Any info would be Appreciated

Hello ... or should I say... Hola ;).... Well I am into my second year of this process and a second insurance that said yes first, then all of a sudden it became an exclusion Once the US doctor finds out no insurance, they kind of seem to swiftly end their relationship with you. Although I didn't think mine was too helpful in the first place, I had faith because my longtime PCP recommended him. Anyhow... to make a long story longer , I like many other self payers am looking in to going to Mexico for a lapband. I have pretty much narrowed the surgeons down to two, Dr Kuri, or Dr. Rumbaut. If anyone has any info about either I would certainly appreciate it. Thanks so much and a have a Wonderful evening! Nani

Hi Nani, I am from Watertown Wisconsin and work in Brookfield, and I went to Dr Joya in Puerto Vallarta Mexico for a Gastric Bypass. I can't say anything about the 2 doctors you are looking at, but I can tell you about my experience with Dr Joya, his staff and the hospital being top notch. I have a friend that had a lap band with Dr Joya and I would be happy to give you her information, jsut let me know. I know the fustrations with insurance, I empathize, that is why I finally gave up and went to Mexico. Good Luck in your choices and let me know if you want any information on Dr Joya, his website is www.drjoya.com Christina

WOW, TY sooooo much Christina! I went directly to Dr Joya's website and loved everything I saw I have even already emailed them for info. This was so sweet of you to let me know, and YES I would love to have all of the info I could get as I am 'obsessed' with being on the losing side and soon TY again... Nani

Nani, Feel free to call me anytime, work # 262-796-1133 or on my cell phone 920-285-6500. I can't speak higher of Dr Joya and everything he has done to save my life! Christina

Hi Nani, make sure you have a doc lined up to do fills for you and someone who will not want to charge you an arm and leg. Most of the Mexican surgeons will work with you to find someone. Dr. De La Garza in Monterrey did my lapband and since I live in the middle of the West Texas Desert it was a little difficult to find someone close. I now have two doctors that are fairly close that can do fills. I went for my first fill Monday and went back to Dr. De la Garza so he could make sure everything was in good shape. It was. I like him so much that I probably will just keep going back to get fills from him for awhile. You might want to post on the lapband board too. Lots of folks there were banded iin Mexico and can offer information. http://www.obesitysurgery.com.mx/portada.htm I wish you the best, Cassandra

Nani - I found this somewhere here on OH, and wow - you are so close you might consider checking this doctor out: http://laparoscopy.com/pleatman/ This doctor is in MI and sounds like his prices are close to what they are in MX. It would save you a boatload of money on travel, that's for sure. I did check him out here on OH and it sounds like his patients are quite happy with him. Good luck! Dina

Dr. Pleatman in Michigan was wonderful, and the cost was the same or less than we would have spent going South. It is yet another option for those of us that are having to self pay.... Best of luck! PS. WE found that getting aftercare was alot easier for us having a stateside surgeon than having gone to Mexico. At least here, for my husband. Not fair, but true. Good luck and keep us posted.... Kim

Kim - I couldn't remember where I got the link, but now I remember it was you. I am so happy things are going well and I can't wait to head over to your profile to see all about it. It is funny too - I had forgotten what the procedure was called, but I was thinking to myself how that seems like such a logical surgery type to me. Not that I am knocking what I have, but I have to keep up on my vitamins which is one of the most difficult parts for me, and with that VSG you don't have the malabsorption issues. And the thing is, our bodies get quite adept at learning how to absorb all the calories eventually anyway, so after the first leg of the journey we're on our own anyway regarding absorption of calories...yet still not nutrients. To be honest, I almost wish I had heard about that procedure before because it seems like something that would have worked with my spastic nature better. Although I have to say, I do like having the dumping thing. That helps me a lot. If only the VSG could add that part in, I'd have been set! Dina

WOW Much thanks to everyone... that's why I love this site, everyone is like a family and looks out and takes cake of each other! I am researching all info from everyone so now just have to wait for that loan approval on my refinance. Every penny will be worth it to be able to live to see grandchildren!!!! Thank you again my prayers and thoughts (happy ones only ;) ) go out to everyone!!! Nani

Read profiles. The full profiles. A number of South of the Band posters put in lots of details of their surgeries - before and after care - in their profiles. It made a real difference for me, and resulted in my chosing Dr. Rumbaut. You don't read the "glowy" things the Dr. sites post, but the real full stories in the profiles.