Hi,

Just wanted to introduce myself. I am very interested in lap band surgery and this place is definitely a wealth of information. I've been everyplace on the web I can find, talked to my PCP and attended a seminar given by a bariatric surgeon's office and have discovered our insurance probably won't pay for a thing. So, I'm interested in going to Mexico. I'm very encouraged by all I've read. Thanks!

Becky

Hi Becky -

Welcome!

There are lots of Mexican bandsters on this board. I am one myself. The more I read about people's experiences who had been banded in Mexico, the more my prejudice dissipated. If I ever needed to be rebanded, I would not hesitate to go back to my doctor, even if I could have it done here in the states.

Good luck on your journey!

Would anyone be willing to share what the costs are for the band in Mexico? I'm just curious. Thanks in advance!

Megan

With the caveat that prices can change at any time...

1/23/03 I paid $9995. This figure included my transporation from the Tijuana MexiCoach station to the Dr's office, an assistant that walked me to all my pre-op tests and checked me into the hotel, transportation to the hotel and back to the MexiCoach station, all my pre-op tests, my meeting with the psychiatrist and nutritionist, one night for two in a 5 star hotel (actually, I think it included 2 nights, but we only used one), all the hospital fees, surgeon and anesthesiologist fees.

My only out of pocket costs were for the shuttle that took me from the border to the MexiCoach station and back, tips to the drivers, and my meals prior to surgery.

I do not know Dr. Lopez's charge for fills - I think it's $50, but the radiology department for fills under fluro charges about $100 - it fluctuates slightly for currency values, I believe.

Hope this helps!

Welcome aboard!!! All your answers or most are here!

donali

This website has perhaps the most comprehensive list of Doctors and costs that I've seen. Just in case you can't get to it I've copied the info and attached it below. Please be careful and don't let cost be your ONLY reason for going to any Doctor. Good luck in whatever decision you make

Jerry

http://64.177.203.230/forum/newreply.php?s=&action=newreply&threadid=493

First Name/State Doctor Date of surgery/ Pounds lost/Complications/Cost

Dr. Kuri-Tijuana

Teresa – Va Dr. Kuri – Tijuana 1/14/01 30 lbs NC $8500

Christine-CA, Dr. Kuri-Tijuana 1/9/03 69lbs $8500

Amber-CA- Dr. Kuri-Tijuana 07/03/03 20lbs NC

Beverly-CA- Dr. Kuri-Tijuana 07/03/03 22lbs NC

Also, hernia repair ($1,000) Total for both, including Palacio Azteca hotel 2 nights, meals, tips, taxi fees $17,207.00

Dr. Ortiz- Tijuana

http://www.tijuanalapbandcenter.com/obesity2/team/team.htm

Susan –WIS Dr. Ortiz-Tijuana 9/21/02 70lbs NC

Tom – Newport Beach Dr. Ortiz-Tijuana 2/27/03 52 lbs NC $9995

Liliana- NV Dr. Ortiz-Tijuana 4/15/03 32lb complication $16,000

Sheryl – CA Dr Ortiz, -Tijuana 4/16/03 43 lbs NC $9995

(includes the hotel stay and all transportation)

Jane-LA Dr. Ortiz-Tijuana 5/28/03 15lbs NC $9600

Kevin-CA Dr. Ortiz-Tijuana 5/28/03 22lbs NC

Joy – CO Dr. Ortiz-Tijuana 6/5/03 NC $9950

Holly Dr. Ortiz 7/24/03 -7 lbs NC $9995

Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Acuna

http://www.joseband.com/

Michelle-OR Dr Rodriguez-Acuna 2/12/03 (see note) $8000

Note: 11cm BioEnteric Band (9cc capacity)

Deborah-CA Dr Rodriguez-Acuna 2/13/03 22 lb. NC $6500

Marie-CA Dr. Rodriguez-Acuna 3/20/03 22lbs NC $6500

Shauntelle-LA Dr. Rodriguez-Acuna 3/27/03 25 lb NC $6500

Sherry-TX Dr. Rodriguez-Acuna 5/06/03 22lb NC $6500

Bill- OR Dr Rodriquez, Acuna 5/20/03 NC $6500

Julie-FLA Dr. Rodriguez- Acuna, 5/31/03 15lbs NC $6500

Joseph-NM Dr. Rodriguez- Acuna 6/02/03 18lb NC $6500

Kathleen Dr. Rodriguez- Acuna 6/04/03 15lb NC $6500

Grand total was $7035 that included Barbara's services, meds and hotel

Monica – LA Rodriguez – Acuna 6/06/03 7 lbs NC $6500

Dr. Joya- Puerto Vallarta

Gerald - LA , Dr. Joya-Puerto Vallarta 4/20/02 170lbs. $9000

Kathy-CA Dr. Joya Puerto Vallarta 2/12/03 see notes) $8500

Note: Complications: 4 hour surgery looking for broken needle, abscess on extra 4" incison, major infection, and blood clots in my leg. No special post-op care was given, even though surgery was almost 6 times longer than normal.

Diane-WA Dr. Joya ~ Puerto Vallarta 3/4/03 38 lbs NC $9000

Brenda-WA Dr Joya-Puerto Vallarta 5/16/03 NC $9000

included airfare

Sandy- WA Dr Joya - Puerto Vallarta $9000

Dr. Rumbaut-Monterrey

Thanya G.-MI Dr Rumbaut, Monterrey 7/4/02-98 lbs NC $9500

Barbara-FLA Dr. Rumbaut-Monterrey 7/9/02 75lbs NC $10000

Joan - IL, Dr. Rumbaut-Monterrey11/12/02 77lbs. NC $10000

Amy – NJ Dr. Rumbaut-Monterrey11/29/02 58 lbs. NC $10000

Jean, WA Dr. Rumbaut-Monterrey 4/29/03 33 lbs NC $9600

Kalee-AZ Dr. Rumbaut Monterrey 5/14/03 12 lbs. NC $9600

Note: +$700 airline/hotel/food

Lynn- WA Dr. Rumbaut 01/14/03 15lbs NC $10,000 + hotel

Dr. Verboonen/Dr. Ponce De Leon-Tijuana

Judy-NC Dr. Verboonen/Dr. ponce de leon 3/10/03 40 lbs (see note)

after surgery currently having problems with bloating and gas.

Suzi-CA Dr. Verboonen-Tijuana 3/22/03 25 lbs NC $8500

(everything included, even airfare)

Cecile-CA Dr Ponce de Leon Tijuana 5/20/03 NC$8500

Neyda - FL Dr. Verboonen-Tijuana 7/22/03 17 lbs. NC $8500

ALL inclusive

Dr. De La Garza-Puerto Vallarta

Sharon Johnson - Dr. de la Garza 12/10/02 38lbsNC $8500

Dr. Sanchez-Monterrey

Carol-KS Dr. Sanchez-Monterrey 10/08/99 140lbs (see note) $6500

port flipped at 3 months- correction no problem

MJ, PA Dr. Sanchez, Monterrey 1/9/02 -78lbs $9000

included everything but airfare

Ardie/Fl. Dr. Sanchez, Monterrey 1/15/03 46lbNC $9970

C. Angela-MI Dr. Sanchez, - Monterrey 5/1/03 15 lbNC $10140

Sue-NC Dr. Sanchez- Monterrey 6/10/03 -17 lbsNC$10190

Great info, Jerry.

However, your post should be directed to Megan.

I wonder why there's no info on that list about Dr. Lopez? Dr. Ortiz used to be his partner.

Dr. Lopez can now be found at www.lapbandclinic.com which is part of the Oasis Hospital. You can either call them...or fill out the form. I **think** Dr. Lopez charges $9250 for all the pre-op tests, hospital, surgery and hotel and transportation. But during the month of September and October he is charging $7250. I am scheduled the end of October and can't wait! I have found Nora to be very helpful and efficient!

Hi Karen I just called Dr. Lopez's office and they said his fee is $8,650.00. How did you get the $7,250.00 price? William (in his office) said Dr. Lopez had a special a month or so back but you had to have gone to his conference to get the $7,900.00 price.

Any info would be helpful thank you Tammy

I used Dr. Ortiz in TJ on April 6th 2004 and paid 8995.00 for an all inclusive package ( hotel, hospital, doc fees and room & board for hubby and transportation to and from San Diego to TJ)

Dr. Ortiz's web site

www.obesitycontrolcenter.com

The only out of pocket expense I have now is $100 for my fills and 10$ to and from to take a taxi to his office and gas for thedrive down to Tj