Question:
LAPBAND MEXICO or US?
It took two years for me to decide to have the lapband surgery... but now I have a bigger decision and I need help. I do not have insurance so this surgery can get really costly. I have done some research about Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana, Mexico... he seems to be a creditable surgeon. I have no problems with Mexico's hospitals... I am just scared to leave the US for any surgery. The OCC can do the surgery for about10k less then the US. Does anyone know why they are less expensive? Has anyone gone there? Also... did anyone have a problem finding follow up care in the US? Your thoughts about this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks... — duir2 (posted on June 5, 2008)
June 5, 2008
My sister had lapband done at Dr. Roberto Rumbauts clinic in Monterey,
Mexico. She has had a wonderful experience, The hospital is state of the
art, better than here in the US, his staff, nurses were all wonderful and
they make all your arrangements for you. If you are interested in getting
particulars, please contact me privately, as it is too much information for
this venue. I have personally been down to his clinic and can attest to
the quality of service and medical attention.
I can be emailed privately at [email protected]. Just put surgery info
in the subject line so Idon't delete you
Best of luck
— Jeanne Aldrich
June 5, 2008
I have had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in Matamoros, Tamalipas, Mexico.
The surgery went fine. We paid $12,000.00 US cash for the operation.
That comes with the initial consult and all of the follow ups. There have
been NO complications and I have been out since March 1, 2008. I have lost
over 64 pounds since then. I do not know exactly how much since I am now
on vacation and I have not seen my scale in about a week. I do know that
shirts that I bought a week ago that were tight are now loose so I HAVE
lost weight since then.
The main reason that Mexican Doctors are so much cheaper than AMERICAN
Doctors is that the Mexican Government will not allow you to SUE them for
Malpractice. Since you cannot sue them for malpractice, they do not need
malpractice insurance. They also do not have the big overhead that the
American Doctors do. They do not do every test on the planet just to make
sure that they "cover their A$$" as they say in the business (my
wife is a Nurse Practitioner) to be sure that they don't MISS anything no
matter HOW obscure and unlikely so that they are not SUED just in case that
1 in 1,000,000 chance happens and something goes wrong. Mexico has
socialized medicine for the poor but the Mexican Government also allows the
PRIVATE sector to supply medical treatment to those who can afford it.
This is a GOOD thing since the Mexican Socialized Medicine is pretty bad.
The system is so overwhelmed by the poor where there are any Hospitals that
the Doctors who WORK at the Hospitals have to do TRIAGE. If they think it
would be too difficult to save you, they will just roll you out into the
hallway and let you die. The PRIVATE sector is MUCH better. They have a
REPUTATION to worry about. While they cannot be SUED, if it gets known
that they do shoddy work, they do not get a good reputation and thus do not
get word of mouth customers. Most of the Mexican Doctors NEED the word of
mouth recommendations. Especially if they are relying on AMERICAN
customers. Many Mexican Doctors actually have American educations and
American Certifications in the procedures that they are doing. In some of
the procedures like the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy that I had, the MEXICAN
doctors actually had to teach the AMERICAN Doctors how to perform it when
it was first introduced to the United States. What you are PAYING for when
you go to an American Doctor is the ability to SUE if something goes wrong.
When you go to a Mexican Doctor what you rely on is their desire to keep
their reputation unsullied by an unsatisfied customer. MOST Mexican
Doctors will do everything they can to resolve whatever problems (within
reason) that may arise to assure that you are satisfied with your surgical
experience.
I hope this helps,
Hugh
— hubarlow
June 5, 2008
Dr. Ortiz was on Oprah a couple of months ago, with two of his patients.
The only thing that I got out of it was that some people have trouble
finding a doctor in US to do the fills. I don't understand why but is all
I remember about the show.
Hugh is right about all the other stuff...
— dyates2948
June 5, 2008
Hi, I know of two people who went to Mexico for their surgeries with great
success. Both had great medical care and went back for follow up as they
lived close enough to do that. I do not know which MD or where they went.
Hope this helps some. Good luck. Jackie
— Boggma
June 6, 2008
Do not want to be negative, but alot of U.S. doctors will not fill Bands
done out side of the U. S. Please find one that will fill you in this
country. Good luck!
— Ira Sansolo
June 6, 2008
I considered lapband in mexico at first. After researching, I realized I
would have a hard time finding someone near me to do the fills and not
charge an arm and a leg. Makes what you "saved" on surgery add up
fast since most US doctors include fills for a certain amount of time in
their costs. I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy with a surgeon here in
Texas for about $12000. I am having great results and I can always reach
them if I need to or get in my car and drive there. Support group meetings
are also a huge plus. One of my problems with Mexico is, no pre-op teaching
to speak of, and no pre-op testing until you arrive and have spent the
money to get there. My biggest concern was followup and what would happen
with any complications, and the many, many questions and concerns that come
to mind after surgery. I keep reading post from people who have no clue
about what they can or should eat pre and post-op. Just "food"
for thought.
— corky1057
June 6, 2008
I used Dr Rumbaut. world renound for his experitise. Great Dr, great
hospital.
— Donna O.
June 6, 2008
I met 2 ladies at my doctors office (in Chicago) that had their bands done
with him in Mexico. They were very happy.They said that they had a hard
time finding a Dr to do fills.I think they said they paid $8,000 for their
surgery. They were from Ohio and had to fly in to Chicago for adjustments.
We pay $250 for each adjustment as a self pay. I had my band in Chicago and
paid $16,000. Good Luck in whatever you do.
— pattyann
June 6, 2008
For additional information, I would post your question on one of the
Mexican Bandsters discussion boards:
http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=mexican+bandsters&submit=Search
or http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/mexican-bandsters-1184/
I was a self-pay lapband patient who seriously considered going to Mexico.
Instead, I found Dr. Tersigni in Coos Bay, OR who charges $12,500. I found
the extra $5,000 to have it done in the US well worth my piece of mind.
— bookie1954
June 7, 2008
Cherie, last time I checked, the trade rate was about 9-10 pesos per
dollar. $1000 in USD is like several thousand in Mexico. That's actually
much higher in cost there in comparison with US cost. That's why so many
Americans retire in Mexico.
— Dusty Ray Vaughn
June 7, 2008
Cherie, last time I checked, the trade rate was about 9-10 pesos per
dollar. $1000 in USD is like several thousand in Mexico. That's actually
much higher in cost there in comparison with US cost. That's why so many
Americans retire in Mexico. Oh yes! Also Mexico has some excellent Medical
schools. Many US doctors go there because they have trouble finding a spot
in schools in the US. One thing you might want to consider is that the
requirements for health and sanitation is lower in Mexico and the
regulations that safeguard us here may be lacking there, though certainly
not as much so as in some of the third-world countries.
— Dusty Ray Vaughn
June 8, 2008
I, too, was a cash patient and had my surgery here in Texas. I did not do
any research about Lapband in Mexico. I'm sure there are some great doctors
there, but I felt more comfortable here. I paid $15,000 and used Care
Credit (this is a credit company that finances health-related expenses) and
it is interest free for 72 months. My cost included everything and also all
of my fills for the first year. It was 100% worth it. I am down 60 pounds
and still going! My doctor, Dr. Carter, personally does my fills which I
love. I never worry about it being done incorrectly, especially with the
floroscopy. I have also heard that it is difficult to find US doctors to do
fills for Mexico surgery patients, so I would research that. I was getting
a fill every month for the first 3, now I'm every two months, the
post-operative fills and after care is the most important. I wouldn't want
to fly to Mexico every 1-2 months, your cost could get pretty high! So I
would just research that, but I love my doctor and have had zero problems.
If you have any more questions, feel free to email me:
[email protected]. Good luck!
— soonerjadeou
June 8, 2008
Everyone has given you some good advise. I would tell you to find a
doctor here that would be willing to take over your care just in case
somethings happens in futrue that will prevent you from returning to
Mexico. Do you have any pre-health conditions that may be an issue for wls
and need to be treated here. Otherwise, these answers are pretty good.
GOD bless.
— Toby2
June 11, 2008
Hi, I did 6 months of EXTENSIVE research about Lap Band surgery in Mexico.
I read blogs, called many of the patient coordinators (at the doctors
office), spoke with 2 Mexican surgeons, and created Excel spreadsheets.....
I chose Dr. Ortiz and had my surgery 3 weeks ago - everything went
perfect!!!! I found a "fill clinic" 45 minutes from my home.
Find a fill clinic relatively close and go for it. NO regrets!!!! You can
e-mail me for my phone # or pictures, etc..... [email protected] Good
luck, Jen
— wilkin
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