Beware...Mexico banders!

I had an appointment with Dr. Wellborn yesterday, where I found out some interesting, but scary information. Dr. Wellborn and his wife recently went to a national bariatric coference where they were warned not to perform any fills on lap band patients from Mexico. Some doctors (I can't remember their names), were discovered to only be placing ports during surgery. This is very shocking and thought it worthy to let everyone know. I know it is appealing to go somewhere that is much cheaper, but once you step out of the US, you don't know what your getting and since you are not a citizen of that country, you don't have the same rights. BEWARE!

i dont doubt that this might have happened but not to all people that go to Mexico to have wls. there are thousands that go there and they even have a message board on here . The names of the doctors there needs to be posted so that anyone planning on going to Mexico can stay away from them. From what i read on the message board they have there are some wonderful surgeons there too.

Hi Kim, I agree that people must be careful about what surgeon they choose, but that is true in the US also. I went to Mexico to get my band placed, but I did my research beforehand. I talked to many people who had gone to Dr. Arturo Rodriguez and I knew that I would be in experienced and capable hands. There are MANY very good and skilled lap-band surgeons in Mexico. In fact, the good surgeons in Mexico are more experienced than the ones in the U.S. My surgeon has placed well over 4000 bands. And some Mexican surgeons are proctors to some U.S. surgeons! Dr. Rodriguez is a proctor for the Johnson and Johnson band. How can the Bariatric society, or whatever the organization is, say that US surgeons should not treat ALL patients who had their bands placed by Mexican surgeons? Sounds fishy to me. My concern is to look at who was doing the warning and what warning they are giving. I'm assuming this was a U.S. national organization of Bariatric surgeons. Well, which do you think they would prefer...... giving follow-up care to patients who went to Mexico to have their surgeries done -- OR -- doing the surgeries themselves and making the bigger money? Hmmmmm, makes me wonder if they are just trying to disuade people from going to Mexico by refusing treatment after they get here. I think they are spreading information like this to scare people from going to Mexico. They said "some" doctors. Well, how many doctors? I am on 3 different online forums where there are many patients of Mexican surgeons, and I have heard of only one person who said that she didn't have a band, but I think later she said that it had slipped or disconnected, or something like that. ONE person. I would think that if someone went to Mexico and the surgeon didn't place a band, then we would hear about it. I just had an X-ray done the other day, so I know that I have a band in there. ;) Thanks for your post. It's good to give a heads-up! Cathy in Fayetteville Banded on May 17, 2006 Dr. Arturo Rodriguez Monterrey, Mexico

Sadly enough there are scammers everywhere, including in the US. The horror stories one can see on shows on Discovery Health and other networks about scam plastic surgeons and such. Awful. I'd say, as with anything, it behooves us to take precautions, regardless of where we have surgery of any kind done. Talk to other patients, check their stats, investigate as much as you humanly can to ensure the best outcome possible. And when in doubt, go elsewhere. I know some US docs that I'd not let touch me with a 10 foot pole! Goodness, my own plastic surgeon - who was top in my city, had excellent history, was well respected in the medical community - AND now he's ran off to Lebenon (his home, but he was here in the US for well over 20 years) to escape legal problems. Thankfully, I've had no complications, but if I ever do - I'm SOL.

Hi. I didn't mean to step on anyones toes. I know there are looney doctors everywhere. It was just meant to be FYI. I guess the moral of the story is to do your research (more than just the net) before consulting a physcian. However, I do understand why a doctor may choose not to treat a patient from another doctor, especially one out of their country. Not all countries are held to the same medical practices and laws. The point that was made to my doctor dealt with the risk of being sued for medical malpractice. The doctors that I were told about were not even using the Inamed Lap-Band. I am aware of Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Ortiz and the fact that they are highly knowledgeble and respected surgeons. I researched their message boards before choosing Dr. Wellborn. I just thought the information was worth passing on. Sorry, if I offended anyone. Kim

Gee, I'm sorry you're sorry. I didn't think anyone came off sounding offended It's all good...to be reminded to research and to be careful - especially when going out of country (regardless of what country you're going out of and in to). (((HUGS)))

Hi Kim, No toes stepped on here! Cathy in Fayetteville