Traveling outside the United States for medical treatment is nothing new. So-called “medical tourists” have been doing it for years. Dental care, in particular, is a common procedure that people travel for, because the savings can be significant.

But what about bariatric weight-loss surgery? Should you travel abroad for this type of surgery just to save some money?

A recent article in the Tennessean mentions a woman who did just that, traveling to Mexico to have a type of bariatric surgery. Fortunately, her experience went well:

“The hospital was immaculate,” said Barbara Morris of White Bluff, who had weight-loss surgery in Mexico. “The nurses just hovered over you. The doctor e-mailed me 100 times a day. He answered all my questions.” -Source

What does the American Medical Association think of this? Well, seeing how the organization is largely made up of American doctors, they are predictably against the notion. But they do recommend that a patient does thorough research of any surgery center, within the United States or beyond our borders.

It is not the point of this website to recommend having weight-loss surgery abroad, or even to recommend weight-loss surgery period. That would go against our stated neutrality policy. We are merely information gatherers. So the best we can do is help you learn about this notion of “medical tourism” by offering resources:

Patients Beyond Borders
This book (and accompanying website) is a guide for Americans considering medical travel.

Arguments for Medical Tourism
Excerpt: “If the United States had universal medical and dental insurance, and every American was able to afford treatment here at home, I would not be disposed to argue the matter.”

The Medical Vacation
Excerpt: “State-of-the-art hospitals from Bangkok to Cape Town are luring American travelers with low prices and packages that include side trips to local attractions. But are they safe?”

Medical Vacations - A Good Idea?
Excerpt: “There’s even one medical tourism agency called PlanetHospital that offers a special service that arranges for American doctors to travel with patients overseas to perform surgeries and then handle follow-up care back home.”

Planet Hospital
This is the agency mentioned in the article excerpt above. According to their website: “PlanetHospital, we are more than just a medical tourism company. We are in the business of making healthcare affordable. We achieve this by finding the best and safest hospitals and surgeons around the world.”