Michele in NY

I heard through a family member that an MBC patient passed away the day after surgery this weekend. Has anyone heard any details?

Multiple deaths in a few months by the Dr's working with one coordinator? Again, just putting the information out there. If you're willing to still book with someone with that kind of track record, but all means, good luck with that. If you think I look bad by giving FACTUAL information to people considering this surgery, who's the one that looks bad?

The FACT is I heard from someone in Mexico that a patient passed away this weekend. The FACT is that's the only info. I had when I posted so my QUESTION was to ask if anyone else had any info. After I was questioned, I made a phone call and got the Dr's name because someone asked for the Dr. That's the ONLY additional info. I posted on that question since my initial post. Your PERCEPTION that I am only on here to bash MBC and your PERCEPTION if I shared the info. the way you would've like me to would've been a better way to do it and your PERCEPTION that the coordinating company has nothing to do with the surgeons who are performing the procedures are the only thing here that isn't FACT. You don't like the way I delivered the FACT that I shared? Don't care. Questioning my agenda when I've been very up front with every single question that's been asked of me is pretty petty. I haven't pretended to be anything other than who I am. I don't create fake posts to intermix with my posts warning people about MBC. I don't delete old posts so nobody can go back and see what I've posted about them before. My profile is my real name and yes, I do live in NY. Again, if you don't like my warning about MBC, please see my post about the cute little X in the upper right hand corner. If you're serious about having your surgery in Mexico, please do your research. Know which dr's work with which coordinators. Pick the DOCTOR you want to do your surgery based on his/her credentials and YOUR extensive research. Then find out which coordinator they work with (or book directly with the Dr. if you're more comfortable). But remember that not all doctors are equally qualified and, yes, some Dr's have a higher death rate than others. Yes, there are doctors, and coordinators for that matter, out there who have had their fair share of brushes with the law. It's your LIFE, please don't let the manner in which I delivered this information influence you to believe that my information is in anyway misinformed because of the cheerleaders.

Again, I did not come on here to create havoc on this site. The original post is true. Yes, maybe I could've been a little more forthcoming about my opinion on MBC, but I honestly don't think it would've made a difference how I stated the post. People like Laura-Ven will be quick to discredit me for one reason or the other no matter how I came across and that's fine. Like I said, I wanted everyone to have the opportunity to know the shady practices of MBC and the make sure they research the ACTUAL DR that will be doing the surgery. Research their site and you will see info and profiles for Dr's MBC doesn't even do business with. Anyone who's ever been to Mexico knows that info if very heavily swept under the carpet. That's what makes it very hard for people to do research and find the best Dr's and which coordinators work with those Dr's. Maybe if , more people would come forward with experiences (good or bad) and this information would be easier for people who are considering having their surgery in Mexico. Luckily I have thick skin so I really don't care that she's called me a duck LOL It seems like people on here keep saying that want this to be a support forum for people having, have had or are considering having their surgery in Mexico, but then they discredit someone who is saying something they don't like. My information is for anyone who wants to consider it. If you don't want to consider it, just click that cute little X button on the top right hand of your screen. I'll disappear immediately

Thank you for posting that you verified that information. I really appreciate it.

I sincerely hope that the next patient who dies doesn't disregard my warnings because people want to discredit me simply based on my post count and my content. I've been pretty consistent with my warnings about this company. I've also received emails from MBC's attorneys demanding I stop posting (be more than happy to post that too) and yet I'm continuing to post. I'm not afraid of his attorney because what I'm saying is the truth. If it wasn't, I guess I would've already been served papers. Since I haven't, guess that means they have no case against me.

Could I get the name of this patient? Absolutely I could. Out of respect for the family I would NEVER put that information out on a public forum.

Listen guys, do I dislike MBC? Absolutely. If you feel differently, that's OK, we don't have to agree on this. All I'm saying is be careful. I'm not on here to start a fight with anyone or to get into a debate. I'm saying this information is out there and all you have to do is search around and you will find it. For those that want it, I'm making it easier for you to find it. I wish everyone luck in their surgery no matter where they have it or with whichever surgeon they choose. If anyone has any questions, I would be more happy to answer them or give you my email if you want to talk privately.

Want an example of the type of coordinator MBC is? Go to www.alejandrolopezmd.com and that will take you directly to MBC. However, MBC does NOT do business with Dr. Lopez. Dr. Lopez is in an exclusive contract with A Lighter Me. With his only background being a webmaster, this is the type of shenanigans MBC uses to get patients. He even has the phone number listed on that site as 855 Dr. Lopez, which will ring you right into MBC.

I would have to disagree that the coordinating company isn't relevant. The coordinating companies work with specific Dr's. If you choose one company, you're limited to the surgeons that company works with. Choosing the right coordinating company is just as important as choosing the most skillful surgeon. From what's being said in Mexico, it was Dr. Valenzuela That's all that was being said was that a patient of hers passed away and was found the following morning unresponsive. And yes, I do have an issue with this company. They are marketing themselves as being in business for a long period of time when, in reality, it's only been less than a year. The Dr's that MBC work with are the Dr's that have the least amount of experience out of the other major coordinating companies and if you look at the credentials of MBC's Dr's vs. the other major coordinators, they come no where near some of the Dr's in Mexico. Any company selling surgeries with specific Dr's should have done extensive research on that dr's skills, length of practice and credentials. Any any patient looking to have surgery should do the same. Mexico has not HIPPA laws, but it does have a really good grapevine of gossip. Just giving people a heads up.

It’s Dr. Ariel Ortiz that operates out of a clinic. Dr. Elias Ortiz operates out of a Hospital. I booked through A Lighter Me for him and surgery was at Mi Doctor Hospital. Very new, clean and modern! I saw Dr. Elias Ortiz several times during my stay.

There are a small number of surgeons in Mexico that perform the spider technique. But it does have it’s drawbacks. I considered it and researched it when I had my surgery. A reputable surgeon will tell you that you have to have a BMI below 40 and be otherwise low risk. That’s a little tricky for those of us large people. We are already a higher risk than normal weight people. The surgery takes longer so that increases the risk. Plus I was told that the surgeons vision is decreased because of only 1 hole. That makes sense I guess. I read in one of the articles about it is not for everyone because even if your BMI is under 40 there could be other reasons they can’t do it. Like too much belly fat or a large liver. My doctor did mine using only 3 incisions and they are very small. I had my surgery with Dr. Alejandro Lopez and Dr. Elais Ortiz. When I pressed Dr. Lopez on the spider, he said that there really is not a lot of difference in the recovery from 3 incisions and 1 incision. I just thought I didn’t want to take the risk. My doctor was charging $500 more for that technique and it just wasn’t worth it to me. But the main reason is that I just didn’t want to have an increased risk just to save myself 2 one half inch hardly noticeable scars. Happy trails!

I absolutely loved Dr. Lopez and A Lighter Me. Unfortunately, they're aren't any independent sources to find that kind of information. But just give them a call. They'll be more than happy to share that information with you. I've said it before and I'll say it again, A Lighter Me has been in business for over 10 years. That was HUGE for me. Not to say a company that's only been in business for a few years isn't reputable, but experience does say a lot for me.

No. A Lighter Me has been in business in TJ for over 10 years. Ready 4 A Chance was started by employees who used to work for A Lighter Me. Ready 4 a Change used to do most of their business out of Monterrey, but have branched out and are offering more locations now.

A Lighter Me right? didn't you love Eduardo?!?!?!? I've said it since I first talking to them, I absolutly think they're the best company out there! If you're checking out options, I would highly suggest you check out A Lighter Me. I'm almost sure they told me they've been doing businss in TJ for over 10 years. Congrats on your surgery!!!!

Please be VERY careful when dealing with Mexico Bariatric Center. They have not been in business very long and their doctors are very new! I found out some very interesting information when I was at Mi Doctor having surgery with another surgeon. I found out that Mexico Bariatric Center is the former web, internet person for A Lighter Me. He stopped working with A Lighter Me a few short months ago and put up this new website. It's been very popular because this person took many websites, he took the Google advertising and even the Facebook of A Lighter Me. The coordinator, Christy used to be the bookkeeper for A Lighter Me. No one at that place has had weight loss surgery and they don't know anything about the surgery, the doctors or how to research anything. They simply found some doctors that were willing to work with them and starting scheduling people! They took the pre and post op diet and all the forms are the same. If you look at both you will find a huge amount of similarity. Some the staff at the hospital told me that what Mexico Bariatric Center did was terrible! They even have testimonials of A Lighter Me's patients as if they had surgery with them. A Lighter Me has been in business in Tijuana for 10 years so they have a very long reputation which MBC just took as their own! The hospital staff also told me that the follow up from MBC is terrible and they end up getting calls from angry patients that don't get any attention once they have paid their money and gone home! Of course they can't give out any information or advice to their post op patients because they don't know anything about surgery at all! I'm so glad I found all this out BEFORE I scheduled my date! I almost ended up with them! Mi Doctor has a couple of other companies with other doctors that are experienced, knowledgeable and are safe. My advice is to go with one of the other companies!

Hi Amanda, I hadn't heard anything about either company until I got to Mexico. While I was in the hotel post op, there was a bunch of us who got to know each other and kinda hung out. Obviously we were all talking about our surgeries and how we got where we were and so on and one thing led to another and we started talking about the companies we went through. A lady named Melissa happened to be there one day and she joined in on the conversation and that's where most of the information came from about the webmaster and the forms and the accusations of stealing. It was all pretty interesting. Ya know, we had nothing better to do but lay around and recover so, unfortunately, we did what women do best....we gossiped LOL When I got home and was still recouperating a little more I did poke around a bit online to see what I could find. Curiosity got the best of me and bordem didn't help!

That was what I decided when I was looking into it. The scar will more than be hidden by the saggy skin. No reason for the extra risk in my opinion. Bunny K - congrats on a successful surgery!