I know it's a financial reason. Is it that much cheaper? (Thank God for my insurance)

Reasons to go to Mexico (or another country):

1. Money (surgery costs $8k-10K, all combined total)

2. Easier pre op test requirements, no psych, no full length medical screening

3. lower BMI than the states will allow

4. Insurance denied (for various reasons)

5. You need a tequila fix.

1. Finanicial - $8400 opposed to $16,000 when you are self pay because insurance denies.

2. Had surgery within 2 weeks of initial phone consultation.

3. Easier pre-op tests & no pre-op diet required.

Yep that pretty much sums it up.

who do you followup with back home after surgery in Mexico? for fills, complications, etc...

Let me echo everyone's reasons for going to Mexico. If I would have had to wait a year to jump through all, of the hoops required here, I would have gone crazy. It was a month between my initial contact and my surgery-nolw it is over and I am on my way!!!

I went to my regular doctor the day I got back to check my incisions and my discharge orders. He made a referral for me for a specialist who will do my fills, etc...

1. Finanicial - $8400 opposed to $16,000 when you are self pay because insurance denies.

QUOTE]

$16,000 is on the low end. My grand total for the cost of the surgeon, anastesiologist, radiologist, and hospital stay was 33k. About $700 of that came out of my pocket, the rest was paid by the insurance. I think "self pay" is cheaper though.

I personally went to Mexico because of Dr. Ortiz. When I was studying up on Lapband surgery I found out that Dr. Ortiz had actually trained several American doctors on the lapband & that really made me want to have the surgery with HIM!! In my research I hadn't found ANYONE who was unhappy with him. (There may be some out there, but I haven't found them yet!!)

At first I wasn't thrilled about going to Mexico because well......it's Mexico!! Then, when I started doing all the paperwork with BC/BS I realized it was going to be a nightmare. I said forget it all I ran across the border. I don't regret my decision even for a second. Dr. Ortiz & Martinez have been exceptional & I was very well cared for.

Just my 2 cents worth!!

1. Finanicial - $8400 opposed to $16,000 when you are self pay because insurance denies.

$16,000 is on the low end. My grand total for the cost of the surgeon, anastesiologist, radiologist, and hospital stay was 33k. About $700 of that came out of my pocket, the rest was paid by the insurance. I think "self pay" is cheaper though.

I went the self-pay route and the total for my outpatient surgery, including hospital, surgeon fees, anesthesiologist and 1 year of follow-up care/fills was $12,900.

It's NOT the money. At least not primarily. It's about the experience. When I got MY band, my local band guy had done 30 and Dr. Rumbaut had done 1400+. Rumbaut was part of the pre-FDA testing and was training other doctors before ANYONE mentioned here.

When I got my band removed, I was STILL glad he had implanted it, as there were no problems arising from the way in which the band was implanted.

People who went for the money only...??? Well, good luck.

The lapband surgery is no riskier than a Gallbladder, Fibroidectomy (myomectomy), or appendix removal surgery. They dont do all the expensive pretesting for any of those. The psych eval I can understand.... I personally went because I am self pay. I paid $8000 for the total deal and my surgeon arranged a fill and followup doctor within an hour drive that charges $100. I am happy with everything.

I'm like Sue, I flew half way across the country to Monterrey Mexico for Dr. Sanchez. He sure has taken care of me with my leak and free re-banding.

Loving Dr. Sanchez here too!!! Firewheel, if you are thinking of e-pylori bacteria (most common stomach ailment), it causes ulcers and ulcer like symptoms, antibiotics take care of it. Wouldnt really matter if it was discovered before or not. It is the most common cause of stomach problems that used to be attributed to "stress". Antibiotics are the treatment. The antibiotics you get with the surgery get rid of EVERYTHING anyway, lol!! (if it is bacterial related, anyway)

Loving Dr. Sanchez here too!!! Firewheel, if you are thinking of e-pylori bacteria (most common stomach ailment), it causes ulcers and ulcer like symptoms, antibiotics take care of it. Wouldnt really matter if it was discovered before or not. It is the most common cause of stomach problems that used to be attributed to "stress". Antibiotics are the treatment. The antibiotics you get with the surgery get rid of EVERYTHING anyway, lol!! (if it is bacterial related, anyway)

Actually, I think its h. (short for "helicobacter") pylori...and I think the course of treatment to get rid of established "ulcers" is longer than the course of treatment for surgery. But check me on that.

I was self pay so I understand the logic of not wanting/being able to take out a loan for $15,000+. But I dont understand praising the easier pre-op tests/qualifications.

I had to pay for an endoscopy (my surgeon required only a barium test but the referring doctor wanted the endo), cardio workup/stress test and blood tests. Insurance paid for most of the pre-op testing but my co-pay was $1,500. Although I was nervous the day of the surgery, knowing that my heart and stomach were in good condition for the surgery was a comfort.

Who knows, for sure, all the reasons why thiings go wrong and why bands slip or erode. But isnt making sure that you're healthy enough to be banded a good thing? I ask this in all good faith: what pre-op tests do you think are unnecesary? Thanks!

I'm jumping through all the hoops and not minding it. Today I found out I have a peptic ulcer the size of a 50 cent piece which was treated with silver nitrate and I will be on Nexium for a couple months, which is going to delay my surgery. It is well worth it to me. I thought I might have an ulcer, but if I had gone to Mexico and got banded I would have been looking at major problems down the road. For me the endoscopy has just saved me a lot of grief. I have had a lot of tests done and lots to go.

I hope the board doesn't mind if I hang out and keep reading here, as I'm learning a lot, although I won't get banded for 2-3 mo. because of the ulcer. I'm really glad I decided on a dr. in the states. I could have gotten banded in Mexico with no questions asked unfortunately.

I took care in selecting my dr. and checked him out good. He has done a lot of lap band surgery and is also an expert in the field.

Hi Diane,

I am hoping to get banded the last week of December. I REALLY want Dr. Ortiz to do my surgery. It sounds like you had a great experience there. He is a good $1,500 more than some other doctors and that really hurts. I am having a difficult getting my husband on board with this. It is a lot of money to pay out of our pockets and he is not at all liking this idea. Tell me how things have been for you since you got banded. How was Dr. Ortiz?

Thanks,

Lynn