Foreign lap band and subsequent fills?

[higgikd1 0]

I really think I will be approved thru Cigna here in the US, but have also investigated lapband in other countries. I am wondering if a lapband is performed outside the US, how does one then get fills? I can't believe a physician would want the liability of doing fills on a band he/she did not install. Any thoughts/info on this?:biggrin:

[MollyRN 28]

My doctor in NY talked about this in the seminar and he said he does fills for anyone.

[CindyMinnesota 0]

I got my band inserted in Mexico 2.5 weeks ago.

Thankfully, the doc that I had (FABULOUS, by the way) has a network of doctors in every state. I was able to get a appointment through the county hospital. :biggrin:

[Mel54 0]

I'm going in September to Mexico to have Dr. Kuri do the surgery. I am super excited about it. His office has already given me surgeons in Calgary,Canada here where I live to do the fills. I contacted their offices and they would be more than pleased to do the fills. My brother had his lapband done in Mexico as well and he lives in British Columbia, Canada and he's had no problem with fills as well. Take care!

[Sooz 0]

My surgeon brought up Mexican banding at the seminar and stressed that he does not perform fills on "foreign" bands. I believe liability was the reason given, and he also mentioned that Mexican clinics use an outdated brand band.. or something to that effect.

[CindyMinnesota 0]

Hi Sooz,

Well many of them don't perform fills on foreign bands because they didn't do the surgery and they don't want to take responsibility if something goes wrong..

Another reason is that there are something like 7 or 9 bands out there, and I think only 2 of them are FDA approved.. The Realize band, and the Allergan Band. Many times they won't fill a band that is not FDA approved..

Mexico is like any other place. :bolt: Gotta do your research..You will get what you pay for! Some places in Mexico are really cheap..But in return, that is the kind of quality you will receive. My doc has a network of doctors in almost every state in the USA for doctors that will do fills..(Dr. Kuri)...

Some of the places I spoke with sounded shady, to say the least! :smile2:) Dr. Kuri was really great, though! So glad for that :sad: