Anyone from Ontario banded in Mexico?

Bandsternan · 05-02-2008, 09:52 AM

I was banded in Mexico in Feb and still have not had a fill because I really don't know where to go. I was told it would be no problem to find a fill doc. The only ones I can find are in Detroit or Montreal. I would be going alone and am debating whether or not to just go back to Mexico which is free fills but the airfare costs. I don't really want to drive + the price of gas and most likely a hotel room + the cost of a fill. Anyone going through this crap? I feel like I wasted a lot of money cos I really haven't lost much either. My band is empty and now I can almost eat as much as before. I have to go soon. Anyone considering Mexico should really figure out wher they will get their fills.

Alex R. · 05-02-2008, 10:24 AM

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Oh dear, I'm afraid this is a common problem. The clinics in Mexico do tend to say that you'll have no trouble finding local fills - but this is absolutely not the case, especially in Canada.

I always recommend that people get IRONCLAD arrangements for fills before they commit to having their surgery in Mexico. This is not to criticize Mexican surgeons - many of them are highly skilled and their clinics are first class - but the essential aftercare is difficult to obtain locally.

Often when people crunch the numbers and factor into the cost what they need to do to get fills - it doesn't make it as attractive to go to Mexico.

Having an unfilled band is like having a car with no gas in it.

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Alex R. · 05-02-2008, 10:27 AM

Sorry, I meant to add - I'm on my 9th fill and have lost 75 lbs. in a year. I'm still losing and will continue to go back for fills.

I can't imagine how much more it would be if I had to pay extra for these fills.

susieq321 · 05-02-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandsternan

I was banded in Mexico in Feb and still have not had a fill because I really don't know where to go. I was told it would be no problem to find a fill doc. The only ones I can find are in Detroit or Montreal. I would be going alone and am debating whether or not to just go back to Mexico which is free fills but the airfare costs. I don't really want to drive + the price of gas and most likely a hotel room + the cost of a fill. Anyone going through this crap? I feel like I wasted a lot of money cos I really haven't lost much either. My band is empty and now I can almost eat as much as before. I have to go soon. Anyone considering Mexico should really figure out wher they will get their fills.

Phone your mexican surgeon and ask them to help you they should be able to phone the band manufacturer and get some details... I have heard SWLC will fill you for 5 years for 5grand no access to their surgeons etc... just fills and I don't know how limited that is.

And you now know one of many many many reasons I wouldnt go to mexico

fousilly · 05-02-2008, 11:11 AM

SWLC has either already stopped or is about to stop taking any other patients from other clinics. I believe they did it as a favour to Inamed but it's more trouble than it's worth. Fill centres USA will do you but then you have to travel to them as well. Maybe find the one nearest you and figure out the cost to get there and then compare that to flights to Mexico and you will have your answer as to where to go.

Alex R. · 05-02-2008, 11:30 AM

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Realistically, if you can find a cheap flight to Mexico, it would probably be better to go back, and make a little holiday out of it.

Do they let you stay over for fills?

But the difficulty of travelling so far for a fill is, what happens if you are overfilled and need a further adjustment?

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