I tend to be pretty skeptical of anything, so I'm hoping some people here can help me. I've gone over these message boards over and over and am really excited about the possibility of getting lapband. My insurance doesn't cover it and my BMI is about 38. I'm thinking about Dr. Ortiz in Mexico but am still a little worried about getting surgery in Mexico.

I've read great things about Dr. Ortiz on here, but I've also been warned that those things may have been written by patient coordinators. How do I find out who is the real deal? I want real answers from real people about the safety and effectiveness of this surgery. Any suggestions?

Thanks everyone--didn't mean to cause a controversy!

I booked my surgery with Dr. Ortiz in January. The tipping point was calling a recommended surgeon here in Utah who only charges $200 for fills (as opposed to the $325 USA Fill Centers would charge). When I asked his nurse about surgeons in Mexico she said that Dr. Ortiz trained their staff.

My worst fear is that I'll "eat around the band" and it won't work, but I'm going to work my butt off (hopefully literally) to lose the weight.

i'm glad to hear it!

I hope you do well!

I'll stop. But this site will never stop, as long as people are here to give bad advice and mislead new people.

I'll stop. But this site will never stop, as long as people are here to give bad advice and mislead new people.

Sorry you had a bad experiance with the band. But you really don't have all the answers and some of us have had a great experiance with the band. So maybe, just maybe some of us on here can give great advice.

Sorry you had a bad experiance with the band. But you really don't have all the answers and some of us have had a great experiance with the band. So maybe, just maybe some of us on here can give great advice.

thank you! He keep posting in like 10 threads to STOP DONT GET IT...and its really annoying.

Thanks everyone. Dr. Ortiz was going to do the Johnson and Johnson X3 (I think). Is that what you all are getting? Or is it an older model?

Sorry I haven't been online for a few days to answer your question.

When I was banded last year, the surgeons in Mexico, that I checked with, were using the old Lapband from Allergan, but I wanted the newest AP system.

Three generations of improvements:

• 2007 - The LAP-BAND AP System
  
• 2004 - The LAP-BAND VG System
  
• 2001 - The 9.75/10 LAP-BAND System
  

If your Dr is using J&J they have 3 improvements as well, if it is important to you, and you want the newest system, you should check to see if they are using the Realize Band-C.

Three generations of improvements:

• 2009 - REALIZE Band-C
  
• 2007 - REALIZE Band
  
• 1996 - SAGB (Outside US)
  

maybe in most places in Mexico but dr ortiz's Obesity Control Center is a officially declared a international center of excellence, i doubt they will use older versions of the band, but I will double check with him just in case, i still highly doubt this.

Fyi the older version of the band would be 4cc . Allergan makes two sizes now , the standard 10cc and the large 14cc. a quick way to find out if he uses the older version is to ask what size.

Classic...you tell them all they need to worry about is the cost of fills, but in reality, they have to worry about paying for a future surgery if the bands erodes, or if it leaks, or if slips badly enough. Or you may end up dialeted and have to have everything removed in your band, and then you will have to pay for all of the fills to get back to where you were at.

"all you have to worry about is the cost of fills"

Totally misleading and wrong.

I totally agree and my band was covered by insurance and I am having a positive experience so far. My surgeon was very clear that the down side of a band was that it is a piece of equipment and equipment wears out. He said that even if everything is fine initially, I would probably have to get the band replaced at some point because all implants (breasts, hips, ect.) wear down, develop problems, and need replacement. The real question is will I have a problem the first year or in 15? He said as long as I understood this and was ok with it, the band is a great option.

I don't see why you would consider Mexico for a place to do your surgery? I understand the pricing, but,,, what if anything ever happens like a leek? What will you do? I mean you must go back to your original surgeon for repairs or revision. I have a 4 cc band, I went to a Center of Excellence in Michigan. My Doctor put 2 cc;s in and by the time I got home it blew!!! Now how can a 4cc band blow with 2 cc's in it? Well it did... What would you do if something like this happened to you? You would have to travel to Mexico. No one hear would want to touch you. Even if your food gets stuck ! When you tell a E.R. that you had it done in Mexico, "this is why you are not at the hospital that did your band" They will not be comfortable with it.

My band failed, and I will not get another. The sleeve is doing what the band is suppose to do. I will check into that, and yes I have to go back to the same Doctor, because no one will touch anyone else's work. I suggest you think twice about Mexico, and twice about the band. More and more are coming out that they are defective. To all of you that love your band "been there". I wish you all luck.

Just a update.. I am not a newbie, I have been on this site since 2007. I couldn't get on because I moved,and forgot all my old stuff to get on. So yes,, have been around a while.

Thanks for the input everyone. Just a few clarifications. Of course one of the reasons I'm getting this done in Mexico is cost. However, I have looked at other surgeons and am more impressed by Dr. Ortiz's experience than others. Also, he is putting in the Realize-C band. I've already arranged follow-up care with a lap-band surgeon here in town who will be my fill doctor as well as be available for any possible emergencies. He works with a lot of Dr. Ortiz's patients and said he hasn't seen any problems. I really hope I'm covering all my bases!

Sorry you had a bad experiance with the band. But you really don't have all the answers and some of us have had a great experiance with the band. So maybe, just maybe some of us on here can give great advice.

This is definitely true! As a physician, I can tell you that there is great advice and good facts in this website. Statistically speaking, there will always be people who are dissatisfied with ANYTHING...including the lap band. So for those of you who are reading threads like this one...don't be discouraged!! Ask questions until you are satisfied. With so many success stories you can' t go wrong.

Shoot me any questions you may have.

Best,

Dr. JSA

I have also had a great experience with the band but I am not quite 2 years out so I feel as though I'm not allowed to say so. That maybe if I am too positive or enthusiastic then there may be something bad up ahead waiting for me.

I have lost all my excess weight. I feel great , look far better than i have for years and for me it has been realtively easy. Yes I have had stuck episodes and times when i feel miserable because something that should have gone down didn't but these are just minor. I would do it all again tomorrow in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner - I wasted far too much of my life being fat and miserable.

I have also had a great experience with the band but I am not quite 2 years out so I feel as though I'm not allowed to say so. That maybe if I am too positive or enthusiastic then there may be something bad up ahead waiting for me.

I have lost all my excess weight. I feel great , look far better than i have for years and for me it has been realtively easy. Yes I have had stuck episodes and times when i feel miserable because something that should have gone down didn't but these are just minor. I would do it all again tomorrow in a heartbeat. My only regret is that I didn't do this sooner - I wasted far too much of my life being fat and miserable.

Congratulations Elcee!! Enjoy the new you!!