JAC

Did you make a decision about going to Dr. Ortiz? I've been to OCC for both a lapband and gastric sleeve. Both times my experience has been fantastic. Definitely worth paying a bit more money than what other places charge for first class service. Dr. Ortiz is not the cheapest and is not the most expensive in Mexico. I had additional charge for my sleeve because of my prior surgeries on my stomach. If you have not had any prior surgeries, there is no extra cost. Also, there is no extra cost if they find something during surgery. So if they find you have a hernia, they don't charge extra after the fact. They don't charge extra for the hernia repair anyway. They assume that most obese people have a hernia. Bariatric Pal also runs their own surgery clinic, so you may not get the most unbiased opinion on this support site.

There is a form on the AB Health Care website for out of country procedures that you need to submit along with an itemized receipt from the clinic. You can also claim everything else as a medical expenses, including the cost of the flight on your taxes. You need to follow the Revenue Canada rules on this, but I was able to claim everything, including a meal allowance, even though I was on a liquid diet the whole time I was there.

I had a great experience with Dr. Ortiz and would recommend him to anyone. The clinic was much cleaner and more efficient than any clinic here. The care by the nursing staff was excellent. I had a giant hiatal hernia that was fixed at the same time so I was in quite a bit of pain following surgery and the staff was excellent in helping me manage the pain and giving me tips to help me heal. I would have no concerns at all about leaving Canada for medical treatment at that clinic.

I travelled back on my own. Don't be afraid to ask for help. When I got to the check in counter in San Diego I told them I just had surgery and would need help in Vancouver to clear customs. They had someone there with a wheelchair and had someone pick up my bags from the baggage claim. They then transferred everything to the right flight to Calgary and got a golf cart to take me to the other terminal. There was no way I could have done all of that without help. I was so grateful for the help. Mind you, I did have a giant hiatal hernia that was repaired so I did have lots more pain and surgery than most.

Yes, I claimed everything including the flight, a per diem amount for food (not that you eat anything while down there), cost for surgery, and any other travel expenses (i.e. km travelled to get to the airport). It worked out to about $15,000 the year that I went, but the Canadian dollar was much lower then compared to now.

I didn't get a letter from a doctor. I just submitted everything. I think as far as Alberta Health Care goes you don't have to prove your need to have the medical procedure. I have heard that Revenue Canada requires it for your tax return, but I submitted all my receipts without a letter and they did not question it.

I see Dr. Descoteaux in Calgary for my fills. I am now down 75 pounds and wearing a size 14. It is great to be able to shop in a regular store for clothes. If you want you can join our Calgary Lapband support group through Yahoo Groups. We get together about 1 a month face to face but also have a lot of on-line support for people in Alberta. Julie calgarylapbanders : Calgary Lap Banders

In speaking with Dr. Descoteaux, he told me that if I needed the port repositioned, replaced, or the band replaced, he would do it and it would be covered. Since he is the head of the program in Calgary, I am thinking what he said is true, but then again, since there have been so many cuts to the lapband program, who knows what would be covered and what would not. If you are traveling anywhere out of the country, you can not obtain travel/medical/health insurance that would cover anything. Because the purpose of your trip is to seek medical attention, there is no company that would cover any part of complications, etc. Don't waste any money trying to buy medical insurance if you are going out of country for the procedure. You just have to take your chances.

I live in Calgary and went to see Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. I was quite apprehensive about going to Mexico until one of the support people from TLBC told me that a doctor from Mexico just finished doing training for one of the doctors. I also met three people who had been banded in Mexico, and they spoke of nothing but good, but they also said that you do have to do your research before going to Mexico, or any clinic for that matter. I read everything I could about Dr. Ortiz on-line from various websites as well as called the maker of the lapband. All reports were excellent, so I decided to book for November 6, 2006. I had 100 excess pounds to lose. The clinic was exceptionally clean and the staff was excellent. There were absolutely no issues with language as everyone but one nurse spoke very fluent English. The care I received was better than at any hospital in Canada or the US. I have had no problem with aftercare here in Calgary as I have the choice of three fill doctors here. If at this point I would need the band replaced or fixed, it would all be covered by Alberta Health and would be done by one of the four surgeons here in Calgary. Dr. Ortiz will also do any repair work free of charge, I would just need to pay for the flight. If something were to happen, I don't know which way I would go. So far I have lost 71 pounds and hope to lose another 15-20, but would actually like to hit the 100 pounds lost mark. I know there are lots of people who think it would be terrible to go to a clinic in Mexico, but I looked at it like this - Dr. Ortiz does no other surgeries but lapband. He is very skilled at it and is committed to that surgery being the best for patients. There are no surgeons in Alberta that only do lapband surgeries, so Dr. Ortiz would have more experience than any one who is close to me. He complication rate would be much lower because of his experience. He did also train all the surgeons in Montreal, so he is very familiar with Canadian standards and taught within them. Just my two cents. Julie Nov 6/06 258/187/158 Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, Mexico

It's Friday, May 9, 5:30 pm, at Open Sesame, 6920 Macleod Tr S. We usually all order what ever we want, or share whatever we want, and then just visit for a couple hours. Nothing really formal. The person who has been banded the longest I think was done in September 2006 and we have people who are newly banded and still on liquids, people who have not been banded who are investigating, and all stages in between. We welcome anyone who comes. There are no size 4's among us, so we tend to be pretty noticeable. Both you and your friend would be very welcome. Julie

One other thing, I also lived in Airdrie when I went to see Dr. Ortiz. Last fall we moved to Calgary. Also wanted to mention one other thing. I had a goal when I got to the category of just being "overweight" that I wanted to start my own business. Well, I resigned April 30 and have now started my own home and auto insurance brokerage. I don't think my boss would have cheered me on to lose weight if she would have known I was going to quit. I can't believe how much more confidence I have and I feel like I can be a successful business woman. Always before I felt like I could not be successful in business because I could not be successful at losing weight. Now I feel like I can conquer the world. Julie

Jenny, I know you will have a great time. The clinic is so clean and modern and they make you feel like a queen. Dr. Ortiz is very outgoing and is very skilled. My surgery was about 3 times as long as other people's as I had a giant hiatal hernia with my stomach adhered in many places. They figured I had had the hernia for more than 25 years or that it was a birth defect. Those types do not just develop. Sliding hernias are very common and if you have one, they will fix it and most of the time only require a stitch or two and less than five extra minutes. Flying back I had to go through Vancouver and I asked for wheel chair assistance as I new there would be no way I could pick up my luggage and clear it through customs by myself. The day before my surgery I did some sight seeing / shopping. The first day back at the hotel I also went to costco (it is right across the street from the clinic, you'll be able to see it out the window of your room). Dr. Ortiz's mom works as the patient advocate at the clinic. She is extremely nice and will answer any questions you ask her. She will pick you up at the hotel and then will take you back the day following the surgery. As far as claiming money back from Alberta Health Care, if you go to their website, under forms, you will find one for out of country claims. You need to complete the form and send it in with an itemized receipt. It takes about 8 weeks to get the refund. It is nice to get a little bit back. Anything that they do not pay, as well as hotel, flight, food, and any other expenses are also claimable on your year-end taxes. Fill doctors - I go to see Dr. Descoteaux as I also heard not good things about Dr. Mitchell and I wasn't fond of his receptionist on the one day I called his office. I do know that Dr. Botha has made arrangements with Dr. Ortiz to do all of his patients as Dr. Ortiz has agreed to make any revisions, corrections, replacements, etc. if anything should happen. I have never heard anything but wonderful comments about Dr. Botha, so he would be a good choice. Dr. Botha is at Glenmore and Macleod and Dr. Descoteaux works from Peter Lougheed Hospital. Since you are in Airdrie, the PLC would be closer, but on Deerfoot, Glenmore is not that hard to get to either. Consider joining our Calgary lapbanders group in Yahoo Groups. We have a great time just talking about issues that concern us. We have regular get togethers, about every 6 weeks. Our next get together is on May 9 at 5:30 at Open Sesame on Macleod Trail. You are more than welcome to attend and just hear from everyone as we are all at various stages of the journey. It is very encouraging to hear everyone's story and it helps keep us all on track. As far as the weight loss goes, they say that the band is supposed to help you lose about 80% of your excess weight. I had about 100 pounds of excess weight, and so far I have lost 71, so I am getting close to the 80%. I have not been as fast as many other people, but I am sure happy being considered just "overweight" as opposed to "mobidly obese." Julie C 258/187/158 Nov 6/06 Dr. Ortiz

Claiming with AHC - In order to get back money from AHC you have to submit an itemized receipt along with an out of country reimbursement form (available on AHC website). I got back $1700 of the $8,000 I spent. If you were to go to Toronto, you would only get back about $1,000 of the $16,000. The balance of your expenses can be claimed on your tax return. It is not close to what you have to pay out, but it does help somewhat.

I think you have too much time on your hands to bash people seeking surgery out of country and posting on a thread that you really don't know much about. Great for you that you had the funds and the ability to get to Toronto. Every post I have read that you have posted in this thread is negative and since you did not have your surgery in Mexico, I don't really think you have much to say. Of course every surgery there is some gas. What I am saying, from pepole who have actually been in the operating room and observed surgeries with Dr. Ortiz, is that he uses less gas than other surgeons. Andrew (Gaffer) I think has the most to say since he had his surgery done in Canada and has also observed surgery in Mexico. His comments sum up all my thoughts as well. If you have not had your surgery in Mexico or have not stood in an operating room in Mexico, you don't have much to say on this subject or in this thread.

The doctors at SWLC in Missisauga told one of the patients from my local group here in Calgary. She was concerned she was too low down on the bed and they told her not to worry because shortly she would be standing. I think all patients assume that the surgery is done while you are laying down because that is how you start off when you hop up on the table, but none of us really knows what happens after that. I am glad that you had no gas, but I sure know some people who were hardly able to function for a few days because of the pain in their shoulders from the gas. Julie Nov 6/06 Dr. Ortiz 258/190/158

Thea, I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in November 2006. I see Dr. Descoteaux in Calgary for fills. Other fill doctors in Calgary include Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Botha. I have been more than happy with the after care I have received. When I spoke with my family doctor about it he did not know a lot about it, but he did say that losing weight was so important to my long-term health. To me it really didn't matter if my family doctor knew a lot about the band because realistically you get far more after care from the on-line support groups than from the surgeon or your family doctor. Our Calgary Lapbanders group tries to get together in person about every 6 weeks. It is great to just meet other people who are sharing the same journey. Check us out at Yahoo Groups if you have not already joined. I have recommended to many people to go to Dr. Ortiz and I would not hesitate to send anyone else or for me to go again. He also has a great network of other doctors (plastic surgeons, etc.) in case you every get to the point where you want other surgeries. His skills are awesome and the clinic is so clean, new and relaxing. Best of luck with your decision and let me know if you have other questions. Julie Nov 6/06 Dr. Ortiz 258/190/158

The gas pains were very minor following the surgery. I have recently had conversations with various people about how the surgery is performed. In order to place the band best, the surgery is performed while you are in an upright position. The more upright you are, the more gas they have to fill you with in order to perform the surgery. Dr. Ortiz does not perform the surgery on patients in a full upright position, therefore, he uses a lot less gas. He also does not close you with any stitches or staples. I found I had very little bruising and gas compared to what many of the patients complain about having had their procedures in Canada. I have had previous gallbladder surgery, so I know the gas pain from that, and this surgery was very minor. I see Dr. Descoteaux for my fills. I like seeing him and so far I don't know anyone who has had problems from too aggressive of a fill from him. Dr. Mitchell can be fairly aggressive and I have known patients who have had to go to emergency for a de-fill. Dr. Mitchell also charges the most money for a fill. Dr. Botha is a family doctor who has been trained to do fills as well. There are a few choices, plus I think a new private clinic will be opening up in the Calgary area. I hope you have a great experience. Julie Nov 6/06 Dr. Ortiz 258/190/158

Nicole, I know Andrew sent you a private e-mail with all the information. If you have more questions, let me know. Also, consider joining our Calgary Lapbanders Yahoo group. We try to get together every once in a while and it is good support for each other. Julie C Nov 6/06 258/192/158

If you are in Calgary or area, please consider joining us. Friday, February 22, 5:30 pm Red Water Grill Stadium Shopping Centre (Across from Foothills Hospital) If you want more information or want to join our on-line group, here is the link. calgarylapbanders : Calgary Lap Banders Julie C Nov 6/06 Dr. Ortiz, Mexico 258/193/150ish

I live in Calgary and was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. It was a great experience for me. I have now lost 65 pounds, and although it has been slower than what I wanted, I can not complain about now being considered just overweight as opposed to morbidly obese. I chose Mexico because it is much closer in proximity to me than Toronto and because I had a surgeon lined up here to do after care. I knew that if there were any problems following surgery, the surgeons here could look after me. They are limited in the number of lapband surgeries they can do, but the aftercare is provided privately, meaning that we pay for each fill. If we needed to have a revision or replacement surgery, it would then be covered by Alberta Health Care. I chose Dr. Ortiz after investigating many clinics and doctors. I actually called to the maker of the band and asked questions. Unfortunately because of legal issued, the band maker could not answer many questions except to say that Dr. Ortiz was a licensed band surgeon and had been a proctoring doctor for many years. I figured that is he had been teaching other doctors how to install the band that his skill level must be pretty good. I also looked at how much money you would get back from Alberta Health Care. You get back almost twice as much from AHC if you go to Mexico than to Toronto. I know that is not a great reason, but it did make it more cost effective. The clinic there also includes all your hotel costs, so the only thing I had to pay for was food (not much since you are on shakes prior to surgery and Clear Liquids following) and my air fare. Check out Lap Band Surgery in Mexico - Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center for more information. Julie C Nov 6/06 Dr. Ortiz, Mexico 258/193/150

I live in Calgary and was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. It was a great experience for me. I have now lost 65 pounds, and although it has been slower than what I wanted, I can not complain about now being considered just overweight as opposed to morbidly obese. I chose Mexico because it is much closer in proximity to me than Toronto and because I had a surgeon lined up here to do after care. I knew that if there were any problems following surgery, the surgeons here could look after me. They are limited in the number of lapband surgeries they can do, but the aftercare is provided privately, meaning that we pay for each fill. If we needed to have a revision or replacement surgery, it would then be covered by Alberta Health Care. I chose Dr. Ortiz after investigating many clinics and doctors. I actually called to the maker of the band and asked questions. Unfortunately because of legal issued, the band maker could not answer many questions except to say that Dr. Ortiz was a licensed band surgeon and had been a proctoring doctor for many years. I figured that is he had been teaching other doctors how to install the band that his skill level must be pretty good. I also looked at how much money you would get back from Alberta Health Care. You get back almost twice as much from AHC if you go to Mexico than to Toronto. I know that is not a great reason, but it did make it more cost effective. The clinic there also includes all your hotel costs, so the only thing I had to pay for was food (not much since you are on shakes prior to surgery and Clear liquids following) and my air fare. Check out Lap Band Surgery in Mexico - Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center for more information. Julie C Nov 6/06 Dr. Ortiz, Mexico 258/193/150

Andrew, When I was first looking into getting the band, I met Kathy from TLBC who was one of the first people in Canada to get the band and now works in patient support. She talked about how men more quickly loose their weight. I am quite jealous of how much weight you have lost. What other kinds of things have you been doing? Are you doing any exercise or is it just diet? I see Dr. Descoteaux for my fills. I think he is the one heading up getting funding for the procedure and for getting the code for the fills. I will certainly let everyone know the code when it comes through. I don't know how long it will take, but every little bit helps. One thing that has helped me get back on track is not only the fill but also a book I downloaded on my ipod from the iTunes store is You on a Diet by Drs. Oz and Rozien (sp?). For the first time I am starting to understand why I am so much different than the rest of my family. They talk about hormones, ones that make you feel full, hungry, desire, etc. As well as ways to help you reset the ones that you need. They have great discussions on physiology which really helped me understand my body and parts of the surgical report that I didn't know what they meant. The book is also available at costco for $18.49. I would really recommend it to anyone. Keep up the great work.

Just thought I would update people on what is happening in Calgary with the Weight Management Clinic. Dr. Descoteaux has received the go ahead to do another 100 surgies this year with full funding. He has stated now that they will most likely not be able to do that many as they do not have the staff to care for that many patients. He also has applied to Alberta Health Care to get a code for the fills which means that the fills would be covered whether you had your surgery done in Alberta or not. He doesn't know the time frame on getting the code, but hopefully it will come soon. I just got my fourth fill and for the first time I know what a fill is. I think before I wanted it to work sooooo bad that I thought I had a fill, but now I know. I get stuff stuck all the time and I have to really chew. If I make sure to chew at least three more chews than what I used to, things don't seem to get stuck as much. I had something stuck so hard on the weekend that when I finally was able to get it up I had given myself two black eyes from the pressure to get it up. That kind of scared me and I have been so careful to stay away from stuff that might make me get stuck again. I had gained five pounds prior to getting this fill and in the last five days I have lost those five pounds again. Hopefully I will be on the way to loosing again.

For those people who have had to find a doctor to do their fills other than the one that did the surgery, I am just wondering how they found that doctor, have they had a good experience, how much they have had to pay (if anything), and other other comments you would like to make about the doctor. Also, if you could include comments about where the doctor is located, phone numbers, and any other pertinent data.

I made an error in a previous post stating that my Mexican doctor trained doctors in Toronto. It was actually Montreal. I know that in Mexico there are not the same standards for doctors and hospitals as there are in Canada, but if you do your research, you can find good, reputable doctors. We pay money called taxes to our provincial governments for them to do the research and set the standards. In Mexico they don't pay the government for any things, so they have to do the work themselves. It is just a different way of doing things. For some people in Canada, Mexico is a lot closer than Toronto, and it is less money. Too often I think people think quality health care can only happen in Canada and that is simply not true. There is quality health care in many countries other than Canada. We have just become used to how it is done here, and think that this is the only right way, which simply is not true. I don't need to convince myself that going to Mexico was okay. It was a great option and I would encourage anyone investigating the lap band to consider surgery in other countries. If you are going to all the work to investigate the lapband and have to pay for it anyway, why not look at all the options, no matter what country. Julie Nov 6/06 Dr. Ortiz, Mexico