phenry

thanks for a quick reply drew! Good luck on the replacement surgery. That's great that you can get just the defective parts replaced and also that the doctor is willing to give you a break in the cost of the additional surgery.

Oh and Drew...how did you know something was wrong with your port? Did Dr.K charge you to repair it? Was it the same cost as the surgery? Not trying to be noisy...but I have wondered if any doctors make repairs at least at a reduced rate if they preformed the surgery. If so, that could be a real bonus to having the surgery here in the US. Also, how is it determined if the band was defective? Is it sent back to the company? If the band is defective, can you recover any losses financially?

I am still investigating everything I can before I take the plunge! About doctors in Mexico...at first I was a little sceptical about having surgery there. But after all I have read...sounds like 99% of people who had their surgery there was quite impressed. If you think about it, lapband surgery is a HUGE moneymaker for Mexico. I don't think they want to mess that up. After all, it's not like most people who live in Mexico can afford to have surgery like this. These doctors are depending on clients from the US. If people were having bad experiences...all the customers would stop. Same thing is true about US citizens who vacation in Mexico. If you stay at one of the resorts...they take great measures to make sure you are safe, happy and have a memorable vacation so that you will return. At least that has been my experience and that logic seems to make sense to me. I am sure there are exceptions to this...but for the most part...I am convinced that Mexico is safe for surgery. I think what is important and reassuring is to have your aftercare already planned in advance just in case you do have an emergency situation. Just knowing that would make me feel better about the whole thing.

Good for you Kirsten! How lucky that you have a place there to recover! I am considering Dr. K myself. I'm not quite ready to make the commitment to go through with the surgery. I am about 70 pounds overweight. Thing is...I can never keep it off when I do lose. I have struggled all my life with being unpleasantly plump! This could be the answer, but time will tell. Anyway...keep us posted on your journey and the best of luck to you!

geeezzz...if I ate like that...I wouldn't need a lap band! You really eat healthy! Good for you!!!!

thanks for your input Julie. So if you do get re-banded...you have to pay all over again? I suppose the answer would be yes...but it just seems like so much. But as you say...you can't put a price on health. If I were EXTREMELY over-weight...I would not bat an eye. I am about 60-70 pounds over weight...which is enough to be concerned about. I am still struggling with the possibility that I can lose it another way. I can lose it....but whether I can keep it off is the real question. Since I have always been chunky (but never this heavy)...I wonder if I could ever maintain weight loss unless I did this. I will be self-pay because my insurance won't pay for this. The thought of doing it over is something I don't want to think about! But if I did lose and felt wonderful...I guess I would find the money somehow!

thank you for the info! You all seem to being doing great! I am almost convinced...but of course I still will research and ask questions until I am totally confident that this is the best thing for me.

I am considering using him too. Does he do his surgery at a hospital or more like a clinic?

Hello all! I am in the process of learning all I can about lapband surgery to see if it's right for me. I live in southern Indiana near Louisville.

I am considering having the lapband surgery. My fear is this...I don't have my bottom jaw teeth on the right side of my mouth . They were removed several years ago because of dental probs. I can chew on my left side...but of course it isn't as good as if I had my right side to use. I know that you have to really chew good before swallowing. Should I consider an implant to replace some of my chompers....or do you think I will be able to do a good enough job? It might sound like a silly question to ask...but only a bandster would know just how much chewing is required to get the food to go down and stay down.:help:

Thanks Terry! That was a great explanation and sure was helpful! There is so much to learn and so much to research. I have found this website to be very helpful.

I am researching lapband surgery. Are there different types of bands? I have noticed some are called Inamed and I found one called BioEnterics. Is there a difference? Is one better than the other? I noticed on the BioEntrics, a saline solution is used for the fills where as others refer to a flouro fill? Can someone clear this up for me? On the US doctors thread, the doc in Colorado that charges 10,000 for a self pay surgery uses the BioEnterics system. Is this inferior and therefore cheaper? HELP!!!!

thanks sherrijo! I will look into it! Just wondering, how was your experience in Mexico? It sounds fairly safe and all, but what if you had some type of problem with the surgery once you got home? Did they offer any advice should that happen? That would prolly be the one thing to stop me from having it done down there. Hey sherri...what part of Kentucky?

I have not been banded yet, but I am getting my ducks in a row. Looks like surgery is cheaper in Colorado, so I may look into that. If so, I will need to have follow-up care and fills done here where I live in the Louisville, Kentucky- southern Indiana area. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks...and I just love this website. It has been so helpful and a wealth of information on any topic pertaining to Lapband surgery!

I am also in Indiana. Considering lapband surgery. Looks like the place in Denver is the cheapest at 10,000.00. However I will need a fill doctor within driving distance. Dr. Curry looks like he could be the answer!

I appreciate you responding cozzie. So glad to hear your experience with the surgery has been positive. I am still a bit chicken! I am probably about 75-80 pounds over weight of what I would like to be. As you get older...it seems harder to lose weight by conventional methods. I am starting to have trouble with foot pain, getting out of breathe quickly, and a few other minor ailments (minor compared to many other people) but I realize these ailments will only become worse and I am sure I will aquire new problems down the road if I don't do something soon. I also have 2 young grandkids that depend on me and I want to be around to help them!

Thanks for the info Diva! I am not sure where Miamisburg is at so I will check it out! I am thinking about having the lapband done by the doctor in Denver mentioned elsewhere in the thread about US doctors. He does it for around 10,000.00. Since I will be self-pay...I want the best price but of course I also want a reputable doctor to do the surgery. It's not practical to fly to Denver whenever I need a fill or any other follow up care...so your doc may be a good alternative for me. I am still sorting through things and gathering information. I do not have a date in mind yet. Still a little chicken...but I will reach an answer for myself soon I am sure! I do want to keep in contact with you!

I am looking for a doctor near me...Louisville, Kentucky. Hopefully at a reasonable price since it will be self-pay. Close is good, but anywhere in the midwest will work as long as I can get follow up care and fills near to home. Any suggestions?

Hi everyone. I am new here and have not been banded yet, however I am researching it. I am at about 35.2 BMI. I have been overweight all my life except when phen-fen was legal....I did lose very easily on that. Over the years it has crept back up on me and now I am near 50 years old. I know I have to do something before I get too old. Is there an age limit where they will not except people to do the surgery on? I would like to lose about 60 pounds.