My surgeon was Roberto Rumbaut Diaz in Monterrey, Mexico. He practices in a state-of-the-art teaching hospital in the third largest city in Mexico. This was important to me, as there are plenty of physicians of various specialites at the location at all times of the day and night, in case of any emergency. (The hospital situation is very different in Mexico. There are the high-rent teaching places, and there are some teeny tiny one or two doctor places. There are places where the wealthy and foreigners go, and there are places where Mexican insurance pays. So there may be four hositals on one corner, all serving different populations. You should be very sure of what you need to feel comfortable and what is being offered before you decide on your doctor.) There is nothing "budget" about Rumbaut's hospital accommodations or care. His prices are around $10,000. There are about four or five patients per nurse after surgery on the wing where you stay in your private room with your private bath. Your hospital room will have a little sofa or extra bed for a family member. It's cultural thing; Mexicans generally accompany family members at the hospital, they don't usually take them and leave them there. Patients stay at the Hampton Inn (not included in the price) in Monterrey. That hotel is the budget end of the Hilton chain. It sits next door to an Applebee's and a great Italian restaurant, and a shopping center with an HEB Market (a Texas chain) is adjacent.
Rumbaut has placed around 1900 LapBands, and proctors US and other doctors on a regular basis. I was 55 at the time of my surgery and he was most concerned about me that day (he usually does about five bands per day when her has surgery days), due to age and other health considerations. But the surgery was textbook.
Office fills (in other words, the doctor's services) are free, but if the fill is done under flouro, you have to pay the radiology place...about $100. (In the states, it runs much more.) Dr. Rumbaut usually asks his out of town patients to have flouro, so he can check band placement etc. while you are in town.
The other well-respected Monterrey surgeon is Dr. Sanchez, I think. He has done even more bands, and does several types. Some people have complained about staffing issues, but no one complains about his work.
In Tijuana, I've had fills and unfills...but I'll let those patients have a chance to answer. Where do you live? That would be important. Also, don't exclude Europe. Airfare is cheap, some of those doctors are VERY experienced and you can still get fills in Mexico, or locally if they ever lighten-up.
Sue | 