I personally didn’t go to Mexico for my band - I went to Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Everett, WA - but I know a lot you did or are planning to.

The cost savings sure is tempting…

Approximate Lap Band Surgery Costs Across the Globe (source: Mexico tourism authority)

• Canada: $15,000
  
• India: $ 7,000.00
  
• USA: $ 20,000.00
  
• UK: $ 17,000
  
• Mexico: $ 8,000
  
• Thailand: $ 12,000
  

So - I wanted to post this list of tips for those who are thinking of heading south of the border from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but posted in the Arizona Daily Star.

• Your health insurance probably will not apply, except for emergency services.
  
• Malpractice laws in the United States do not apply in Mexico. Ask what your recourse will be if something goes wrong.
  
• Know that the quality of medications purchased across the border may not meet U.S. standards.
  
• Ask whether the facility is certified or accredited. Only two Mexico hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission, a non-profit accreditation group.
  
• Ask how you should pay. Since your insurance company likely won’t be billed, you will need cash or a credit card to cover costs.
  
• Ask questions about the physician’s qualifications, including where the physician was trained and in which medical field the physician was trained. Also, ask how many times the physician has performed the procedure, how the physician learned the procedure and who else will help during the procedure. Ask how the staff is qualified.
  
• Ask detailed questions about the procedure, including how it is performed, how long it should take, how sedation will be managed, how much pain to expect, how long it will take to recover and warning signs that could require follow-up care.
  Sources: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Travelers’ Health: Yellow Book”; Arizona Medical Board
  

For the whole article, click here. It’s quite good.

WasABubbleButt has also written a really thorough guide to researching bariatric surgeons in Mexico; there is a link to it in her signiture. It's a great resource for anyone looking at Mexico as an option.

I do know Hospital Angeles in Tijuana is accredited; My surgeon is Dr. Corvala and his bio is very thorough, extensive and brilliant! This hospital does 100 lap-bands per month and has done a little over 2500 total as it was built in 2005.