Dr. Joya/ Mexico- Scary Lap Band Experience!!!

I posted this awhile back: I had lapband surgery with him in 2008, and lost 60 pounds. In early 2010 (just over a year later) the band started leaking. I didn't know that at the time, it took almost a year to figure out what was going on, mostly because i don't have any doctors close to me that understand the band. I went to see him finally last week to find out if it was the port, or the actual band. By this time have gained all of my weight back. He determined that it wasn't in my port or tubing, and that the actual band was defective and would have to be removed, and replaced, and at a 100% cost to me. Basically, they washed thier hands of me, and offered no solutions except a discount on having a gastric sleeve done. I would never reccommend him because stuff happens, and when it does, he is not there for you whatsoever. They didn't offer to contact the manufacturer, or anything....basically....they said good luck, and charged me another $650 for the cost of finding out it was defective. They also chipped my tooth during the endoscopy, which is a veneer, and is going to cost $1000 to fix. They deny that as well. I completely understand that things happen, but they do not care about thier patients, they care about $$$$$$ to pay for their new fancy hospital. I would absolutely stay away from this Doctor. 
UPDATE: After I got home I developed a SERIOUS infection from where they did the port site inspection...likely because when i woke up I noticed that (a) some other random doctor I didn't know was sewing me up and (b) he was not wearing any gloves and didnt have a sterile environment around the incision site!!! I ended up in the hospital for a week, then on IV therepy everyday for 2 weeks....I was REALLY sick. I understand that infections are a risk of surgery and can happen anywhere, but I think dr.Joya and his team have gotten sloppy, and it is scary.  

There are some excellent Drs. in Mexico. Do your research!

As far as them not being concerned about you and just being all about the money.........well that happens here in the states as well! I know from experience.

I would not hesitate to have WLS in Mexico, but I would be VERY selective about where I went, and I would NOT go with the lowest price!!!

What exactly are we supposed to gain from your post?

That it is unwise to travel out of the country for a Lapband procedure when you have no clear plan for local follow up care?

That it is unwise to go for months, even years with no follow up care?

To expect that if we have no follow up care .... And then return back to the same doctor that they should treat us for free ... Even if we have been non-compliant?

I hope everyone who is researching the band learns these things from your post .... And that you will take responsibility for the part of this situation that is self-induced.

i've gained more from the OP's post than yours.

You are suppose to gain that there are some serious considerations to take into account when deciding what surgeon to choose to have surgery with in Mexico. Would it be better if people didn't post thier experainces on this forum (or did I incorrectly assume that is what a forum is about???) so that other people who are trying to make a decision about what doctor to use have nothing to go by, good or bad? You are making assumptions about me and my case that are simply NOT TRUE. I had a plan for aftercare, and had aftercare. Nowhere in post did it say that I didn't....so be more careful about making wild assumptions about people.  non-compliance has NOTHING to do with my situation....it was a faulty band....did you miss that part of my post????....FAULTY BAND....HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT I DID OR DIDN'T DO!!!!!  Most doctors in Canada are not keen to work with someone who chose to go out of the country  to have surgery. Furthermore, It is very difficult to get into doctors who have the expertise I required to make a proper diagnosis on my lapband. Finally, Dr. Joya is my doctor....in country or out, YES, my expectation is that he will absolutely take care of me. How exactly in your clearly expert opinion was this self induced?

there was much to gain with your original post.
given there are so many seeking WLS that are self pay - your story IS important, on many levels.

no idea what the other poster read into - where do things stand with you now?

Thanks :0) I am just trying to get my head around the fact that the entire thing was a giant fail. For two years, I thought that my life had finally changed from dwelling constantly on my weight to just living and feeling "normal" for once. I feel sort of embarrassed that this happend to ME! However, being in the hospital and sooooo sick because of everything sure made me realize that what i look like is NOT what is important, being healthy is.  

 Sorry you had a bad experience.

Picking a good surgery, and then a good surgeon are paramount. There ARE some great surgeons in MX.