JRPTX

I have been on CPAP for many years, with over 2000 hours logged on my machine. One of my major goals for LapBand surgery is to get off the CPAP within a year. I lost about 80 pounds 6 years ago and was able to go off the CPAP at that time, but as before, I gained the 80 back, plus another 20 over the last 5 years. As far as when you can go off the CPAP, I used my wife to monitor my sleep for the first 2 hours. Also, you can tell immediately by how you feel when you wake up. If you wake up unrested, dizzy, with a sore throat and a headache, you know you still need the CPAP. I have a real love/hate relationship with mine. I hate that I am dependent on it, but without it I would probably have died by now. It is highly suspected that Footbal Hall of Famer Reggie White died of Sleep Apnea complications. Sleep Apnea is not always weight related, too. There are two basic types, "Central" and "Obstructive" Obstructed is usually associated with being over weight, but could also be related to a deviated septum or other medical condition. Central is a neurological condition, but is also treated with CPAP. While I hope to get off the air box in 2007, if anyone needs help with a CPAP, tolerate it or tips for living with one, please let me know. Unfortunately, I have tons of experience with them.

What a story. I wish her the very best for a speedy recovery!

Carlene, All valid points, which is why I agree that it is persoanl choice to be seriously considered, no matter which way someone decides to go.

The choice between US and Mexico for self-pay patients is a complicated one, which I have been researching for over a year. Concerning the LapBand, there are several surgeons in Mexico that must be rated superior to any surgeon in the US, if you take a hard honest look at the research. Several have more experience than the sum total of all lapband surgerys perfromed in the US combined, with complication rates as low as any surgeon regardless of the volume of operations. A "Board Certified" US surgeon, was often trained under one of these very same Mexican surgeons. Granted, a surgeon is not the only link in the medical chain. You must also look at the entire staff and the facility in which they perform. Again, there are a few hospitals in Mexico that are far superior to all but a very few facilities in the US. I am not just talking about how clean and comfortable they are. I am talking about how well staffed they are and how "state of the art" their equipment is. If the President of the United States suffers a trauma or serious illness while in Mexico, they run him to Monterrey, not Houston. If the facility has a trauma center deemed appropriate for the President of the US, I think it is appropriate for you and me. I am not as concerned about cost as I am providing myself the best possible odds for a successful surgery, recovery and aftercare. Both the US and Mexico offer advantages and disadvantages, compared to cost. If you use a premier surgeon and facility in Mexico you have great odds of success. For about the same cost, you can have outpatient surgery in a clinic in the US, with high odds of success, too. For me, I like the idea of having the surgery in a state of the art facility, complete with an on site trauma center, by an extremely successful surgical team. You can get that in the US for about $20K, or about $13K in Monterrey. You can get outpatient surgery in the US, at a clinic, for as little as $10K. You can get clinic level facility and very competent surgeons in Mexico for as little as $8K. Access, time and aftercare must also be considered. Monterrey is not the easiest place to get to for many people. It is important to have a plan in place for aftercare prior to having the surgery, regardless of where you decide to have it performed. For me, I am still tossing it around. I will have the surgery in December, and likely with Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey. However, US options are still being considered. Lastly, not to start a fight, but anyone that dismisses the Mexico option on general principal is making a decision based on ignorance. Do the research yourself and come to your own conclusions. Just as important as the doctor and facility you choose, is your faith and trust in their abilities. Placebos work because you believe in them, the same thing is true with doctors and hospitals. In the end, if you decide to have any surgery, go with where you believe you will receive the best treatment that you can afford. That is a harsh statement, but a fact of life in this world. The cliche, "you often get what you pay for" is true in doctors and hospitals, too.

I am seeking information from people with personal experience with Dr. Rincon in San Antonio, TX, or who are also considering him at this time. I understand he was associated with the Wish Center there until recently, and has now openned his own center in Downtown, SA. I have not been able to find any negative feedback on Dr. Rincon, and his background and experience suggest he is more than competent. I was pretty much set on making a run to Monterrey Mexico to go to Rumbaut, but it is now a two horse race. My research suggests that Rumbaut, his team and facility are probably the most experienced and successful LapBand surgery center in North America. Rumbaut's reputation is, without question, impeccable. There are other fine surgeons in Monterrey as well. However, access to Monterrey has issues of time, expense and comfort. It is about a 6 hour drive from Austin, and you have the whole "driving in Mexico" issues. The only flights I can find from Austin have connections, and are on Regioanl Jets. I do not know if many of you fly often, but Regional Jets are certainly the transportaion of choice in "Obese Hell"! They make economy class seats in a 737 look like an oversized Lay-Z-Boy. It is only about 90 minutes on the plane, so I imagine it is manageable. I would love to here about other people's experience traveling to Monterrey. How bad is a flight home after surgery? ect..... As a self-pay, cost is always a factor. But the difference in cost between Rumbaut and Rincon is negligible, when all things are considered. I guess it comes down to determining which choice offers the best chances of long term success. All things being equal, I'd rather have outpatient surgery 50 miles down the road in San Antonio, than spend the better part of a week on the road, in hospitals, hotels and "tiny" airplanes. But, I am willing to do it, if it provides better odds for long term success. Before I post this, I would like to head off any Mexico vs US conflict. As far as I am concerned, Monterrey might as well be Oklahoma City or Portland Oregon. My issue is with access, not the country. Thanks in advance, for any intelligent feedback, personal experience or advice. JP

I am also looking at Dr. Rincon. I was pretty much set on Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, but Dr. Rincon's deal is hard to ignore as a self pay. I am also in Austin, so Rincon is close. I know he was associatied with the WISH Center in SA, but has recently opened his own clinic. Of all the searching I have done, I can not find anyone that says anything negative about him. While he is certainly not as experienced or well known as Rumbaut, his background looks solid and I think he has enough lapband work under his belt to be through any learning curve. I am a bit concerned about it being "outpatient" surgery with him. If I go with Rincon, I think I wil check in to a nice hotel on the river walk for a day or so after the surgery, just so I am close should any complications develop. I am very interested in any other opinions about Dr. Rincon, both past and prospective patients. JP

October the 13th, a Friday no less. Good thing I am not superstitious! I decided yesterday to go ahed with the Lap-Band surgery. In the end, I felt that the risks involved with having the surgery, and hopefully escaping obesity, outweighed the risks of not having the surgery and remaining miserably obese and of deteriorating health. I decided on Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, Mexico. Dec 19th is the date! If my insurance would pay for it, I probably would have stayed with a local doctor in Texas. However, as I am a self pay, I might as well go with the best as the costs are about the same. Rumbaut is $10,600 and I will need to pay my own travel expenses, now and for followup care. Self-pay in Austin comes in at $12K minimum. Even though Rumbaut is less, I am sure it will end up more by the time I consider travel and other expenses. However, the difference in cost, when considering the overall expense, is negligible. For me, it came down to what I thought would provide the best odds for a successful surgery with minimal complications and best overall opportunity for reaching the desired outcome. Rumbaut seems to be undisputed as the best. So, given the opportunity to have him perform my surgery, I almost feel like I have a responsibility to myself and my family to use him. It cracks me up, about the people who jeer about going to Mexico for surgery. Their opinion is based on ignorance at best, racisim at worst. My goals for te journey are clear and simple. 1. Lose weight. 100 pounds would be great. 140, while unimaginable today, would be beyond my wildest dreams. 2. Get off the CPAP machine! I estimate I will need to get down to about 240 to meet that goal. 3. Feel Great. I feel like shit now, so any improvement would be welcome. My knees hurt, my back hurts, amy ankles hurt, my hips hurt. I get winded walking up a single flight of stairs. Well. That is enough for today.

October the 13th, a Friday no less. Good thing I am not superstitious! I decided yesterday to go ahed with the Lap-Band surgery. In the end, I felt that the risks involved with having the surgery, and hopefully escaping obesity, outweighed the risks of not having the surgery and remaining miserably obese and of deteriorating health. I decided on Dr. Rumbaut in Monterrey, Mexico. Dec 19th is the date! If my insurance would pay for it, I probably would have stayed with a local doctor in Texas. However, as I am a self pay, I might as well go with the best as the costs are about the same. Rumbaut is $10,600 and I will need to pay my own travel expenses, now and for followup care. Self-pay in Austin comes in at $12K minimum. Even though Rumbaut is less, I am sure it will end up more by the time I consider travel and other expenses. However, the difference in cost, when considering the overall expense, is negligible. For me, it came down to what I thought would provide the best odds for a successful surgery with minimal complications and best overall opportunity for reaching the desired outcome. Rumbaut seems to be undisputed as the best. So, given the opportunity to have him perform my surgery, I almost feel like I have a responsibility to myself and my family to use him. It cracks me up, about the people who jeer about going to Mexico for surgery. Their opinion is based on ignorance at best, racisim at worst. My goals for te journey are clear and simple. 1. Lose weight. 100 pounds would be great. 140, while unimaginable today, would be beyond my wildest dreams. 2. Get off the CPAP machine! I estimate I will need to get down to about 240 to meet that goal. 3. Feel Great. I feel like shit now, so any improvement would be welcome. My knees hurt, my back hurts, amy ankles hurt, my hips hurt. I get winded walking up a single flight of stairs. Well. That is enough for today.

Well, after a long period of research I have made the decision to have Lap-Band surgery. Thanks to everyone who posts on this board, as I have been lurking around for a long time and have found this community to be helpful. About me: Male, a little over 40, 5' 10" and a little over 335 pounds and live in Central Texas. To be banded on December 19th in Monterrey, Mexico by Dr. Rumbaut. Thanks again to everyone. This board has been a wealth of informaiton and support for me already. Take care. Jeff

Thanks. As I plan on moving this summer, I think I will just wait for the house to sell and use some of the proceeds from it. I am very fortunate to have developed significant equity in it. We were planning on taking a vacation after the sale anyway. I'm thinking San Diego, with a side trip in to TJ to see Dr. Ortiz. JP

Thanks. I have no problem handling the accountant. I just don't want to have to tell him it is none of his business if I do not have to. He has been doing my taxes for years and is somewhat of a family friend. I'm sure he would asked the obligitory questions of what is going on etc..... So, unlike a 401K, If I withdraw from my IRA for medical costs I still get hit with taxes and penalty?

Mine is not a 401K. It is an IRA that I have sitting at BofA in a CD. There is no administrator, or anything like that. I guess I will call my accountant, which does my taxes. I just didn't want to deal with the prying questions he is likely to ask. JP

Does anyone know if you can withdraw from your IRA to self pay? Thanks.