I am new to the boards. I pm'ed one member and she recommended that I speak with as many people as possible. I live in Oregon and am researching the lap band surgery. The more info I get the more confused I get. I am looking at US and Mexico doc. Does anyone have any 'stories' or recommendations for a person that is self-pay but wants the BEST surgeon and start to this process? I also need leads on local fill/follow-up doctors in Oregon or Washington.

Thank you all in advance for any advice you can provide.:ermm

Hi O31 -

You need to define what's important to you in a surgeon - price, location, experience, follow-up/aftercare.

Call Inamed and they can give you a list of surgeons in the areas you're interested in.

If you choose to go to Mexico for your surgery, the initial surgery will probably cost less, but you need to make a budget for travel back to Mexico for the possibility of any kind of revision surgery. My $10,000 band surgery has had a total coast of about $17500, with a port revision, an unbanding, 4 fills, travel and medication. I probably could have been just banded in the states for that much, but the revision and unbanding probably would have been a great deal more.

You will have to contact the individual doctor's offices yourself to check on price. Once you narrow down your list to docs you can afford, and locations you're willing to go to, post the names of the docs you're interested in and ask for feedback.

Popular docs in Mexico:

Dr. Kuri, Tijuana

Dr. Rumbaut, Monterrey

Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana

Dr. Sanchez, ?

A mistake many self-pays make is not budgeting for the costs beyond the initial banding. I would make sure you keep at least $5,000 in reserve for unforeseen complications.

Good luck, and keep us posted!!

Hi Organizer, welcome!

You've asked a lot of big questions, and all I can give is my perspective. For my money--which wasn't my money, but if it were--it's worth the extra $$$ to get experienced local care. However minor it can seem, banding surgery is a big deal and followup is EXTREMELY important. So even if you do decide to have the initial surgery in Mexico or wherever, do make sure you have local care lined up. You don't want to find out there is none when you need it.

Welcome O31:

As someone that was banded in Mexico (and had a positive experience) I would HIGHLY suggest the follow up care set up locally before going to Mexico.

It is just easier and gives you peace of mind to know there is someone locally to call in an emergent situation than to have to rely on the intial surgeon and his staff. They are on their own time frame in Mexico and what is emergent to you is certainly not emergent to them. Well some of the docs anyway. I can only speak to my experiences.

Good luck.

I would contact Inamed and get some suggestions from them regarding docs in your area for surgeons and after care.

Hello,

What part of Oregon do you live in? I have found fill doctors all over the state who will take me (I also live in Oregon) but since I haven't had a fill yet, I haven't actually tried or met any of them. I am thinking of using Tom U-Bank at Portland Surgical Specialists when I do need one. I have already spoken with them and they will take me. Without flouro a fill runs $150 for the first one and $75 for the rest. Prices really varied all over the state. I am hoping his office has flouro as an option if they think they need it or am hoping to pay for flouro every so often. Donali mentioned budgeting a lot of extra money which I wasn't able to do but I did call my insurance on two seperate occassions and they said they WOULD cover emergencies with the band even though they wouldn't pay for the band to be put in. My local family practitioner is also familiar with the band and I consider him to be my closest safety net should I need help with anything. COVER YOUR REAR!!! Living in Oregon, I knew I wasn't going to make it to Mexico again. Set your safety nets up before you have the surgery. I know another girl on this forum, Penni (Oops just noticed she replied right before me) says her insurance will cover things related to the band as well, but wouldn't cover the initial surgery so check it all out and call your company. Best wishes and hope to see you again. Teresa

Dr. Lopez

5/8/04

362/316/???

Down 46 lbs, no fills yet.