I had my lapband surgery in August 2006. I had a complication in January of 2007 after having been filled too tightly in October (1.8 cc). I was on a business trip to Denver and a wonderful doctor there, Dr. Brown at Presbytarian-St. Luke's did the unfill and helped me to be able to eat and drink again.

Well, now I am interested in getting my follow-up care locally and I have found that the doctor that my friend recommended to me charges patients who had their surgery out of the country a fee of $3000. Wow! That seems steep to me, even if it includes one fill (no fluoro) and their support groups, etc.

Has anyone else come across this kind of fee? The office staff explained that the doctor does it to cover himself because patients who had their surgery outside the country have more complications and this increases their liability insurance.

I have not made an appt. with them yet, since part of the reason I had my surgery in Mexico was to save money, since I had the privelege of paying for it myself.

I've never heard of such. I too had my surgery in Mexico and I see Dr. Curry. He charged I believe 250 or 300.00 first fill then 150.00 after that and is probably the best in the world I would imagine.

My doctor said that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find doctors that are willing to "touch" bands that were done in Mexico. (He won't.) I don't know if that's true or not....there seem to be plenty of people here who have the procedure done in Mexico and I haven't heard anyone complaining of not being able to get follow-up treatment. $3,000 seems outrageous, but that's probably how he a) makes more $$$, discourages Mexican patients and/or c) covers his a**. He's entitled, I guess.

I'm only a year or two late on this thread. About 7 months ago. My friend & his wife went to San Diego. She went Tijuana & got banded. This couple lives in Northern Nevada. She needed a fill. I told her to contact my clinic (SWCC). She couldn't find any one that would consider filling her. SWCC told her it would cost $3,000.00. This was the only place that would look at her. She did get a fill at another Doctors office in Reno area. She had her fill & has reached desired weight. I posted before that I've lived in Mexico & almost had WLS in Monterrey. I was banded 1/15/08 at SWCC. Lost 119 pounds- up one from last week. Last Week I asked Dr. Curry of Ohio about Realize band. He told me that he has several male banders at 6 months out like me without having fills. I think I will get my 1st fill 7/31/08.(Medicare & last chance without self pay) So Thank You very much Dr. Curry. Dr. Atkinson & Dr. Soong Thanks again. Check what kind of band track record it has. Good Luck!!! Hasta Pronto, George :thumbup: