I have been reading several posts about ppl going to Mexico to get banded.

What is there that makes the procedure worth going?

Thanks,

I am going on Monday to Mexico. My reason is because I do not have health insurance and it is much cheaper there...

a lot of people who choose mexico are self pay and it's more affordable BUT there are excellent surgeons in mexico too!

ooooooooooooooooh

Thank you! I had no idea! I'm like what is in Mexico..except some awesome tequila..LOL (kidding)!

Yeah Mexico is about anywhere from $6500-9000 for surgery, but in the US it is much more anywhere from low $10,500-30,000+! Plus most of the Dr.'s in Mexico have been practicing the Lap Band for longer than the Dr.' in the US, thus have more experience. It was available in Mexico years before it was FDA approved in the US in 2001. That is how I started researching and ended up going to MX because I lost my health coverage here in the US. That and the Tequila, lol!

Edited August 16, 200818 yr by getthin
forgot something

I have health insurance, but it was still cheaper (and faster) to go to Mexico. I saved over $5000.00 by going. I just looked at my calander, and called. I choose a surgery date 3 weeks from when I called. No hoops, no pre-up diet, no problems.

unbelievable!.........i see what you mean by cost effective!

but, is the quality the same?

I mean, no pre-op diet?

I (and I think most) had a pre-op diet. It depends on every Dr./patient. I also believe that the quality was equal/better, then some in the US. The nurses and Dr.'s were more readily available, and kept checking in on me. It's not to say that you can't have a bad experience in Mexico (or anywhere for that matter). It's all in the process of doing research and trusting that you did your own homework on any surgeon that you may choose anywhere in the world.

I went to Mexico, it cost me 7000.00 and yes i did have a pre op(2wks) I picked Mexico because of the price, i'm a self pay. and because of my doc's experance he's done over 5000 lapbands It was a great experance and the hospital was the cleanest i have ever been in more like a spa, the people were really nice like they are really glad your there. their were 7 of us that showed up for surgery the same day and we hung out togather the 3 days i was there and we still email each other to track progress, so i got my band and made new friends. so far all is well :thumbup:

I am going on Monday to Mexico. My reason is because I do not have health insurance and it is much cheaper there...

where in mexico are u hjaving it done

But what about follow-up and support AFTER the surgery? It seems that's as important, if not MORE important for your success with the band. I chose my surgeon because of the post-surgery support he could offer, with a Nutritionist and Life Coach who work through his office. I knew I couldn't go with a "here's your band, now make it work" kind of deal.

I'm sure most people who decide on Mexico have done their homework and research about what it means to be banded, and the changes that MUST be made in their lifestyles. But I fear that many won't, especially if it is such an easy matter to set up a surgery date without pre-op visits and other important preliminaries. From reading some posts here at LBT it's obvious that a lot of people went into their surgeries with a lopsided view of what they could expect after the surgery, living with the band. And not just people who chose Mexico.

And I step down off my soapbox.

But what about follow-up and support AFTER the surgery? It seems that's as important, if not MORE important for your success with the band. I chose my surgeon because of the post-surgery support he could offer, with a Nutritionist and Life Coach who work through his office. I knew I couldn't go with a "here's your band, now make it work" kind of deal.

I'm sure most people who decide on Mexico have done their homework and research about what it means to be banded, and the changes that MUST be made in their lifestyles. But I fear that many won't, especially if it is such an easy matter to set up a surgery date without pre-op visits and other important preliminaries. From reading some posts here at LBT it's obvious that a lot of people went into their surgeries with a lopsided view of what they could expect after the surgery, living with the band. And not just people who chose Mexico.

And I step down off my soapbox.

Fill centers USA is doing my follow up and they have been great so far, They have called me every week since surgery and checked on me answer any questions i may have. I think it's up to each person to make sure they have follow up care in place before they have surgery. If your paying out of pocket I think Mexico is a great alturnitive as long as you do your homework.

Oh wow...that's good to know! I didn't know/think that Fillcentersusa would even call to check on you weekly. I do have aftercare lined up with a local surgeon here after I have my first fill in Mexico, but that is good to know incase I do not like the place I have lined up for my future local fills. Although the closest fill center to me is about 2+1/2 hours away.

I went to the FillCenters website to see what they are all about. I was impressed. It's good to know that there are places like that if I need them in the future. :smile2:

I'm glad they're there to. I couldn't find a fill Doc in my area that took Mexico patients if it wasn't for them being here i wouldn't have been able to get the band. i would have had to go with the sleeve and i just wasn't sure about that. I didn't want to lose to fast because of skin sagging at my age i already have enough drooping LoL