Constance

I have researched so many surgeons. I feel like I could write a book! There are a few with sterling feedback -just a few minor complaints. But for the most part, every surgeon has their share of unhappy patients and complaints. At what point does a bad feedback become a dealbreaker? How do you measure a surgeon's competence outside of diplomas?

I deleted my post questioning you about being a doctor's rep or patient coordinator. Please understand my concern. It can be so hard to know who to trust when researching surgeons. Sorry if I came on too strong in my questioning.

I did a ton of research and I've never heard of this doctor. How did you find him?

I just did some searching here and found this thread: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=179684&highlight=joya#post179684 It doesn't really go into specifics...but might have some things worth looking into further.

Wow, that is really inexpensive. Why is that? I mean, yeah, it's in Mexico. But I know competitively speaking it's more like 8500 on average without airfare.

cool Brookins!! FD, I'm especially curious about how the trip back treats you. Was the plane ride and walking around the airport a huge drag...or no big deal?

I heard a saying once...like what Leila is saying. Unwanted food goes to WASTE or to WAIST. It sounds like something a 1950s housewife would say, but I think it works. My husband says "either it'll be the toilet or a landfill. Either way it won't be yours for long" Haha, pretty gross, but so true!

Check out this poll and read some of the responses, maybe it will help. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=20135 For me, bypass was never on the table. I found it to be a very extreme procedure for a relatively simple problem...I eat too much and I never feel full. So something mechanically restrictive that simply limits the amount of food I can eat seems the most logical. I also liked that the complication rate was very low, the procudure is minimally invasive and totally reversable and removable. Yes, there are risks and no, we dont know how the band will behave in the body on 20 years. But people have artificial internal body parts for many many years and it is really no different. Probably technology will evolve at some point to provide a newer/better way to keep weight off. Until then, I think the band is the best choice for me. As for people failing to lose weight...I think that is a result of the band being a tool that involves choice and not involuntarily restrictive and malabsorbtive. Meaning, for the band to work you have to keep your fill level such that you experience restriction. Then you need to eat the types of foods that help you feel the fullness you get with restriction. One could conceivably get one fill, or no fills, eat whatever they want, etc. The choice factor is a 2 way street. Foods like ice cream and cake would have you really sick with bypass. You have the freedom to indulge somewhat when you are banded. But with the choice comes the responsibilty not to overdo it. With bypass, you face the penalty of being very sick when you have carbs and sweets. I would rather have more freedom to eat 'normal' foods in exchange for needing to keep an eye on over-indulging. It is a personal decsion for everyone. Don't let a doctor steer you. Do lots of research. Think about your lifestyle and diets you've tried. What types of things you can see yourself able to do for life? Can you give up many foods? Bandsters have to give up some foods, too so keep that in mind? Can you maintian the fills so you have restrcition? Are youc omfortable having Vitamin supplementation for life -- which is needed with bypass. How much weight do you need to lose? Are you in need of immediate surgical intervention and rapid loss that bypass can give you? Or can you take your time and have a slower loss with the band? Research, ask questions, and go with you gut, no pun intended!

I actually gained for approval. I still don't know if I'm approved. AND I just found out that you need a 40+ BMI for at least 12 months and for me it's just been in the last 2. It was only 15 lbs...ha, "only" but I feel like crap and have new stretch marks from the fast gain. Sadly, I don't know if it will even make a difference! Please consider what even MORE weight will to do your body and self-esteem. Was the extra 15 lbs worth 15K$ ? Yes, probably. If I don't get covered will I feel like an idiot? Yes!

I agree with the crowd. Though I'm not banded yet, I've found in my reasearching that the wheels that hurt, squeak. Meaning, there are thousands and thousands of bandsters out there with NO problems. They don't post or come to forums like this b/c they are just peachy. But there are more than just squeaky wheels here...lots of succesful bandsters come here too! Don't fret, it is statistically very safe and effective. P.S. There is something to learn from everyone, even the less successful bandsters or people who've had problems. Information is a great thing!

Fd that is awesome! Keep us posted!

Oh I'm so sorry. Can you plead with them on the money issue? Or could they let you do a payment plan? You are really suffering and if it could be their fault, they should take care of you!

Have you had any contact with Dr. Sanchez? Could they help you or give you a discount or something?

msbrookins, I searched the poster's name in that forum and found that he had been banded by Dr. Sanchez. I think a lot of times people get really cautious on boards and do the "Dr. John Doe" type thing so they don't start a chat board riot. Personally, I would way rather know what happened and be able to make my own choice than have someone try tobe poilte and not mention the doctor's name. I think Sanchez is a great choice and this is the ONLY thing I could find that was negative. Seriously, I'm a google/search freak and I have spent hours researching doctors. I also want to add that the unflattering comments frm that guy's post seem to be SO COMPLETELY contrary to what I've read. It seems like many people who used Dr. Sanchez were referred by someone in the medical community.

Also, there is a yahoo group called 'Struggling Bandsters' and I found a post where a person's band (placed by Sanchez) had slipped and was removed. This was back in 2000. Here is what the person wrote: Two surgeons (on my insurance plan) in the U.S. tried to find a way to get my slipped band back in proper position without surgery. Neither of them had ever put in a band; and both were reluctant to work on a patient whose band had been placed in Mexico before the US approved it here. When they learned that Dr. XXX had placed my band, they both looked at each other funny. One of them said "Another one of XXX's." I always wondered if they thought Dr. XXX's technique was wrong. Does any one know if the surgical technique has changed? Do any of you know whether later bands have been placed with different tubing, ports, stitches, etc.? I guess I am really asking, "Do you know if there have been any significant changes since 2000 when mine was placed?" Thank you.

fduddies, who is banding you?

Hey there, I'm looking into Sanchez (and Rumbaut, too), I've read great stuff about both of them -- but I find myself wanting to hear the not-so-perfect stories as well. So far I can't find anything. I will post what I can dig up and hopefully some LBT peeps will give us the info, too.

haha! One of the sugeons I had a consult with said there were many people in the public eye who were banded. I'm not sure who he is referring to here in cowpoke Denver. But he insisted that I would be "totally surprised" by the number of people in the media/entertainment who are banded.

My friends and family are scared of banding in Mexico. (I'm leaning towards Rumbaut) They worry that there is less accountability there if something were to go wrong with the band - whether it is 10 days later, or in 5 years. How can I insure, legally or otherwise, that a doctor would be responsible for the band? Or can I even expect that? If I can safely tell my family Rumbaut is 'one of the very best', could I find another surgeon in the US considered 'one of the best'? I know they would feel better and be more supportive. However, my search for the best in the US hasn't yielded many results. Especially being self-pay, I am looking for the highest quality I can get at the best price. At this point I have these options: Dr. Snyder in Denver, $12,700, he's done 100+ bands Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver, $10,000, he's done ~40 bands So it seems like a no-brainer to go to Rumbaut, $10,000, and he's thousands of bands. But my family isn't so convinced. They are super worried about follow-up and accounatbility. Help me lap-band peeps!

Yeah, I looked into this right away. Unfortunately, it just isn't feasible. http://www.traumaburn.org/traumaburn/resources/faq.asp

Oh that is terrible! You poor thing! I was thinking -- and this is kind of off the wall -- could you get your fill (hopefully a succesful one) then go and get the needle mark tatooed? You know, just a few little dots to mark the spot? Is that the part that they miss? Or do they stick you in the right place but can't connect with the port under the skin? Does my question make sense? Like if you have pierced ears and you can get the earring in the hole but maybe you have to wiggle around once you're in there to get through the other hole? Is that what it is like? Or is it sthat they can't poke you in the right place?

I have been on the supervised diet for 5 months now. I am so sick of being so heavy. I am now at a BMI of 40 - terrific, right? Yeah, well now I come to find out Cigna requires one year at a 40 BMI - or 39 and under with co-morbidities. And they are talking serious, like Type 2 diabetes and pulmonary hypertension. I might as well go another month, but I have this sneaking suspicion I won't get coverage. It just sucks that I have to wait to find out.

Slight hijack -- but a few questions about Rumbaut... 1)how long from when you first contacted them until you had a date? 2)how long were you in monterrey? 3)any flight package inclusions? 4)can you provide you own pre-op work-ups if they require them? (I've had lots of tests in my pursuit of insurance coverage) Ok, sorry to divert the topic a bit. Y'all can PM me with repsonses if you don't want to post here -- though maybe the crowd would like to see.

She is so gross and full of herself. She could have at least gone out with some class and maybe had preserved some sort of decent reputation. Instead, her actions made Barbara Walters apologize for her. Bad idea. Babs against you is no good. She's like old scholo Tv royalty.

Here is a link to a thread on the same topic: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=16051&highlight=long+term