I have just began to think about having a lap band. I am trying to look at all the sides of it-so far I haven't found to many down sides.

I will be a self pay. I know I don't weigh as much as most people who make this choice but I am just going up since I turned 50. I have always been able to control it.

I now have high blood pressure and high trig.--I am on 9 medications and think I could get rid of 5 if I just lost 50 lbs

Has any one had surgery in Mexico. It is so much cheaper and I will have to pay myself.

Appreciate any help!

Merridy

Hi Merridy and welcome to LBT. There are lots of members who had their surgery in Mexico (me included). The best thing to do is to read the threads in the Doctors and Hospitals forum. You'll find lots of information on drs in general and specific drs as well.

Good luck with your search. And remember to ask any questions you may have.

Merridy,

I was banded in Mexico on 8/26/02. I lost about 175lbs... I also was debanded on 01/06/06.. due to an erosion.... I help a lot of people and explain the what and whys to the lapband. Feel free to contact me anytime and I would love to help you if I can.

The band is a great option as there are other awesome surgeries out there that work very well for others....

Take care,

Patti

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz and I suggest you get his very informative book. I had a great experience and I highly recommend him. You can pm me if you have any specific questions.

Merridy , Where are you located ? I was going to go to Mexico orginally when i decided to have the band , I am not yet banded. But then I heard of a doc in the states( Not far from me ) that for a few thousand more I could have it done there. So that's who im going to go to . I too am going to be self pay , so now its just a matter of time for me to save up the money .

I personally wouldnt mind going to Mexico . I see some advantages and disadvantages of it . I think even if i did go there I woudl still be nervous. The biggest issue I saw with it was finding after care, espcially in Austin, where i live its hard to find. And i wasnt willing to keep going back to Mexico for that. So finding the doc In San Antonio for a few thousand more , price wise seemed to work out about the same if not a little cheaper in the long run.

Like others have said, talk to others. Get opinoins and ALL The info you can on BOTH.

I would go back to Mexico in a heartbeat for mine. I had Dr. Sanchez and he's done nearly 7000 lapband surgeries. I had mine done in July and it was a wonderful experience. Mine was 8500.00 and that included everything and free fills for life. PM me if you have any questions. Dr. Ortiz is also good. Just ask lots of questions and feel good about your decision. With Dr. Sanchez you can call and get in within 2 weeks usually without any problems.

Merridy,

Continue to do your research. The Lapband is a wonderful tool and you'll find that the more research you do, the more comfortable you'll become in your decision.

I was banded in Mexico and have no regrets. There are a lot of great surgeons in Mexico and a lot of people have been banded there, so there is a lot of information about people's experience with surgeons and getting the Lapband in Mexico.

You're doing great! Just continue your research and feel free to ask about anything

Tricia

Thank you for all of your answers--so much to think about

I live in Washington state and it costs $18,000 here.

I have given myself until Feb to decide.

Merridy

If you do decide to do this and go to Mexico, make sure you find local aftercare before. It is vital to your success.

Thank you for all of your answers--so much to think about

I live in Washington state and it costs $18,000 here.

I have given myself until Feb to decide.

Merridy

I'm in WA state also, and that was a big part of my decision not to go to Mexico. I wanted to be close by the surgeon/clinic that did my banding for follow-up and aftercare.

I think there are great doctors in Mexico, and I know people have had great experiences, so it wasn't that. It was just the distance.