Should I Travel For Weight Loss Surgery?

If you’re like most people, you’re willing to travel to get a good deal. Whether that’s driving to the next town over because that department store is having a sale or heading across the country to pick up a new truck because it’s a few states away and you want to save on shipping, we oftentimes are willing to travel places if it means we’ll pay less for an item or service. And while healthcare can be expensive in America, does that mean it makes sense to travel for a procedure like weight loss surgery? We talk a little bit more about traveling for weight loss surgery in today’s blog.

Traveling For Weight Loss Surgery

We were a little surprised to see that when you type “weight loss surgery” into the Google search bar that one of the autofill results was “weight loss surgery Mexico,” meaning that a number of people have inquired about traveling to Mexico to have their weight loss surgery performed. Since weight loss surgery is not typically covered by insurance, you do have the freedom to shop around and find the right surgeon and clinic for your procedure, but is Mexico really the best option?

For the vast majority of Minnesotans, the answer is no. We took a closer look at the prices of their operations, and it’s not all that much cheaper than domestic weight loss surgery. When you consider travel expenses and other costs associated with being in a foreign country, the difference in price shrinks quickly.

But price isn’t the only reason why you should be leery about traveling to another country for a weight loss procedure. You’re going to be in some discomfort following the operation, are you really going to want to be 3,000 miles from home when you come out of anesthesia and are awaiting discharge from the clinic? Are you going to want to ride in an Uber to the airport to stand in line, wait for hours and then fly back in a small seat following a weight loss procedure? Traveling days are painful enough without adding the discomfort that can follow a weight loss operation.

You also need to consider the skill of the surgeon and the resources available at the clinic. There are many great surgeons in Mexico and around the globe, but weight loss surgeons in the US perform these operations more regularly and are better equipped to handle something unexpected or certain risk factors than other clinics south of the border. Infection risk and complication rates will be lower at a trusted facility in the US as opposed to a cheaper option in Mexico.

Also, if you decide to go the international route to save money, there’s a good chance you won’t see the facility or speak to the surgeon until the day of your surgery. Pictures can be deceiving, so the facility and surgeon you choose online may not be up to your standards once you finally see it in person. Choosing a domestic surgeon who you can meet with and talk to ahead of time is vitally important for your peace of mind and the long-term success of your operation.

If you are going to travel for weight loss surgery, we recommend that you travel domestically. Again, it’s unlikely that insurance will cover the procedure, so feel free to look outside your normal network for care. We’ve had patients travel to Bhatti Weight Loss Center from all across Minnesota and even from neighboring states because they know they are going to get great care at an affordable price. Also, because we offer virtual consultations and coaching, you can connect with one of our providers without needing to leave your home, ensuring you get great care without having to travel to our office for each appointment. We want to bring our care to you whenever possible so that your weight loss journey fits into your life.

Contact Bhatti Weight Loss

So if you are wondering if you should travel for weight loss surgery, we hope you’ll consider traveling to Chaska for your care. We’ll answer any questions you might have, provide an evaluation and discuss some weight loss options before working with you to decide on the best path to pursue. We’ll be with you every step of the way so that you can confidently say that traveling to Dr. Bhatti and the team at The Bhatti Weight Loss Center was the best decision for your health. For more information, give our team a call today at (952) 368-3800.