The more I read...the more confused I become. At first, I thought I would go to Dr. Simpson to get banded, then I thought I would save money and go to Dr. Ortiz-but the more I read the more conflicting advice I see. Does anyone have a summary of Lapband research? I live in Phoenix, so going to Tijuana would be fairly easy. I would love to save a few thousand dollars, but not if it's unsafe. How do you know what you're really getting in Mexico? For example: the right Lapband, real fills, etc.

Gracie

I am looking into Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. Would be even closer for you than Tijuana! Everyone I have talked to praise him, his staff and the hospital.

It all comes down to personal preference. If you get banded by mexican doctors, most US doctors won't accept you as a patient. Just keep that in mind.

i was banded in tijuana and i had a great experience. i prefer the medical care i get there. they are competitive and go the extra to give good service and care. i highly reccomend dr. huacuz, but thats because i think he is so great, he did my band. but there are several reputable tj doctors. i also know that you can get fills in arizona through fill centers.. dr. aga is a radiologist at mericopa county hospital in phoenix. he took out fill for me before , he has actually done lapband surgery before. he is very talented. he will take out fills if you contact his office. i have his card somewhere . if you need the number i can get it for you. i live up north and prefer to go to vegas or tijuana for my follow up care.. i have had all my fills by doctor huacuz, but i had a few unfills. not fun to have to have some taken out and have to worry. but tj is only 5 hour drive for you.

If you are in the Phoenix or Flag areas getting follow up care and fills will not be a problem. I don't know about other areas of AZ.

I had my surgery in Mexico by Dr. Aceves and most of us prefer to go back to Mexicali for fills. We go as a group and have fun while we are there. It's only a 3-3.5 hour drive.

Surgery can be very safe in Mexico but you have to do your research. If I had it all to do over again I would go to Dr. Aceves ANY day.

I was banded in Mexico. I had no problems getting a doctor here to do follow up care and fills. Dr. Zapata and his staff were great. I would do it again in a minute. Donna

I went to Dr. Debarros in Tempe. 3 year support system. Yea, I paid more, but it is worth it to have a doctor on call 24 hours if anything happens.

I'm sure Mexican doctors do a great job at surgery, but don't forget there is a lot of aftercare after Lap band surgery. I was banded locally and am so glad because if I need to I can go and get a fill with very little notice or if I had a medical situation I am just a few miles away and can be seen by the doctor that did my surgery. That gives me a lot of peace of mind.

My husband, daughter, and I all went to Dr Ortiz. However, DH and I live in Arizona and are retired so taking a day or two to get a fill is easy. Plus, Dr Ortiz has a dental clinic in his office, so we often get dental work done at the same time. His office is open on Saturdays, so you could do it easily in a weekend. It's about a 5 hour drive.

I noticed that you were thinking about going to Mexico for your band. I know lots of people have a great experience there and save lots of money. If there are no complications, it is a great deal. But have you thought about what happens if there is a complication? Do you think that an insurance company would cover the expenses for complications of a foreign installed medical device?

From my experience from working at a weight loss clinic, I would say most likely not. I’m all for going to Mexico. God knows I am crazy about Tijuana tacos! My dad had major dental surgery there and so forth and it was satisfactory I guess. The thing is that if you want to save money somewhere, why go el cheapo (if you will) with your body? Take the time to save up the extra money so you have the insurance that someone will be able to take care of you that isn’t a three hour drive across the boarder.

By the way, I work at a place that sees patients that does work on people with foreign bands and they come in at least every couple weeks. Granted I only hear about the bad examples and not the people that have had good experiences in Mexico. Nevertheless, based on the examples that I’ve seen, there is no way I would allow anyone in my family to get their band outside of the US.

Well, Clay, since my insurance paid for my band in Mexico, yes, i would expect them to cover complications. I really don't have any fears for that.

I would probably go to Dr Ortiz for any problems I have anyway. I could have had the surgery in the US and my insurance would have paid for it, but after seeing Dr Ortiz and his clinic when my daughter went there in 2006, my husband and I felt that was definitely the right choice for us. None of the three of us has had any problem or complication whatsoever.

I am happy that you had a great experience. I didn't know that insurance would pay for a Mexican band. I'm glad that you are doing so well! Keep up the great work with your weight loss success, Snowbird!