Just wondering why so many go to Mexico for banding?

[joliesmom 0]

My dr. also learned the banding technique in Sweden. It's kind of sad so many people believe American doctors learned their banding from Mexican doctors, because it just isn't so.

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.

[DonnaB 3]

If my only option in the world was to go to Mexico for surgery I wouldn't have it done. I don't care how many lap bands they have done...it just means they have done a lot, it doesn't necessarily mean they are done well.

This is why individuals need to do research on their chosen doctor. The same is true of doctors in the U.S.

What do they call the guy who finished at the bottom of his class in medical school? Doctor.

This is a lap band support board. Naturally, more people having problems post here. They post more frequently, and for a longer period of time. Naturally this means you'll hear about complications.

Whomever you choose for your surgery, I recommend doing a lot of research on that doctor, and talk to as many of his patients as you can. Talk to the nurses in the hospital where he performs surgery. Pull out all the stops and do what it takes to make sure you're comfortable with the decision you've made when your surgery date arrives.

My Mexican lap band doctor has proctored more than a hundred U.S. doctors. It's one of the reasons I chose him.

[marys 2]

I went to mexico because my bmi was too low to be considered in the U.S. I was told by a Utah lapband doctor (or by someone in his office as my inquiry was responded to by email) that i would have to gain over 140 lbs to be considered. Although I could have easily done that and have gained 100lbs many times before - i typically would easily gain 40-60lbs or lose them every year of my life since i was 18...it seemed stupid. I am 5'2 was up to 185 and miserable once again. I found the lapband on the internet - researched it for 6 months and narrowed it down to 3 docs. Ended up with ortiz for my own personal reasons and was very comfortable and happy with my choice. worked out the financing and did it. that's why i went to mexico. In fact, unless i knew of a u.s. doc with ortiz's experience i wouldn't have used them anyway.

[Banded14yr 2]

My dr. also learned the banding technique in Sweden. It's kind of sad so many people believe American doctors learned their banding from Mexican doctors, because it just isn't so.

I live in Nashville and work right down the street from Vanderbilt. I'm also in the Medical field and find it odd that I've never heard of your surgeon. If you hear about LapBand surgeons in this area, it's usually about Dr. Morton.

My aftercare doctor is Hugh Houston who is also part of an Excellence of Care Group at Centenial Medical Center Treatment for Obesity.

Although I respect the fact that you would have been scared to death to go to Mexico to get your band, I don't think you have all of your facts straight about the Mexican surgeons. Believe me when I say that most of us that went to Mexico for surgery did a ton of research before hand. So what I researched and found out is a lot different than what you're posting.

Sorry you have such a negative attitude about the Mexican surgeons when they have helped so many people that didn't have the luxury of having Medicare pay for their surgery.

[joliesmom 0]

I don't think you have all of your facts straight about the Mexican surgeons. Believe me when I say that most of us that went to Mexico for surgery did a ton of research before hand. So what I researched and found out is a lot different than what you're posting.

I so agree with you, I'm an RN and I extensively researched my options. Dody is just one of the negative people. Before I booked my surgery I personally spoke with Don Mills from Inamed/Allergen to review the proctoring and surgeon knowledge with him.

[snarlene0214 0]

I went to Mexico because my insurance had an exclusion for anything related to obesity. There are some great doctors an hospitals in Mexico. And once you talk to anyone who has gone to one of them you will find that we almost all will tell you that the level of care, the personal attention, the overall experience is top notch. The only warning is that you need to be sure that you will have after care for fills when you are at home. That is not a problem in cities like Houston, but it can be a problem in other parts of the country.

[Dody 0]

Before throwing stones why don't you call the Bariatric Center at Nashville and ask who the primary lapbanding surgeon is there. I'm sure you will find it is Dr. Melvin. It takes a lot to qualify a dr. and a hospital as a center of excellence, and he is one of the best.

Dr. Morton does not do his banding at Vanderbilt...kind of think you are off the beaten track. If I recall he is in Knoxville.

Before knocking the fact I wouldn't go to Mexico, why not ask Penni your MOD why she would never go to Mexico again for lap banding. It is easy for you to come down on a fellow bandster but no one bashes her for her decision not to go to Mexico.

I would have taken a mortgage on my home and still come to Tennessee if it came down to it......or I would have simply put it aside.

You need to get some facts straight yourself, expecially about where Dr. Morton performs surgery....because it isn't in Nashville.

Have a nice day.,

[shellyj. 0]

You need to get some facts straight yourself, expecially about where Dr. Morton performs surgery....because it isn't in Nashville.

Have a nice day.,

actually dr charles morton did my band in nashville,tn.

my 2 concerns about mx dr's would be thier reputation and my aftercare. can i afford to go to mx for fills. do i have someone who will see me locally.

[Dody 0]

there is a Dr. Morton in Knoxville. Sorry I haven't heard of your doc. The only doc doing lap banding that I know of at Nashville University Medical Center is Dr. Melvin. He is wonderful and I plan on staying with him for all my aftercare. Where did you have your surgery?

Just because I haven't heard of someone doesn't mean they aren't good....it just means I don't think he operates where my doc does.

I just finished reading and posting to a thread by a Mexican bandster who just had her first fill her in the US (one recommended by her Mexican doc) and she said she was poked and poked without any fluoro. That alone is enough to scare me silly. I have had serious heart problems and have had 5-way-bypass. There is no way I would ever leave the states for surgery with my medical history.

Good luck.

[CanadaSunshine 0]

Before throwing stones why don't you call the Bariatric Center at Nashville and ask who the primary lapbanding surgeon is there. I'm sure you will find it is Dr. Melvin. It takes a lot to qualify a dr. and a hospital as a center of excellence, and he is one of the best.

Dr. Morton does not do his banding at Vanderbilt...kind of think you are off the beaten track. If I recall he is in Knoxville.

Before knocking the fact I wouldn't go to Mexico, why not ask Penni your MOD why she would never go to Mexico again for lap banding. It is easy for you to come down on a fellow bandster but no one bashes her for her decision not to go to Mexico.

I would have taken a mortgage on my home and still come to Tennessee if it came down to it......or I would have simply put it aside.

You need to get some facts straight yourself, expecially about where Dr. Morton performs surgery....because it isn't in Nashville.

Have a nice day.,

I saw no "throwing stones", "knocking your decision", or "coming down on a fellow bandster". She said she respects the fact that you chose not to go to Mexico. I think she is just trying to be sure that negative stereotypes don't prevent people from doing the research themselves because some people DO beleive in the quality of these doctors.

Sheesh.

[Dody 0]

She stated I live right near Nashville Medical Center and I've never heard of your doctor....DUH why not pick up the darned phone and call the Bariatric Center at Vanderbilt and ask who their top lap-banding surgeon is before spilling it over into the forum that poor you never heard of him....

I'm finished with this discussion. When it comes to the fight between Mexican dr's. versus American dr's. find someone else to fight with...better yet ask Penni why she would never go to Mexico again and all that happened to her...it's all here on the board.

I don't take chances and I don't follow up with docs for fills that don't use fluoro.

End of discussion...from now on you are talking to yourselves.

[shellyj. 0]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=Text12 align=middle bgColor=#ccd5e1></TD></TR><TR><TD class=Text12>Southern Bariatric Solutions

Dr. Charles E. Morton

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><HR color=#ccd5e1 noShade SIZE=1><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" summary="Nashville, TN 37211" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=Text12>397 Wallace Road, Suite 414

Nashville , TN 37211

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

southern hills hospital

i had surgery with dr charles morton 3 years ago. he has been doing lapbands for 4 years in nashville.

[CanadaSunshine 0]

Talking to ourselves...that's kind of what we where doing to begin with. No one wants to "fight" about it anyway.

It was an interesting question.

Thanks to those who had some insight into it.

[Dody 0]

Pretty darned rediculous to doubt what my doc told me. Can you prove he went to Mexico...I think not. I certainly have no reason to doubt him....he tells me all the time he has Mexican bandsters coming there wanting help with problems and he won't take on the liability, so please don't tell me there aren't some major problems with people banded in Mexico.....talk to Penni why don't you?

[beachgirl 2]

I had insurance, still do, Anthem BC/BS and all of this can't find fill doctors and had to find aftercare in the states is BS. I called 3 and all 3 did fills on Mexican patients. I could have very easily just went to Nashville, had a doctor who'd done a few do it but I went where I felt he had lots and lots more experience than here locally. I even went to they're seminars.

I would not have took 10,000.00 of our cash money out of savings and used it to pay a Mexican doctor if I didn't feel 100% safe and very good about my decisions. I think this bashing states or other countries doctors is ridiculous. Have your surgery where you want it done and be done with it. We are all big people (pardon the pon) and can make our own decisions and then we should deal with them. Just my humble opinion.