Newbie wanting Mexico Dr help (Ortiz or Corvala)??

lm_hughes · 08-10-2008, 12:29 PM

I have been battling my Insurance due to a denial. I have finally decided to give up a go to Mexico, the two most common names I come across are Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Lopez. I want to move quickly to get in for my surgery as I want to get my life back and enjoy the time I have left with my kids while they are young.

If anyone can give me some insight into these 2 Dr's it would be greatly appreciated, I believe I am going to go with Dr Corvala out of Hosptial Angeles in Tijuana but I would like to hear if anyone has had any bad experiences.

Thanks to anyone

snowbird · 08-10-2008, 12:39 PM

Go up to the top of the page and type in the doctors' names under the search window. This question has been asked before, and answered. Be aware of the patient coordinators--those who are employed by the doctor in question. I would disregard their responses totally, as they are employees and their jobs are to attract patients to their employer.

Kaytaree · 08-10-2008, 02:35 PM

I just had my band done on Tuesday August 5th at the Hospital Angeles in Tijuana. He is an absolutley great doctor. I woke up feeling great.The 5 people that day that had their band done felt great like me. None of us even had gas pain. He is very caring a warm. The hospital is spotless! I am so happy with my choice to get such great care at such a great price since I was self pay too.

HeatherO · 08-10-2008, 03:29 PM

I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Corvala at Hospital Angeles as well. Everything was very professional, the location was great, the hospital was top notch and I have had great success with my band. I also went back for my first fill as well.

I am not affiliated with the hospital in any way shape or form and am from Ohio. Please feel free to ask or PM me if you have any specific questions.

mtnman428 · 08-10-2008, 03:54 PM

Hi Im Hughes, Shy Possum posted the same exact question as you last week. I will just copy and paste my answer from that thread below, but if you also want to read other's responses to that question the thread to search for is called: "Dr Ortiz or Dr Lopez Corvala???" It was started on 8/01/08. I'm 18 days post-op and am still happy with my decision (of Ortiz and LAP-BAND^®)
My thoughts:

Hi, I know your exact feeling. I was soooo confused and couldn't decide between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Rumbaut, which, are rumored to be the top 2 LAP-BAND^® Dr.s in Mexico, and are both Proctors of the band. I decided on Dr. Ortiz for a few reasons. He was closer to the border and I could fly into San Diego (keep in mind for fills too), which, was cheaper than flying into MX. The surgery itself from Ortiz was cheaper than Rumbaut too. But I'm sure that Rumbaut is fabulous as well. I also read the book that Dr. Ortiz wrote, LAP-BAND^® For Life, in which he names Rumbaut as 1 of the top docs. I don't really know too much about the other Dr. that you mentioned though. I was banded on 7/24/08, and am happy/confident with my decision. Dr. O had a friendly bedside manner, and came in before my surgery to answer any questions. My only complaint so far, would be the aftercare, although I am in the USA. What I really mean though is the aftercare instructions, but I'm very inquisitive. They send you home with a folder that has your post-op diet instructions, but not much else for other instructions. So I have emailed him and his nutritionist a few times since, and for the most part they have each gotten back to me fairly quickly (him more so then her). Other than that everything was great. The OCC was nice and clean. The Hotel Lucerna was great, etc... Not much pain involved. Also Dr. Ortiz has the initials F.A.C.S. after his name (Fellow American College of Surgeons) Let me know if you have more questions. Good Luck with your decision.
_

bjblev1215 · 08-15-2008, 12:00 PM

Top band docs in Mexico are Dr Roberto Rumbault and Dr. Ariel Ortiz. That doesn't mean that Dr Calvala isn't wonderful but you asked. Dr. Rumbault actually trained Dr. Ortiz as well as half the band docs in Texas and has a band himself. I have met both of them and know you'll be happy.

lm_hughes · 08-19-2008, 10:57 AM

I wanted to thank everyone who gave me their feedback on this.. So after my husband and I researched multiple Dr's in Mexico I have finally decided on Dr. Juan Lopez Corvala as it appears he is a good Dr. and for all the different horror stories I read for all the different Dr's, his were the most avoidable problems. It seems to me most problems occur when folks do not follow instructions.

My surgery is scheduled for 8/26, my hubby and I are flying to out that morning and returning home on the 28th. I will post an update after I get home to let folks know my experience.

Saara · 08-27-2008, 05:37 PM

This is probably a dumb question but will I need a passport to go to him?

HeatherO · 08-27-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saara

This is probably a dumb question but will I need a passport to go to him?

I think you need one, I had one to get back across the border. I don't know if they have extended the time you could pass the border with things such as a certified birth certificate.

You can always call the San Ysidro border crossing station or look up the requirements online to be sure of exactly what documents you need. You don't need anything to cross into Mexico but getting back is very slow and can be exceedingly unpleasant if you dont have the documentation you need.

mtnman428 · 08-27-2008, 06:27 PM

As long as you cross the border by foot or by car (not plane-airport), you will be fine with just your license (or ID) AND Birth Certificate until June 2009. After 2009 everyone will need a passport whether they fly or drive out of Mexico. I just checked into that in June, 1-1/2 months before my surgery. I ended up getting a passport anyways though-just to have it for the future. If you do get a passport, then plan to order it 6-8 weeks ahead of your departure because they take awhile to come in, unless you pay extra for expedited service.

lm_hughes · 08-29-2008, 11:28 AM

Dr. Corvala and the staff at Hospital Angeles were awesome. Our trip was easy and the surgery went excellent. The only issue was that not all staff nurses speack english, but guess what you can find someone who does or utilize the papers they give you upon arrival which give you the most common us questions with the spanish translation right next to it.

Things to remember:
My husband and I will be developing a full line referal service for helping any and people looking into this option, I can say the surgery and hospital are great unfortunately the pre information is lacking.

1. Passport is not needed unless you fly into Tijuana, but you will need id and a birth certificate. However June of 2009 this will change to passport only, so we suggest getting one.
2. Whichever referal services you use they are helpful, but we found several items you may want to know that they don't share to well.

Payment: Best option Cashier Check made out to te doctor
- Some came with Check made to cash bad no no she had to go back to san diego to cash it and then pay big fee.
- Others came with Credit Card... Call the CC company before traveling as they may not allow charges out of the country.
- Get receipts for everything - Definite tax right off potential
The referal services are working to make money just like everyone else so dont expect the world but ask you questions... Payment, pick up.
Medications; in the hospital they have a huge mark up - Walk out the front of the hospital, cross the street and walk 3 blocks to you right, there is a 24 hour pharmacy and we spent nothing really for our perscription as well as no perscription needs.

Remember the minor difficulties with communication weere nothing, I can tell you that the hospital is exceptional similar to a 5 star time share, they are constantly clean, the staff takes all needed precautions even more than i have seen in the US and they treat you like celebrities.

:thu mbup: No my weight lose starts.

Any questions let me know, also I will post my website with all referall option soon and list the url here.

sigyama · 11-07-2008, 02:19 AM

From what I have heard both are good at their jobs, skills and experience. Although I haven't had LAP-BAND^® surgery I have been doing some research on LAP-BAND^® surgery in Mexico and found a good profile of Dr. Corvala at Lap Band Mexico | Clinics, Hospitals, Surgeons, Locations, Mexican Obesity Surgery Resources, Deals, Comparisons | Mexico Lap Band. Apparently, Dr. Corvala has extensive international teaching & practice experience (including USA); having performed over 5000 laparoscopic surgeries. He is also an INAMED LAP-BAND^® Proctor.

Also the same site has some good info about LAP-BAND^® in Mexico for teens and general info about Mexico hospitals etc. They also have a video explaining all this, that's what I found interesting check it out Lap Band Mexico | Clinics, Hospitals, Surgeons, Locations, Mexican Obesity Surgery Resources, Deals, Comparisons | Mexico Lap Band

**MacMadame** · 11-07-2008, 02:55 AM

Corvala has a higher than average erosion rate from what I've heard. Plus someone I know went to him for RnY and died under mysterious circumstances. A good doctor is forthcoming about what happens when a patient dies. I wouldn't go to him based on those two things.

KarinaM · 11-14-2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaytaree

I just had my band done on Tuesday August 5th at the Hospital Angeles in Tijuana. He is an absolutley great doctor. I woke up feeling great.The 5 people that day that had their band done felt great like me. None of us even had gas pain. He is very caring a warm. The hospital is spotless! I am so happy with my choice to get such great care at such a great price since I was self pay too.

How much did you pay? I contacted Dr. Ortiz because I heard great things about him and he is charging $7900. I was also denied twice by Tricare(insurance) and I think I will give up getting their appoval and come up with the money. Can't take this anymore.