DS Pioneer Gives Up On DS - For Lapband???

My band doctor disagrees with you and as a nurse, I do too.  I'm not saying the inpatient vs. outpatient issue is always up to you, it isn't.  It's usually an insurance issue and I get that.  But we are fat, Dr. Simpson.  Fat folks have more risk for complications after surgery.  One gal was posting on LBT today that she was readmitted to the hospital after having PEs.  With her symptoms that should have been caught before she ever left recovery.  However, she's just an example. No, it is not the 48 hour stay that is the biggest issue.  It's one, but it isn't the only issue.  Aftercare is huge but you know, I'm REALLY active on LBT and there are a lot of complaints about your aftercare.  People are not happy.  I was just talking to a gentleman from Tucson tonight on the phone (friend) and he was complaining about the same thing. Aftercare for Mexican banded folks is a pain, it's a pain for all of us.  That's why I regret not getting a sleeve.  But it's well worth the 3 hour trip.  Many are getting banded by Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver because he's so much cheaper than you and they have a 12 hour drive from Phoenix. My doc is very proactive about aftercare.  I'm 15 months out, at goal, and I still hear from the PhD aftercare specialist monthly.  They call me, they email me, they do my fills, they do everything. I'm not trying to get in a debate over who is better, but I did go to the doc that was right for me.  Joyce was instrumental in that.  I assumed she wasn't working for you anymore when she switched and started trying to get free advertising on OH for her current doc instead of you. So I disagree with you on the value of inpatient care and I'll agree with you about learning to deal with the band. Banding is the easiest WLS to perform, I just wanted someone a little more honest.  You have to admit, your website isn't loaded with honesty about Mexico.  I'm all about research and when I read your website as a newbie looking for a doc I questioned your motives in that speech you give about Mexico and I found you are in error.  At least the truth is stretched all to heck on your website at the time I was looking into banding. Inamed is the one that started the dishonesty about bariatric docs taking over responsibility for the initial surgery if they fill the band.  I don't think they thought that one through as they made up that one.  They are actually proactive in preventing US patients from obtaining medical care in the US.  Not really bright if you think about it.  The docs who fill Mexican banded folks snicker and giggle that you guys are still claiming this is anything but a financial issue.  As for finances, as I wrote I fully understand why docs don't want to do fills unless they have to.  It's expensive, takes office time, overhead is greater than most realize.  I only wish you guys would start being honest about that and not call it a medical malpractice issue but instead, it's too expensive to fill those you didn't band. Do you realize it is ONLY bariatric surgeons that claim they can't follow up anyone who had surgery by another?  I can get a new hip, heart valve, joint replacement, etc. by any doctor in the world and follow up in the US is not an issue.  Yet if I take money to Mexico and pay half the price for a superior hospital stay then coming back here can mean fills that cost $1100.  And doctors claim it isn't a financial issue?  What a load!  Many docs in bariatrics are no different than the folks who make starch blockers or "sweating suits" for fat folks.  They are out to take advantage of those who will damn near pay anything to be a normal size person.  With all due respect, I do not believe you are much different. Which Medical malpractice insurance company do you use, if I may ask?

Oh, one other question. How do you suppose your insurance company gets by with dictating who may receive medical care considering the US is a conglomerate of all other countries?  I mean, don't you think the US would be in an uproar is they knew that anyone that wasn't born here can be denied medical care merely because their previous medical care was obtained in their home country? I mean, if I move here from India, Mexico, Australia... wherever, can you imagine the stink that people would make if it really was true that since they weren't born here the medical malpractice insurance industry won't provide coverage to the doctors if they treat them? Do you see how many holes are in your medical malpractice story? What was the name of that medical malpractice insurance company of yours?

Dr. Simpson... You sure left in a hurry, come back... answer our questions please.

Well why should a band surgeon see a patient who went out of the country to save money and just wants to use him for fills? Why do MX  surgeons charge as much as they can get and then not include at least a few fills with that price? That should be the question.  So many people go out of the country and are scrambling for fills and followup care afterward because they havn't done their research.

Please read my post, I never suggested that surgeons should see patients they did not band.  I was pretty darn clear when I wrote that they should simply be honest about their reasons vs. being dishonest and claiming it is medical malpractice.  I even went as far as to explain that I did not blame them for not seeing patients they did not band as office time is expensive. What makes you think everyone goes to Mexico because of cost?  That was not the case for me.  I went there because I was looking for the very best surgeon possible.  WLS was my last shot at losing weight, I wanted every advantage possible.  Simpson is down the street from me here in Phoenix, I had not heard great things about aftercare issues regarding banding.  I couldn't stomach one of his employees, it's outpatient surgery in the US vs. two nights in a hospital in Mexico and furthermore, my surgeon had a great deal more experience than Simpson.  His affiliations, education, background, and experience were exactly what I was looking for.  Simpson didn't have what I wanted.  Also, the more I researched the more I realized that Simpson was flat out dishonest and deceptive in his website and I thought if he was dishonest and deceptive in his advertising, why would he be any different in real time?  So it wasn't a hard decision to go to Aceves. My insurance covers banding in the US, I opted to pay cash in Mexico.  As I explained, I wanted every advantage possible and I got what I wanted.  I have the money to do it so I did. I don't know about all Mexican surgeons but mine covers most aftercare (including fills) for free for life.  The hospital charges for the fluoro, but my surgeon has never charged me a penny for anything since I was banded and I am one with non-surgical related complications and I have been there a great deal.  He's never charged me anything since surgery.  So in my case it was not an issue of Simpson being $16,500, Kirshenbaum (Denver) being $9950, or Aceves being $7800.  It was skill I was looking for.  I could have had it done in the US under insurance by Simpson.  I wanted the best surgeon and I wanted surgery now, not in months. I am the queen of research, I push research non stop.  Please see this thread and this is merely an example: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/researching-mexican-doctors-101-a-43575/ My ID on LBT is WASaBubbleButt. I even provide a checklist to print out and use when calling various doctors for banded folks.  I suggest nobody believe ANYTHING they read on line by ANYBODY and I give them a start to check on how to verify information for themselves so they do not have to depend on others for information. So post #1 in that thread are suggestions on what to look for in a surgeon.  Post #2 is a checklist to print and use when calling surgeons.  Post #3 is help to identify patient coordinators so people know that someone might not be a real patient but instead, a paid coordinator posing as a patient. I agree with you, many who go to Mexico do it for price.  They don't even shop around Mexico for skill, they are looking for cheap.  I spend half my on line time helping people research the right doctor for them albeit in the US or Mexico and the other time I help people when I can with complications because they did not do their research.  One person I'm trying to help is by getting a Mexican surgeon fix an infection for free.  I'm trying to get someone to get a port donated by the drug co. and then do the surgery for free because this girl has run out of money after having an infection for three years from going to a cheap and crappy doctor in Mexico. (Betancourt) I'm with you, I am all about research but you know what?  People having surgery in the US are no better about research.  They assume if a doc is in the US that must mean he is good.  That is sooo not true.  There are crappy doctors, nurses, and hospitals regardless of country just like there are doctors, nurses, and hospitals that are better than most. As for surgeon cost, many doctors are more skilled than others and they do charge extra for skill.  That happens in the US and Mexico as well.  Simpson is (was?) $16,500 for outpatient banding and Kirshenbaum in Denver is $9950.  Denver has a higher cost of living than Phoenix.  Simpson has more experience so he can charge more so he does.  Mexican docs have been banding people for 10 years longer than US surgeons so they can charge for expertise just like in the US. The bands cost doctors in Mexico around $2K each.  The private hospitals along the border are a LOT more expensive than county hospitals deeper into Mexico.  Mexican surgeons are not hurting for money, not by a long shot.  But they also have a lot more overhead than most realize.

Thanks Dr. Simpson for chiming in ::)  It is much appreciated.  The reason I was given (and didn't want to mention it) was from the DS surgeon in SLC (not S. Carolina Diana, SLC) is that the surgery would not be done in years to come...and he cited specifically coronary artery blockages.  Thank you so much for addressing this.  They seem to think everything is being malabsorbed and they are oh so wrong.  They probably all will suffer long-term heart disease, and I thank you for touching on this.  My DS dr. in SLC told me the same thing. I never said you wrote a journal per se, but your word gets around and is taken seriously by dr. who are now practicing the DS and they are seeing things as clearly as you do.  Word of mouth and written word travel fast from someone with your experience.  I was encouraged NOT to get a DS with only 100 lb. to lose and to not suffer the consequences that come with it of thinking I could continue to pig out and not pay the price. It is also not safe to take Flagyl per se meant for fish.  It is poisonous to the human body to be honest and no one should do it.  As a cardiac nurse I know the heart risks of DS are being proven every day, but I was afraid of the flames if I touched on it for any reason. MEANWHILE:  You DS people that care so much about your own need to get over to the R&R forum and take care of business, as your own are being trashed over there by bandsters...just saying. Shannon

and he cited specifically coronary artery blockages.  Thank you so much for addressing this.  

I don't call what he said "addressing this"....not at all

 I know the heart risks of DS are being proven every day

care to state some statistics??  Cause all you got is heresay and honestly, you aren't at all believeable

 MEANWHILE:  You DS people that care so much about your own need to get over to the R&R forum and take care of business, as your own are being trashed over there by bandsters...just saying.

because that is more important to you than getting the facts straight??  If we are occupied on the R&R forum, you are free to spill your lies here??  Whatever.  Go back under your bridge troll

 

You never responded, but I'll repeat it: your "dr. in slc" is NOT a DS doctor. I know this for a fact. He's a partner at the same group as my surgeon, and he does the RNY only. He has never done the DS. There is only one doctor in Salt Lake City who does the DS, and I KNOW he didn't tell you what you claim "your doctor" told you. He's my surgeon. Personally, I don't believe Dr. Smith told her any of this stuff either, although he isn't a DS surgeon.  Please stop using these SLC doctors in your "story". And please stop referring to your "DS doctor in SLC." Since there is only one doctor in SLC who does the DS, and he is NOT your doctor, your claims about false information being spread in connection with either of these surgeons on a public forum is totally inappropriate. I have no problem contacting their office to let them know what someone who claims to be one of their patients is saying about the information they are giving people. If you are just a troll trying to stir up trouble, don't use real surgeons' names in your phony story.

Methinks the doctor that told Shannon this is the cardiac doc she works for, who is obviously as clueless about the DS as she is.

Well then she shouldn't be constantly referring to him as her "DS doctor" in SLC. That's an outright lie. And I really don't like her trying to make people think that Dr. Smith (of Salt Lake City) is a DS doctor (or that he knows anything about the DS) or that his partner who IS DS-educated made any of those statements because the only member of that surgical group here who knows the DS is Dr. Simper, and he LIKES the DS and has specifically said that the DS provides the best long-term results.  And she still refuses to respond. Sigh, looks like we have another troll.