NataliesMommy

I had my surgery in Mexico, and when I got back home, began having complications. I had to go into an extended hours clinic and they paged the surgeon on call. He barely took a glipse at my stomach and told me it was inflammation and it'd go away. His bedside manor was horrible and treated me as though I was wasting his time. He said "Well, what is it that you want me to do for you?" He ended up leaving the room and the nurse came back in. I told her that I really wasn't comfortable w/ his "diagnosis" and was afraid there was something more to it. She stepped out in the hallway to ask him to take a second look and he said "That's her fault for going to Mexico!", clearly where everyone in the office could hear him. I was so embarressed. I just got up and left w/out even checking out. Whether it was my fault or not, he's not there to judge, he's there to treat. Come to find out, it wasn't inflammation at all. It was a very serious and potentially fatal infection. Thank goodness I FINALLY found a dr that actually took the time to culture it.

I think most dr's want you to wait 12 to 18 mos post op.

I delivered naturally, a year and a half post-op.

I know what you're going through. I found out I was pregnant the exact day that I got a fill. I was so scared they (my surgeon or OB) was going to make me get an unfill. But... my surgeon told me that as long as i'm not having too much morning sickness, and if the OB said it was okay, I didn't have to unfill my band. My OB said that the baby would be just fine, and would get the nutrients it needed from my body. He just stressed the importance of taking Vitamins and making sure that the food that I could eat, was healthy. So, I didn't have to get an unfill. I ended up losing a total of 40lbs while being pregnant. The pregnancy went very well. My son is now almost 3 mos old and is as healthy as an ox! They can't force you to have an unfill. However, if you don't follow your dr's medical advice, they can fire you as a patient. I'd try talking to your dr and letting him know exactly what your concerns are.

Aww, don't be scared! I just had a baby Oct and I'm 2 yrs post op. The pregnancy and labor went great. I had gotten a fill right before I found out I was pregnant, so I actually lost about 40lbs overall. But don't stress if you gain weight, or how much you do. Just like any woman, banded or not, it will take time to get the baby weight off, and you'll be back to your regular self, if not better. After the baby arrives, get your band filled back up, and you'll be back on track. Try not to focus on the negatives. You are truely blessed. Good luck and congrats!!

Hey Silry! I've been banded for almost 2 yrs and delivered a healthy baby in Oct. Vaginal delivery. No complications. Everything went great! Back in the spring, I got a fill, and went home and found out I was pregnant. No joke. I was worried that I'd have to have an unfill to not only provide nutrients to the baby, but also to prevent slippage. My surgeon told me that it should be fine as long as I was not throwing up all the time. I had your average case of morning sickness, I guess you could say. But the band was fine, and did not slip. So, I didn't have to get an unfill, and I just waited until after the baby was here to get my next fill. Overall, I actually lost weight during my pregnancy. About 40lbs total. And my OB said that as long as I was taking my Vitamins, the baby would be fine. He just advised me the food that I am able to get down, should all be healthy. Congrats and good luck w/ the little one!! :smile:

Hi Apryl! Congrats! I just had a baby in October, and I had the same concern you did. My dr assured me that the lap band would not interfere w/ labor at all. He said the band was secure and was not going anywhere. But it wouldn't hurt to ask your dr about it, so he can calm your fears.

Dr. Querry is great! She did not band me, but she is treating me for complications from my original surgery in Mexico. I would highly recommend her.

Wow, 9,500? That's cheap! That's not much more than I paid in Mexico! I'm guessing that's Dr. Wade Barker. He's the only Dr. Barker in the Dallas area that does bariatric surgeries (that I could find). I don't know anything about him, but I see his commercials all the time (I live east of dallas too!) www.wbarkermd.com

Don't go back there!! Try to find follow up care in the states. Dr. Lopez did my surgery as well, and I've had horrible port site complications. Feel free to email me.

Yes, they're horrible.

Oh no, Kathy. Your story starts off exactly like mine did. Did you use Betancourt medical in TJ?? I did. And like you, I was having pain at my port site, they told me it was tilted and inflammed. If you did use Betancourt, please don't allow them to try to fix the problem. They very well could make things worse. I found an American doctor to treat me, and we've been dealing w/ my port infection for almost 2 years now. She had to go in and flip my port back over, which she was able to do. However, we haven't been able to kick the infection. I will probably have to have the band removed soon before the infection, that was diagnosed as pseudomonas, causes irreversible tissue damage, if it hasn't already. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

No, no, no. For your sake please do not use Betancourt!! First of all, there is no Dr. Betancourt. Andres Betancourt, the owner is not a doctor. There are TONS of horror stories from this medical group, including my own. Do your research. On this site alone, you can search for, and find many posts that I think would greatly influence your decision. Good luck. I know that there are many great Mex dr's, but you won't find them at Betancourt, that's for sure.

lpbndinfo, I'm sorry that you feel like you're having to defend yourself so much, however many people on this site know full well the horrible reputation of Betancourt. Therefore, when you come on here and try to recruit business for them, you're probably going to run into a problem. If you indeed are recruiting patients for them, it is your responsibility to know the goods AND the bads. You say that every patient you have talked to had a good experience. I, personally have not been able to find any former patients that did not have complications or a bad experience per Andres.

I used Betancourt medical for my surgery. The patient coordinator assured me that an FDA approved band would be used, as that was a major concern of mine. I did not find out until after complications started arising that I indeed DID NOT have an FDA approved band. Now, I'm stuck w/ a infection at the port site, which my current American doctor cannot replace. Just FYI.......