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If you're going to Mexico for a lapband read this!



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I went to Mexico for my surgery because everyone I contacted in the States said I didn't qualify at my BMI (under 30).

I have had a problem with my weight for my entire life and have struggled my entire life. After discussing with Coordinator (Salesperson) on the phone I decided I would go for it!

I had it done in Mexico in March of 2006 and went back for a fill the next month and he put in 5 cc's. Still nothing! Went to new Doc in April and had another cc and then recently another 3/4 cc.

Since, I have found a great Doc. in my area that will do my fills, expensive though because I had my surgery in Mexico. I did find out that he will do surgeries under 30 BMI and get ready for this, is cheaper than Mexico!!!

Who wouldathunk!!! Cheaper and of course if he does it, he includes the fills in his price, still cheaper than Mexico!!!

I found out the Doc. in Mexico put in the wrong band in me and put my port to close under my skin so it's bulging out of my stomach. That will look really attractive once I start losing.

My new Doc. is telling me how I have to change this and that and exercise etc.......I told him I can do this and lose weight without the band!! He told me he would have never put a band in me and would have done another surgery.

Just remember in Mexico, that is all they do is put in bands. They don't care about your welfare or if you need this or that, they just want to get the money from you and what recourse do you have? NONE!!

Talk to me before you go to Mexico and I will tell you who to go to.......

March 2006 168 pounds

11 cm band

April put in 5 cc's no loss

April put in 1 cc's no loss

May put in 3/4 cc lost 4 pounds with lots of diet and exercise!!!!

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THAT is SOOOOOOOOOO NOT TRUE!!!! You may have had a bad experience, but that doesn't mean they're all bad. My Doctor is one of the best in the field and has done over 3000 lap-bands. He proctors Doctors here in America. Hell, he probably TAUGHT your Doctor.

People, don't let this scare you away from Doctors in Mexico. If you do your homework and pick the right one, it can be a wonderful, life altering experience. I would be more scared of a Doctor here in the states that's cheaper than Mexico.

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I think one needs to do the homework and research the Doc of choice, then only you can make the decision that feels right for you. I did mine in the states and my Doc did a great Job. 7weeks out and have lost a total of 61lbs thus far, on my way to a little life

Remember its YOUR choise

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I'm pretty sure you can find excellent...and crappy...doctors/cooks/auto mechanics/etc. on either side of any geopolitical boundary.

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I'm trying to understand something here - your BMI was under 30 and you wanted a lap band? Did you even consult with a physician before making this decision? If you did, I would guess that he or she probably advised against this. Are you a physician? If so, there's a saying about that, something about anyone who diagnoses themselves has a fool for a patient... :faint:

Just remember in Mexico, that is all they do is put in bands. They don't care about your welfare or if you need this or that, they just want to get the money from you and what recourse do you have? NONE!!

:)

That's a pretty strong blanket statement. Would you care to even attempt to prove it?

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I went to Mexico for my surgery because everyone I contacted in the States said I didn't qualify at my BMI (under 30).

I have had a problem with my weight for my entire life and have struggled my entire life. After discussing with Coordinator (Salesperson) on the phone I decided I would go for it!

I had it done in Mexico in March of 2006 and went back for a fill the next month and he put in 5 cc's. Still nothing! Went to new Doc in April and had another cc and then recently another 3/4 cc.

Since, I have found a great Doc. in my area that will do my fills, expensive though because I had my surgery in Mexico. I did find out that he will do surgeries under 30 BMI and get ready for this, is cheaper than Mexico!!!

Who wouldathunk!!! Cheaper and of course if he does it, he includes the fills in his price, still cheaper than Mexico!!!

I found out the Doc. in Mexico put in the wrong band in me and put my port to close under my skin so it's bulging out of my stomach. That will look really attractive once I start losing.

My new Doc. is telling me how I have to change this and that and exercise etc.......I told him I can do this and lose weight without the band!! He told me he would have never put a band in me and would have done another surgery.

Just remember in Mexico, that is all they do is put in bands. They don't care about your welfare or if you need this or that, they just want to get the money from you and what recourse do you have? NONE!!

Talk to me before you go to Mexico and I will tell you who to go to.......

March 2006 168 pounds

11 cm band

April put in 5 cc's no loss

April put in 1 cc's no loss

April put in 3/4 cc lost 4 pounds with lots of diet and exercise!!!!

You are very wrong here. Mexico doctors DO care and DO WAY MORE THAN JUST BANDS, my follow up care in Mexico is FREE of charge. I plan on going there for fills and they are FREE!

And yes, with lots of diet and exercise you WILL lose weight. The band is not a miracle worker, just a restricter.

Also, 5CC's? That sounds weird. I have a 9.75cm Inamed band with a max 5cc balloon. You were inflated to 5cc's with an 11 cm band? What's your max CC's? What does your post op report say?

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I agree, I think this is wildly off the mark. Willbethin, we need lots more information before what you say will be considered credible. Sounds to me like a poor attempt to shill for a doctor.

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I am very surprised that at 168 pounds, any surgeon would operate on you. It's sad that you had a bad experience in Mexico but it would not be right to judge all Mexican surgeons based on your outcome. How would you be able to "tell" people what surgeon to go to when the surgeon you have no has NOT operated on you?

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I don't know what Dr you went to in Mexico but mine is very knowledgable in his field and Dr's in Mexico do other weight loss surgeries besides lap band,most just opt to do the safest possible wls for thier patients.Maybe you didn't do enough research on your Dr,or him on you if he banded you for 168 pounds and put "in the wrong size band"

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I certainly don't want to seem harsh, but I'd like to also point out that at your very low BMI, you're weight loss with the band will be alot slower than someone with a higher BMI as well. I also agree that the doc made a big mistake giving you the VG band which is meant for larger BMI patients.

There are many reputable Dr's in Mexico who have their patient's well-being at the forefront of their mission. Unfortunately, this can't be said about ALL doctors anywhere. :cake: I'm very sorry you're disappointed in your choice.

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There are MANY excellent doctors in Mexico. The three that come to my mind that I have heard no complaints from are Dr.Ortiz, Dr.Kuri and Dr.Rumbaut. If you had done adequate research than I am sure you would have ran across these great surgeons. I personally feel like I received better care than I would of here in the States. I never got the impression that my doctor just wanted my money and I had fills included for a year after my surgery. I don't think you would have needed WLS only weighing 168 lbs. I am surprised that you found anyone to put a band in with that low of a BMI. Good luck to you.

~Liz~

banded 03/10/06

Dr.Ortiz

241 highest/237 surgery/204 now/150

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