LJBravado

Hello everyone! Reading the subject line sounds like a no-brainer, doesn't it... I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience, or has any thoughts on how to deal with US doctors and insurance companies who know - or who might need to know - that you had surgery in Mexico. Does anyone know if there are any laws that protect us from discrimination by doctors or insurance companies for that reason? I had a slip a few months ago and am fighting with my health insurer to cover the slip surgery. Thing started to unravel when I had to tell them last week that I pay cash to the doctor I see for fills. Talk about awkward. Things got more complicated when I consulted with the law firm (obesitylawyers.com, if anyone ever has questions on that subject) who I hired to help me with my appeal. My health insurance company didn't ask me about my (cash) fill doc's records [yet], but what I've learned now is that my fill doc does -not- keep records on cash patients at all. Which, according to the lawyer, is illegal. Gulp. I have a sinking feeling that if my health insurance company finds that the doctor who was treating me prior to my slip was doing something illegal, it's going to reflect pretty poorly on me and my appeal. Taking this one step further leads me to question what would happen when the insurance company found out that my original surgery was in Mexico. I'm thinking this would end my appeal for sure, whether its right or wrong. I have to admit, when I opted for surgery in Mexico I didn't realize that any of this could be an issue later. Don't get me wrong... it's still worth it, I would still do it again in a heartbeat. I welcome any thoughts that anyone has on the topic... Thanks, and much success to all, Laura

That is the first time I've seen a correlation between the patient's BMI and the size of the band they receive, or that the size of the band would prevent slippage. Did your doc give you any additional info on that? My slip was due to being too tight, and vomiting too much. I know that other things can cause it, but from what I've read, that seems to be the biggest issue. I definitely don't mean to suggest that the information is inaccurate - I'm always learning more and this was new info for me, so I'm curious. And my own two cents about success - believe in the tool. I'm 2 years post-op, at goal, and although I did have a slip, it's still the best thing I've ever done. I did WW for years, did everything like you're supposed to, but still had 75 more to lose. So frustrating. This is so different from that scenario. Think positive - you will have success!! :clap2: All the best! Laura

Hi there - I went to Tijuana and had Dr. Kuri and his team two years ago. He and his staff were great, I highly recommend him. I did call him a few months ago, I've had some bizarre issues with my feet swelling (but it doesn't seem to be related to the band). When I called their offices they put me right through to him. He is very caring - far more than any doctor I've had in the states. Just three weeks ago my band slipped and I had to have emergency surgery, traveling to Dr. Kuri wasn't an option, which is tragic on two levels, first because my insurance won't cover it and the bill is $17,000 (almost twice what I paid Dr. Kuri) and also because whoever did my stitches did a pretty sloppy job on one incision. Please feel free to contact me further if you have more questions about Dr. Kuri - I don't believe I've read a single piece of bad press about him. Much success to you! Laura D. DOB 10/1/05 Dr. Kuri 248 / 145 / 135-ish?

That's the bill I got from the hospital and surgeons for moving my band back into place after a slip. I had been too tight for months and threw up WAY too often. My insurance will not pay a dime. I'm going to have to fight like hell and hope that I can at least negotiate with the hospital and doctors. Please, learn from my very expensive, dangerous mistake. Wow, I just realized my second bandiversary was Monday. Yeah!! One other word to those considering this, in my opinion, even if it cost $60,000, I'd do it again a thousand times. It's still worth it. Much success, Laura D. 243/145/140 DOB 10/1/05 Dr. Kuri

In my experience - and I seem to have a lot of it since I just had a slip and spent WAY too much time throwing up - once you vomit your stomach is irritated. It's important to back off and stop trying to get food down. Go back to liquids for a day or so - then mushies. Give your stoma time to go back to normal. What ever you do - don't force it. And stay calm. Stress can also cause increased restriction. All the best, Laura

I had an excellent experience with Dr. Kuri. You can also check out his yahoo groups for more info... Much success to you!

Hi Teri - What did your doc mean regarding patients 2 years post op? I am almost 2 years to the day and had a slip on Wednesday. It was repaired, thankfully. I would be devastated if I lost my band forever... Also, which band do you have? Thanks!

My situation was severe, so I'm not sure that this will help. I was 100% obstructed, so I couldn't keep anything down, not even Water. I also had acid constantly building in my esophagus and had to throw it up every 15 minutes or so. Finally, when I did throw up, it was very violent, like when you have the flu, not like a "normal" PB, which for me was very gentle. If you suspect a slip see your doc as soon as possible. You may also just have too tight a fill, which is easily remedied. Much success to you! Laura

Oh my God - you are right to be suspicious. You should not be losing that fast, should not be losing your hair, should not be throwing up and should NOT have acid reflux. See another doc - pronto. Best of luck to you! Laura

Be very careful with lettuce - many bandster's can't tolerate it at all... I am hit or miss. Many veggies such as broccoli and asparagus can also be problematic. :-)

After re-reading the posts, I find it interesting that I am also at around the 75lb loss mark (my total loss is 110lb., I lost a good bit before my banding)... has anyone seen a common thread between that 75 lb. loss mark and a slip? I wonder.... Laura D. DOB 10/1/2005 Dr. Kuri, TJ

I went to the ER Wednesday in severe pain - my band had slipped and my stomach was completely obstructed. I was vomiting acid for over 24 hours. The good news is that they fixed it right up - just went in and put it back where it was supposed to be, and added a few stitches to boot. For me, the bad news is that my insurance has rejected the entire claim, so I'm going to have to fight a battle. Still, though, if I had to choose between being back where I started 110 lbs. ago or shelling out $10k and the pain of the slip, I'd choose the latter. The band has changed my life - it's the best thing that's ever happened to me and worth every effort. All the best to you - don't worry. You'll be just fine! Laura D.