Those of you who got banded in Mexico, did the doctor take credit cards, or did you have to bring a cashier's check with you? When they ask you at customs whether you're there for "business or pleasure", what did you tell them?

Jonathan

My friend's mother can't always afford her pain medication, so when I was in Mexico we went into about 10 pharmacies looking for Percocet and/or Codeine. I was under the impression you could buy anything over-the-counter there. Not true. We talked to quite a few pharmacists in TJ, and all of them that we ran into were honest. We asked for the strongest over-the-counter meds - it became a research project. The strongest you can buy is basically comparable to Flexeril (muscle relaxer.) We bought about 10 bottles, which I showed them to customs along with my 3 prescriptions from my doctor, and they waved me right through and said they're not concerned with anything you buy in their pharmacies. Basically, there are certain Mexican doctors that will write you any prescriptions you want if you slip them some cash. So if you find a doc to write you 20 prescriptions for Lortab or Darvocet, then you may have trouble getting through customs.

On my first trip they asked my purpose, and I told them I had the Band placed by Dr. Juan Lopez Corvala. They waived me right through without even asking if I had any medications. I was under the impression that they were happy to get American money.

I do have one very stiff warning. Dr. Lopez must be well known and respected at the boarder, because he sends a certain taxi to the airport that picks you up and slides you right through customs within minutes. I did not wait going, and I did not wait coming back. However, on my second trip to Mexico to see Kuri, I was on my own. We parked our car on the California side and walked across the border to the taxi depot. Then we took Taxi Libre to Kuri's office. (Note, always take Taxi Libre instead of the others cuz it's the cheapest taxi company.)

On my way out of Mexico, I grabbed a Taxi Libre and asked him to take us to the taxi depot so that we could walk across the boarder. But the taxi driver said he'd drive us across the boarder to the California parking lot. Well, we were naive since he said he did it all the time, but we almost got ourselves in a mess. When we got to the boarder, a bunch of cops came running trying to find out why a Taxi Libre was crossing. The driver was apparently using us to sneak across. The boarder patrolmen told us that Taxi drivers know damn well that they're not allowed to cross, so they almost accused us of trying to smuggle an illegal alien across the boarder. So they separated us and got the driver out of his car. They looked me dead in the eye and asked why I was there, so I lifted my shirt and told them I had surgery with Dr. Pedro Kuri. They asked if I had drugs, and I said "yes" and dumped my suitcase out, but they laughed at me and told me to go through cause I even showed them the antibacterial cream and a tube of chapstick. They are only looking for illegal smuggling of PEOPLE for starters, and quantities of drugs that can be sold in the US.

So, if your doctor sends a car to meet you at the airport, well that driver was able to cross the boarder to leave the United States, so he won't have a problem getting you across the boarder. But if some taxi company offers to cross you, they are just hoping to use you to get across to the United States. Maybe the driver hoped I would be nice and come up with some lame excuse that the boarder patrol would believe, but it just got him in trouble. I'm not sure what they did with him, but once I was safe in the US, we ran like rats to our car!

I had surgery with Dr Kuri over 2 years ago and have since been back about 6x for fills and never really had any border problems.

I cannot remember the border crossing after surgery..but we always parked on US side and took the Mexicoach back and forth. We are dropped at the Mexicoach station..so the day after surgery..we must have taken a cab from the hospital to Mexicoach and then hopped on Mexicoach. We are then brought over the to bus line..you get out and go stand in line where they put your baggage through xray and you walk through the counter and show them ID (we always bring our passport because we have them) and we are usually just asked if we bought anything..Ithink once I just said I had a ceramic item I bought..and they waved us through.

For surgery..dr Kuri only prescribed Dolac..comes in a box like Sudafed..I think I just had it in my bag and I believe I had the prescription form..but I was never asked about why I was there and if I had anything to declare..never searched and xrays didn't stop us..

Usually the lines are so long, they wave people through pretty quickly..I never had to worry about telling why I was there..sheesh..they barely even look at us..just wave the hand and off we go back on the bus..

I think if asked why you visited..you can just say tourist or pleasure..no need to go into any lengthy details about surgery..

Patty

I took a cashiers check. I used american dollars for all my purchases. I was picked up at the airport and driven across the border by my surgeon's driver in their clinic van, we didn't have to stop going in. They apparently have a commuter's pass. On the way home we were stopped, the driver told them I'd had surgery and couldn't walk, so I didn't have to get out of the car. I showed them my prescriptions. They asked if I had anything to declare, and what I was bringing back, I told them blankets and tshirts. They had my mother take our luggage in to be xrayed, and sent us on our way. I thing being is truthful is best.

Can others comment on declaring meds, etc., upon returning to the US? Do the Dr's offices advise on this? Seems like it'd be fine to declare whatever you're bringing back, since it's at a Mexican doctor's advice (and script, presumably)? I'm a reasonably good citizen (imho), and fear lying to customs! Help!?! I'm not a seasoned border-crosser, and since my surgery date is getting so close, I seem to becoming ultrasensitive to concerns. Border-crossing, declaring meds, denying meds, these are more things to worry me. What's the advice on this? Do reputed Dr's on the Mexican side provide advice/assistance to patients on this matter? Please help!

I just returned from Mexico yesterday. I did not declare my meds. Actually the questions they ask don't even apply to medications. They don't search your carry on bags. I had the medication in my purse. When I got to LA they only asked me if I was carry more than $10,000.00 in cash or agrigulture? So you really have nothing to worry about. I sure that the imigration people are very aware that many people go to Mexico for many kinds of surgery. I think if it were a big problem they would ask you directly on the questionaire about medication. There are more things that you may want to be concerned about than medication. There are several things that I think now one tells you about. If you want to know my suggestions, let me know.

Can others comment on declaring meds, etc., upon returning to the US? Do the Dr's offices advise on this? Seems like it'd be fine to declare whatever you're bringing back, since it's at a Mexican doctor's advice (and script, presumably)? I'm a reasonably good citizen (imho), and fear lying to customs! Help!?! I'm not a seasoned border-crosser, and since my surgery date is getting so close, I seem to becoming ultrasensitive to concerns. Border-crossing, declaring meds, denying meds, these are more things to worry me. What's the advice on this? Do reputed Dr's on the Mexican side provide advice/assistance to patients on this matter? Please help!

I just returned from Mexico yesterday. I did not declare my meds. Actually the questions they ask don't even apply to medications. They don't search your carry on bags. I had the medication in my purse. When I got to LA they only asked me if I was carry more than $10,000.00 in cash or agrigulture? So you really have nothing to worry about. I sure that the imigration people are very aware that many people go to Mexico for many kinds of surgery. I think if it were a big problem they would ask you directly on the questionaire about medication. There are more things that you may want to be concerned about than medication. There are several things that I think no one tells you about. If you want to know my suggestions, let me know.

We took a bus from the Texas border into Monterrey. When customs came onto the bus the guy asked my husband how much money he was carrying. My husband said a $8,000 cashiers check and about 500 cash. The guy looked freaked and asked what we needed that much money for, when I said I was having lapband surgery he relaxed. The guy stood in the aisle of the bus and starting tellling me that his sister-in-law and one of his co-workers had the band. He asked what doctor I was going to, what hospital, etc.... He stood there and chatted for about 5 minutes then wished me luck before going through the rest of the bus. Crossing back to the states we were only asked "purpose of visit" and I said medical. They just waved us on.

Hi All-

I live in MIchigan and have in the past ventured over to Windsor Ontario in Canada for the casinos. Whenever I have been asked if I have anything to declare, I say, "I declare, I had a great time!" Well, the younger border guards roll their eyes usually, and the older ones laugh!

I simply can't imagine lying or dissembling when crossing the border. Of course, I live in Texas and maybe we just do things differently here. At a border passing like Progreso that is essentially a pharmacy & dentist mecca for Texans & Winter Texans, EVERYONE walks thru customs with your alcohol purhases & the bags of meds that you have purchased. If you are on a bus day-trip, an extra crew is sent aboard to rummage thru what is left on board. It's simply a matter of routine to be truthful, open & honest. It is expected and understood why tourists come across.

Agents are trained to detect evasion & a case of nerves -- the expect you to come to Mexico for the cheap meds -- no crime.

Now as to going across at Acuna, it is more a party place (at night), but during the day, it is a given that dental and surgical patients will be crossing. When you are banded, Dr. Jose R gives you the box and documentation that came from Inamed, along with his signed dictated history notes & the operatice reports, as well as the signed Inamed card you will carry with you from then on.

When you are coming into Mexico, just say you are coming for surgery with Dr. R... and on the way back, flash the box and say you had surgery. They know what it contains - the antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, the tiny bottle of liquid pain meds. Dr. R's hand written prescription is in the box.

Anything you can buy in a pharmacy is legal to dispense and you can bring back - no prescription needed, tho many people like to bring their own old bottles to show they are buying prescribed meds for themselves, but this is not necessary. Coming back with anything from anti-depressants, Viagra or antibiotics is "no big deal". You're not going to find pharmacies handing out diet pills, strong pain killers, cancer drugs or such, tho you can seek out Mexican doctors and clinics who dispense them WITH A PRESCRIPTION, in limited amounts.

Never try to sneak back alcohol to avoid paying taxes, and don't lie about things that are no big deal and expected.

By the way, when women come back and don't show the Inamed Lap Band box, just declaring "we were here for surgery", the guards are known to immediately eye your breasts!! :confused: