Dr. Ortiz---the good and the bad

I'm planning a trip to Mexico in a month and using Dr. Ortiz. All I've heard is great things about him and the staff. Anyone have a bad experience? Feel free to write about good experiences too!

I've been there more than once. Wouldn't go back. The room was so crowded, what with the size of his ego. I did recommend him, but that patient had complications and ended up spending a week in the hospital. And then she left his office in tears after a follow-up appointment. I still feel bad about that. And another patient who went for a fill had to go elsewhere a week later to have it increased. (So it was a waste of time and money for her.) Of course, he has those who adore him...he seems to thrive on his little fan club. And he's technically competent.

I did a search on his new book. The one where people who bought it were accidentally overbilled for a few hundred bucks. He was upset at that. Just like he was upset--even outraged and apologetic--to learn that his coordinator was recruiting patients under an alias on several yahoo boards. So imagine how surprised I was to find her working for him after that!

One doctor--not a local competitor of his--was laughing his ass off when describing Ariel's wedding. He planned it IN Cancun, JUST BEFORE (or after) the bariatric surgeons' conference...so very few of them could get out of going. It was a modest little affair, during which HE had THREE costume changes...

Oh...and I think that the 1700 surgeries he claims to have done include all the surgeries done by his office--including his former partner, Lopez. (You can read about others here who have had experience with that office.) He calls himself one of the top bariatric surgeons in the world...I'm not sure anyone else does...who has trained so many others. You know, he proctors other surgeons. But several doctors around the world have been doing that for MUCH longer and don't try to turn it into a marketing gimmick. He was NOT part of the pre-FDA testing program, nor was he involved in training those doctors or with the pre-FDA testing. And none of them are banging that drum...

If you don't mind adoring him...you'll probably get along with him quite well. But there are those of us who would rather pass on the opportunity.

I just can’t just sit and read yet another one of your post about Dr. Ortiz Sue. I just have to add MY opinion here. I don’t think the poster asked about Dr. Ortiz’s wedding. You obviously don’t like him on a personal level. He did not do your surgery and your “friend that you recommended” doesn’t have a name. Let her post about her experience herself. I personally don’t like to hear about a “nameless friend”.

I have known Dr. Ortiz for 4 years, he did my surgery and I have since become friends with his wife. I have found him to be very caring to his patients and friends. Maybe you and he have some sort of personality conflict, but others who know him well don’t share your opinion.

As for the rest of your allegations in your post, I want to point out that these are also just your opinions. The fact is that Dr. Ortiz has done more than 1700 surgeries and is one of the top bariatric surgeons in the world. The fact is that he was invited as keynote speaker for the Lap Band and asked to sit on the panel of world experts and the last 2 international bariatric conferences, Spain in 2003 (while with his wife on their honeymoon) and Germany 2004. He also was invited to and accepted to sit on the panel of experts for the American bariatric conference the last 2 years, San Deigo in 2004 and Lake Tahoe 2005. You might not call Dr. Ortiz a top Lap Band surgeon, but lots of bariatric surgeons do.

You still believe any of the crap you read on the Yahoo boards? You mean that you don’t know that those boards are control by patients and EMPLOYEES of one of the doctors YOU don’t mind adoring. You might be the last person on the internet with a band that believes anything you read on the Yahoo boards!

Why don’t you quit your Dr. Ortiz bashing, it’s getting old. Everybody knows you don't like him! Why don't you just offer support to this person that wants to be banded and is asking questions? You might just offer your opinion about your surgeon to her instead. I’m sure she would agree that would be much more helpful to her.

Kat

You read a lot of my posts? Sorry, I don’t recall your one other post here.

So you are now using the occasion of your second post on LBT to imply that I’m a liar. That IS what you’re doing, isn’t it? I have TWO people I have to apologize to because I sent them to Ortiz. Believe it or don’t.

And how someone behaves--in or out of their office or OR--tells a lot about who they are and how I’d feel about doing business with them. For example, your employing the tactic of impugning both my veracity and intelligence to try to defend your friend's husband tells me a lot about you. Perhaps others are receiving the same message.

Like I said, he has his little fan club. We do not have a personality conflict. I have issues about dealing with people who cannot provide more than just competence.

I came to this thread to answer the question as best I could and give the person posting the question the most honest answer I could. You came to defend your hero. Thanks for dropping by.

I had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz in April 2004
Here on this board you will get several different opinions of Dr. Ortiz all I can do is speak of my experience

Me personally, I have received the best care from Dr. Ortiz & Martinez and his entire staff. My aftercare has been impecable. His concern for me during my esophagitis was something I have never gotten from any Dr. here in the US. He has always made himself or Dr. Martinez available for whenever I have a question or needed to call him. He has taken time out of his personal and professional schedule to see me in his office one on one on his day off to check out my band. I have reccomended others to him who have been extremely satisfied with him and his entire staff. Tehy have personally thanked me for sending them to him. He has shown me professionalism, caring and concern. Like Sue said, some adore him and some don't. I am one of the ones who adores him.
Best Wishes to you next month on your surgery smellycat:)

Hey guys, It stands to reason that not everyone will love every band surgeon. Some love Lopez, I won't go back to him. Others love Ortiz and some won't spit on him. So respect each other's opinion. Play nice!!

We had a great experience. My mother in law and I were banded July of 04. He and his staff were one of my two top choices. I loved the respect and credentials of Dr. O and Dr. Rumbalt. I spoke to both and it came down to who could I fly to more easily and financially lower costs in case of emergency. That was Dr. O.

We have gone to them for our after care (we live in ST. Louis) and it is still cheaper to return there for fill, than go here. We have been once and are planning on returning in early March. I have a local doctor (whom we have seen- just to make sure he knew us and we were on his list) But his level of care from his staff and Dr. Martinez was enough to keep me going back.

I also made a spead sheet over the year I was pregnant and waiting to get banded again on who lost the most weight and their doctors. Dr. O & Dr. R had the patients with consitently the best results. However maybe their patients post the most- who wou;d ever know. (I also noted these had the least reported problems on the "board". So I also stored this away.

I like Penny's comment, however I too am sick of your personal grudge with Dr. O - Sue!! Why do you insist on bringing up that wedding again!!! Has nothing to do with his abilities as a surgeon and I am starting to think it is more petty bickering on your part. I also feel that comments should be on his skills and be from your experience only and since he didn't do your surgery, tell us of your reason for seeing him, but please get you friend to give hers.

And I have read Catigerlily's post before and there are/is more than one- they just haven't been as recent as some.

:banana :banana :banana On a good note_ I have 5 more to go till below 200. I think it will be the longest five of my life!!!! :banana :banana :banana

Before baby at my heavyiest8/20/03(330 & 5' 8")



Saturday 2/5/05 w/ Colin at his sisters party (204 & 5'8")

Okay, here's my personal experience. Being a bit skeptical and the cautious one in our family, I waited and watched while my sister was banded by Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez in June 2004. She has done well and when she has had questions or issues, all she had to do was call Dr. Ortiz (we were given his cell phone number to reach him) at any time and he was very caring, professional and helpful.

Because of my sister's positive experience, I was banded in December. My experience was also very good, even improved in organization, appointments and timing over my sister's trips. I found Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Martinez and team very caring and they were wonderful about putting any anxieties I had to rest.

I think everyone has individual experiences, personalities and expectations. Not every doctor works well for every patient. So there is my 2 cents worth.

Jane,
What an inspiration your pictures are.
I too have nothing but praise for Dr Oriz and Dr Martinez. I will not take up more time and effort to convience those that have made up their mind, but to those that don't mind doing the research, check him out. His creditials are in order, as are his consumer report records. Be most focussed on the people that write about him from personal experience from their surgery and experiences.

I wasn't invited to the wedding, but he wasn't invited to mine either (ha)...

hopeful Brenda
Sept 24 2004

It says, "Anyone have a bad experience?" I did. And so did two others I referred to him. I knew that by answering it that the Ortiz-Fan Club would eventually show up and attack. It always does. (And why is Sandy late? She usually only drops in to sell his failed counter-Bash and book and other stuff, but I expect her momentarily.)

His wedding? It's just a really good example of what kind of guy he is...as well as evidence, since I obviously wasn't invited, as to what his peers REALLY say about him, because--think about it--where else would this info come from? About all those conferences? Did you ever watch Gilmore Girls? Who is more in awe of the character Taylor Doose (played by Michael Winter) than Taylor Doose himself? Does he run all the meetings and stay in the spotlight? You bet. Is it because everyone thinks he's just the best? Nah.

Get over the illusion. Not everyone has a good experience with ANY doctor... including this one, no matter how much YOU like him. BTW, why are you telling me to have the people I referred tell of their own experiences while you feel free to report on your mother-in-law's good experiences? Do you not see an inconsistency there?

And why would people who don't normally post here--or who used to and have gone away--want to come back to tell their stories and get attacked by defensive Ortiz-protectors?

Finally, I took the info re Cattigerlily's posts from the data provided by the board. Perhaps you should let the moderators know that it's wrong.

~~~~~~~~~~~


Shelly and Darcey--you have disagreed with me without attacking me for answering the inquiry and shown respect for my opinion and I respect yours. Thank you for your civility.

What "consumer report records?" Is there such a thing?

Sue you post is much more negative than mine. I don't mention your ego - and its ability to provide negativity on this man without every stating what happened. But you have not explained what you procedure was with him or what occurred

"The room was so crowded, what with the size of his ego. I did recommend him," sound like every surgeon I have had the privledge to meet here. And please do get you friend to post what happened.

Without it is like me trying to post abour Delara experieince. How could I - I don't have the time or understanding only know how much compassion I feel for her situation and AM SO HAPPY DOCTOR HANDSOME (oh Billy I mean) is fixing her problems!!!!! You bash this guy any chance you get with out telling what happened.

Second you take long brakes too. I figure you read or such- like most people including myself have busy lives. I know I do- three kiddos age 4, 3 and 19 months and with number four being picked up any day now - she is a few days old(YEAH US!!!!).

I personally thought you had disappeared for a while in Nov & december so everyone is entittled to do this.

But in my opinion Dr. O did just what I wanted and paid him to do and it worked and is still working. I got his success rate from investigation not his "people" and that I did on my own from looking at these and other board shows he does it well.

So if he is arrogant- well I know alot of people who are because they are good at what they do - and don't throw stones because sometimes they can turn into boomerangs

Jane... I just wanted to say... you look fantastic girl!!! Holy shmoley! Congrats on your success with your band! :)

I would love to say it was Dr. O- BUT IT IS ME AND MY BAND AND 2% MILES ON THE TREAD MILL + Water Aerobics (ok dh has done 9 miles since I got banded and he won't let me forget it)

And that before was from my heaviest before I got pregnant with Adrian (I wanted band then but I got that wonderfull little one instead) and she still helped me loose weight to the surgery date weight of 278 so it wasn't really wasted time.

Dear SmellyCat,

As you can see for yourself, IF someone dares to post about a negative experience with Ortiz, that poster is deemed by his fan club to be a liar and a fool.

Now you get to decide whether I am the only one answering the question you asked because I am the only one who has had a bad experience or because of all the crap you have to put up with when you answer a question honestly. Which do you think the logical answer is?

Sue