DALLAS -
40-year old Larissa Hersom sips as much water as she can stomach--which isn't much after having weight loss surgery in Tijuana, Mexico.
"There are not very many bariatric surgeons doing the surgery I wanted in Mexico, in fact, there were only two and unfortunately I picked the worst one of the two," Hersom said.
At 300 pounds Larissa's insurance wouldn't pay for a procedure called Duodenal Switch which basically trims the stomach to the size of a banana..
Larissa lost her job but was able to get a loan and then searched the internet for the best deal possible.
"In the United States the lowest quote I got was $24,000.00 for the surgery and in Mexico," Hersom said. "I was getting quotes of $12,000.00 to $14,000.00 and I ended up paying $12,500.00."
But it was no bargain--since the April surgery she's been to the emergency room three times.
Larissa said she's been told she needs surgery or she'll slowly die.
"I don't have anymore money, I don't have insurance and they don't want to take on somebody else's mistakes."
Forest Park Medical Center bariatric surgeon said he sees many patients like Larissa.
"Unfortunately we see this problem all too frequently as a matter of fact in our practice, we see this about once a week," Dr. Nicholson said.
Medical tourism is growing in popularity and Mexico is a popular destination for Texans who want to save money--in Larissa's case--50% but doctor Nicholson says there can be a higher price to pay.
"My advice to them you get what you pay for and number two this is your hard earned money and I think you should be well educated about it, you know shop around and ask yourself are you going got make one of the most important medical decision of my life based on the lowest bidder?, Dr. Nicholson said.
And as Larissa is finding out, finding someone to fix the problem is difficult.
"Now you're throwing in the benefit of having it been done in another country and I mean I have taken out lap bands from Mexico that were put in upside down and backwards," Dr. Nicholson said. "I can't even figure out how to do that if I tried."
As for Larissa?
She said she wishes she'd of saved her money and had the surgery in the U.S. because now she needs another one.
"If I don't do this I'm going to die and I'm so terrified."
Larissa said a California surgeon has agreed to fixed the botched surgery but she doesn't have the money to pay for the procedure.
Dr. Nicholson said most surgeons in Mexico are skilled but when there can be problems when there are complications.
"There are not very many bariatric surgeons doing the surgery I wanted in Mexico, in fact, there were only two and unfortunately I picked the worst one of the two," Hersom said.
At 300 pounds Larissa's insurance wouldn't pay for a procedure called Duodenal Switch which basically trims the stomach to the size of a banana..
Larissa lost her job but was able to get a loan and then searched the internet for the best deal possible.
"In the United States the lowest quote I got was $24,000.00 for the surgery and in Mexico," Hersom said. "I was getting quotes of $12,000.00 to $14,000.00 and I ended up paying $12,500.00."
But it was no bargain--since the April surgery she's been to the emergency room three times.
Larissa said she's been told she needs surgery or she'll slowly die.
"I don't have anymore money, I don't have insurance and they don't want to take on somebody else's mistakes."
Forest Park Medical Center bariatric surgeon said he sees many patients like Larissa.
"Unfortunately we see this problem all too frequently as a matter of fact in our practice, we see this about once a week," Dr. Nicholson said.
Medical tourism is growing in popularity and Mexico is a popular destination for Texans who want to save money--in Larissa's case--50% but doctor Nicholson says there can be a higher price to pay.
"My advice to them you get what you pay for and number two this is your hard earned money and I think you should be well educated about it, you know shop around and ask yourself are you going got make one of the most important medical decision of my life based on the lowest bidder?, Dr. Nicholson said.
And as Larissa is finding out, finding someone to fix the problem is difficult.
"Now you're throwing in the benefit of having it been done in another country and I mean I have taken out lap bands from Mexico that were put in upside down and backwards," Dr. Nicholson said. "I can't even figure out how to do that if I tried."
As for Larissa?
She said she wishes she'd of saved her money and had the surgery in the U.S. because now she needs another one.
"If I don't do this I'm going to die and I'm so terrified."
Larissa said a California surgeon has agreed to fixed the botched surgery but she doesn't have the money to pay for the procedure.
Dr. Nicholson said most surgeons in Mexico are skilled but when there can be problems when there are complications.
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