westcoastlady

yes susan... tell me more about my husbands intentions of whom you have not met. Im sure he will reply tonight.

Possibly but I would hope not. We try to see the best in people. And YES, we do NOT support all doctors. XXX is very adamant on who he works with, what hospital and damn... even the hotel. So maybe some toes have been stepped on but he does not compete with companies doing what he does for profit... I think. Anyways, thanks for the words.

And we both believe in Karma. Thank you

My name is XXXXX XXXXX and I have just hijacked my wife’s account under the name of westcoastlady. Twelve hours ago I took a call from Alex, the owner of this web site and was asked several questions that concerned him. I did not appreciate the way the call started off by pretending to be a future patient of wls and asking me if he could book an appointment through me with a certain doctor. I felt he baited me to see if I was a coordinator or someone in a position that can make a booking and receive a monetary fulfillment. He failed! After being in the conversation for approximately 10 minutes, Alex requested that we “ease off” on promoting certain surgeons, hospitals and hotels but that I should continue to speak the truth as I know it. He suggested we not give out our personal phone number but to discuss my thoughts and concerns over the chat lines (which I will not due to the fact as getting lambasted when discussing someone else’s doctor that they consider a hero). He did not request my wife to leave his site but to “just cool it” abit. His concern is that my wife has given out our own personal home phone number to approximately 12 people to help people making evaluations for future patients easier. I have been to TJ 13 times, once for myself, once for my wife, three times with friends and eight times with complete strangers whom I had only chatted with on this site and the OH site. I KNOW most of the TJ surgeons, all the major hotels and all of the hospitals and clinics and I feel I have a vast amount of knowledge to share. But regrettably, this will now come to an end since Alex has had a few complaints about me (us)… as he put it… us being sketchy by giving out our private phone number and then offering my “free service”. We get 20 to 30 emails and phone calls a week of people saying thanks but it just takes a few complaints to take it all away. I even have a “new friend” in TJ right this minute that we are in contact with several times a day. Seems she thought it would be no problem being there by herself but now wishes I was there. Not everyone needs an advocate, but ones that do sure appreciate it. I know my wife has posted that I have gone down with complete strangers and acted as a patient advocate. This is true. I speak for them when they can’t because of the pain, the language barrier etc. I make them walk when they don’t won’t to. I go buy bags of ice for the nurses’ station for all patients because the hospital/clinic has none. I carry their bags, I call their loved ones, you get the drift. What is my charge you ask? It’s nothing. Zero. Nada Why can I do this? I’m retired. Retiring before I was 50 has made life grand and we live it large. I have nothing but free time and a damn plane ticket is less than $500. One hundred percent of all the people I have accompanied are VERY thankful and most of them have bought us thoughtful gifts and trinkets to show their appreciation. And to be very honest… I am considered kinda wealthy. Some say stinkin rich lol. I say healthy! I have even paid the difference for a young man to switch doctors to another (an $800 extra) so he would not take a chance with a certain doctor where I have personally witnessed two deaths. In closing I always looked at it as paying it forward. I had such a bad surgery at such a bad clinic that had a doctor on board that wasn’t a licensed doctor, had to get fixed up a year later… you get the picture. My wife had a great surgery with Dr. Kelly and his team. MBC sometimes uses a bait and switch tactic when it comes to inquiries, changing hospitals and hotels without advising you, actually just taking the cheaper way out. Again… I have vast knowledge of what goes on down there and have tried to share it at my expense. To those who read this and are concerned that I will renege on my future commitments… please feel comfortable as that I am a man of my words and I will follow through. I have asked my wife not to offer my services to any others and I feel that I have paid it forward as much as I can. Thank you all for your patience reading this mumble jumble. Seems that when you’re upset you have a thought every 5 seconds but not enough time to write them down. To those of you that complained that we had ulterior motives, your wrong and that’s your prerogative and we hope you have an uneventful surgery with whomever, wherever and whenever. The drama is over, no more suspense!

So glad you are doing fine. Keep it up! Don't want to get into doctor and facility bashing but I would never go there again! We advise friends and advocates to look elsewhere. My husbands surgery was there and three years and a corrective surgery later... hes doing pretty good.. From multiple patient infections, two deaths, one patient rushed to the border by cab and left there, doctors using other doctors credentials, a recovery house that was a party house for coordinators, almost no English, so many complications and that is while we were both there. I could go on and on but it was a horror story. I always felt bad for the ELEVENTH patient of the day! Oh and an OR that was never and I mean never cleaned between operations. And today a OR assistant that was the chauffeur three years ago. Told you I could keep going. I am VERY happy for all the patients that are doing well. Thought I should edit this and say it was Dr. Almanza at Jerusalem Clinic 3 years ago, not what my original thread was about.

PM me. I will tell you what my husband does for patients. He does NOT work for any doctors or agencies. And best of all... he does not charge! I call him a patient advocate. He has been there (TJ) 12 times... soon to be 13

Did you book direct or through a wholesaler. I assume you booked direct since Cece picked you up. So to all you people considering Dr. Kelly... BOOK DIRECT! The package he offers is different than MBC. And last comment... isn't Angeles Hospital out of this world! Great Post

Im very happy for you. You have made a great choice. Now hurry up Sept!

That's bull crap about changing hospitals... I agree. And people should understand that they are not hiring the doctor when booking through MBC. The Dr. is only doing what he gets paid for by MBC and if they book direct with Kelly they get the FULL MEAL DEAL. Thanks for the post.

LOLThat s just the patient room. The OR is a REAL OR.. Not just tools in a Snap On Tool Box.

Only one. Walk...walk...walk...and when you are so tired... walk some more Have a great surgery!

So... have you made a decision? Pick a great doctor, a respectable hospital and... most of the hotels are all similar. Good luck!

I hope all goes well. Kelly is great. MBC is just abit shady IMO. Too many bait and switches. What I don't understand is why wouldn't you book directly at the same price and get the better package that Doc Kelly gives you. Both packages are NOT the same! Anyways... good luck on your upcoming surgery.

Dr Garcia does not need to read this forum or listen to any of us. If he's been acting inappropriate over a period of time with patients... he knows, so do nurses, hotel staff. Its not a private world we live in. I will follow up next month when my hubby is back in TJ and see what actions Garcia has taken. He should be protecting his business and many... and I mean many have changed their surgeries from him to other surgeons. And I for one... like that. Sorry Garcia lovers... but this is his chance to make thing right. IMO

Well... IMO Dr Garcia... who I also respected has lost my respect. He that surrounds themselves with the devil is no better. This is Dr. Garcia's chance to clear his name by saying adios to the looser... just saying

You have had the best responses already. WALK Need motivation? Evertime you walk for 15 minutes I will email you $1000.00 Now walk!

Im going to get blasted but your well being is worth it. My husband was sleeved at that chop shop. Do NOT go there please. Its not worth it. I pm'd you. I can advise you of other options.

You and others keep saying" the company"... may I ask... who the company is? Thanks

Kates Hubby here... She made me read this thread because of my connection to TJ. I have a saying in business. Surround yourself with great people in your company and you become great yourself. Surround yourself with the devil... you go to hell. Sorry Dr. Garcia.. YOU are also connected. I cant believe that Dr Garcia did not know of actions like these. Speaking from experience of my 12 vistits there... people brag. I would think many other proffessional people around him knew what he was doing. Thanks for coming forward, thanks for whom ever posted his name. Please report the booking agency that you used so other agencies dont get blamed. I assume its either Tijuana Bariatrics, Baha Med or MBC. It wouldnt supprise me if it was Mexico Bariatrics. Kate has her own bone to pick with them. My last chance of a bit of humour... dont sleep with a caregiver in TJ... the front doorman of the Marriott is cuter! Again... it was brave of you to come forward.

Good luck with MBC. When we originally booked I got great service from this company. After payment things went down hill. And its funny that they used the same excuse (family emergency) to transfer us to another coordinator that eventually complained that she worked for us and didnt get paid. Long story short... we are asking MBC to compensate me for switching hospitals and not telling us. That has really pissed me off. You just dont do that. Your already stressed out enough the morning of surgery to find that they drive up to a lessor quality hospital with poorer services. But thats my problem not yours. I tried to pm you but I guess you dont see them. All good. What doctor have you selected? Most doctors have their own websites and you can book direct. And a few of them DO NOT want deposits. They TRUST you! And there are MANY benifits for booking direct!!! GoodLuck

Pics of Christopher, Lora's son. I think he's around 25 yrs old. Surgery was Sunday OMG... is that a dust bunny lol See not dirty as earlier reported. Good Luch Chris! K&T

Im going to answer this a bit differet. Tip for good or extrordinary service. Tip the same as you would in USA or Canada. Dont worry what the wage in MX is... tip accordingly. As one poster said... she tipped a kid a Walmart a buck. Did it break her... probably not. Was it more than usual... yup But you wouldnt get a kid in North America to bag your groceries and accept a 10 cent tip. Your tires would be slashed b4 you got to your car. lol Tip what you can afford. Tip what you are accustomed to. Thats my answer. And if anyone wants to tip me for my thoughts... I will send you a link to my PayPal account. hahaha

Good luck and may you find the MONEY TREE!!!

Couldnt of said it better. There are approx 200 Bariatric Surgeons in Mexico but only a few advertise on the internet. I used Dr. R Kelly at $5200Most packages all include whats listed above in the other post. Research the doctor... research the hospital... and finally the recovery hotel. Good Luck

My husband spoke with "Team Kelly" today on a business matter. I agree with this statement with a change made to it to keep it correct.Dr Kelly has practicing privileges at Angeles, INT, MI Doctor and Nova. He perfers Angeles but it is twice the price and most patients want a package price in the $5000 area. Angeles is in the $10K area. But if you've been to Angeles Hospital like we have... you know why. The only hospital/Clinic that he is NOT working out of is Florence/Oasis. That being said if your willing to pay... its Angeles at 10Kish. If its $5200... its Nova... If its booked by MBC they pay the cheapest OR fee and thats MI Doctor. Still at $5200 To my understanding and our personal discussion (and to make it short and sweet)... it was a mutual agreement that he would no longer use F/O Hope that clarifies it abit better. IMO... book direct and get Nova Hospital. MBC doesnt do anything extra for you... you actually get less. By booking direct with Lora... no deposit, better xray for leak test, hospital with a doctor present at night, a hospital that does NOT lock its doors at night so they can still be checked on... I'll stop there. Hope that helps patints make a better decision when considering Dr. Kelly and who to book through