:help:

I believe I made the biggest mistake of my life. I was so desperate (and stupid!) to get lap band surgery in April of this year, that I went to Tijuana, Mexico to have the procedure done. I was unable to have the surgery in the states because of financial and insurance reasons.

It has turned into a nightmare. They ASSURED me that I would be able to follow up w/ an American Dr. My mistake was waiting until I got back home to find a dr to do my fills. Naturally they wanted my medical records. So, I call "mexico" and request this info faxed over. They stated that the medical records had been destroyed, and that they don't hold on to records. It had only been a little over a month. So.... I was unable to find a dr to treat me and do my fills. If I want a fill, I have to go back to Mexico. Seeing as how this is very inconvenient, I've only been able to have one fill, and am already back to eating normally and not loosing weight.

On top of that, I've had complications since I had the surgery. A month or so afterwards, I developed a large, painful, and hot to the touch, knot right under my incision. I went to see my PCP and he referred me to a surgeon. The surgeon said it was inflammation and would go away. Well, it never did, and got much worse. The knot became larger and more painful, and eventually developed a sore in my incision that drained, alot. By then, I was in the process of switching jobs and didn't have insurance. So, I just prayed that it would get better and of course it didn't. Finally the pain and discomfort of the last several months got to me. I broke down and went to the ER. I was there for 6 hours having several tests ran. The dr concluded that I had a huge and serious infection that is streaming down to my hip and over to back. He put me on 2 different antibiotics an pain meds. I've been taking them for over a week and feel no changes. The knot is still there, still draining, and still painful. So I'm fearful that this isn't going to work either.

My reason for this post is maybe for a little cheap therapy, and of course hopes that someone else may read and learn from my mistakes. And of course I would LOVE LOVE LOVE any suggestions and advise.

Silly me but I thought doctors took an oath to help people....I didn't know it had a clause regarding Mexico.

OH NO! Lets not start bashing Dr. Smith:cry I'm with Carlene. I LOVE Dr. Smith. He really is a great guy. I've read on here that many surgeons do not want to follow up on Mexico bandsters. I don't think that makes them bad people or doctors.

Terry

Smith is my surgeon. I don't think he fills any patients that aren't his, if I remember right. It doesn't surprise me that he offended a patient though. His staff is excellent, but he has come off as arrogant to me on more than one occasion, including the day of my surgery.

But since we all have our bad days, I'm giving him another chance to make it up to me.

I'm very sorry to hear about the original poster's problems. Sounds terrifying. Please get medical help right away, even if it's not a lapband doctor.

Smith is my surgeon. I don't think he fills any patients that aren't his, if I remember right. It doesn't surprise me that he offended a patient though. His staff is excellent, but he has come off as arrogant to me on more than one occasion, including the day of my surgery.

I am REALLY surprised that you found Dr. Smith to be arrogant. I have always seen a very different side of him. In fact, I thought he was more good-ole-country-boy. I almost cracked up when I went for my first fill and he said, "Climb up here and pull down your britches."

When Dr. S stopped doing fills in his office, and I found out that the Specialty Surgery Ctr does not take my insurance, I wrote him a letter because I can't afford the hospital co-pay each time I need a fill (about $600). He called me and said, "We are in this together and I WILL find a place that takes your insurance that doesn't charge and arm and a leg....and he did."

I know of at least one person who was banded by someone else and Dr. Smith took him on as a patient, but his surgery was not done in Mexico. If I remember correctly, the guy's original doc stopped taking his insurance.

What City and State do you live in?

Ft. Worth, Tx

I found myself in a similar situation with Andres. I paid cash for my surgery, but I believe he was the problem and the reason I could not speak with Huacuz.

The reason I wanted to know where you lived is, my doctor her in the states is awsome. She is so compassionate and understanding. I wish you could see her. She is about 4 hours from you. Just a thought.

Here is the deal ... international law will prevent him from taking any measures against you. Not only is the amount too small, he has larger fish to fry.

I tried to file suit against Andres Betencourt in January of 05. I even had dealings with a Mexican attorney. There just wasn't enough money in it for him.

Andres is full of S*.

My US Dr. said I was 12 hrs away from death and he would not even return her call so she could ask questions. He also told my husband, while I was having surgery, he had more money than we could ever imagine. He also stated he was untouchable in the TJ community.

WOW! I'm in shock at our similarities. Apparently I'm not the only one that's a victim of this sleazy medical group. I wanna know more!! I'll email you!

I would love to see them sue you. No US court will help them. Just so you know they read all the boards. You would be well served if you get them to take you to a US. court, then your case can be heard. By the way a Mexician court would love to hear that they do not keep records after one month. Not alowed in Mexico! If you have go to court PM me. My lawer and I would love to help!

LyndseyJill,

I went to Mexico but they did give me my records but you might try Dr. Stepanie Eijsink @ College Station, Texas she does my fills and she also has the band too!

HI,

Dr. Smith is a very very good surgeon who I have met personally many times and he was the surgeon I originally picked to do my surgery in 03. He was previously at a FW hospital in partnership with Germann Berbel in 03 and the waiting list at the hospital was enormous with too many hoops for approval. Smith is also a bandster himself which I admire.

THere is however an arrogance that many surgeons have about taking care of Mexican bandsters overall and belief by many that Mexican surgeons are inferior in some way to their US counterparts, which is totally untrue. I had a consultation with a new surgeon about my band recently and he claimed that the "problem" I had with my band is similar to ones he had seen with Mexican patients bla bla bla. I pointed out that I was banded in the US, so there wasnt any relevance.I understand liability and not wanting to take care of other peoples patients, but not every US surgeon is great either..

I have the same problem myself and I wasnt banded in Mexico. My previous surgeon is no longer in network and finding someone else without the docs thinking you are a JUMPER poses its own problems.

I just wanted to point out that there are some who will see her here in the states, so she shouldnt feel alone. Do the research and find someone who will give you competent care here in the neighborhood.

Babs in TX

HI,

Dr. Smith is a very very good surgeon who I have met personally many times and he was the surgeon I originally picked to do my surgery in 03. He was previously at a FW hospital in partnership with Germann Berbel in 03 and the waiting list at the hospital was enormous with too many hoops for approval. Smith is also a bandster himself which I admire.

THere is however an arrogance that many surgeons have about taking care of Mexican bandsters overall and belief by many that Mexican surgeons are inferior in some way to their US counterparts, which is totally untrue. I had a consultation with a new surgeon about my band recently and he claimed that the "problem" I had with my band is similar to ones he had seen with Mexican patients bla bla bla. I pointed out that I was banded in the US, so there wasnt any relevance.I understand liability and not wanting to take care of other peoples patients, but not every US surgeon is great either..

I have the same problem myself and I wasnt banded in Mexico. My previous surgeon is no longer in network and finding someone else without the docs thinking you are a JUMPER poses its own problems.

I just wanted to point out that there are some who will see her here in the states, so she shouldnt feel alone. Do the research and find someone who will give you competent care here in the neighborhood.

Babs in TX

Babs...

Did you ask Dr. Smith if he would take you on as a patient? I know that he accepted Charlie Collins after his band surgeon stopped taking his insurance.

Hi Carlene,

I found a band surgeon I am happy with in Dallas now, so no need to change anything at the moment. I was referring to the first surgeon, (other than the original band surgeon in 03 who banded me). If you recall, he was the one who said I needed a new band, had a prolapse and concentric slip and then dumped me as a patient because he did not like the fact I took a diet pill during his imposed one month of liquids...

My band is perfectly fine and I am back on track again.

How are Charlie and virginia? I have not been to a bandster dinner since like forever......!

Babs in TX

334/190 ish

I found a band surgeon I am happy with in Dallas now, so no need to change anything at the moment. I was referring to the first surgeon, (other than the original band surgeon in 03 who banded me).

Yeah, I remember reading about your problems and frustration with your originial guy. I meant when you were looking for a new doctor - before you settled on the one in Dallas - did you ask Dr. Smith if he would take you on? It seems like he would be much closer.

Charlie is fine. Virginia has had some problems lately. She is seeing a neuro guy to try and figure out why she has issues with her balance. She also had to have surgery recently to remove a hot spot on her thyroid.