:help:I am going to self pay and go to either Dr. Kuri in Tijuana or one of 2 doctors in Monterrey, Dr. Roberto Rumbaut or Dr. Rodolfo Sanchez who has done over 5,000 bands I read. Anyone been to either place, please advise!! Thanks:)

Heya.. I've had my lapband done by Dr Huacuz in TJ and as far as I know he's still the most competetively priced. I only mentioned it because I was a self pay also and understand how important the money was to us.

Anyway I know it doesnt help because it isnt about either of your Drs but Im about 8 months out, and 90 lbs down..

If you want to know more about the Dr ask around or email me. But either way, do it! Youll wonder why you waited so long!

Best of luck to you!

gitanav@hotmail.com

g

I went to Monterrey Mexico. Dr. Rumbaut did my surgery. I have been very pleased so far.

I also used Dr. Huacuz in Tijuana.... He was fantastic! No complaints here. Good luck.

MONTEREY! I've been around here for around 2 years and have never heard one single negative thing about Dr. Rumbault in Monterey, plus you can't compare the Monterey facility to anything I've seen in Tijuana (I had 3 bad surgeries in Tijuana, Kuri made a mistake on me.)

I'm not saying Kuri's a bad doctor or that I know Rumbault, but keep researching because Rumbault's reputation is impecable around here from what I've seen.

I had Dr Sanchez in Monterrey and cant say enough good things about him or about the hospital and staff. I have also never heard anything negative about Sanchez or Rumbaut. The SantaEngracia hospital is an American owned hospital and the anethesiologist was banded by Sanchez, which I thought was reassuring. The CEO of the hospital actually visits you in your room, he is an American and was also banded. I know that Rumbaut is also a fine surgeon, I just went with Sanchez because I know someone that he banded and it felt "right" to me. I will gladly give you my phone number if you want to ask any questions or get some more detailed answers, just send me a PM if you want me talk.

What is the cost for a Lapband surgery in Mexico? How do you get your fills after you return home to the states?

I just went through this and all the people responded to my worries (on this forum). I chose Dr. Rumbaut finally when a local Docs nurse privately called me after hours and said (off the record) "If you are really going to go to Mexico, then go to Rumbaut" She was in on the initial beginnings in the Us and had visited Monterrey and been in surg with him and said he was excellent, as do his stats reflect. I was very scared and using our savings. My kids need savings for college and we could use the $$ for so much other stuff. But...this is also an investment for my life and our future. I thoght the extra $2500. was worth it over the course of a lifetime and if a prominent physician's nurse also went out on a limb to seceretly give me advice, then it made my decision worth it. This forum did an unofficial analysis and Rumbaut had no erosions on here either. I leave for Mexico on Wed. am. :confused:

Thanks everyone for all the great information. Kasey, most lap band surgeries in Mexico are about 8,000-9,200. Dr. Rumbaut is 10,600 in Monterrey. I am considering Dr. Sanchez, also in Monterrey, and his cost is 8,000-8500. Both are good I have heard.

Hello All ~

I'm writing you from Dr. Sanchez's guest house computer. I flew in Friday night late; however, Mario (transportation) was there to pick me up. My surgery was early Saturday, and i'm back at the house today. The hospital is very nice...much nicer than my local hospital back home! The people here have made me feel like family which is very nice since I'm traveling alone. The nurses at the hospital were very great to me. Some spoke english and some didn't but we were able to communicate.

The whole experience has been great especially since I'm so far from home.

I primarily chose Dr. Sanchez because of the hospital setting which turned out better than I expected. His physicians teams follow-up has been great. They checked me on a couple times yesterday and today. I know I wouldn't get that back home.

Monterrey is an upscale city with upscale shops if you're into shopping. It is definitely not a border town which I've been to and was not impressed. It is significantly nicer than I imagined!

So...I can say from personal experience thus far that this is been a very good experience for me.

Good luck in your decision.

Anita

:confused:

I have not been banned yet, but I have chosen Dr. Sanchez because of his banding history, the guest house, the hospital, and the future of my band. I have heard nothing but great praise about him, and feel I made the best choice for me.

Hello, thanks for the reply, do you have aftercare lined up? Do you know about insurance coverage if you need immediate care, is it covered in most cases? I am from Michigan and would not be able to get back to Monterrey quickly. There are doctors about 3-5 hrs. away in my state. Thanks!

Hey,

It's me...and I'm back home from Dr. Sanchez's in Monterrey. A couple of things to note....the guest house is nice; however, the beds are hard which I'm not used to and got little sleep the day before I left. Also, recommend taking shower shoes with you. You'll be able to shower at the hospital the day after your surgery. Travel lite...try not to do any airline carry-ons because you'll have layovers and have to carry it around. I purchased a little cart cause my belly hurt and I couldn't carry a thing.

Check this out.....banded on Sat, 18th, down 11 pounds....yeah!!!:clap2:

As far as the insurance question...I would recommend checking with your personal insurance company. Every one is very different. I have a very liberal one and am covered for just about everything. However, my fiance's insurance is terrible and he must get everything approved through his PCP.

Good Luck Ladies!!!!

Anita in VA

damn..my out of pocket expense was over $13,000.00...maybe I shoulda went to mexico, its only about a 10 hour drive..ah well, hindsight is always 20/20 and I did well with the surgery and liked my doctor. Its just amazing the difference in price.

I speak Spanish fluently, don't live that far from Mexico and still have some reservations about being that far from my surgeon - whoever he would be, so I was banded locally.

Now having said that - if I went to Mexico, it would (hopefully) be Dr. Rumbaut or bust. His experience, reputation, and the many patients of his that I know all have convinced me that he's the only one I'd go to. (I've heard good things about Dr Sanchez too but honestly Rumbaut is the champ.) And I would ONLY go to Monterrey - Tijuana is simply not even an option, in my opinion. (Which is just that - my opinion.)

Good Luck and Happy Band Journeys To All.

Thanks everyone for all the great information. Kasey, most lap band surgeries in Mexico are about 8,000-9,200. Dr. Rumbaut is 10,600 in Monterrey. I am considering Dr. Sanchez, also in Monterrey, and his cost is 8,000-8500. Both are good I have heard.

Dr. Rumbaut's facilities and staff are easily worth the piece of mind.