Mexico or States

[fishy 0]

I am making a blanket assumption that there are a lot of people who make blanket assumptions.

Canada is healthier? Wow - and they eat their fries with Mayonnaise or gravy! :hungry:

[shell4me 0]

Hello Everyone, I am considering Lap Band I want to have it done in Mexico but just like others I have concerns.. I did find it for $8500.00 but that does not inculde airfare , which is fine airfare is not $1000.00 which is what they would charge if you used the airfare package.. anyway I was wondering if anyone had heard of Dr. Ortiz he offers the surgery in Tijuana & cancun.

[beachgirl 2]

Yes I have and he was going to do mine and I'm completely comfortable with him and the only reason I decided on Dr. Sanchez is the hospital there is bigger and U.S. owned and Dr. Sanchez trained Dr. Ortiz and he's done over 5000.

I think you would do fine with either one. I can give you all of the numbers to set it up with Dr. Sanchez, he's doing mine next month and for 8500.00 and the air fair is being set up with they're travel agent at the cheaptest price.

If you have any questions I would be glad to send you the number to talk to Janet or Judy.

Nice to meet you,

Sherri

[shell4me 0]

Does the $8500.00 inculde your airfare, Im asking becuase I was thinking of buying my own airfare.. I can fly to Las Vegas (My sister just moved there) and then from there her & I can drive to San Diego, CA and have them pick me up from there.. The total airfare would only be $204.00 and thats roundtrip. I realize Dr Sanchez is in Montery, MX which is over by TX I guess I could explore airfare there also. I would love to get the Phone's or web site. You have been very helpful. Are you scared or concerned? I have talked to several of my friends and family and they think I am crazy for wanting to do this in Mexico.. But since I have to pay for all on my own I need the losest cost. Do you know how fast people lose weight? I could lose 100lbs and be great-- even if I only lost 80 I would be happy! Thanks again.

[FunnyDuddies 6]

The airfare would be different for Dr. Ortiz than for Dr. Sanchez. Two completely different parts of Mexico. But with Dr. Sanchez the 8500 does not include airfare. the 9100 dollar price for Dr. Sanchez covers airfare. 600 is typical for a plane ticket, and I have found that sometimes the prices for airfare goes even higher.

Good luck Shell. Make sure you do tons of research on your doc, and on having surgery in Mexico. That will help you ease some of your concerns and answer your questions.

[snarlene0214 0]

I was also banded in Mexico - Monterrey to be precise. I was banded by Dr. Sanchez, and could not have been happier. The hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine in Dallas TX. The facility is capable of handling any and all emergencies and traumas.

Have you noticed that the people who bash having the surgery in Mexico are not people with horror stories about being banded in Mexico? They are always from a 3rd party perspective. Give those of us who went to Mexico some credit for researching and checking credentials. I went to Mexico after corresponding with at least 50 - 60 people who had been banded there by various doctors, and reading at least 1000 posts on various message boards. The biggest issue some people have is aftercare in the States. And that can be an issue. I made sure that I would not have to deal with that if I had a problem when I returned home by lining up several fill doctors and 2 surgeons who agreed to see me if I had complications. I have only read 2 posts from people who had "horror stories" and I have read as many from people banded in the States who had problems as well. There are good and bad docs everywhere, and good and bad hospitals everywhere as well.

[shell4me 0]

Thank you to all of you, I wont be having the surgery until Jan or Feb 2007 as I have to save the $$.. I was wondering if anyone has used there financing? and how is it affordable payments low interest how much down.. thanks in advance

[beachgirl 2]

Call this number 727-815-0315

www.ready4achange.com

Her name is Janet, she can answer all of your questions and they do have financing available.

I feel very secure and good about my decision. Here's my email address and I'm getting mine done in a month if you want to keep in touch with me and I'll let you know everything that happens. It's up to you.

Here's her email address as well.

Ready4Achange.com" rel="">Janet@Ready4Achange.com

I am 41, female, 5'7" and weigh 260 so I have a 100 pounds to loose myself.

Read these forums and ask questions, Lord knows I did. I have insurance but I got tired of jumping through hoop after hoop. Maybe that might help you. Just be very sure of your decision and Janet has been banded and can answer all of your questions and she's a sweetie. Don't get me wrong there's times that someone might say something very negative on here you just have to dig deep and do what your heart tells you to do and have faith that God will see you through it.

Sherri

[SALEMKITTY 0]

Hi Shell4Me

I was recently banded by Dr. Ortiz for $8500.00. I found airfare thru Southwest Airlines for $240RT (includes taxes, etc). I ordered the tickets 3 weeks before my surgery. I weighed about 216 @ 5' 0" the week before my surgery. I now weigh 204. I originally planned to have my surgery in the U.S. I was originally seeing the doctors @ University of Illinois @ Chicago. I was going there for about 1 year. Unfortunately my husband lost his job and I did not have his insurance coverage. I then decided to self pay. I found a couple of Dr's in Mexico that I would have gone with. But I found out Dr. Ortiz proctored at U.I.C. with my doctor (Dr. Horgan) so that is why I made the decision to go with Dr. Ortiz.

[cattigerlily 0]

the only reason I decided on Dr. Sanchez is the hospital there is bigger and U.S. owned and Dr. Sanchez trained Dr. Ortiz and he's done over 5000.

Dr. Sanchez did not train Dr. Ortiz. Dr. Ortiz was trained by Dr. Mitiku Belachew, the inventor of the Lapband.

Kat;)

[beachgirl 2]

I was told by someone in Dr. Sanchez's office that the fill doctors list Dr. Ortiz office gave me would work for him as well as he trained under Dr. Sanchez. So Sorry, just repeating what I was told but either way Dr. Sanchez has done enough that I'm comfortable.

I will do some further checking next time I say anything.

Sherri

[shell4me 0]

HI, Dawn.

How was the whole experience? I live about 96 miles from Chicago and that would be the closet for me also. I just dont have insurance to cover this so I would be a self pay also. I keep trying to talk to my friends and family and everyone says NO WAY.. I want this surgery, I need this surgery I am afraid but I have seen many people on her that have had it done in Mexico.. I have a 6 year old daughter and she is my biggest concern. I wouldnt want anything to go wrong! but again I guess it could go wrong anywhere.. My other concern is the FIlls?? are you going to have them done in the states or will you go back into Mexico?

Michele

[GreatDame 2]

I was banded by Dr. Sanchez on May 26, 2006. I must say...It was really great. The driver, Mario, was the best. He took us shopping and to dinner several times.I only mention this because the entire trip was so wonderful. The hospital is so nice...big fluffy blankets..private rooms..private full baths. The care before, during and after was great. It helps if you know a little spanish because usually none of the nurses know any english. You will find plenty of people there the same time you are! I was done on the same day as 5 other people...we all hung out and helped each other. The guest house is nice..it can be a little boring..but mario is around to take people shopping and there is a nice place to get Soup right around the corner. If you are sent to the hotel...its awesome and connected to a shopping mall that is very nice.

The only reason I go on and on is because I was terrified! I went alone to MX. I had never traveled by myself before and I was scared to death. From the moment I got off the plane..things were taken care of. Dr. Sanchez talked with me in depth many times. I cant possibly reccomend a better DR. Even my PCP here isnt as nice as him. I know nice isnt everything...But I felt instant trust with him.

I am only 2 1/2 weeks out..I dont weigh myself because ...the scale is such a bad thing...but I feel great and I cant wait to continue this journey with my first fill. I can honestly say....

If you dont like the life you are living...dont. Only you can change it.

[shell4me 0]

are you going to have your fills in Mexico or the states? when do you have to have your first fill? do you plan on exercising?

Thanks Michele

[shell4me 0]

Sherri,

Thank you and yes I would like to keep up with you and see your progess. Good luck and keep in touch.

MIchele