help me narrow down mexico surgeon choice

skinnyplease · 05-15-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkpenny376

I know skinny despises them...and has nothing good to say about them..

I just want to say that I do not despise belite. I despise their practice of deceiving people. They are deceiving honest people that work hard for their money are desperate to lose weight, and want be safe and healthy. Belite can tell you all they want that they don't switch surgeons, but they do. In fact they don't have any authority to assure you that you will receive a particular surgeon in the first place. They are a referral service for the Hospital. They are not facilitators for any surgeon. If you choose to move forward with them, that is your choice. I just want people to know what they will receive for their money. It's your money and you have the right to decide if you want to choose your own surgeon and deal directly with that surgeon's facilitator.

jkpenny376 · 05-15-2008, 09:38 PM

Skinny---I was not implying that you were not legit in warning us..I just stated that I knew you had posted negatively about Belite. I was just wondering why Dr. Rod would contact them rather then going directly through patient to Dr. Because he or should I say HIS OFFICE contacted Belite and had them contact me. If he might not get the surgery then why would he risk losing the sale....not making sense to me...and I had already set up the dates with them and then Jessica reaffirmed those dates so I know she talked to them....I was not in any way trying to offend you and I am sorry if I did. I do appreciate all your info and posts...
Kelly

WASaBubbleButt · 05-15-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkpenny376

Skinny---I was not implying that you were not legit in warning us..I just stated that I knew you had posted negatively about Belite. I was just wondering why Dr. Rod would contact them rather then going directly through patient to Dr. Because he or should I say HIS OFFICE contacted Belite and had them contact me. If he might not get the surgery then why would he risk losing the sale....not making sense to me...and I had already set up the dates with them and then Jessica reaffirmed those dates so I know she talked to them....I was not in any way trying to offend you and I am sorry if I did. I do appreciate all your info and posts...
Kelly

I can only imagine it was some kind of communication error. There was a person that I talked to on OH that was able to go through Rod's office directly and she said she save several hundred dollars doing so.

jkpenny376 · 05-15-2008, 09:50 PM

There must have been some sort of miscomunication...is all I can think about..and actually Dr. Rod quoted me a higher amount then Belite...at anyrate I haven't sent my deposit and will ask a few more questions before I go any further. Thanks for the response....
Kelly

skinnyplease · 05-16-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkpenny376

Skinny---I was not in any way trying to offend you and I am sorry if I did. I do appreciate all your info and posts...
Kelly

I'm not at all offended.

stella · 05-16-2008, 02:38 AM

There are a lot of good doctors in mexico but word of advice before you do it; see if doctors in your area will treat you if you have problems and cannot get back to Mexico. Also that your insurance will cover band removal prblems etc.... I recently had to go to the ER here in Vegas and I could not get any of the specialists to take me because I was a Mexico patient. The Baratric doc said he will take me as a patient with a $3,000 retainer fee.

**coltonwade** · 05-16-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stella

There are a lot of good doctors in mexico but word of advice before you do it; see if doctors in your area will treat you if you have problems and cannot get back to Mexico. Also that your insurance will cover band removal prblems etc.... I recently had to go to the ER here in Vegas and I could not get any of the specialists to take me because I was a Mexico patient. The Baratric doc said he will take me as a patient with a $3,000 retainer fee.

If you go to the ER WASA .. Dont they HAVE TO Treat you ? A doc cant refuse treatment on a patient in distress can they ?
I would think that is against their code ? could be wrong .
Not saying your wrong Stella saying the DOC was wrong if he did that .

Mindy

BeverlyDiane · 05-16-2008, 12:42 PM

WASa, you stated earlier in this thread that you were having a revision done. Can you be more specific about this? I am a newbie and I am self-pay so I am very concerned about the need for revisions. Thanks.

WASaBubbleButt · 05-16-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coltonwade

If you go to the ER WASA .. Dont they HAVE TO Treat you ? A doc cant refuse treatment on a patient in distress can they ?
I would think that is against their code ? could be wrong .
Not saying your wrong Stella saying the DOC was wrong if he did that .

Mindy

An emergency room cannot deny you care, it's not a code it's a law. If your life is in danger they have to treat you.

If your life is in danger they have to keep looking until they find someone to treat you. It's getting easier now, in the beginning it was hard to find anyone for after care issues but the tide is turning and more doctors are taking patients banded in Mexico. They see it as advertising. If you were banded in Mexico but your friend has insurance in the US and wants a band, you are likely to refer to your aftercare doctor vs. someone else. So they are seeing the advantages of seeing Mexican banded patients.

All the more reason to get a sleeve instead of a band if you can't find aftercare before surgery. There is no routine aftercare for sleeves. No fills, untills, restriction issues, etc.

WASaBubbleButt · 05-16-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeverlyDiane

WASa, you stated earlier in this thread that you were having a revision done. Can you be more specific about this? I am a newbie and I am self-pay so I am very concerned about the need for revisions. Thanks.

I am one that does not tolerate a band well. I just have one problem after another. Band induced reflux that no drug resolves, esophageal spasms, now esophageal motility issues, my voice has been affected by the reflux, port pain, etc. I am just simply one that does not tolerate a band easily and this is something that could not have been known before I actually had a band and experienced it. I'm tired of fighting one issue after another so I'm considering a sleeve. I need to decide quickly because I either need to have my band removed or revise to a sleeve.

I am pretty pro-sleeve, it has the fewest complications long term between bypass, sleeves, and bands. There is no aftercare, you get a sleeve and you are done. That sounds very appealing to me at this point.

stella · 05-17-2008, 10:18 AM

Yes they do have to treat you in an Emergency if you CANNOT swallow (i couldnt so they hooked me up to an IV which made it no longer an emergency) and the way they do that is the only way a General Surgeon knows how; a vertical cut to remove. I had a friend that happened to. If you do not have a Lap Band doc in the hospital (ER) you go to you get a general surgeon. In my case, the surgeon had removed a Lap Band before but he did not accept my insurance (in the same hospital that took my co-pay). Go figure. And the Gatro doc FLAT OUT told the Pacificare Hospitalist that he would not see me. Got lots more stories about docs and mexico ; just wanted all to know.

Wasa - I am curious about the sleeve? Who places those and where could I get more info? As I sad before my Lap Band doc will take me as a patient for a $3,000 retainer fee. I live in Las Vegas Nevada.

WASaBubbleButt · 05-17-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stella

Wasa - I am curious about the sleeve? Who places those and where could I get more info? As I sad before my Lap Band doc will take me as a patient for a $3,000 retainer fee. I live in Las Vegas Nevada.

I know there are good surgeons in the US but honestly, I don't know who they are. I have no idea who has good track records, solid experience, etc.

I wouldn't go to anyone who has done less than 150 sleeves and 150 bypass procedures (staple line experience, bypass staple line is more difficult and if they can do that, they can do a sleeve staple line.)

Keep in mind, revisions cost more than initial sleeves on a virgin stomach.

Sorry, wish I could help more!

ikalla · 05-17-2008, 03:36 PM

The site that skinnyplease for Dr Jose Rodiguez (joseband.com) does not list him as doing surgery in Juarez, only Acuna. Beliteweight also does not have him listed as a provider anymore. What do think is up?

WASaBubbleButt · 05-17-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikalla

The site that skinnyplease for Dr Jose Rodiguez (joseband.com) does not list him as doing surgery in Juarez, only Acuna. Beliteweight also does not have him listed as a provider anymore. What do think is up?

That must be old information. He moved his practice to Juarez recently. According to Belite he is their lead surgeon. They sell more surgeries for him than any other surgeon.

cosmos110 · 05-19-2008, 05:46 AM

Hello
I had a band put in by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey in 2006. One year later I had it removed due to "Erosion".
I felt like a lepper around the doctors here in the US. They would'nt touch me. I could get a fill with no problem, but that was all. I'm sure there are good surgeons in Mexico and I went there because I had to self pay, but know that they will back away from you over any complications. No money = No service. I'm sure I could have died down there and been thrown out with the trash.
It really dosen't make any sense to have surgery done in a country where you can't drink the water.