After Care?

How much after care is necessary for the Lap Band patients? If I were to have this procedure done in Mexico, since I'm unaware of interstate doctors that would be able to perform aftercare, how often would I need to return to Mexico for fills? Is there any other type of after care necessary with this procedure, problems excluded?

Thanks,
Misty

Misty,

I've read a few of your posts regarding being self pay.

I would recommend you call all the surgeons in your area and see if they will quote you a self pay price for day surgery at a day surgery center rather than the hospital.

Reason being, my surgeon in Milwaukee performed at a hospital and I stayed over that night...his self pay at the day surgery center is $14,000...my surgery was $29,000...big difference!

Follow up is the most important part of the band...if you can find someone who will committ to your follow up in the states then I wouldn't feel bad about going to Mexico...but if surgeons in MN are like the ones in WI they WILL NOT follow up on those who are not their patients...in my experience...

Also, there is someone who does banding in La Crosse, WI...how far is that from you?

If you need surgeons name I would recommend calling Inamed and getting all those in your area...a few hours to drive if you need an adjustment or have problems is not bad...planning a flight and coming up with the money to plan that flight I think could be hard...

Good Luck!

Thanks Jennye,
I didn't think to ask about the cost of out patient surgery. I know the self-pay price I was quoted was about 22-25K. Lacrosse is about 3 hours away from me.

Misty,

I was amazed at the cost of out patient surgery compared to the normal overnight 23 hour stay surgery...

Go figure, half the cost of surgery is the facility fee...and the jello and chicken broth sucked...the only thing good was the morphine pump...I've stayed at better B&B's for alot less.

I would give a call to Inamed on Monday and find all the doctors within 300 miles from you. That's about a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive...

If I was forced with the self pay decision even though Mexico could be a few thousand cheaper I would try and factor in the price of my aftercare and the price to get there and you'd probably come out very near the price for surgery closer to you.

Good Luck!

Thanks for your help.

Misty,

Aftercare is SOOOO individual. Some people need many post-op visits, others need few.

When I had my surgery, I was self-pay and my final choice was between a local surgeon ($30,000 and he had placed about 30 lapbands) and a Monterrey, MX, surgeon ($10,000 and he had placed 1400 lapbands and he HAD a Lap Band himself.) I knew it would take a whole lot of aftercare for me to spend that $20,000 difference. Lately, as the price has gone down, the money part of the debate has become almost moot.

But, I would mention that it isn't as simple a choice as it might appear, between a local surgeon because of local follow-up and Mexico with follow-up there. Some people chose a local doctor with little experience who won't do fills, or who expects them to lose like RnY patients, or where fills after the first year cost as much as a trip to Europe, or with a staff-member they end up not getting along with, or with a very small Lap Band practice and end up completely frustrated and in search of a follow-up doctor anyway.

I flew three plus hours from Los Angeles to Monterrey for the surgery and for a follow-up almost a year later (and because I wanted a vacation), but I've had most of my adjustments in Tijuana, which is about a two or three hour drive. But I also found that I could get adjustments along the west coast, for a cost of $200-1000, per fill, and varying transportation costs.

I guess I'm saying that it might be worthwhile to find out how much aftercare you get for your money, and what you'll do if your surgeon has a personal epiphany and decides to become a monk in Iceland, or if you move out of the area.

Good luck with the decision,

Sue