:help: Hello everyone!

I am new to this message board and have been lurking for quite some time. I have read a TON of posts about Mexico doctors and will be going down there to have surgery done since I am self-pay. The number of docs in Mexico is amazing and I have even resorted to making an excel spreadsheet to try and pick the best one for me. Cost is a big part of it because of self-pay. I know you shouldn't pick one because of cost, but, I firmly believe that you don't have to buy a $800 purse when a $15 purse is just a good and lasts just as long!

What I need help with is how to narrow it down. Do all of the Mexico docs offer care for complications? Will they work on you if there are problems with no additional charge? I can find someone to do fills for me up where I live, but am worried about who pays for it if there are problems.

Also, has anyone ever USED Dr. Cantu? I found a website about him and would like to hear from someone who actually went to him and doesn't just work for him.

Any help or advice or even your experience would be helpful!

Thanks!

Amy

Of the big names...how much do they charge and where in Mexico are they located?

Trop--where are YOU?

Here's the link to the belighter crowd. Rumbaut is the Monterrey surgeon. But depending on where you are, it could be almost as cheap up front--and cheaper in the long run--closer to home.

http://www.belighter.com/cost.html

I live in North Texas. Didn't know where Tijuana was until I looked at a map. I'm definitely closer to Monterrey.

Yeah...Monterrey...Rumbaut or Sanchez. I think Sanchez does more than one kind of band and that Rumabut does Inamed only. On the day before surgery, rumbaut meets with his patients and they SEE the box, with their band sealed in it and the serial # and get the book.

Also check out Ponce in Dalton, GA. He, too has been doing these a long time. If your BMI is low enough, you can have it down at the outpatient surgery place and costs < $14,000. If he's a lot closer than Monterrey, you'll break even given the travel and all.

I have hear Dr. Aceves is great I had surgery with Dr Lopez-corvala and a friend had it with dr Aceves and she had no pain or bruising I know a CNP that takes people down to mexico and stays with them and also she can give you medicine and shots for pain if needed. She is Wendy Hall in Arizona and she is great she was also banded, she knows what it is like. you can find her in the white pages under Snowflake Womens Clinic, Snowflake Arizona.. Good luck

I would go to a Doctor that does Inamed it is the ONly FDA approved band also the research seems to be that the UNamed band that holds 10cc has little to no erosions..

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to thank you all for the information and support. I have been doing research and have it narrowed down to about 4 docs in Mexico.

Dr. Joya

Dr. Ortiz

Dr. Covarrubias (Bajanor)

Dr. Rodolfo Sanchez

As far as Cantu was concerned, I had never heard "anything" so I thought I would ask. It didn't mean I was going to pick him.

Money IS the major concern for me now. Unfortunately for me, I don't have family that cares enough to give and/or loan me the money. I don't have a home I can borrow against. I don't have 401k I can borrow against. The loan companies will only loan you a certain amount based on your credit. They will IN NO WAY loan me the money to see a doc in the US or even Rumbaugh. To some, "just a few more thousand" may not seem like a lot, but for someone like me, it can make or break it. I am so happy for everyone that has found a way and you are truly blessed. I am not going to pick a slum doc just because he is the cheapest. However, I can't pick the best because he IS the most expensive. What good is being thin if I am living on the street and can't pay my bills!

As far as aftercare, I have found reasonable rates for fills (about $250) and my insurance WILL care for me if there is a major problem. I have not contacted these four choices personally yet. I am making a list of questions to ask each of them and will make my decisions after I get my questions answered.

if anyone can give me some good ideas of questions to ask, I would be very appreciative!

Also, if there is anyone out there that has poor credit and was able to get financing, do you mind telling me who you went through?

Again, thank you all so much for your help! I am hoping I can have this all figured out soon and joining you in "BandLand"!!

Amy

I too am new to the forum. I have been researching the net on Doctors in Mexico, and I would like to know if anyone has used or have any additional information on Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey-Jan Jose, Hospital and Dr. Javia de lo Garza, Monterrey-OCA Hospital. I am planning to pay for my daughter, 31, to have the lap band surgery this summer, and have been worried about the procedure. Most of the doctors in our area cost much more and require many tests pre-op such as sleep apnea test ,GI tests, EKG, Blood work, etc. Do you know what tests the doctors in Mexico require and is it included in the prices. If they should find a problem pre-op do they fix it and include it in their price, or do you pay extra? I also hear it is hard to find a doctor in the states to do the fills, and if you do you have to pay high prices. We live in northern Mississipii close to Memphis, TN. The receptionist at one office, said something about a filter may be needed and something about the liver. After hearing about all of the tests required by the U.S. doctors, I am worried about using doctors in Mexico. I would never forgive myself if I put my daughter in danger. I do understand that all surgery has it risks. She has been obsese all of her life and has tried various diets and diet pills. Can anyone help me?

Thanks for any information!!

Hi Amy,

Since everyone else is tooting their surgeon's horn, I will do the same.

I was just banded on May 17, 2006 by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey. His website says that he has done over 3,500 surgeries, but I know that it's more by now. I can't say enough good things about this man. If you want an experienced surgeon AND a very nice person, you can't go wrong with Dr. R! :girl_hug: My surgery took about 20 minutes and I was released the next morning about 11 am. I did my research and I actually also checked into Dr. Joya, Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Rumbaut and Dr. Sanchez and decided on Dr. Rodriguez. There are so many choices of doctors, and so many are experienced. You just have to find the pros and cons of each and decide which one would be the best for you (price, location, experience, etc.)

Good luck with your decision!

Cathy

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to thank you all for the information and support. I have been doing research and have it narrowed down to about 4 docs in Mexico.

Dr. Joya

Dr. Ortiz

Dr. Covarrubias (Bajanor)

Dr. Rodolfo Sanchez

As far as Cantu was concerned, I had never heard "anything" so I thought I would ask. It didn't mean I was going to pick him.

Money IS the major concern for me now. Unfortunately for me, I don't have family that cares enough to give and/or loan me the money. I don't have a home I can borrow against. I don't have 401k I can borrow against. The loan companies will only loan you a certain amount based on your credit. They will IN NO WAY loan me the money to see a doc in the US or even Rumbaugh. To some, "just a few more thousand" may not seem like a lot, but for someone like me, it can make or break it. I am so happy for everyone that has found a way and you are truly blessed. I am not going to pick a slum doc just because he is the cheapest. However, I can't pick the best because he IS the most expensive. What good is being thin if I am living on the street and can't pay my bills!

As far as aftercare, I have found reasonable rates for fills (about $250) and my insurance WILL care for me if there is a major problem. I have not contacted these four choices personally yet. I am making a list of questions to ask each of them and will make my decisions after I get my questions answered.

if anyone can give me some good ideas of questions to ask, I would be very appreciative!

Also, if there is anyone out there that has poor credit and was able to get financing, do you mind telling me who you went through?

Again, thank you all so much for your help! I am hoping I can have this all figured out soon and joining you in "BandLand"!!

Amy

I ahve to totaly disagree with coogie.. Read complications, and you will find out why.. Had awful experience.. And was put on life-support!

I ahve to totaly disagree with coogie.. Read complications, and you will find out why.. Had awful experience.. And was put on life-support!

what happened to you?