The Truth About Traveling to Mexico for Weight Loss Surgery

Megan Kelly TODAY Show
These people went to Mexico for weight-loss surgery - now they regret it
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Is It Safe To Travel To Mexico For Weight Loss Surgery?
The cheap price tag on weight loss surgeries abroad — particularly in Mexico — are drawing a growing number of Americans and Canadians who can’t afford to have the operations done in the US. But choosing a clinic abroad can lead to long-term medical complications. It’s important to understand and consider all of the risks associated with traveling to Mexico for weight loss surgery.

What is Medical Tourism?
Medical tourism, also known as medical travel or health tourism, is a term initially coined by travel agencies and the mass media to describe the rapidly-growing practice of traveling to another country to obtain healthcare.
For nearly 10 years, we’ve worked closely with medical tourism companies and patients to obtain affordable bariatric surgery at Blossom Bariatrics, instead of traveling abroad. We’re excited to announce Blossom’s Fast Track program – designed to directly assist our traveling patients instead of using a third party medical tourism company! Our program includes hotel accommodations and ground transportation during a 2-day stay in beautiful Las Vegas!

Why is Traveling to Mexico for Weight Loss Surgery So Common?
Some people who choose to travel to Mexico for weight loss surgery do so because bariatric surgery is not covered by their insurance company.
Other patients considering traveling to Mexico for weight loss surgery opt to circumvent insurance altogether and pay out of pocket fully so they do not have to adhere to insurance requirements and wait times – and the “cheap price” catches their eye. We are proud to offer one of the lowest cash prices in all of the US for weight loss surgery.
US Standards vs. Standards Abroad
Medically & Legally
Mexico clinics do not have to adhere to the same guidelines as clinics and surgeons in the US. In the US, patients are protected by healthcare laws and practice standards.
Mexican law prohibits lawsuits. Yes, you read that correctly. Suing a physician for malpractice is never an option just south of the border because Mexican law does not allow for the same sorts of tort (personal injury) lawsuits that are common in the U.S.
Blossom Bariatrics has completed over 10,000 cases since its inception in 2008! We are one of few clinics in the United States with 3 board certified, fellowship trained bariatric surgeons on staff. Our team of over 50 dedicated bariatric professionals adhere to the strict guidelines of the ASMBS and take client care and client outcomes extremely seriously. Most procedures are performed at our dedicated surgery center, WarmSpringsSurgicalCenter.com



Complications from Traveling to Mexico for Weight Loss Surgery

Many US clinics and physicians refuse to treat complications from patients who travel outside of the country for care.
Insurance companies may deny coverage for complications related to traveling abroad for weight loss surgery.
Mexico clinics do not have to adhere to the same rules and regulations as clinics stateside. In the US, patients are protected by healthcare laws and practice standards.

In the News
Risks of Traveling Abroad for Weight Loss Surgery
See what others are saying about traveling to Mexico for weight loss surgery
- AZCentral.com Dying to lose weight: The lucrative ties between border surgeries and U.S. middlemen
- MedicalDaily.com 'Quickie' Weight Loss Surgery Abroad Carries Consequences For The Morbidly Obese
- TheDenverChannel.com Parker woman suffers serious complications after traveling to Mexico for weight loss surgery
- CBSNews.com Woman's brush with death highlights concerns over discount weight loss surgeries in Mexico
- ABC15.com Weight loss surgery in Mexico might not be as safe as advertised
- Megan Kelly TODAY Show These 3 people went to Mexico for weight-loss surgery – now they regret it
- Global News North Van woman still recovering after gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico
- 13 Actions News Woman suffers brain damage after receiving plastic surgery in Mexico
- WNDU Woman contracts life-threatening infection from Tijuana weight loss surgery
- 10 News Class-action lawsuit filed against doctor for weight loss surgery
- sltrib.com Utahn dies after weight-loss surgery in Mexico
- kjzz.com Utahn dies after weight-loss surgery in Mexico
- Fox 13 Utahn dies, seven patients sickened after undergoing weight loss surgery in Tijuana
- News Week Weight loss agents: Utah issues warning about weight-loss surgery in mexico after patient dies from antibiotic-resistant infection
- MSN Woman Has Intestines Stapled Shut In Botched Weight Loss Surgery: 'More Than a Nightmare'
Lawsuits & Complications
- travel.state.gov Mexico Travel Advisory
- CDC.gov Medical Tourism
- CDC.gov Drug-Resistant Infections in Mexico
- CDC.gov Drug-Resistant Infections in Mexico
- www.sacbee.com Mexican weight-loss surgery gave Americans deadly, drug-resistant infection, CDC warns
- wtvr.com Surgeries in Mexico linked to antibiotic-resistant infections in US, CDC says
- The San Diego Union-Tribute Recent superbug cases linked to weight-loss surgeries in Tijuana prompt fresh warning
- Fox News Mexico murder rate soars to unprecedented levels in 2019, data shows
- Fox News Hospital patient kidnapped by Mexican gunmen in dramatic video, later found dismembered
- ASMBS Learn more about weight loss surgery and US standards of care