Hello,

I am Tony, a 6'2" 435 ish guy looking for info. I have been researching lap banding for several weeks and have come to love the info shared here so I thought I would take a jump and finally ask some questions.

Being a person with a high BMI- will this procedure have any additional problems that I might face being a higher weight then the averages I have seen here ?

Also as a person with lousy health ins. I am self pay (currently real close to having the $$$) so obviously Mexico is what I am researching the most now. However does anyone know of cheaper USA surgery for self pay?

Also as I see several are from Mexico here already--What would the cheapest doctors and hospitals be without compromising good care in Mexico? Phone numbers and any referalls would be much appreciated. My email is able to be viewed in my profile if need be. Some of the info I read about experiences seemed to leave me confused as the posts were later updated with less then good notes so by starting new here I can have some more time that has passed with these comments then the previous "older" ones. I would appreciate the "good" ones and the "bad" ones as well.

Things I already know from research--try to go direct to the doctor for the best price. Be sure to find a local fill doctor that accepts mexican fill doctors prior to anything happening. Be sure to use the Inamed brand for best doctor availability in USA. Any other tidbits to remember?

Thanks,

Tony

Hi Frank. Did Sanchez give you and your wife Inamed bands? I know two people that had surgey with Dr. Sanchez, who implanted non-FDA approved bands that are larger than the Inamed's. I just talked to both of them this week, and one of them has problems with the tube and doesn't know where to get parts for the band Sanchez gave her. Just curious if he changed to Inamed.

HI All,

I don't know what the cost is in Mexico or else where but here in Montreal with my Dr. it is $17,500.. canadian( all included) The proceedure from start to finish was just a couple of hours and I was home that night and the care in the private clinic is absoulutly phenomenal if you want any further info please let me know and I will give you all the details.I am one week after banding and feel GREAT!!!

Welcome Tony

No info on self pay since my insurance paid 80%.

But just wanted to say welcome.

Hi Tony

Looks like you're near to Chicago.....I was banded 4/21/04 by Dr Horgan at the Minimally Invasive Bariatric Centre at 900 N Michigan Avenue. I can't recommend them highly enough. Dr Horgan has carried out hundreds of lap band ops and was one of Inameds pioneers and teachers of the procedure.I was 'self pay' and it cost $15,000 including a full year of follow up visits, revisions and fills (I've had 5 fills at no addtional cost and still have 3 months before the year is over!).

My 'stats' were fairly similar to yours, 6'3" and 410lb....I'm 95lb down after 9 months and absolutely no problems or regrets, can't wait to get into the 200's now. Had surgery Wednesday morning....home by 4pm and back to work on the Friday

Good Luck

Banded 04/21/04 Dr Horgan

410/315/?

5 fills

Wow, Intant, you sound like Superman (or Superwoman?) You had a great recovery! I can't imagine going back to work in a couple days. And your loss is amazing. Good work!

Kathy,

By aftercare, I mean fills, followups, any issue or emergency that may arise, or even a good understanding of what the patient is actually going through.... My main gripe is regarding fills, my dr and his partner claim that Inamed really dropped the ball on the training in that area and they have been taken by surprise at how difficult a fill is to do for someone will so little training (the original plan was to do free fill in the office). So, as a result, all of the lapband patients must go to the radiology dept. at the hosp and let some radiologist do the fill (whoever happens to be on duty) which is an extreme hassle. I have already had to pay a few hundred extra $$ because of this and my insurance pays 90%! The drs claim to be working hard to find a better way to get this done, but meanwhile they are putting their paitients through hell. Don't go with a new dr!!!

Aftercare is a HUGE issue. The surgery is the easy part, it's all the Band maintenance and aftercare that gets tricky. The band is a very high maintenance tool (in my opinion) considering you'll never know how many fills you need or if/what complications you might run into.

you might also want to check out the Extraordinary Bandsters group on Yahoo. I believe that the requirement to join is a BMI of +53. (don't quote me one that.) Because you are so large, you will have special extra considerations.

Well thanks so much about all the info. My work takes we away for days at a time so I apologize for not getting back sooner. I do appreciate all the info shared with me. It seems the gist I am getting with the Mexico doctors is that they are getting too busy with this work and some of their aftercare is suffering. Also if a problem presents itself after the surgery,then getting care at another facility may be a problem.

I did just register with the extraordinary bandsters on yahoo and am awaiting approval. Thanks for the suggestions.

I found this site by doing a search.com search for lap band.

INTANT, can you please forward me Dr. Horgan's contact info please?

Thanks,

Tony

Hi Again Tony,

I made sure I had a doctor lined up in my area before I went to Mexico for surgery. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't been able to find one that would take me and who also charges reasonable prices and has a wonderful bedside manner. I have also not had any real problems with my band which makes it all more smooth. I have only gotten one fill in 8 months (that is kind of unusual I guess) but am going to go get my port checked out soon because of an auto accident. Since its a couple of hours away and I probably could use a fill, I may go ahead and get another one then since they'll have me on flouro anyway. If its affordable and possible, having a local surgeon might be a great help to you but it also works out well for many people who chose the Mexico route. Best wishes, Teresa

have anyone had the lapband procedure done at St. Johns Hospital in Detroit, MI with any of these doctors or even aware of any of the following Dr,'s Lloyd, Boccaccio, Schroder & Wesen