Mexican Surgeons Commiting Fraud???

nursekathy2u · June 7, 2007

My surgeon told me today that there are "documented cases" of "surgeons in Mexico" permforming lap band surgery for patients but only placing the port and not the lap Band. He says surgeons here in the states have found this when taking over patients that were done in Mexico. After several fills, when the patients had no restriction, did an upper GI and.... surprise.... no band!!! The saline was just squirting out into their tissues. This statement was backed up by 2 medical reps that are in the bariatric business. I have no other information than that.. No proof.. no names... just heresay really...Anyone else ever hear of this????

anonemouse · June 7, 2007

I've heard of it, and I don't doubt that it happens. I think it could be easy to avoid surgeons that do that, though, if the patients really research them ahead of time. Generally, surgeons have bad or good reputations for a reason. Most people don't go around bad-mouthing a surgeon out of spite. I wouldn't be surprised if the surgeons committing fraud were the cheapest docs, with bad reps that would easily be found with just a small amount of research. Unfortunately, in this business, you generally get what you pay for, to an extent.

LLSibley · June 7, 2007

I got mine in Mexico and I guess was one to the lucky ones. They did floro and sent my x-rays home with me. I'm making a bet that you can find the same fraud here in the US too. Things like that happen everywhere and it probably mentions Mexico because so many people choose to go there for surgery because it is so much cheaper.

nursekathy2u · June 8, 2007

I got mine in Mexico and I guess was one to the lucky ones. They did floro and sent my x-rays home with me. I'm making a bet that you can find the same fraud here in the US too. Things like that happen everywhere and it probably mentions Mexico because so many people choose to go there for surgery because it is so much cheaper.

I wouldn't be surprised to find it happens other places besides Mexico. I have nothing against Mexican Surgeons or Mexico. I doubt it is widespread.. Im sure it is limited to one clinic... I was just appalled... WHY would anyone do this??? More discrimination against fat people?? Would they do breast implants without the implants? One thing I do know is that the band itself is expensive... I wonder if the discounted surgery prices that you see in Mexico and other places may be the motivation. Cheaper to buy a port than a band.. I just don't know

WASaBubbleButt · June 8, 2007

I've heard about it but I've never been able to find out who was doing this. I don't really doubt someone has done this but it certainly isn't the norm.

Standard of care after band surgery is to do a barium swallow before the patient is discharged from the facility. It's really pretty easy to spot the band on fluoro. If a surgeon didn't do a barium swallow before releasing the patient, I'd be looking to find out why regardless of where the surgeon is from.

There are creeps regardless of country. They exist in the US, Mexico, Canada, everywhere. There will always be people trying to get something for nothing and docs are no exception to the rule. Look at any snake oil saleman with an MD behind his name. They exist EVERYWHERE.