Hello, I am a 59 year old Newbie in California and just getting started on my journey to Lapbanding. I do not have any insurance and cannot afford to have it done in the United States, so I am wondering if anyone has had the surgery done in Mexico? If you have where at in Mexico (Tiajuana or Monterrey) and where do you go for fills when needed? Do United States doctors assist when it was done in Mexico? Thank you all in advance of any help you can give me...

Hi nic, welcome to the forum. To tell you the truth, I think that the best way for you to start on this question is to run some searches and see what has been said before on this topic. I think that over 50% of the people here had the surgery done in Mexico, and there are so many threads on the topic that you could read for days and not get through them. Put in the search term "mexico" in the "search" function at the top of the page, and you'll be on your way.

A couple quick answers to your questions. You can go back to Mexico for your fills, some people do. Other people make arrangements with a local doctor for fills and aftercare. It is a good idea to line up your aftercare doctor before you have the surgery because, yes, it is true, many doctors are reluctant to provide after care for those who went to Mexican doctors. But this problem can be solved if you make arrangements in advance.

Another option is that some U.S. doctors are charging rates pretty similar to the Mexican doctors now. My doctor is in Denver and he charges just a little more. You can find his web site in my signature. Other U.S. doctors also have some lower prices these days, if you search around on this forum, or post questions about it, you will find that info.

Good luck.

Hi!

I was in the exact same situation. My insurance had an exclusion and I really couldn't afford to have it done here. I was lucky to find Dr. Rodriguez in Monterrey. I just had my band placed last week and my experience was great. My doctor was so caring and his staff was fantastic. There are lots of doctors that fill bands in the US, so don't worry! Your doctor in Mexico will make sure that you have a fill doctor to see. Good luck. You can PM me if you have any direct questions! :nervous

I had my surgury done in TJ, Mexico by Dr. Ariel Ortiz. If you go to my journal, you will find all the info I found when I was researching him. I saved it there for others to get all the awesome info I got..

It was an awesome experience and continues to be. The fills are $100 under fluero and I am extremely happy with the whole experience!

Audree

Hi marjon, Thank you so much for the info on the Denver doctor... I will definately look into it because I am from Colorado. I lived in the Denver area most of my life and moved to the Grand Junction area in 1985. I still have kids, grandkids and other relatives there so this would be a great place to go and have it done. I am so happy to hear that there is a doctor in the US that does not charge an arm and a leg especially when you don't have any insurance... I would like to hear from you on how you are doing now that you are 6 months post banding... Thanks again for the info and happy weight loss....

Kind Regards,

nicnaknut

Hi Becca, Thanks so much for your note because I found the website on Dr. Rodriguez in Monterrey and was very impressed with the information I was able to get from it. Actually between the two Monterrey and Tijuana, I was looking more at going to Monterrey. I just wanted to find someone who had been there to find out how their experience was, so thank you again for your information. I would like to communicate with you further on this, but I'm new this this forum and don't know how to PM you.. My email addy is nicnaknut@aol.com . Would like to hear from you... Congratulations on your band and wishes for good health and weight loss.

Regards,

nicnaknut

Yep,

I started a thread and more than half went to Mexico. I went there and have done great. No problems whatsoever and Dr. Zapata is the tops. He's done more surgeries than anyone so far with over 7000 and has less than 1 percent complications rate. Free fills for life, or he will find you a fill Dr. close to you. He fixes any problems that might arise. His price includes everything, transportation, stay, aftercare, meds, preop testing, food while your there, everything. I absolutely love him.

Beachgirl, Thanks for your post. I am going to Dr. Zapata so it is good to hear good things about him. I really like the people in his office . Donna

Nic

I was banded just last week in Tijuana. I started about a month ago researching the net for a doctor. I felt the same way you did. I was leaning towards Monterrey and said no way to Tijuana. I finally decided on Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana and was so impressed with the experience. It was awesome. I just can't emphisize that point enough. It was first class all the way, from the clinic, to the hotel, to the doctors and nurses. It was fantastic and I feel just great ! ! !

I want to thank everyone who posted to my thread. I appreciate all of your help and letting me know about your experiences.

I have finally decided to go to Denver and have Dr Kirshenbaum do my surgery. Thanks marjon for the referral and web link.

I figured it would be much easier to go there since I am from Colorado and give me the opportunity to see all my family and friends.

So, thanks again to all of you.

A friend of mine had the surgery in Monterrey in April. She's lost about 30lbs so far and feels great. The only problem she had in the beginning was a bit of constipation. She said the doctor, hospital and staff were gracious, thorough and first rate.

Darr