Now what do I do? I was all psyched up to go to Dr. Ortiz in Mexico in May. Then, I was talking to a person (not really a friend, but more than an acquaintance?) who had a band done here in Victoria and has done really well. She thought I should talk to her doc (I didn't think he was taking new patients, as he is getting close to retirement) and their office happened to call her on Monday and she spoke to the doc's assistant and asked whether they would take me (oh, and I am a recovery room nurse in the hospital in which this doc operates) and they said he probably would and I should call.

So, I called yesterday and he will take a few lapband patients, and since I work at the hospital and etc., and now I have an appointment for a consult with him.

My dilemma (and it really is a bit stupid I think, maybe) - I am mentally prepared to go to Dr. Ortiz and have a date that they figure they can work with. The lapband here costs 15000 Cdn, and in my machinations with the band in Mexico, I had planned on a little vacation in San Diego before the band with my 6 yr old and my hubby and the cost for banding in Mexico, plus another flight to TJ for my first fill, a consult with a doc that is a couple of hours away for follow-up and fills would still only come to 16000.00. I am very keen to take my daughter to SD and I really like Dr. Ortiz's stats.

Am I being too short-sighted? Is local better because of the 'what ifs'?

You folks are so good at helping with perspective, etc., so I am hoping that y'all can offer some sage advice.

Thanks

Laura

This is a tough one. How much does he charge for fills or are they included in the price and how quickly can you schedule them?

I was banded in Mexico in June and the total cost including transportation was $7100. At that price I don't mind nipping over to Dr Woodhead for my fills. Because he's in Ladner, he's just a 15 minute bus ride away from the ferry, so I don't have the expense of taking the car. However, it does mean that I have to take a day off work. Catching the 7 am to Tsawwassen means the earliest I can get home up island is 2:30.

Also there's the issue of experience. Dr. Oritz will certainly have done more bands. Whether that makes a difference or not, I don't know.

A holiday sounds nice.

For me I guess the deciding factor would be the convenience of fills. Being in the Cowichan Valley, there's not a huge difference between going to Victoria or to Ladner. For you, however, it's different. But if you have to wait ages for a fill like some Dr Amson patients do that would give you less control over your life and weight loss.

As a Mexican patient you'll be able to get fills easily in Ladner. In an emergency you'll still have Dr Amson and the dr you're considering nearby.

I really liked everything about Dr. Ortiz. Lori was a sweetheart. I was put at ease and the price was excellent. I'm from Florida so the tropical climate wasn't such an enticement for me. The price was an enticement for me. Ultimately I decided to stay in the states with Dr. K.

I always think sleeping on a decision is a good idea. In the end, you are the one who will make the trip, face surgical effects and walk the walk. Whatever your instinct tells you to do is (for me) most likely the course of action I need to follow.

Best of luck to you.

how will you get fills? are you sure a local dr. will take you? what will the cost be? what if you have complications? you're a long, long way from Mexico. (i think the local dr. is a better idea--but then again, just my opinion.) how experienced is the local dr? these should all be factored into your decision. maybe you should separate "vacation with daughter" from "surgery" in your mind--to keep things in perspective. would you go to mexico for surgery if you weren't going on vacation??

good luck in your decision.