Experience with WLS in Mexico

leseratte2222

Hello,

I am contemplating WLS in Mexico.

Has someone been to Mexcio?
What Dr. did you use?
Would you recommend this Dr?

Thank you.

ki4eld

My issue is that there is no pre-surgery education and no follow-up care, which can be issues. Most people need education pre-surgery to learn how to eat properly and manage their food post-surgery. And most people need guidance after surgery as well as follow-up care. There are some that don't and I'm sure there are those who had surgery in Mexico and did well. I know of two who did not and one of them is now dead. I really wouldn't recommend it, but good luck.

AngieViolet

I agree. Someone I know almost died after their surgery in Mexico. He spent a month in the hospital up here, and was told that not only did he have the massive infection, but the surgery wasn't even done correctly. He hasn't lost any weight a year later.

GalgoMomAnita

I think doing your research is very important. My friend and I are both nurses, and we did a ton of reading, asked a lot of questions, and educated ourselves prior to surgery. Neither one of us could have afforded to have surgery done in the states as our insurance wouldn't cover the cost. We went to Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana and had a very good experience. I'd say it was nearly identical to most of the surgery centers I've been in locally. Although I really haven't looked for any follow-up from them, they call regularly and email to check on you and are very responsive whenever you have a question. What sold us on going to this particular physician/center was the many positive reviews written by medical people from the US and Canada who had gone there and written quality reviews with great feedback. Recently, I read about a nurse who went for surgery and her friend that accompanied her was a surgical nurse. Dr. Ortiz (with the patient's permission) went and got her scrubs and allowed her to come in and watch the surgery! To me that speaks volumes. No one cutting corners or performing substandard care is going to invite a patient's caregiver into the operating room unless they have a very high level of confidence in what they're doing.

I have read about and spoken with people who have gone for the surgery and did not take a family member or friend with them and I think this is a very dangerous idea. After the first night you're staying in a hotel. Someone needs to be with you in case something were to go wrong. Things happen even under the best conditions, particularly in people who may not have been in the best of health to start with. I also think Mexico is not the right option for someone who doesn't have a physician at home willing to see them for follow-up care. My nurse practitioner was a little skeptical of my decision, but was willing to perform follow-up labwork and see me if any issues arose after returning home. I it's important to think about where your support will come from before and after surgery. I chose to see a counselor before hand to look at my eating habits and to plan out how I would manage things pre- and post-surgery. Lastly, plan out what you'll be doing for exercise and start doing something before you leave town. Without exercise, I think you'd be hard pressed to get the type of results you're likely looking for. Best of luck to you in making your decsions. FYI my surgery was 9/10. I was 212 8/1 when I started the pre-op diet, 197 day of surgery, and am 160 now

ki4eld

@GalgoMomAnita Thank you for that perspective!

joysie1970

As with here in the states it's important to do your research and there are supports for post op. Check out Barifit.com - Tosha is a certified sports nutritionist who had her surgery in Mexico and went through the issue of not having support was nutritionally deficient and decided she was not going to let anyone else go through that same issue. She does give out free consults, you may want to talk to her as some one else who has been there done that and can help you with follow up support

anbrdr

If you do go this route, it might be in your interests to check your local MeetUps to find a bariatric group to join. Having the quality of pre and Post-op care that I received was worth every penny. Sometimes having the information/support delivered in person is much more meaningful than just internetting it.