Happy New Year to all!!! Just taking a little time to help provide some information to those who are interested in having the LAP-BAND surgery performed overseas, like in the Philippines. Filipino LAP-BAND surgeons are trained by INAMED surgeons like Prof. Paul O'Brien, Dr. Richard Gilhome and Dr. Chris Hensman of Australia and one of your favorites, Dr. Ariel Ortiz Lagardere.

The most popular LAGB in the Philippines is still the LAP-BAND, both the 10cm band and the VG. A few surgeons have tried experimenting with the Swedish band and are now having problems with erosion. The Midband has been out of the market for some time. The BIB System is also gaining popularity in the Philippines. This is the Bio-Enterics Intragastric Balloon, a 15-minute non-surgical procedure which is performed endoscopically and is intended to offer patients weight loss of 30 to 60 pounds in 6 months. We have had very good results with the BIB, 72, 92, and even 102 pounds weight loss in 6 months had been observed. But for sustained permanent weight loss, of course the LAP-BAND is still the way to go.:confused:

Kind regards,

Bom Chan

From Australia (and the surgeon I chose works closely with Prof. O'Brien within the same team) its really not necessary becuase our public health system mainly covers it, with private health insurance picking up the rest. It may be interesting for those without private health cover, since the public waiting list is enormously long (7 years in Melbourne!!!!). If you're insured though, there's no need to go overseas to save money as it doesnt cost a lot anyway.

Then again, if you chose to go o/s for surgery, in Australia at any rate, you'd have no trouble getting the surgery done overseas and hooking up with an experienced surgeon at home for all the aftercare.

I'd say Mexico works best for the majority here because of proximity. A trip to the Phillipines would be a lot more expensive and inconvenient from the US than a trip to Mexico, which can be driven, afterall.

Hello Jacqui,

I have to agree with a lot of the things you wrote. You're correct, basically the Filipino doctors cater to a lot of patients from Guam, Saipan, and other neighboring Asian countries. They do have patients coming from Europe and Australia. For patients in the U.S., Mexico, of course, is just a drive away. I would suppose that the Philippines has a niche market such that it caters to some patients who come to the Philippines for a vacation to visit relatives or probably those who are curious about the country.

All the best,

Bom

I just was banded in november with mid-band. So, i dont think is out of the market.:Bunny

Banded 11/08/2005 286

01/02/2006 253

How much is the lap band surgery here in the country? Are there local insurance companies that cover for the expenses? Kindly reply. Thanks!

Hey bom chan, I just want to invite you to post for our Filipino kababayans. I created a local support group. You will find the Philippines Local Support by clicking:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f77/philippines-local-lap-band-support-93321/

or by going to the Local Lab-Band Support Forum --> Elsewhere Local Support Group ----> Philippines Local Support Group.

Thank you! Ingat!