I am a Bandster who has posted a lot here before. But I am using a new ID for this one post. I just had a horrible experience in Tiajuana and was told by my doctor and coordinator to never talk about it. That isn't right. People need to know.

I was banded last autum by a good Lapband surgeon in Tiajuana. I just went for a fill and was told it was safe enough even though I read all the stories of murders, drug problems, and more in the newspaper almost every day here.

My husband and I were mugged in broad daylight one half block from Angeles hospital on the way for a band fill. 2 men with guns knocked us down, took our jewelry cash and wallets with licenses and ID's and kicked my husband so hard in the back he got 2 ribs broken. One of them hit me in the face with his fist and I have 2 big black eyes and bad bruises.

We went back to the Palacio Azteca to get our suitcases and left right away. I'll get my fill in the US, i don't care if it costs more.

I talked with another lady in the lobby there who was there for a fill with another surgeon and she told me she knows of many more cases like this and we are all told to not talk about it so people are not scared away.

People need to know the violence stories and reports are real and true. I like Mexico and we have gone there many times for vacations in our 20 yrs of marriage. but the last 2 years are horrible and we will never go there again.

Mexico is just NOT SAFE ANY MORE.

"Melissa"

Nobody is disputing the fact that things are tough at the border. We are questioning the validity of this particular story. The person gives the excuse for this being her first and only post as being because she didn't want to use the user ID that she usually uses here...that doesn't make any sense. Why would a regular here feel the need to create a new user ID just to tell this story??? (btw, she posted, logged off and never returned to this site)

What does it really matter if the poster changed her name and never logged back on?

We should all take the information shared on LBT with a grain of salt anyway. Take the information for what it is. Who knows if the story is true. Does it really matter?

We all should be very aware of the global issues occurring. Whether the OP's particular story is true, we shall never know, but we do know that drug war crimes are escalating in this region, so people considering going over to this area should be aware.

Does it really matter?We all should be very aware of the global issues occurring. Whether the OP's particular story is true...

Obviously it matters to me whether the story is true or not and it seem that it matters to others as well- hence, we gave our opinon. The OP has the right to defend herself and thus far has chosen not to. If it doesn't matter to you, then don't worry about it.

We should all take the information shared on LBT with a grain of salt anyway.

Agreed...especially this one!

Edited March 5, 200917 yr by Jodi_620

I don't want to keep going back and forth on this so this will be my last response.

Obviously it matters to me whether the story is true or not and it seem that it matters to others as well- hence, we gave our opinon. The OP has the right to defend herself and thus far has chosen not to. If it doesn't matter to you, then don't worry about it.

Agreed...especially this one!

I actually stated does it matter whether or not the story is true, especially in-light of the fact we know drug war crimes are occurring in the area, which generated the State Department to issue a travel warning in this region.

The importance of the story is not the reason for travelling to Mexico, but to be aware of the issues occurring for your own personal safety.

There is nothing for the OP to defend. Would it make everyone feel better if she posted her pictures of her bruised and battered face? Would that add more credence to her story? Why should her statement be of any consequence to us other than to be careful when traveling abroad?

Here's the link to the travel advisory my school sent out to the students...

I think the OP is probably telling the truth. If it didn't really happen to her, it likely has happened. Living here near the border it's possible our local stations cover more "Mexico" news. Don't know about that, don't know if OP is a troll or not, but I DO know what she said could happen (or worse) and things are dicey over there right now.

MIG: Mexico Travel Alert

My friend that lives in TJ also said they are playing up the travel advisories right now because of spring break.

Here's the link to the travel advisory my school sent out to the students...

I think the OP is probably telling the truth. If it didn't really happen to her, it likely has happened. Living here near the border it's possible our local stations cover more "Mexico" news. Don't know about that, don't know if OP is a troll or not, but I DO know what she said could happen (or worse) and things are dicey over there right now.

MIG: Mexico Travel Alert

I agree that the poster is probably being truthful.

Drug Violence In Mexico Threatens U.S. Borders : NPR

This is actually spilling over to U.S. border cities as well. If anything, I hope that we can take away the knowledge gained from this post to help us stay alert and safe if we travel abroad. That is the importance of this post

I actually stated does it matter whether or not the story is true, especially in-light of the fact we know drug war crimes are occurring in the area, which generated the State Department to issue a travel warning in this region.

The importance of the story is not the reason for travelling to Mexico, but to be aware of the issues occurring for your own personal safety.

There is nothing for the OP to defend. Would it make everyone feel better if she posted her pictures of her bruised and battered face? Would that add more credence to her story? Why should her statement be of any consequence to us other than to be careful when traveling abroad?

Very well put.

I am so sorry to hear about this terrible experience. I am glad you survived it. I had a friend who went there with no problems. Here I was thinking that the doctors might not be as good but I wasn't thinking about the dangers. I did hear on the radio that they are warning kids not to go to Mexico for Spring Break. Wow - yes, stay here and get your fills. I hope you get over this emotionally. I wouldn't hesitate to see a counselor if you are feeling scared. I've heard of people having PTSD from experiences like this.

I think it is really scary to be thinking of travelling into Mexico at this time. I was banded in Mexico, in Mexicali, and while I loved my Dr. this is one time I am totally glad he insisted on having local care as well!

My nephew who is a senior also had email go home to parents that the school would in no way sponsor a senior trip into Mexico and in fact was advising against it. Then they listed crime rates and how quickly they have rose recently, and mentioned the murders in TJ.

I have no issues whatsoever with my Mexican surgeon, or how I have done with my surgery----but getting me to travel there right now, would be about as likely as me taking a vacation to Iraq.

I feel for those facing surgery in this time of disruption there.

Now that being said.....when I was banded almost 3 years ago, I was walking the halls the day after the surgery, and all of a sudden there were Policia everywhere! A nurse ask me to go back to my room. I guess a high ranking Mexican official, had been shot! In an attempted assassination! They had him taken directly to surgery, he survived, and within a little while I was out walking the halls again. It made me feel relief at the fact they brought him there, and that it was handled efficiently.

That was in April (like the 25th) of 2006, if anyone needs to check my story!

I would be too scared to go now. And true story or not, it is something that everyone needs to consider. Heck some US hospitals are in some really seedy areas of town, not places I would walk alone!!!

Hope all goes well for the OP.

Kat

Not to knock anyone who've gone to mexico, and as bad as it is getting here in the states, I would NEVER go outside of my own country to have any surgery and surely not to visit(vacation)..People know when you are a visitor and when you live there..

That is one of the good things about having the ability to do your research and make a decision that you are comfortable with. Everyone has different criteria they feel is important, and with information as available as it is these days, we can all make informed decisions.

I do find it sad that the country's (MX) problems could very well limit peoples decisions on surgeons. Eliminating some very qualified doctors.

There are many countries I would readily travel to at this time....IF I could!!! LOL

There is nothing for the OP to defend. quote]

Geeze, you really need to get a grip. All I meant is that if she wants to defend her stance against the comments made by me, Brandy or anyone else the SHE can and should do it. I made my opinion clear and you did yours, we disagree and that is the end of it.

maybe she is still in shock from the attack and is afraid to use her real id

thanks for sharing that information -

maybe if docs here would lower the price of the band patients would not have to go to another country -

I love Mexico and will still travel there -

had my band done in Houston --- downtown Houston -

the crime rate there is also high - I will still travel to Houston also

Hi all,

It's really good to see that there's a lot of support both ways to this issue. I'll put my own 2 cents worth in here to say that even though I have some doubts as to the validity of the original post, i'm not saying I don't believe, but there are some questionable points in it. However, as this has never happened to me, I can not truly say I would have done it any differently if it is legitimate. Having said that, it has actually made me think about being cautious, not just in a non-US country, but here at home, also. No country is exempt from certain times or areas that seem to attract a certain menace or 'bad influence'. I don't think that one act means no one should ever go to Mexico again for this surgery. However, when you go for the surgery or for a fill, make sure your'e safe. Talk with the staff before you go and see if they offer transportation, or can recommend a safe transportation, to and from your appointment.

Additionally, for those traveling to any non-US location, here is information provided by the Dept of State relating to travel warnings:

Link to warnings for specific locations, listed by country: Current Travel Warnings

Link to Country Specific information, whether there is a warning or not: Country Specific Information

Link to Mexico Travel Alert from Feb of 2009, but still current today: MIG: Mexico Travel Alert

Good luck to all of us, whether we have our appts in the US or outside the US!

Be Safe! Be Happy! And Fulfill All Your Goals!!!!

Edited March 5, 200917 yr by TklMeSkinny

My 2 cents worth, this happens everywhere . . . US included. Whether this particular story is true or not is irrelevant in that you have to be careful no matter where you go, whether it is Tijuana, Istanbul, Prague, New York, Houston, etc. There are thousands of muggings every day.

Personally, I have had fills at Hospital Angeles in Tijuana. The front of the hospital is gated with a security guard (sometimes 2) in a booth and for somewhere between $1-$3 dollars, you can park in the guarded section a few short feet in front of the hospital . . . and I always do. Cars are frequently stolen in border towns on both sides so I like this option . . . and $1 - $3 is cheap enough for all of us I hope.

This is also an area with McDonald's and TGIFriday's, a big Sam's Club, tons of people walking the streets, busy roads, etc. It is not a run-down seedy place in the middle of the slums . . . just kind of middle of the road. Not bad, not good, just normal.

You can definitely find slums not far from the hospital, but I wouldn't recommend walking around in a foreign country in the bad parts of town at off hours.

My name really is Heather and considering that I have posted a couple of thousands posts on this website, I don't feel like anybody can assume I am hiding anything. I am also just a banded person with no affiliation with any particular group.

Being informed is the best way to protect yourself. Take precautionary measures to keep yourself safe and most likely, you will not be exposed to such things.