I would call the airline or airport security and ask. I’m sure people travel with syringe mess all the time, there has to be a procedure for that.


Have a great day!
Amanda [emoji16]
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]

@Sparker7 here are a few resources to check into before your flight [emoji1360]

http://roadwarriorette.boardingarea.com/2012/02/06/traveling-with-injectable-medications/

And the TSA site

https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2013/09/24/tsa-travel-tips-tuesday-traveling-medication

Have a great day!

Amanda [emoji16]

HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]

[mention=262599]Sparker7[/mention] here are a few resources to check into before your flight [emoji1360]
http://roadwarriorette.boardingarea.com/2012/02/06/traveling-with-injectable-medications/
And the TSA site
https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2013/09/24/tsa-travel-tips-tuesday-traveling-medication
Have a great day!
Amanda [emoji16]
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]

Thank you so much!

Undoubtedly there is a "better forum thread" for my question, but I am not finding it. Doubt that the question deserves to be a new thread.

What has the community heard about Bariatricpal Team-MX's package of 1 night in the hotel?

During my research this summer, the package of 2 nights in the hospital and 2 more nights at the recovery center/hotel was a comforting thought. I expect to travel alone, don't have a follow-up surgeon, and thought the 2nd night seemed like a prudent choice over other a Tijuana bariatric surgeons, who were offering shorter recovery periods. When I booked with Bill Yanez, I heard the package was now just one night in the hotel. Bill offered to book me a 2nd night at the hotel for an up-charge, but didn't offer an explanation for the change. When I came back to the forum I found a post stating that the package had changed from 2 nights to 1 night, but the point of her post was that she was happy with the surgeon, and wasn't commenting on the length change. Bill Yanez didn't answer a followup email asking about the change, and I believe that he has been occupied for the last month with his own VSG. Found two websites for Dr. Illan, both copyrighted for 2017, and one flat-out recommends 2 nights in the hotel unless coordinated with the follow-up surgeon. Sent an email to Dr. Illan's website... so far nothing but crickets. {I know he has a Facebook presence, but I don't Facebook}

I am on the schedule with Dr. Illan; comfortable with his reputation; aware that Bariatric Pal Team-MX is his only coordination service... so am not looking to rock the boat. Just curious as to what led the team to decrease the stay? Thought maybe somebody else had already gotten an explanation and would share. Maybe it was great news! Patients were bored stiff after a 3rd night, nobody needed anymore recovery time, and 99% of the feedback was "get us out of here."