I have seen threads where many people have mentioned having theirs done in Mexico and the US..... I live in Oregon. I do not know anyone that has had a lap band done. I am trying to find a doctor that would be able to do the surgery for around 10k. I will most likely pay out of pocket (Unless I talk BCBS into it)

Could someone link me to the forums that give the reasons why some have travelled and others have it done locally?

For the most part it is cost and skill. Most of the popular Mexican surgeons are who trained most of the US surgeons in this procedure. It's typically half the cost with better care in Mexico. In the US most of the time this procedure is done on an outpatient basis. When you wake up they send you home. If a complication is going to happen it's usually in the first 48 hours. Thus, Mexican surgeons keep you in the hospital for 1-2 days.

Regardless if you are going to a US or Mexican surgeon it is critical that you do your research.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/researching-mexican-doctors-101-a-43575/

hi brandy

i will be having my band done in mexico for 8,990,0 + air fair with Dr.Rumbult through brigget@gastricband.com she is fantistic. Get in touch with her, i am also paying out of pocket. tell her lisa L. sent you!!!

I have been reserching banding for the past 8 months. i am satisfied i have chosen the right Dr. in mexico. my surg. is Nov/07

Hi Brandy

I was banded in Mexico on 10/8 by Dr. Daniel Huacuz. It was $7,500. + air fare. You fly into San Diego and they pick you up at the airport. All of them were really great. My friend who went with me had taken 18 other people to Dr. Huacuz. She has lost 75 lbs. I have now lost about 15.

Huacuz Surgical Center

Hi Brandy

I was banded in Mexico on 10/8 by Dr. Daniel Huacuz. It was $7,500. + air fare. You fly into San Diego and they pick you up at the airport. All of them were really great. My friend who went with me had taken 18 other people to Dr. Huacuz. She has lost 75 lbs. I have now lost about 15.

Huacuz Surgical Center

Awesome! So when you have done in Mexico do you just find a doctor locally that you can see for fills and such?

BCBS covered my lap band, I just had to have a BMI over 32 -I think. No problems with a rec. from my primary. Good luck to you, I've read a lot about people with self pay going to Mexico and it seems to have been a good experience for them!

Banded on 5/23/07

Dr. Huacuz gave me 1cc of fill. Says it is done like that in Mexico. I have been fine. Also, you can go to Fill Centers USA - Weight Loss Surgery - Bariatric Surgery - Gastric Bypass Surgery - Lap Band Surgery Information and Support . You can put in your zip code and find the closest. In Houston, it happens to be a couple of miles from me. The way things are going, I don't think I need another fill. I am happy with the way things are going and I can also eat a little. Have not been sick at all. Dr. Huacuz sends you home with antibiotics and liquid pain medication. It got through security!!

Dr. Huacuz was my surgeon also. I'm uninsured so cost was a major factor. Then after doing research found Dr. Huacuz has done more of these procedures than the best surgeons around here.... that's a no brainer.

Mine was 7,000 even and that included everything from surgicenter, anesthesia, cardiologist, psych evaluation, meds, surgery, the appliance...everything.

Fill Centers USA - Weight Loss Surgery - Bariatric Surgery - Gastric Bypass Surgery - Lap Band Surgery Information and Support is where I get my aftercare and fills. Only needed two, so I got two. When I need more, I'll give them a call. The fills are cheaper than if I went to a local doctor on my own.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Hi. from lisa i also live in canada, and have found that there are very few doctors here that will take on your after care. EG. Fills!! fortunitatly ihave found one only stipulation you must have an enimed band. i know that johnson & johnson band is about 1000.00 to 1500.00 cheaper but you get what you pay for

also it is recomemended that you wait a minimum of 5 weeks befor your first fill. to allow the swelling at stoma to reduce

The enimed band is what Dr. Huacuz uses. He told us that most US docs wont fill, but I have had the 1cc from the second day and am doing fine. He kept me at the clinic for two nights. Surgery on Monday afternoon, floroscope on Tuesday and fill, fly home on Wed morning. I feel great and am glad I had the fill. Probably won't get another one. I like it the way it is. I have lost 15 lbs.

I think he went up in late August to the $7500. But that is still a lot less than I would have had to pay cash here. Everything was covered.

Everyone has the freedom to make their own choices in healthcare, my personal preference is to have a doctor trained in schools from my own country whose primary language is the same as mine. I dont go for the ol' all the doctors in Mexico trained all of the American surgeons routine. There are lots of doctors in the states with good reputations and reasonable self pay charges.

To each his own though what is right for someone else may not be right for you.

Everyone has the freedom to make their own choices in healthcare, my personal preference is to have a doctor trained in schools from my own country whose primary language is the same as mine. I dont go for the ol' all the doctors in Mexico trained all of the American surgeons routine. There are lots of doctors in the states with good reputations and reasonable self pay charges.

To each his own though what is right for someone else may not be right for you.

It's kinda scary for me to leave the country to have something I consider to be serious done... With that said I am seeking to have mine done in the US. My insurance says they will pay if I do the usual.. have BMI over 40, go to nutritionist (already have done) and a see a mental doc (That might get me commited!)

If for some reason insurance doesn't pay I have the funds for the surgery set aside (cause I really didn't think insurance would pay for it to begin with)

If that happens I have to weigh my fear of going to mexico for the surgery with the cost.

Hi Brandy,

I was initially going to go to MX, but I read about my surgeon (Dr. Kirshenbaum) on here. I had to fly from NC to Denver, CO, but in the end it was worth it. He's in your price range. I just weighed my options and had I not found him I'm pretty sure I would have gone to MX.

Dr. K's website is Lap Band Surgery in Denver Colorado | Lap Band Surgeon in Denver | Gastric Band Surgery Denver | Bariatric Surgery and there is a huge thread in the Doctor's room.

Good luck w/your decision.

Everyone has the freedom to make their own choices in healthcare, my personal preference is to have a doctor trained in schools from my own country whose primary language is the same as mine. I dont go for the ol' all the doctors in Mexico trained all of the American surgeons routine. There are lots of doctors in the states with good reputations and reasonable self pay charges.

To each his own though what is right for someone else may not be right for you.

Does that mean if someone was born in Mexico, raised in Mexico, and came to the US for medical school you wouldn't go to him?