magster

Just wanted to tell you guys that while I lurk a lot I still find this site to be the best group of bandsters and still my first choice for information every single time I have a question post banding...you guys rock.

Hi all Came across your board while researching options for bariatric surgery and think its a great resource not to mention everyone is so friendly! I am 32 and have a BMI of 45. I live in NYC and I am originally from the South. I have a dog that I adore and a really great group of friends that are like extended family here in the city. I was considering RNY surgery before I had heard of Banding and as an option I now cannot imagine having the by-pass. My one problem- I have Aetna for my insurance with no other options short of taking out a personal policy which I cannot really afford. I am taking the appeal process to its end but I am now considering doing a self pay. I am going to start searching the board here for information about having it done in Mexico and the cost differences- any advice on the subject would be greatly appreciated. Its nerve racking to say the least and I am a little scared but in the end after reading all the great things most of you have to say I can tell it will make such a huge difference in my life that I have to do it. Thanks for being here! mags

I used Dr. de Bruyne in Brussels Belgium and was very happy with his work. It was only 5 thousand for the banding and 2000 for my travel costs...Plus I liked the idea of having surgery done more in EU than in Mexico but that was just me... 4 weeks out and I have lost 23 pounds since my first consulation weigh in...very happy.

Has anyone here used Dr. Rumbaut? I was researching facilities and to be honest have become a little concerned about going under in Mexico if it's not a legitimate hospital. It appears that Dr. Rumbaut operates out of something closer to an American style hospital. He also works out of Paris in a Hospital there- I might feel more comfortable going to Europe than Mexico to have this done...does anyone have any suggestions or comments on this?

Not to promote another website but I did find this forum helpful when I was looking for information on doctors in Europe. http://www.wlsinfo.org.uk also I posted this in the other thread but found good info here as well http://euroband.co.uk/surgeons.htm

Found him!!! http://euroband.co.uk/surgeons.htm

heck even if they did not thats a great deal...do you have his contact information and the name of the hospital out of which he works?

from my understanding Aetna has not approved this surgery and will never approve this surgery based on its experimental status- I also have aetna and was not willing to go through the heartache of doing all that tedious paperwork only to be denied- if you make some progress please let me know.

Thanks GeezerSue- I finally reached someone at Inamed that handled international accounts and they stopped short of giving him an official endorsement (for legal reasons) but did speak very highly of him and his practice.

Thanks guys I will dig around using the advanced feature...also has anyone ever called Inamed about doctors in Mexico? I called and they were unable to locate Dr Rumbaut in their accounts list.

Ok so after reading till my eyes cross I have decided on the Obesity Goodbye center in Mexico for my surgery and my follow up with Dr. Ren here in NYC (her nurse just confirmed that she will work on the Swedish band as well) and I think I am going to go with the Swedish band as it appears to be a better product to me. So now my obstacles are purely financial. I have put back 1 thousand towards it and have 8 more to go- Now I have to figure out how to have a yard sale in NYC??? Anyone want to buy a computer? lol

I also just found out that Dr. Ren in NYC will do follow up on Mexican bands as well as anyone with a Sweedish band. Exciting news as that opens up options for type of banding.

Does anyone have any information about the differences between the bands? Advantages to each? Negatives to either? I have read that American doctors do not like to work on the Swedish bands due to lack of FDA approval (I know its pending but do they have an eta?) so it makes it harder to get fills state side but are there technical differences that would make this a risky choice? etc. Thanks guys!

wow thank you guys! Letha - great advice and post! Delarla I hope it works out for you soon. Kelly- THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!! I actually spoke to Dr Ren's nurse when I first found out about Aetna not paying for the band. I originally saw Dr. Kurian who is more known for RNY - she did Al Rokers- and she referred me to Ren - who then told me about obesity law and other options but never mentioned Mexico. I think I will call the office and ask them about servicing the Swedish band. Ponce de leon seems to have a good reputation with the exception the latest posts about the wrong bands. BUT I will say having worked for a major PR firm that had Pharmaceutical companies for clients and I have seen some PR firms have an employee covertly log into boards and then post either overly positive information about the client’s product or negative information about a competitors product so I don’t always trust a post on its first read. I am going to continue to search for more information about the obesity good bye center and then see where it leads. Thanks again everyone...and I will check out that book Letha

I live in NYC which means my options for finding at least one doctor that would fill or provide after care have to be higher than average due to the sheer population of doctors in the tri-state area. I have met with one surgeon who perfoms lapbands and provides after care and seem to have a good repoir but I have no idea how she would feel about working on a patient with a swedish band from Mexico. I will have to do some serious checking around. DeLarla, How common are your issues amongst bandsters on the whole? Is this something I should worry about or should I just know that it is a possibility in a lower percentage of patients? How many of you have had incident free after care? Who is the patient you know that has had the band for the longest period of time and do they still find it helpfull in the battle against obesity?

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! There is so much information here I feel like I just walked into the 42nd street library without a card catalogue! So once I am done pilfering the wealth of information you guys have put together are there any other sites I should check out? I am currently trying to find a date on FDA approval of the Swedish band and any information about Obesity Good Bye in Tijuana.