After safely driving all over Mexico for a month last year and experiencing excellent healthcare and a warm and friendly culture for myself, I would feel very comfortable going there for surgery and saving loads of money. Fortunately my RNY in 2003 was covered nearly 100% by my insurance company and I did not have to go through the red tape of supervised 6-mos diets, psychiatric evaluations, and nutrition counseling. But I have a close family member whose insurance does not cover WLS. We are considering the gastric sleeve and if and when he decides to go through with it then we will travel to MX for surgery. The gastric sleeve is in fact a fairly straightforward surgery and the cost in MX can be as little as 10% of the cost in the USA. According to the ASMBS it has less early complications than the DS or RNY. I don't see any data on long term complications but I am sure it does not carry the risk of nutritional deficiencies as the DS and RNY.

I would love to hear the real life experience of people who have had the gastric sleeve in MX. Thank you.

I have been living on both sides of the border for 8 years and get all my healthcare in Mex.
I had my sleeve done in Mexicali by Dr Juan Francisco Arellano. I am receiving excellent care by Dr Arellano and his team. I had my sleeve done on 12/20/17 after care up to one year is completely covered in the cost of the surgery. I am able to reach the surgeon directly if needed 24/7. Dr Arellano is very dedicated to the success of each patient.

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@NegreteLove thank you for sharing your experience and your surgeon.

BariatricPal has their own hospital in Tijuana. It was 4600 for the sleeve. I just got it done and it was a great experience.

18 hours ago, atwoah said:

BariatricPal has their own hospital in Tijuana. It was 4600 for the sleeve. I just got it done and it was a great experience.

THanks. Do you care to elaborate on your experience?

THanks. Do you care to elaborate on your experience?

Sure. It included two nights in a hospital and then one night in a hotel. There was a valet st the hospital at all times that spoke fluent English. Most of the nurses knew English, some was broken but I never had an issue communicating with them. The hospital was super clean. I was never in any pain while I was there and the nurses were really attentive. There was also always a doctor there on staff. I met the surgeon who spoke fluent English and also the nutritionist who gave me a goodie bag with some Powerade and coconut water, and broth for the hotel stay. After the hospital, the valet took us to the hotel and took us around Tijuana to see the markets and the beach. We had to pay for the uber to take us there but the valet translated for us and showed us where to go. Also the doctor made a hotel visit to make sure that I was healing okay. Overall they were really attentive and it was as good if not better care than the United States.

On 2/4/2018 at 4:22 PM, NegreteLove said:

I have been living on both sides of the border for 8 years and get all my healthcare in Mex.
I had my sleeve done in Mexicali by Dr Juan Francisco Arellano. I am receiving excellent care by Dr Arellano and his team. I had my sleeve done on 12/20/17 after care up to one year is completely covered in the cost of the surgery. I am able to reach the surgeon directly if needed 24/7. Dr Arellano is very dedicated to the success of each patient.

Sent from my SM-J327T1 using BariatricPal App

How much did it cost? Do you have to go back to Mexico for the aftercare? We do not live anywhere near the border. But we are considering living in MX for the Winter.

On 2/7/2018 at 5:23 PM, atwoah said:

Sure. It included two nights in a hospital and then one night in a hotel. There was a valet st the hospital at all times that spoke fluent English. Most of the nurses knew English, some was broken but I never had an issue communicating with them. The hospital was super clean. I was never in any pain while I was there and the nurses were really attentive. There was also always a doctor there on staff. I met the surgeon who spoke fluent English and also the nutritionist who gave me a goodie bag with some Powerade and coconut Water, and broth for the hotel stay. After the hospital, the valet took us to the hotel and took us around Tijuana to see the markets and the beach. We had to pay for the uber to take us there but the valet translated for us and showed us where to go. Also the doctor made a hotel visit to make sure that I was healing okay. Overall they were really attentive and it was as good if not better care than the United States.

I did not have surgery in MX but I did have treatment at StarMedica hospital in Merida for IBS. And I found just as you did that the quality of care and the facility were as good if not better than I have gotten in the USA.

I don't speak Spanish but did not have too much of a problem communicating with people during the month that we were in MX. Many speak English, and Google Translate app on my mobile phone was helpful when I encountered people who did not.

How is your aftercare being managed? Do you attend any support groups?