lm_hughes

I was just banded by Dr Lopez and used a coordinator, Now having the coordinator comforted me in many ways. But They di unfortunately have to be pushed for all the info I needed to be prepared. I can say this, I found that the price I paid was the same as the folks who called the Dr office directly so a mark up, if it was happening is no longer. There was a group of 6 of us 3 came through a referal source in the US who gave us that info upfront. The other 3 contacted Lopez's office directly, they paid the same cost we did and yet the three who came through the referal sources were put in larger suite style hospital rooms with outside patios. The ones who called the Dr office directly were put in rooms with one window and had to go down stairs to get outside. I am not saying that wasnt jsut coincidence but hey, the price was the same for all and we all had the same procedure. I think if a coordinator can ensure you get all the pre-op info you need and schedule your pick ups and testing great it made me feel very comfortable talking to someone who had been through the procedure and helped to elivate a lot of skeptesizm (SP) about doing something this big outside the country. After my experience and what we saw as draw backs, my husband documented every step of the process fro first contact to other patient experience, my procedure and experience, medications and the number of time the doctors talked to us. As well as the neutritionist and psychologist thye sent in. We are thinking of building a site dedicated to the lap band out of country process and documenting everything, offering direct Dr contacts or working with people to help them get set up. This was the best thing I could have done for myself and hate seeing the options for people to get there to do this get bashed. So many people really need this surgery and with the US Insurance "Idiot" I'm sorry but I am disgusted with them, seeing posts like this that discourage the option of referal I think pushes people that need it away. If you look, it is hard to find direct contacts for these Doctors, we tried at first and all we could find was referal agencies. So I think however someone gets there is great if they need it. Just my opionion I am not trying to bash or downgrade anyone. Thanks,