living in UT, banding in Mexico

Hey Utahns!!

So after weeks of battling IHC (i lost) I've decided to just finance my band and go to Mexico. I'm now trying to decide which doc in Mexico to use, and who to see for fills after.
I'm so happy to have found this site...I never would have made this decision if it weren't for all the wonderful support from everyone here!

Hoping to be banded sometime in the next 6 weeks or so.

Jill

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Banded 10-2-07

Hi Jill,

Have you found someone who will do your fills and aftercare after banding in Mexico?

Wen

Thread Starter

Wen- no haven't found anyone for fills yet, but have a couple of leads so I'll be calling around in the next few days. Any suggestions?
Thanks!!

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Banded 10-2-07

I've heard it's hard to find someone who will do fills and follow up if you had surgery in Mexico. But, I think there is a fill center in Murray somewhere who may do them. I think it might be called Fill Center USA or something similar. Anyone?

I was just banded on 8-30-07 in Tijuana by Dr. Lopez Corvala. Overall it was a good experience. I was planning on checking with some doctors at Cottonwood hospital to take me on and if they wont I know they have a band center here in SLC somewhere.

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Banded 8/30/07
Tijuana Mexico
Dr. Lopez Corvala

Thread Starter

I checked out Fill Center USA, and they charge 299 for the initial consult/fill and then 150 for every fill thereafter. I need to find out if I can pay for them with my flexible spending account, but honestly it could be more cost effective to fly to san diego for the day than to do it here. not sure what I'm going to do yet.

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Banded 10-2-07

Thread Starter

Hey Kim, do you know what kind of band you have? I really want to make sure I get the newer inamed AP band, but I'm not sure they're using them in Mexico, waiting for a reply from my doc.
Thanks!

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Banded 10-2-07

I don't know about the new Inamed band. I ended up getting the new JOhnson and Johnson band. It is not yet FDA aproved yet but it will be in October. They have been using it outside of the US for a while now and everyone really likes it. It is a bigger band which I like because I plan to get pregnant later and Iwant to be able to take all the fluid out and still get enough calories. I also like it because it has a lower profile port and less risk for erosion. The saline balloon goes all the way around the band unlike the INamed band. So far I'm really glad I got this one. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Kim

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Banded 8/30/07
Tijuana Mexico
Dr. Lopez Corvala

I live in Provo and with all the ads I see, and they are EVERYWHERE... I went to Dr. Huacuz for only $7,000 all inclusive.

I'm only 34 pounds away from my goal and use Highland Family Practice, Dr. Muse up towards Salt Lake City, under fillcentersusa for my aftercare.

I have the 4cc band and have had 2 fills so far. 2 cc, and then .2. I am well restricted and doing great.

I may go for another fill in another month or so if I stop losing weight or start gaining.

How long have you had your band? I've had mine since 6/11/07 and I've lost 50 lbs. Thanks!

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Banded 6/11/2007
Pre-op 290lbs
Banded 6/11/07@ 284 lbs 10cm band holds 4cc's
1st fill 1.2 cc 271 lbs 2nd fill 2.0 cc 260 lbs
3rd fill 2.5 cc 251 lbs 4th fill 2.7 cc 241 lbs
5th fill 2.9 cc 241 lbs 6th fill 3.0 cc 230 lbs
today 218 lbs 72 gone forever & 73 left to go!
Goal 145

I had mine done the week after you. I've lost 15 pounds. So you are doing so well....congrats!

hey there Im in the same boat as you are I dont know what kind of insurance that you have but as for me I used to have Cigna and they covered fills at Dr Stanley Greenes in Payson. But if not he does fills for about 5bills. Regardless that you had it done in Mexico. You also might want to check out fillcentersusa.com Hope this in helped

hey Grace thank goodness for this forum. How much is it out the door for the intial fill with fluroscopy