Needing advice from Texas!

[ipes 0]

I'm 5'6", 238 pounds. I have BALLOONED up since I was 15. At 15, I weighed 125 pounds and had a beautiful body. Now, at 21, I'm 238. I have attached a few photos for reference. I am very interested in Lap-Band®, and was wondering if anyone knew a good doctor in Mexico to recommend? I don't have the cash to afford the surgery in the states. And, if I have complications, its still going to cost me money regardless of where I have the surgery. Any suggestions would be very helpful. I have already been to a seminar and was selected for surgery.

[KOLaficionado 0]

I don't know about any Dr's south of the border, but I would say that if you don't have a lot of cash, the fills are going to put you in the poor house. It took 8 fills to get me to a good level, and they cost anywhere from 150-400 bucks a pop. That said, I recommend the surgery to anyone who's willing to use it right. It is a tool, you'll only loose so much if you're not willing to eat decently right(+ no carbonated beverages) , and do some moderate exercise.

[ipes 0]

Thanks for the info!

[ToLoveMyself 0]

I'm in south Texas and went to a seminar w/ Dr. Griffin. He told us of a story of a lady getting her LAP-BAND® done in Mexico. They put the band in but not the catheter or the port. Now she's back in the states trying to find a Dr. who will complete the surgery and he says, "no one will touch her". And she is stuck like that. Be careful if you go to Mexico.

[Becca29 0]

Mexico sounds scary to have surgery there, but actually Ive talked to quite a few people on here and also read about it that have had surgery there and they have state of the art facilities. I would do your researchs BIG TIME because ive also heard some really really bad things . you can find lots of info on this site about mexico DR's, just search it. Good luck

[ipes 0]

I'm considering Dr. Ortiz from Obesity Control Center, I've heard a lot of good things about him.

[losethemess 14]

IPES, do you have medical insurance? If so you may be a candidate for your medical insurance company to cover the surgery. I have not yet been banded I started thinking about the surgery last year, was told that I would not be approved through Aetna because my BMI was not 40 (38.8) and I had no co-morbidities. My husband switched insurances to BCBS TX , I'm now required to have a BMI of 40 and complete 6 medically supervised dieticians visits. Even if you don't have insurance it may be cheaper and safer to get insurance and get approved through them. Although Mexico may a good alternative, if you have complications, which is not rare, it's easier to get follow up care in the states.

Good Luck

[ipes 0]

No I don't have medical insurance. If I got the surgery done in the USA and I had complications, I'd still have to pay for it anyway. I'd probably go back to Mexico anyway and have the problems fixed.