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The Facts About Weight Loss Surgery in Mexico

At Panhandle Weight Loss Center, your health is our top priority. Good health is priceless, but we understand that cost is a chief concern for many people considering weight loss surgery. People seeking a better price for bariatric surgery sometimes look to Mexico for gastric sleeve or gastric bypass procedures. The practice of traveling for healthcare is called medical tourism, and while lower costs can be tempting, there are many risks to traveling for bariatric surgery. Our Amarillo, Texas Weight Loss Specialists want to ensure that you understand all your options in order to make an informed choice.    

Pricing for Bariatric Surgery in Mexico Vs. Texas

Bariatric surgery is an investment in yourself and our Board-Certified Bariatric Surgeons take your investment seriously, which is why we are committed to giving you so much more than just a surgery. Our patients receive comprehensive, individualized care before, during, and after their weight loss procedure. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that you have the resources and support you need for long-term weight loss success. 

Panhandle Weight Loss Center has some of the lowest pricing for bariatric surgery in the U.S. We also partner with independent lenders to offer budget-friendly financing. If you find lower pricing for bariatric surgery in Mexico, be sure to consider the added costs of travel and lodging, as well as the potential risks and the cost of follow-up care

Young woman calculating finances

The Risks of Traveling to Mexico for Weight Loss Surgery

Standard of Care and Safety

The United States has very stringent licensing and accreditation guidelines. When you trust a Board-Certified Surgeon, you can rest assured that their skills and experience have been verified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, as well as state and local licensing boards. In the U.S., our Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monitors the medication you receive at American hospitals and pharmacies. Medications or anesthesia in foreign countries may be counterfeit, expired, or mislabeled.1

Cost of Complications

There are many stories of patients who underwent surgery in Mexico to save money, only to end up with severe complications that resulted in lifelong health problems and debt from medical bills for hundreds of thousands of dollars.2,3,4 If you have complications as a result of surgery, it is not likely that your health insurance will cover the care you need if you had your surgery in Mexico. You also may not be able to sue for malpractice.

Pre-surgical Care

Pre-surgical education is important for a successful weight loss procedure. Bariatric surgery is a valuable tool, but it is not a quick fix. At Panhandle Weight Loss Center, we work with patients before surgery and provide personalized guidance in order to set them up for success. When you travel far from home for bariatric surgery, you may not be able to get to know your surgeon prior to your procedure and you may not get all the information you need.

Follow-up Support

Medical follow-up is critical, but even if you stay in Mexico for several weeks, you will still not have the lifelong support that local patients are able to access. Bariatric surgery is just one tool in your healthy living toolbox. You can only find long-term weight loss success if you have the other tools you need to build a healthier life. At Panhandle Weight Loss Center, we provide patients with nutrition counseling, exercise guidance, support groups, and more. If you are in need of post-op support, we suggest purchasing our Finish Strong course. This 1-year online program educates patients on the nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes that are necessary after bariatric surgery.

Doctor and patient communicating

Communication

Clear communication is very important when it comes to getting the care you need. If you do not speak Spanish fluently, you may face challenges at medical facilities in Mexico. Even if your surgeon speaks English, other members of your care team may not.

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Finding Local Care After Bariatric Surgery in Mexico

If you have already had bariatric surgery in Mexico, we hope that you were able to avoid the risks of medical tourism and that you had a successful procedure. We know that it can be difficult to find local bariatric care once you return home, so we welcome patients who have had surgery elsewhere to join Panhandle Weight Loss Center for aftercare and support and we are dedicated to helping patients live happier, healthier, and more active lives.

We offer comprehensive post-op resources, including nutrition counseling, personal training, and online resources through Teachable. If you are in need of online education related to your post-op care, please consider our Finish Strong course. This program is a 1-year online curriculum educating patients on nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes.

Click here to purchase the Finish Strong course for $199. This course is for ideal for patients who recently had surgery in Mexico and need education and guidance on all things post-operative, from vitamins to diet.

Contact Panhandle Weight Loss Center

We believe that education is the foundation of weight loss success. Please contact us with any questions or to learn more about your weight loss options during a no-cost introductory consultation.


1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical Tourism: Getting Medical Care in Another Country, Available: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/travel.html Accessed April 28, 2020.

2 Alberty E. After going to Mexico for affordable weight-loss surgery, a Magna woman got sick, had to use a feeding tube and racked up $1 million in medical debt. New York Times. January 25, 2019 Available: https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/01/26/after-going-mexico/ Accessed April 28, 2020.

3 Steinbrecher L. Woman shares warning after weight-loss surgery in Mexico led to health problems, debt. Fox 13 Salt Lake City. January 24, 2019 Available: https://fox13now.com/2019/01/24/657932/ Accessed April 28, 2020.

4 Weight loss surgery in Mexico might not be as safe as advertised. ABC 15 Arizona. April 3, 2018. Available:https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/weight-loss-surgery-in-mexico-might-not-be-as-safe-as-advertised Accessed April 28, 2020.

The surgeons at Panhandle Weight Loss Center have either authored or reviewed and approved this content. Page Updated: