Why won't US doctors do fills on bands done in Mexico?

francesbabb · August 25, 2006

Hi, I'm Frances. This is my first time posting on a board. I'm getting banded on Sept 12, 2006 in Mexico and am trying to locate a US doctor to do my fills. I seem to be running into the same song and dance. I ask if they do fills. They say "Where were you banded". I say, "Mexico" and they say "no thank you, go elsewhere". Why is this happening. Is there something about the way the Mexicans do the Inamed band that is different than the way it's done in the US? If so, perhaps I could avert this by knowing ahead of time and working something out with my Mexican doctor. Or are the US doctors just being jerks?

DrewsLou · August 25, 2006

My doc in Denver does fills on Mexico patients!

tanderson · August 25, 2006

There are a couple of reasons why it will be hard to find a US doc to do your fills. First, they don't want to put themselves in a position that could possibly get them sued. For example, if something is wrong with your band, even though they did not do the surgery, they do not want to take the chance of a patient trying to blame them. Secondly, they don't want to take that responsibility of "being on call" for a patient that they don't know anything about, past history, how the surgery was performed, you name it...

dawg · August 25, 2006

There's a third reason of course.

The harder they make it to get fills, the more likely you'll be to get it done in the US, by them.

Money Money Money!

DonnaB · August 25, 2006

I met with several doctors before going to Mexico to be sure I had aftercare and fills available locally. In reality, I didn't talk to one who wouldn't do aftercare for Mexico patients.

My surgeon was Dr. Roberto Rumbaut and he proctored lots and lots of doctors here in the U.S. as they learned the procedure. He told me if I needed help locating an aftercare/fill doctor he could locate a few places for me - had I realized he was going to offer this service I probably wouldn't have done so much calling around before I went to Mexico!!! lol Oh well, he was pleased with me that I had shown the forethought and initiative to find my own aftercare here in the states! Not like I need his approval but it WAS nice of him to pay the compliment.

Try calling your Mexican surgeon and asking him to help you locate a U.S. doctor near you. He may not be able to help you, but then again, he may.

Best wishes.

Vera · August 25, 2006

Iv'e got 2 doc's in the bayarea and I'm sure I could find more that will do fills. anything for a price here.

deckedout · August 27, 2006

I got the name of my fill doctor from Dr. Ortiz's office in Mexico. They were able to give me someone great who works less than half an hour away. Make sure to check with your Doctor's office, they should be able to give you names.

SharronL · August 27, 2006

I know your frustration. In my state there is only 1 Dr. that will fill for Mx patients. Good luck. Sharon ps. I live in Montana

patchoulli · August 28, 2006

look up fillcenterusa. They do follow inamed protocol...Marian

FunnyDuddies · August 28, 2006

I want to second fill centers usa. They have a great price plan, and will set you up well with someone in your area.

Constance · August 28, 2006

Yeah, it sucks, but you usually CAN find someone in your area. Here in Denver, there is even a radiologist who does fills -- and he's very popular.

But I've often wondered if you were FROM another country if it would be different? Like if you were Mexican and banded in Mx or Italian and banded in Italy, and you moved to the US would it be different? Would they see you?