Just wondering why so many go to Mexico for banding?

[lisah25 3]

Bad care can happen anywhere. My mother almost died some years back because her doctor at the time kept telling her she was sick because of stress over her divorce. Told her that for a week, until she was admitted to the hospital nearly dead from bleeding from an annurysm. Right here in the USA.

[sleepyjean 0]

All medical expenses can be written off tax wise. It sounds a little too much like an urban legend, don't go to Mexico type of situation.

You can't write off ALL of it, but you can write off some of it. This topic comes up periodically and some people finally went and looked it up. This is from the IRS website:

If you itemize your deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A (PDF), you may be able to deduct expenses you paid that year for medical care (including dental) for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. A deduction is allowed only for expenses paid for the prevention or alleviation of a physical or mental defect or illness. Medical care expenses include payments for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or treatment affecting any structure or function of the body.

Medical expenses include fees paid to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and Christian Science practitioners.

You may deduct the cost of participating in a weight-loss program for a specific disease or diseases, including obesity, diagnosed by a physician.

You may deduct only the amount by which your total medical care expenses for the year exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

This is only the relevant stuff. You can read the whole section here:

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc502.html

["Just" Paul 1]

I still think it is because they are Mexicans.:heh:

[KoalaDH 0]

It's kind of sad so many people believe American doctors learned their banding from Mexican doctors, because it just isn't so.

That statement is incorrect.

If it is your opinion that most people believe every surgeon in the US was trained by a Mexican surgeon, then you should say so, however your statement above is flat-out wrong. Even opinions can be wrong (the sky can't be purple with pink polka-dots just because someone thinks it is), but adding phrases like "I think" or "It's my opinion that" lets the reader know clearly that the stated position is subjective and influenced by personal feelings and thoughts.

Anyone can verify if their chosen doctor is a proctor for Inamed by calling the company. I did and ended up speaking with the Lap-Band product specialist for an hour. He verified that Dr. Ortiz Lagradere was one of the surgeons that Inamed uses to train others, including surgeons in the United States. He is not their only proctor, but he was one of the more prolific ones initially. (We found out directly from him that he doesn't do it as much lately since he doesn't want to be away from his daughter.)

Why Dr. Ortiz? Because of his level of experience with the band. When the FDA finally got around to approving the Lap-Band, Dr. Ortiz was already an expert at it since he had been doing it for years already.

Dody may "think it's sad" that I believe that, but it's supported by easily verifiable facts that anyone with a phone can check.

Of course, if you do not believe me, pick up the phone and call Inamed.

If you do not believe Inamed, then you'd better find another form of surgery.

[Bettina 0]

My doc went to Pittsburgh to learn from the doc who invented Lap Band Surgery...He went to San Diego to learn GB from Carnie Wilson's surgeon. He has proof of this in his office. I wouldn't want anyone else to touch me....but I am luckier than most because my insurance is paying for everything....but if I had the money and the support I would need from my husband, I would travel out of the US to get it done. (Mexico though? not sure)

edit: No doubt Dr. Ortiz is brilliant....and his facility is wonderful. For me personally I would just want a local doc...thats all. I said not sure about Mexico beause I know people who have gone there and said that Americans aren't treated so well. These were vacationers.....not WLS patients.

[KoalaDH 0]

I was initially against my wife having surgery in Mexico. Then, I thought about it, did more research, and checked Dr. Ortiz's credentials. We did much more research for him than we did for the surgeon who removed my gall bladder (but he was recommended by my doctor and had some impressive certificates on the wall that I could have checked).

Logically, there was no reason for my feelings. I am certainly not a racist, but I realized the basis for those feelings was a fear of the unknown and a lot of prejudice. I was pre-judging the fact that the doctor went to a university in Mexico, practiced in Mexico, and (honestly) was Mexican. I was bound and determined to not let the recent actions of ignorant masses demonstrating for the right to break the law influence me.

Some people on this board had a bad experience with a specific surgeon in Mexico. It wasn't Dr. Ortiz, so their experiences were not relevant since they were totally unrelated to our doctor. The answer to any questions raised by these stories was very simple: "Don't go to that guy"

A few days later, it hit me. The logical, completely non-emotional conclusion that made the idea of surgery in Mexico completely acceptable:

If a person is going to condemn all of the doctors in a specific country because of the actions of a few, then that argument is also valid for any country.

A guy in Florida had the wrong foot removed by a surgeon.That does not mean that every surgeon in the United States is incompetent.

We chose Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana because of his extensive experience. The price was initially the attraction, but I realized later that it was far less important. It turns out that we had the money to have it done locally, but in reality they did not have the same level of experience as Dr. Ortiz. That would be virtually impossible since Dr. Ortiz actually trained the more prolific one.

They certainly do not have the same attitude about the band since they mainly prefer to alter what (God/nature) has created. Both surgeons' staff are geared to steer people towards the $27,000 roux-en-y (RUIN-You) instead of the $16,000 Lap-Band (that's obviously an opinion, but when the nurse talked over me saying "explosive diarrhea" with "ensuring compliance!" in a sickly sweet manner, it's pretty obvious). They also both told my wife that she would fail with the band and made statements that indicated it would be impossible to lose all of the weight she wants to lose.

For us, the choice was crystal clear.

[Bettina 0]

I think you must be a bit delusional because I can give you the name of 3 surgeons in N Jersey that Dr Ortiz proctored. You don't get hell for your opinions you get hell for making incorrect statements. The OP asked why so many went to Mexico for bands, not why Dody would never consider Mexico for surgery. Sorry but I'm tired of misinformation trying to dissuade people. I have a good Dr in the US (who supported my decision to go to MX) and I am f/u with him post-op, but Mexico was a great decision for me.

Okay, I am from New Jersey......who are they????????

[DonnaB 3]

A guy in Florida had the wrong foot removed by a surgeon.That does not mean that every surgeon in the United States is incompetent.

Nah, it was the right foot.

Unfortunately it was the left one which needed to be removed. :faint:

[Bettina 0]

Nah, it was the right foot.

Unfortunately it was the left one which needed to be removed. :faint:

silly!!! LOL :biggrin1:

[Koala 0]

Technically, he had the correct foot removed.

It just took the surgeon two tries to get it.

[Bettina 0]

Ladies and gentlemen this is what you call a psychic vampire. You are quite disrespectful to be attacking Penni and she hasn't posted a response on this topic. Dodi take the money that you saved by having medicare pay for your surgery and get some therapy because you appear to be a very angry mean spirited person.

Patti

Do you even know what a psychic vampire is? Just wondering, because you seem to think (by what you wrote) that it is someone who is mean. Penni wasn't attacked she was just referred to.

Oh yeah, a psychic vampire is one who drains you of energy. If you felt drained...I understand. If you are saying Doty was drained....there is no proof.

Oh and I still want the names of the three surgeons in New Jersey.

[DrewsLou 3]

Geez. Does this thread need to get ugly too?

[Dody 0]

Do you even know what a psychic vampire is? Just wondering, because you seem to think (by what you wrote) that it is someone who is mean. Penni wasn't attacked she was just referred to.

Oh yeah, a psychic vampire is one who drains you of energy. If you felt drained...I understand. If you are saying Doty was drained....there is no proof.

Oh and I still want the names of the three surgeons in New Jersey.

I appreciate that post. I don't quite know what a "psychic vampire" is myself, but I certainly reported the post. Perhaps a "psychic vampire" is Syliva Brown with fangs If so I'm in the best of company. I mentioned Penni only because of her and Lisa's experience. It turned me off to Mexico, and so did the health problems that I have. I'm not some young 25 year old. Thanks for your support...and I'm waiting to hear the names of those doctor's too. I bet we aren't going to get them, and if we do I intend to call each of their offices so I would appreciate phone numbers to go with this statement.

I need to add I am the furthest thing from prejudice. My lapbanding surgeon who I consider a gift from God tells me he is "merely a tool in God's hands". Did I mention he is Black???? That should tell you I love the man and I'm certainly not prejudiced.

I really wish this thread would just die.

Where is Just Paul when you need him, or Lisa......

My dr. told me he had been trained by a Swedish dr. Why on earth would I doubt the man. Why would he even think of lying to me? It seems a bit insane. I'll take him at his word. Not every dr. is trained by a Mexican dr. for sure, and Vanderbilt is conducting lots of experimental programs that I sure haven't heard of in Mexico. For instance sucking out the gas used during the surgery process...it worked. I didn't have one single gas pain and have never had one in 5 weeks.....so theoretically they are trying things to improve the band each and every day. They are also working on a way that the band can't be penetrated...a new wrapping of types. No Mexican dr. is involved in this testing I can assure you.

Again, thanks for your support Bettina.

Enter Paul or Lisa :mad:

[Bettina 0]

I appreciate that post. I don't quite know what a "psychic vampire" is myself, but I certainly reported the post. I mentioned Penni only because of her and Lisa's experience. It turned me off to Mexico, and so did the health problems that I have. I'm not some young 25 year old. Thanks for your support...and I'm waiting to hear the names of those doctor's too. I bet we aren't going to get them, and if we do I intend to call each of their offices so I would appreciate phone numbers to go with this statement.

My dr. told me he had been trained by a Swedish dr. Why on earth would I doubt the man. Why would he even think of lying to me? It seems a bit insane. I'll take him at his word. Not every dr. is trained by a Mexican dr. for sure, and Vanderbilt is conducting lots of experimental programs that I sure haven't heard of in Mexico. For instance sucking out the gas used during the surgery process...it worked. I didn't have one single gas pain and have never had one in 5 weeks.....so theoretically they are trying things to improve the band each and every day. They are also working on a way that the band can't be penetrated...a new wrapping of types. No Mexican dr. is involved in this testing I can assure you.

Again, thanks for your support Bettina.

Yikes I spelled your name wrong too!! I am so sorry. I came across as a meany and didn't mean to. I just don't understand why people like to think that if you don't have the same doc as them-that you are wrong. For all I know, my doc sucks...lol i sincerely hope not. I want those names to see if my doc is one of them (one month 2 days till my banding-want to make sure I wasn't lied to -yikes it would be larger than a lie-don't want to think about that...lol) I agree not ever doc can be trained by the doc's in Mexico...truth be known, it was the European Countries who started this procedure. (which I find odd....there are more overweight American's than Europeans anyway...ha ha) I think we don't hear about it so much because Mexico is so close to us. To be totally brutally honest.....ugh I am gonna be sorry for saying this I think......its a patriotic issue for me. I live in the United States and I drive an American car...and yes some would say, well it was assembled elsewhere or the parts are from elsewhere...but I checked...all the parts and assembly are from the US...omg the car dealer looked panicked when I asked....lol. My truck is also "all american". So my choice of doctor goes with my choice of anything I pay money for....American made. (oh boy:nervous ) Okay having said that........THAT IN NO WAY MEANS THAT I THINK THAT ANYONE WHO GOES OUT OF THE COUNTRY OR BUYS FOREIGN CARS IS ANTI-AMERICAN....THAT IS NOT WHAT I AM SAYING....ITS JUST MY OWN PERSONAL CHOICE. (okay back to regular font--all caps was not yelling---it was attention getting only).

Everyone have a great day, and best wishes to all!!!!!!

(ha ha sounds almost like a Christmas greeting.......which by the way is 4 months from today!!!!! agghhhhh!)

[Dody 0]

The one thing I can't understand Dody (sorry for going off T) is why you were eating, even mushy foods one week after surgery? didn't your doc instruct you to stay on fluilds for at least 2 weeks?

Back to topic.. I adore Dr. Sanchez! he has taken very good care of me and we speak over the phone when ever I feel the need, If I ever have a problem, he'll be there for me. There are problems with bandsters all over the place not just the mexican bandsters, even in europe and here in the states, don't be blind...hope you find a good fill/follow-up doctor

Ah, where did I say what I was eating? I'm simply following dr's. orders on my end and doing great.