HELP so confused

[Amanda2013 11]

Mexico or my home state Dr?

I have money to do both but dont know what is better. My home Dr is 14500 and Mexico is 4500 just dont know. Any help

[♥LovetheNewMe♥ 1,216]

The only thing I would worry about is the follow up, I had mine done by a physician I know and I have found the follow up with him very key to my success. I know there are others on the site who have went to Mexico to be banded and can speak to this. Which ever you do , good luck to you.

[Blondie638 98]

Be careful if u go to Mexico. I live in Texas and have many friends that have had some pretty scary experiences over there. My friends brother went there for dental work and never came home.. That was several years ago and no ones heard from him :/. I'm not saying dont so it.. On here it seems like many people have been successful with it.

I don't mean to be Debbie downer my friend and her family have been pretty heartbroken.. So it's something I mention when I see someone asking..

Good luck to you

[Maddysgram 6,159]

Just saying if it was me, if I had the money I would stay here.

I know a lot of ppl have done well in Mexico, but having my Dr close by would take a little stress off.

The is just my opinion, not saying it's right,but how I would handle it.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Given the choice, I'd definitely have it done at home. As stated by LoveTheNewMe, aftercare is a huge and important part of the Lap Band process. Unfortunately, I see a great number of people who go to Mexico get the surgery with very little pre-op information and almost no post op direction. They're left to figure it out for themselves. I'm sure there are some that's not the case for, but the majority I see posting on here, it is.

The other issue is trying to find a doctor to give you fills once you're home. A lot of American doctors won't touch a patient banded in Mexico, so if you do decide to go there, be sure you've already found a doctor at home to care for you after first.

Best wishes

[2muchfun 8,927]

Lots of good advice here. So many patients place so much concern on the surgery when the after-care is just as important. There are so many patients who post here that they don't know what to do next and can't find any doctor to give them a fill. If you go to Mexico, make sure you have a support system here before you make that plunge.

BTW-Find a nutritionist near you who is familiar with WLS of all types. They can be so valuable.

tmf

[lee72 42]

I would stay here. I live in a border town in Texas and believe me it's scary the things I hear happen across. besides that its not one day surgery like others have mentioned its the follow up.

I am a nurse and have seen patients come back with dangerous complications or infections. if you have the money do it here...there is no place like home!!!!

[FLORIDAYS 3,040]

I seriously considered Mexico... I too was self pay and in the end I decided I needed the support of a local healthcare team....and for me the risk was just to great to travel abroad.go with your gut feeling..But if you chose Mexico make sure you line up your aftercare ahead of time.... Many US drs won't touch you....

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

I considered Mexico, until I tried to find a Dr. who would do a fill in Salt Lake City. I soon learned that any money I saved on the surgery, I would use traveling to a different state to get the fills. After care is going to be important for me as well, I am scheduled for surgery 1/7, I already have the nurses's cell phone number with instructions that if I am experiencing a problem once I am banded, I am to call, day or night. And in the event that I need an un-fill, she or the Dr. will do it right then, regardless of the hour.

[Amanda2013 11]

That is great. For me Aftercare taken care of and I get more from the staff in Mexico then I do in Alabama...In the two years I have know her. Yes that is how long I have been saving and reseaching ect...The Alabama nurse has called me 1 time and no emails. The mexico Dr. many calls and email and he has done more Lapbanda then the other Alabama. Fill for me is about an Hrs drive closer then the Alabama Dr. So iam good

[msblack 6]

Hi I went to Mexico, I didn't have any problems and they even found things my US drs missed. I would do it again if anyone wants to know. I live in Nv. And no issues getting a dr for fills. I get my first fill on Feb 4, and this office gives me my after care. I used Dr. Almanza.

[suzannetx 21]

My neighbor went to Mexico had great experience had no problem finding dr for fills we r n tx. Saved her tons of money and she's lost over 100 pounds. She has no regrets!! Good luck in your decision!!

[seeme1954 32]

The only thing I would check out in Mexico is the size of the band. They use a lot of 4cc bands which they don't use in the states anymore because of problems. Mine is 14 cc.the companies sell them to Mexico cheap because us doesn't want them.

[dreamer762 4]

The only thing I would check out in Mexico is the size of the band. They use a lot of 4cc bands which they don't use in the states anymore because of problems. Mine is 14 cc.the companies sell them to Mexico cheap because us doesn't want them.

I just called my coordinator at "Belite Weight" and asked her if my doctor, Dr. Rodriguez uses a sub-standard band and questioned her about cc sizes. She said that Dr. R uses standard Allergan bands and cc sizes are dependent upon personal BMI. Do the research on each doctor, don't assume!

[CaGottaBand 498]

If you have the money, I'd do it at home.