Just wondering why so many go to Mexico for banding?

[shell04937 0]

Hi everyone I am just wondering why so many people seem to go to Mexico to have the banding? If it was my only option I would probably do it tomorrow....

[La_madam 20]

If it was my only option I would probably do it tomorrow....

Seems as though you just answered your own question :scalesno:

[Banded14yr 2]

:scalesno: Hi everyone I am just wondering why so many people seem to go to Mexico to have the banding? If it was my only option I would probably do it tomorrow....

Most who consider going to Mexico are self pay. So the obvious answer is the cost is a lot less in Mexico than the U.S. Plus there are some very skilled LapBand surgeons in Mexico.

["Just" Paul 1]

Depends...

Some go because of the money, others to seek out a particular doc...some both.

Nuff said.

[BANDSTER45 0]

From what I've heard, in Mexico, the proceedure was $6,000 - $8,000. Mine was self pay for a total of $16,000 (in lieu of getting a new car that I didn't really need). But wouldn't a person just about eat up the difference in airfare, lodging, etc. going to Mexico? I just wonder what the final total cost of the trip etc. was? I drove an hour drive to my Dr. and Hospital and so far everything has been great. I financed mine with a credit card locked in at 2.99% int. and with about the same payment as that new car would have cost me. I'll feel much better drining my 5 yr old car skinny, than I would driving a new one fat! :scalesno: I should have it paid off in 4 years with making extra. A good investment I think!

[sleepyjean 0]

Most who consider going to Mexico are self pay. So the obvious answer is the cost is a lot less in Mexico than the U.S. Plus there are some very skilled LapBand surgeons in Mexico.

They've been doing the band a lot longer in Mexico than in the US, so Mexican surgeons tend to have a lot more experience with this particular kind of surgery. They also have relationships with cosmetic surgeons who can fix you up post-weightloss for a decent price.

[DonnaB 3]

I was a self-pay. Locally the surgery would have cost $22,000. I paid $10,600 which included everything but my airfare. Taxis, hotel, all pre-op testing, the hospital, fills, band removal should it become necessary - ALL included in that price. All I paid extra for was my airfare.

The other big incentive for having surgery in Mexico was my surgeon, Dr. Roberto Rumbaut. He's recognized as one of the best lap band surgeons in the world and has proctored so many of the U.S. doctors now doing the surgery here, that I wouldn't be surprised if he proctored the doc I would have used here if my insurance would have covered the surgery!

Another benefit - Dr. Rumbaut has a gastric band himself so he knows exactly how it feels - when you call him because you've got questions or concerns, he knows exactly how you're feeling. Speaking of calling him . . . I have his cell phone number. His and his assisting surgeon's. If I have a problem I can call him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and one of them will help me. How many doctors in the U.S. would do that?

It's been great. I would recommend Dr. Rumbaut to ANYONE - and not as a last resort because they don't have insurance. He's simply the best.

[lovecats85 2]

I had sx in the US - in Dallas - as a self pay for $11,500. The doc said he gets paid the same but can get better overall prices at certain hospitals. So, I went to a lesser known hospital for the cheaper price. But I'd have paid more to have my surgeon since I just knew he was the one I trusted to do my surgery. I knew I would have to self-pay but I was too scared to go to Mexico!

[Arcael 0]

Two weeks ago my surgeon did emergency surgery on a nurse who went to Mexico to get banded. She almost died. (He said she probably wouldn't last past 10 PM that night) and was muttering "I didn't think it was this bad" over and over during the surgery. It ended up costing her 50,000$ for the surgery, but atleast she is alive.

Her band was too tight and it pretty much destroyed her stomach. My mother doesn't see her eating much for the rest of her life.

[cinward2001 0]

From what I've heard, in Mexico, the proceedure was $6,000 - $8,000. Mine was self pay for a total of $16,000 (in lieu of getting a new car that I didn't really need). But wouldn't a person just about eat up the difference in airfare, lodging, etc. going to Mexico?

Well, if you save $8000 on the surgery itself, even IF you have to fly back to MX for a fill, that's quite a few fills. My airfare, when I flew to MX, was $325. Tickets are running closer to $400 now, but even with the higher airfare and a hotel stay, I could pay for about 16 fills.

In reality, I paid $10,600 for my surgery, $650 in airfare (DH went with me), and less than $50 in food. I'm using a fill doctor close to home, a fill under fluoro is $300, however, insurance is paying 1/2 of that. 3 fills, so I've paid $450 so far.

Grand total: $11,750 If I'd had the surgery closer to home, it would have been $22,000.

[beachgirl 2]

I checked at both of the University Hospitals both being 2 hours from me and they had both done less than 100 bands, then I checked with 2 in Paducah Kentucky, both done less than 250 and then I found out that the surgeons in Mexico had done thousands and Dr. Sanchez started doing the band in 1995 and had done 6600 so there was NO trouble in making that decision. I paid 8500.00 plus 500.00 for airfare and our 2 nights stay was included so we were only out 9000.00 for everything and free fills for life. My daughter works at a big hospital and they can't compare to the cleanliness and the suburb treatment I received in Mexico. I would go there if they were the same price because of the experience and my fill Doctor is Dr. Curry and he is in my opinion the best there is. I couldn't be more proud. Got my 2nd fill from him yesterday and he is great if anyone needs a topnotch fill Doctor who accepts Mexican patients.

[joliesmom 0]

Two weeks ago my surgeon did emergency surgery on a nurse who went to Mexico to get banded. She almost died. (He said she probably wouldn't last past 10 PM that night) and was muttering "I didn't think it was this bad" over and over during the surgery. It ended up costing her 50,000$ for the surgery, but atleast she is alive.

Her band was too tight and it pretty much destroyed her stomach. My mother doesn't see her eating much for the rest of her life.

That's such a scare tactic!! People have major complications in the US after surgery also. I've had pts die after routine surgery in the US. I'm an RN that had surgery in Mexico by Dr Ortiz and I also have his and his assistants cell phone #'s. I've already spoken to the Dr by cell phone with a question. Next time you talk to a surgeon in the US ask for his cell number and see what the answer is. Each person has to make a decision that they are happy with, I would go to mexico for surgery again in a heartbeat. My surgery was $8500, airfare was $600 r/t. Dr Ortiz also fixed 2 hernias which I didn't know I had, and my surgery was still done in 40 minutes.

[DonnaB 3]

Two weeks ago my surgeon did emergency surgery on a nurse who went to Mexico to get banded. She almost died. (He said she probably wouldn't last past 10 PM that night) and was muttering "I didn't think it was this bad" over and over during the surgery. It ended up costing her 50,000$ for the surgery, but atleast she is alive.

Her band was too tight and it pretty much destroyed her stomach. My mother doesn't see her eating much for the rest of her life.

I don't understand this post. What does your mother have to do with it? Does she know the woman? Was she the surgical nurse? *confused*

I'm not surprised that U.S. doctors are trying to scare people out of going to Mexico. Gastric band surgery is HUGE $$$$$ to U.S. doctors, and only getting bigger and bigger.

[THEQUEEN 0]

MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE BANDED LAST THURSDAY BY DR ORTIZ IN TJ Mexico</ST1:p. WE BOTH HAD A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!!!

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MY HUBBY WORKS FOR THE AIRLINES SO I GET FREE AIRFARE BACK TO <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:pSAN DIEGO</ST1:p</st1:City> SO GETTING BACK TO TJ ISN’T A PROBLEM

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TOTAL COST WITH HOTEL INCLUDED $8,500

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I TOOK A FEW PICTURES OF THE OCC CLINIC SO YOU CAN GET THE GENERAL IDEA THIS ISN’T A HORRIBLE PLACE, JUST THE OPPOSITE!!! I DIDN’T GET ANY OF THE VERY SKILLS, CHECK THEIR CREDENTIALS, TWO DRs BUT I DID GET PICTURES OF US AND THE STAFF

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I’VE DOWNLOADED THE PICTURES TO A WEBSITE. YOU’RE MORE THEN WELCOME TO TAKE A LOOK. MY USER NAME IS NELSENETC AND THE PASSWORD IS ORTIZ. THEN CLICK ON THE “MY STUFF” TAB

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http://community.webshots.com/user/Nelsenetc

(HI THERE JOLIESMOM )

MY BMI WAS ALSO 31.7

I WAS 179 WHEN I WENT IN<O:p</O:p

[PhotoNut 7]

Other than the reasons listed above, there's....

the food mmmm...

the ocean

the beaches

palm trees

the food mmmm...

margaritas :huggie: :ban:

cigars ... eww

i'll think of more.. really i will...