I've been a big fan of being Banded in Mexico until this past weekend. I just underwent my SIXTH Band related surgery (four major surgeries under anesthesia; two minor ones, plus countless other lab tests and appointments.)

Please do not go to Mexico until you have made an appointment with a local LapBand doctor to discuss your aftercare options. Don't set foot in Mexico until you are sure that you can get the care you need close to home, especially if you have an emergency. Most Band-related complications are not the type that require emergency services, but when you are scared, in pain, can't swallow, can't hold food down, have severe stomach pain, your port hurts or is popping out, you have a leaking infected incision, or any other Band-related complication, you'll want to get to a doctor within a day or two, not by the end of the month. Trust me on this one, many of us have been there!

I'm sick with grief right now. I don't want to slam any of the Mexican doctors, because if they practiced in the United States, they would most likely be our top surgeons. However, the standards of care in Mexico are way below US standards. I've had an open wound since May, yet nobody in Mexico (I've been there for 3 surgeries) has ever even did a culture, biopsy, or endoscopy; they just diagnosed and operated. I finally found a US surgeon. He operated on me this week and did everything in his power to figure out why I had an open wound, including an endoscopy, a laporoscopy, lab tests, blood tests, a biopsy, a breath test for H-Pylori - the list goes on and on.

Mexican doctors are not bad, but they don't go to the same lengths as required by doctors in America. It's been my experience that they treat you based on their first impression of what may (or may not) be wrong with you. In the US, people are lawsuit-happy. So many doctors have been sued that surgeons here have been forced to uncover every possible diagnosis before making a treatment, but luckily, that means we get the best care possible. Medical Malpractice insurance keeps our local surgeons on their toes. Mexico doesn't share the same problem with so many law suits related to medical malpractice. Kind of a Catch-22 situation. This is simply MY experience. Unfortunately, I've met many others that share these types of problems.

If money is no object to you, then do yourself a favor and get it done in the US, where the higest level of medical standards are required to be met.

The best way to get Banded would to find a local surgeon that accepts Mexican patients. Go to that surgeon first for a check-up, and to discuss your plans for Mexico. Once that doctor agrees to see you, make a future appointment with him, only THEN should you go to Mexico to get your Band. As soon as your band is placed, go back to your local doctor for a checkup. Keep relations open with both your Band surgeon and your local doctor. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS get a second opinion.

I went to Mexico cause it only cost me $7,500. But now I have to add in 5 additional procedures, my traveling expenses, incidental costs, time lost from work, etc. I can't give you the numbers because I'm scared to death to add them up. I went there to save money, but I could have gotten banded locally and saved myself all the horror.

So, before going to Mexico, you gotta post here that you've got aftercare lined up or I won't let you go!

ALSO, MAKE SURE THEY PLACE THE INAMED BAND! There are many bands out there, but you will have a very difficult time getting someone to service your band in the US unless it is the Inamed LapBand.

I agree with gagirl, get your surgical papers before leaving Mexico. I'm fortunate that my aftercare doc here in the states didn't require them, but I want a copy nevertheless. I'm going back to Monterrey with two ladies that will be banded on the 19th of this month, so I'm going to get a copy of my surgical paperwork then. I'm going to make sure that the two ladies with me get their paperwork before we leave.

Pati, Dr. Rumbaut gave me a similar report. I presented my local doctor with a copy of it, both to keep it in my medical records and to prove that I really was banded by his proctoring surgeon. I admit that if I hadn't received the report, it wouldn't have occurred to me to ask for it.

I agree completele with the finding of after care... I am fortunate to have after care close in TJ if I want it. But I should have researched after care and what kind of band I was going to get. SO far the J and J band is not leagal in the US so I am finding a hard time with a US Dr. for a fill... Lucky for me I love Dallas and I have family there so I can fly and get a fill with Dr. Rodriguez and see friends when I need a fill. I agree however that you should find a aftercare DR and check to see if he uses a inamed band!

Pati, Dr. Kuri did my first port removal surgery. During the surgery he filled my band, but he never handed me anything. I wish I would have known about this along time ago, considering I've had so many surgeries.

We were just talking about the Johnson & Johnson Band the other day. It's going to be a big problem as more people get it, since it's so hard to find someone to service it. Good luck to you.

I agree with you totally I went to Italy and I have had problems finding a follow up Dr since my surgery last June. My dr tried to help me but it is of little use he is over there and I'm here. And most Dr. don't want to touch you unless they have operated on you.

One thing to consider when getting your Operative report is to ask for it in english. Mine is all in spanish and unless your surgeon can read spanish it is worthless. I have mine but it is worthless.

I am new, and I have made a mistake or two when posting, which may make you not take me as seriously as a perfect typist and speller....(Ha)..but Michelle is so right about Dr Ortiz and Dr Martinez. I went to 3 area (Midwest) specialist is obesity surgery, researched the surgerys for over a year, and the same with fills, and still will go back to my wonderful Dr's in Mx. at about the same expense I would have going to some of the less experienced and not using florascope Dr's in the U.S.

I could have had surgery in the U.S. but I choose not to, I wanted to go where the Dr had a few more of these surgerys under his belt. I sympathize with those that don't have the money or the insurance to have this life saving, life changing surgery done in the States and would hate to see them scared off from going to Mx to a good, competent Dr like Oriz and Martinez.

I don't know all of the Dr.s in Mx but I know mine and would recommend him to anyone that wants excellent care, compassion, 1st rate hospital and office care and wonderful staff.

hopeful Brenda

Sept 24 2004

Brenda, again, you are one of the lucky ones. This thread is really just so people can get their ducks in a row before making a big decision. Even though Ortiz may be excellent, it's still really hard for some of us to get to Mexico at the drop of a Mexican hat! You are lucky since it's not a problem for you.

Yep, even the best surgeon isn't much help after the fact when they're thousands of miles away and you can't GET to them.

Damn laws of physics! If only we lived in the Star Trek universe and we could transport ourselves magically into their office for a look see.

I don't want to turn this into an Ortiz thread, but he has had his fair share of complications. I heard of a woman last night that had to stay in the hospital over a week after Band surgery and another that is horrified by his aftercare. Maybe some people are happy with him, but there are 2 sides to every story.

I agree this is an excellent source of information for all that need support and direction and I would not want to make Dr Ortiz the source of any undue critizm or attention.

If we are being truthful about complications we must all take into consideration that we ( obese ) are the most likely to have them, with this or any type of surgery.

Again I had such a positive experience, as well as the others that I met at Dr Ortiz office and those I recommend the surgery to and have had the same great experiences that I am a little defensive for Dr. Ortiz and Dr Martinez. Sorry if I have offened anyone cause when it is all said and done we are the ones in this together.

Going to Mx for fills still is as cheap as having one here without insurance with or without the hat drop.

hopeful Benda

Sept 24, 2004

I am new to this board, and have a question. Why does everyone go to Mexico to get their Lap Band placed when there are so many qualified surgeons in the U.S. who specialize in it? I am going to get mine from Dr. Santiago Horgan in Chicago, and he only charges $250 for fills.

Joan

Most, if not all, of the folks going to Mexico have insurance that does not pay for the Band. The surgery was FDA approved just a few years ago, but the Mexico doctors have been doing it for up to 10 years or so, they are much more experienced and in many cases, have trained or proctored US Docs. This is a real benefit when you are self-paying, because you tend to shop for good prices. In Mexico, the prices for the surgery are much less expensive than in the US. You are fortunate to have insurance paying and what appears to be a good doctor, I have seem him lots on the boards here. Look for others or they will make themselves known. Good luck! The 10th is coming fast!

Wait, I'm editing now...I just re-read your post and you may be self-paying as well, are you? Others may be interested in what cost you were quoted by the US Doc. I sure am!

I wouldn't have been able to get a band in Vegas. It's $28,000 here, and my insurance wouldn't cover it. I was able to get a loan for $7,500 though, which is what I paid in Mexico. We go there because it's the only way some of us can afford it.

I have had a lot of complications that could have been avoided if I had the orginal surgery here, but the bottom line is that Mexico was my only option.