In this economy it’s a good idea to shop around for the best deal. Everyone is looking for a way to save money, including Larissa Hersom of Texas. But, according to Larissa, looking for the best deal for her weight loss surgery had serious consequences for her health.

At 40 years old, Larissa weighed 300 pounds. Her insurance company wouldn’t pay for Duodenal Switch Surgery, so she looked for an out of pocket provider with the best price. “In the United States the lowest quote I got was $24,000.00 for the surgery and in Mexico,” Hersom told channel 33 Dallas/Ft. Worth. “I was getting quotes of $12,000.00 to $14,000.00 and I ended up paying $12,500.00.”

Now, Larissa has a difficult time drinking water. She’s been to the emergency room three times in two months and was told without another surgery she will die.

Medical tourism is growing in popularity and Mexico is a popular destination for Texans who want to save money–in Larissa’s case–50%. Texas bariatric surgeon Dr. Nicholson says there can be a higher price to pay. “… 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?”

New research finds that the Duodenal Switch procedure is more effective than the more common RouxEnY gastric bypass procedure, but some insurance companies are refusing to cover it, claiming it is “experimental”.

More information on the Duodenal Switch procedure can be found here .