Mexico vs. US

Myownperson7791 · October 25, 2007

I am a self pay "potential" client, because our employer has excluded the surgery from coverage, thus I am researching my lap-band options. I have talked to several agencies in Mexico, as I live in Texas, I am leaning toward Dr. Rodriguez in Juarez. My questions are,

1)What are the differences between the surgery in the US & the surgery in Mexico?

2)The first thing I have noticed is in Mexico you stay in the hospital for days, here in the US I am home by evening. Is that because the procedure in Mexico is different, perhaps more invasive, and my body needs the hospital stay to heal? I've heard the company line but would like the real experience.

3) In Mexico, how do follow ups work? Will it be necessary to travel back there at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, six months and annually, as US Dr's require? And if not, WHY NOT?

4)How willing to work with clients are US Drs for fills?

5)What if there are complications? How does a Mexico client handle that?

Thank you all so much. I wont be having my surgery until April of 2008, but do want to get whatever info I can to help me prepare.

restmgr985 · October 25, 2007

hows it going today? i was banded by Dr Michel Zapada in monterrey mexico on 10-10-07. i chose to go to mexico because i was self pay also. couldnt have been a better expericence , i flew there on tues evening , had surgery wed, hospital stay wed night , hotel thursday for followup and was home by noon on friday. all of the swelling is gone, still a little bit sore at times, depending on what i am doing . the surgery was not invasive at all i have one small scar on my left side of my stomach area and it will most likely fade away. they sent me home with the band box, serial #'s all the paperwork and xrays i need to see a doctor here for followups . or i can go back there if i chose. email me if you have any questions

mom2knk · October 26, 2007

I too was looking into going to Dr Rodriquez in Juarez. He seems like a very good doctor from what I hear and with a lot of experience.

If I go I arrive the morning of surgery, have pre-op testing and surgery that afternoon, stay that night and the following night then can go home on day 3. Is that she same for you?

As far as fills, I don't think you have to go back to Mexico. You can go to any doctor in your area who does fills. I would probably go to some place here in California, not there.

If you live in TX it might be convienent for you to go there and get your fills and cheaper. Hope I helped.

Myownperson7791 · October 26, 2007

Thank you both so much for the information. I'm still just researching the possibilities, so I haven't made a call yet to Rodriguez's camp, although they did call me and forward info for review. However, Mom, I'm also considering Dr. Rambault in Monterrey. On obesityhelp.com he has lots of praise and very high numbers for verified bands, whereas Rodriguez only has his website to verify. I don't know yet. There is even a Dr. in Colorado who does it for like $10,000 and to be stateside, I might consider it. Anyway, THANKS! A