youtalk

The process is simple. First, you need to decide on a doctor and do some research as to who you think would be best. Continue researching by contacting each of these doctors offices either via email or telephone and ask all of the questions you need. If you would rather deal with someone here in the states, there are coordinators that will work with you. Personally, I worked with Medical Tourism Co because they are based here in the states, but work with the more reputable doctors in Mexico. If you'd like, you could correspond with my coordinator and she could answer questions for you, as she herself was banded. Medical Tourism doesn't up their prices like other coordinating companies, they just get a cut of the regular price. Her e-mail is sheila@medicaltourismco.com but if you would like, I can forward the initial email I got from her with the prices/packaging info for each doctor so you can see exactly what happens. PM me your email and I'll get it to you.

I can tell you right now, if your wife is going to be nervous, your best bet is to find a doctor that works in a full service hospital as opposed to an out patient center so she will feel better. Dr. Corvala (my surgeon) works out of Hospital Angeles and you would stay 2 nights there in your own private medical suite with tv, wifi, bathroom, etc, as well as an extra bed for her to sleep in. He recently did an interview, if you go to YouTube and put "corvala LAP-BAND®® interview" into the search box, you'll find it. It's a great interview.

You would not fly to Mexico prior to your surgery date for any reason. With me, Dr. Corvala wanted an upper GI and an Endoscopy done here in the states before he would agree to work on me because mine is a revision. With you, you would simply fill out his intake form, which i will warn you now is 20 pages long. He wants to know EVERYTHING. Other then that, they submit your intake form and he either clears you or not based on that. When you get there, they will do an EKG, blood work, chemistry panel, and chest xray. After surgery, they do a psych evaluation and a session with a nutritionist. You get your pain meds and go home on the 3rd day.

Personally, I'm flying into San Diego the day before to relax and see a Padres game! The next day, the hospital will pick me up right at the front door of my hotel, bring me across the border and will drop me off at the airport the day I go home. If you havent yet, google Hospital Angeles in Tijuana, it's beautiful.

If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. I've changed surgeons THREE times in my research and I am finally confident in my choice. If I can help you avoid any confusion in your research, then I will do my best.

Your awesome, thank you for all the information.

Why do US doctors charge so much more?

I'm in the same boat in regard to the credit/income ratio and I was approved with no problems. You're not asking for $20k, just $5-7k by going to Mexico. Big difference.

ha-ha... thats if my wife don't freak about me going to Mexico. But I found a few doctors that are $12k instead of the first one charging $17k.

I just wonder what can possibly be the difference for the $5k.

Hi Everyone! I got great news to share..I am tired of driving for hours to get a fill..how about you..I just found Dr. Domkowski who works in Sebastian, Florida just north of Vero Beach. I just talked to his office today with Rebecca and made my much needed appointment for a fill... Dr. Domkowski is welcoming new fill patients and even patients who had surgery out of the country..Just bring your records with you on the first visit.

The other good news is he charges $200 for the first visit which includes a fill w/o fluro and that even includes the next fill. Then is $80 per fill w/o fluro. Very affordable in these times...If you need fluro that can be done at Sebastian Hospital for $300 and Palm Bay for $276. Dr. Domkowski is also doing LAP-BAND® and gastric sleeve. He can be reached at (772)581-8003.

Did you self pay or insurance? Curious to see how much they charge.

I would be so down to travel to Mexico for the surgery, but like I said my wife would probably freak.

If I wanted to go this route, how does the process work?

Do you fly there before the surgery, and then have to fly back for the procedure?

My income is great, but my score is mid 600's.

So I'm not sure thats going to look to great.

But will they cover the whole thing? Or at least a good portion of it?

My wife said I was crazy when I told her about maybe traveling to Mexico for the surgery.

anyone else have any luck obtaining a medical loan for the band?

Man I wish in Florida it was $10-$12k.

I spoke to the office local to me and their saying $17k.

Just seems high for self pay. I mean I'm sure the insurance companies aren't paying them that much.

What is the average cost of a lap band?

I would be doing self pay, and am curious as to the spand the cost could be in between.

Are there any companies out there giving medical loans right now?

Does anyone know what he charges for self pay??

Do you know how much he charges for self pay??

I am getting ready!! I can't believe it's less than a week.

That's great about you date. Time will go fast!

Thats so awesome, you'll do fine. I want a detailed report when you get home...ha-ha

Silcone....? Weird, so is the balloon part made of the same?

Hi youtalk,

I am from Melbourne and scheduled for surgery on 5/21 with Dr. Fusco

You getting ready...? I got my date scheduled for July 23rd.... woo hoo...

Something I was wondering, what material are these bands made of? I'm just thinking how long this object will last in our bodies. :help:

Now I didn't get to meet anyone really, that place was packed. I was so exhausted that I left a little early.

wow, I'll check out Capital One. There is a local credit union that my doctor recommends, but I just don't care for the bank itself.

Yes I spoke to her today, and she feels very comfortable that I would be able to get banded. I still need to call her back to get the ball rolling.

So I see you have 13 days to go, did you start your pre-op diet yet?

So what are the lowest BMI has anyone else had the band put on?

I was just wondering if there were any nationwide companies that did financing for surgeories. Anyone else know of any?

Does anyone know of some good companies to get financing from?

Help...!!:think

So you think if I have issues and family history, and if I'm self-pay they'll be ok with it..? I mean my BMI is 32-33, and my father had his first heart bypass when he was 45 from heart disease. I went to the doctors seminar last week and I think I'm more ready now then I was before. I guess it's all about learning how to eat small proportions.