(this thread started in "My Secret Lapband")

A lot of my Anglo friends hear "Mexico surgery" and picture a Pancho Villa imitator swigging a bottle of tequila, strapping patients to the back of a donkey, and wielding a rusty machete -- before taking a siesta in the shade of a giant cactus while a rogue Chihuahua lifts his leg. And if I happen to mention that the operation was less expensive than at a US hospital . . . well, let's just say it doesn't help.

I have nothing but praise for my Mexican surgeon, his staff, and the hospital where I received my band. Most people who make derogatory comments about Mexico haven't been there, and certainly haven't experienced the health-care system. They're probably well-meaning, just worried -- and uninformed.

If Mexican president Vicente Fox discovers that US bandsters could become public relations spokespeople for Mexican health care, we'll probably see charter planes flying to surgical centers.

Has anyone seen this?

Lapbandinternational.com

I don't know who the Doctors are but some of you that have been there might.

Lisa - Check out about the fills.

Betty

Betty, that site offered great information - the best I've seen yet. I've asked lots of people about the IRS question, and I finally have answers. You should start a separate post - great site. Thanks!

Dr Ortiz is the surgeon they use I just called and spoke with Jodi from TWIGS..makes me feel good since he is my doc :mad: Thanks betty for posting this site..its gots lots of info

I haven't driven it...but some people have:

http://www.oldandsold.com/articles02/mexico_travel18.shtml

I'll look for other links. With pictures for you and your classmates.

Bumping for newbies

Hi Lisa,

I met Rumbaut last year at the Texas Bandsters Bash. He is wonderful. While I was doing my research for the band and wasnt sure if insurance would pay, I contacted Rumbaut. He not only gave me his cell phone number, but even called me while he and his family were on vacation in Galveston. He answered all my questions personally, even though he knew I was still waiting on insurance approval. And yeah, hes not hard to look at either. .....

If I needed a port, I would go to him. GOsh, that sounded so Wizard of OZ ish.....!

Babs in TX

334/180/170

My band was at the hotel, I mean hospital at Santa Eglacia...it wasfabulous...private suite, huge bathroom, mountains at every viewing of my very pictresque window, nurses at the ready within seconds of a call, a direct cell phone number TO MY DOC (I'VE NEVER GOTTEN THAT IN THE US). We walked over to Cartier and bought my dad some stuff from the Hugo Boss store...FABULOUS. I am going to try to post pics of the chapel at the hospital...it was MOST impressive!

I had my band put on by Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Acuna Mexico. The experience was wonderful. He was fabulous and his assistant Barbara was incredible. The time and mentoring that she provides during your couple of days there is invaluable. I am 6 weeks post op and doing GREAT! I've lost 19 lbs and 14 inches and feel that I'm going strong. I'm following up with Dr. Jaime Ponce in Dalton for my fills...my first is scheduled for April 25.

Now, the hotel and surroundings were VERY BASIC and plain but exceptionally clean and well run. I have been in medicine for over 25 years and am the Director of Patient Care Services at our large regional trauma center...so have seen it all. I was EXTREMELY IMPRESSED with the nursing staff at the small hospital in Acuna. They were very professional, very proud of their work. I never wanted for a thing. When it was time for my antibiotic, my vital signs, my pain medicine, my anti-inflammatory...they walked in the room within minutes before I ever asked. They spoke very little English, but we communicated pretty easily. Dr. Rodriguez speaks very good English and is very easy to talk to even now via email or his cell phone. He is very supportive. I have very high expectations and they were exceeded by the professionalism and the care delivery of the medical team. The surroundings were sparse, but that wasn't what I was there for. Three others that I know have had the same experience as me from here and we all send accolades.