DeniseMCSE

Will your doctor do fills for patients banded in Mexico? I'd be interested in his name/number if he will???

Yes Carol - I (and probably WE) did quite a lot of research. I was ALSO told specifically by my surgeon that if I would commit to fills with HIS clinic that I would be filled in two visits rather than the 8-10 that it takes in the US because MX surgeons are very "agressive" with fills. When I'm paying $7-900 for air fare, transportation across the border, hotel, and fluoro for each fill - I'm not really interested in gradual. I was given the impression that it would take 2 trips. I"m currently approaching my 3rd. I did enough research to go to the "granddaddy" of lap banding surgery - I consider him to be the best - however I feel that THIS band is new enough that the "old rules" for the 4cc band surely do NOT apply and I'm more than a little frustrated with the time, the money, and the lack of results. I surely don't understand why YOU are only getting .5 to 1 cc in a VG band - is that really what you're saying? I got 4.6 cc's and then 1.4 cc's the second fill......I hope you're getting your fills/fluoro, EVERYTHING for free if it's going to take you 10-15 fills to get to 9-10 cc's.....

I have the VG band - since August. Been back twice to MX for fills - currently at 6.0 cc's and no restriction. First fill was 4.6 - second took me to 6.0. First few days at 6.0 and I could hardly swallow Water - took 20 minutes to drink a Protein shake. After about a week of that - I could eat a lot of whatever I wanted..... I've now spent about $17,000 for surgery and fills and I am PISSED. I've e-mailed and called the clinic - waiting for them to call me back. I'm returning in January for Fill #3 - they tell me I won't be able to go beyond 7.6 at the very most in this next fill......I cannot afford to go back every 30-45 days. I feel like we're guinea pigs on the VG band and my money got thrown out of an airplane...