Mexico surgery, maybe? Aftercare/fills E. TN?

princess_sophie · May 27, 2007

My insurance has an exclusion for all obesity treatment so I've been looking into going to Mexico to have the surgery. Does anyone know of any Dr.'s in the East TN area that are willing to give aftercare, fills, etc. to someone who had their surgery in Mexico?

Thanks,

PS

isabelle290 · May 27, 2007

Go to fillcentersusa online and you can search their site for close doctors by zip code. That is a company that specializes in lapband fills for people who are banded in Mexico or for patients who move and need someone to do their fills. Your doctor in Mexico should set you up with a close fill doctor after surgery. Ask them, too.

TRANAM1955 · May 27, 2007

HI,

I researched and choose a doctor 35 minutes from me but have to pay a 2000 up front fee. I tried the USA fill center deal and my appt was cancelled after I had driven 2.5 hours to reach the place. However, some folks do have success with the USA fill center.

jcgrove29 · May 27, 2007

I have had good luck with fill centers in Florida, especially in St Petersburg. The thing about them is the pricing is set and it is reasonable. After the startup fee of I think 300.00 the fills are 155.00. Good luck in your search.

btw which Dr are you thinking of seeing in Mexico?

JC

princess_sophie · May 27, 2007

I'm thinking about using Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Rumbaut. I see that you used Ortiz and your weight loss is amazing. Congratulations!

Can you tell me anything about your experience with Dr. Ortiz?

PS

jcgrove29 · May 27, 2007

Thank you, I can tell you I thank God I found out about Dr Ortiz. I went to a seminar a hometown Dr was holding about the lapband his name is Dr. Grossbard. He was not only trained by Dr Ortiz but banded by him as well. This gave him an edge on the competition in my eyes. My insurance company stopped paying for bariatric procedures so when faced with paying for it myself Dr Ortiz became my natural choice.

The staff is top notch at OCC. The whoke process was pretty darn smooth. There were a couple of logistical issues that did not amount to anything for me.

If you are considering Dr. Ortiz lookup user NoWorry on this forum or on the Obesity Control Center Forum Lap Band Forum (Powered by Invision Power Board) this person wrote a journal that was extremly accurate. You will get a pretty good idea of the whole experiance. Just keep in mind that NoWorry is a bit sensitive to the unknown the things that were issues for him/her I experianced and easily brushed off.

btw I saw a new Fill Dr (Nurse Practitioner) in St. Petersburg last week and she asked who did my band. When I told her Dr Ortiz she smiled and said " oh good, he does great work".

JC

hlayne · May 28, 2007

I live in East TN, in Chattanooga. My dr, Dr Ponce, has an office in Chattanooga and in Dalton, GA...about 20 mins away. He's been great, I don't know anything about if he does after care for those who have gone out of country...but he is great, so it wouldn't hurt to give them a call and ask.

Gastric Band Institute - Chattanooga, Tennessee - The LAPBAND® Procedure

vintagehound · May 29, 2007

I had surgery in Mexico and go back there for my fills they are free and it is so easy to get from the San Diego airport to the border, I walk across and am back before the day is over and even have flown home that night. The cabs cost a total of $10.00, and airfare is cheap if you keep your eyes open for deals. Southwest..........

Good Luck

beachgirl · May 29, 2007

I had Dr. Zapata/Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey. They've done more than 7000 lapbands now and have been doing them since 95. I use Dr. Curry in Cincinatti Ohio and he charges 300.00 for the first fill and then just 150.00 after that and will do your first fill in 4 weeks if needed and then every 2 weeks until you get proper restriction. I just love him and my Mexico experience was fabulous and I've sent 13 people to him so far that live near me and we're all doing wonderful. Pm me if I can be of any help. Good luck.