Truth&Gutz

I ams so sorry to hear of your dear child's struggles.....have you spoken to your pediatrician for advise.....? Perhaps, seeing an adolescent therapist might be of help at this juncture ? A child of 13 is still developing on every level and it would be worth checking out every other possible medical evaluation...including seeing an endocrinologist to see if there is an underlying medical problem.....? How did she gain the weight? Was it s sudden onset or did it develpop over a period of time ?Running to a so called surgeon in Mexico to have this most serious surgery done would be difficult on every level......the so called surgeons in Mexico do not have the Post Graduate training as do physicians in the USA.....should something go wrong....as they often do......there clearly is no recourse.....none ! There are plenty of fine bariatric
programs geared to children that are connected to teaching hospitals.....and, often, they are funded so that you could get the assistence that you might need,,,,even in the USA....it is a long process.....it takes time......and it should....there should be clearance done by a psychiatrist,aocial worker, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist,cardiologist,primary care physician.....an adult who goes through the surgery often has some set backs.....and it is not easy......a person must be emotionally and physically ready to go into that journey.....it is not a quick fix.....I thought ot going to MExico for this procedure and after doing my due diligence.....and lots of research.....I decided to find a program in the USA with a Post Graduate trained surgeon at a teaching hospital that had ALL of the Safeguards built into the program.......I understand how hard it must be as a mom to want to help your child......I have experienced the very same issues with one of my own children.....there is help out there.....but, not in a so called 'surgeon's' office in Mexico......much too risky....and much too dangerous......there must be a teaching hospital where you reside......? Wishing your child all the best for good health.......

I ams so sorry to hear of your dear child's struggles.....have you spoken to your pediatrician for advise.....? Perhaps, seeing an adolescent therapist might be of help at this juncture ? A child of 13 is still developing on every level and it would be worth checking out every other possible medical evaluation...including seeing an endocrinologist to see if there is an underlying medical problem.....? How did she gain the weight? Was it s sudden onset or did it develpop over a period of time ?Running to a so called surgeon in Mexico to have this most serious surgery done would be difficult on every level......the so called surgeons in Mexico do not have the Post Graduate training as do physicians in the USA.....should something go wrong....as they often do......there clearly is no recourse.....none ! There are plenty of fine bariatric
programs geared to children that are connected to teaching hospitals.....and, often, they are funded so that you could get the assistence that you might need,,,,even in the USA....it is a long process.....it takes time......and it should....there should be clearance done by a psychiatrist,aocial worker, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist,cardiologist,primary care physician.....an adult who goes through the surgery often has some set backs.....and it is not easy......a person must be emotionally and physically ready to go into that journey.....it is not a quick fix.....I thought ot going to MExico for this procedure and after doing my due diligence.....and lots of research.....I decided to find a program in the USA with a Post Graduate trained surgeon at a teaching hospital that had ALL of the Safeguards built into the program.......I understand how hard it must be as a mom to want to help your child......I have experienced the very same issues with one of my own children.....there is help out there.....but, not in a so called 'surgeon's' office in Mexico......much too risky....and much too dangerous......there must be a teaching hospital where you reside......? Wishing your child all the best for good health.......

I hope that you get to feel better.....I have had the same symptoms.. it is important to get the important Proteins and fruits into your eating plan.....I bought a nutribullet and put some spinach and fruits and a little juice and Protein Powder in....and try to have this several times a week..... it might be a good idea to consult with a nutricionist who handles these post bariatric surgical cases...... all the best......always...

I hope that you get to feel better.....I have had the same symptoms.. it is important to get the important Proteins and fruits into your eating plan.....I bought a nutribullet and put some spinach and fruits and a little juice and Protein Powder in....and try to have this several times a week..... it might be a good idea to consult with a nutricionist who handles these post bariatric surgical cases...... all the best......always...

Take care to yourself......perhaps, you should see another physician,,,? Perhaps, a cardiologist....to see why you are fainting ?How are you Vitamin levels....?Are you able to eat enough....?you need to keep hydrating......with fluids.....stay well and all the best,,,,,,

It must be so difficult for you and as a parent who has gone through a similar situation with one of my own children....I fully understand the frustration all around....my son was born weighing 13 pounds.....a large baby.. as he grew-his weight waxed and wained.....I sent him to weight loss camps,and therapists.....finally, the pediatrician sent him to an endocrinologist who discovered that he had issues with cortisol levels( adrenal and pituatary problems)....as a young adolescent....it was difficult....all around....he had to be attended to medically first and he also had seen a therapist to deal with weight issues.....difficult and upsetting since he wanted to be like his peers.......for hiim, as per the pediatrician....and the medical issue...surgery was not even an option....we are trying to work things through with the physicians and therapist....he is starting to feel better about himself and his self esteem.....at this point, it is a wait and see......perhaps, there is a bariatric program in your area that manages adolescents....teaching hospitals often do and some are comprehensive....as far as suggesting a surgeon in Mexico....personally, I would not be able to suggest anyone...it is difficult to have a procedure out of the borders of the USA...since there is no recourse..no followup....a surgeons
training and post graduate training is imperitive.......in any country....there is a website for american surgeons called....Healthgrades......you could check on the surgeons training,etc. all the very best.....in your journey.....

I ams so sorry to hear of your dear child's struggles.....have you spoken to your pediatrician for advise.....? Perhaps, seeing an adolescent therapist might be of help at this juncture ? A child of 13 is still developing on every level and it would be worth checking out every other possible medical evaluation...including seeing an endocrinologist to see if there is an underlying medical problem.....? How did she gain the weight? Was it s sudden onset or did it develpop over a period of time ?Running to a so called surgeon in Mexico to have this most serious surgery done would be difficult on every level......the so called surgeons in Mexico do not have the Post Graduate training as do physicians in the USA.....should something go wrong....as they often do......there clearly is no recourse.....none ! There are plenty of fine bariatric
programs geared to children that are connected to teaching hospitals.....and, often, they are funded so that you could get the assistence that you might need,,,,even in the USA....it is a long process.....it takes time......and it should....there should be clearance done by a psychiatrist,aocial worker, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist,cardiologist,primary care physician.....an adult who goes through the surgery often has some set backs.....and it is not easy......a person must be emotionally and physically ready to go into that journey.....it is not a quick fix.....I thought ot going to MExico for this procedure and after doing my due diligence.....and lots of research.....I decided to find a program in the USA with a Post Graduate trained surgeon at a teaching hospital that had ALL of the Safeguards built into the program.......I understand how hard it must be as a mom to want to help your child......I have experienced the very same issues with one of my own children.....there is help out there.....but, not in a so called 'surgeon's' office in Mexico......much too risky....and much too dangerous......there must be a teaching hospital where you reside......? Wishing your child all the best for good health.......

So Sorry that you were hoodwinked out of the $700 dollars..... You do have recourse here in the USA...... the BBB is not a reliable place ....often those scores are bought....you could file something them if you choose to... a better wasy would be to contact the Administrator of the Bariatri Center and have them send you a letter in writing as to WHY you paid the $700 fee.....atleast you will develop a paper trail.....then, you call your state Baniking and Insurance Dept.(all states have them-listed on google) Get the name and address and phone number....first call-get the name of the person and then direct a letter explaining the situtuation....hopefully, you woul have received the letter from the bariatric center to include in a written complaint.....they will investigate and find out if other complaints were filed..... go to Heathgrades and find out how their physicians have been rated......? i,e. law suits filed ? complaints ? Then, call your state's Dept of Education that licenses physicians and medical facilities to see if any complaints were filed......you never know....others could have had the same issue...I know that it takes some time....but, worth it.....you never know...? They just might return your $700 to you..... When I decided to have the VSG.....I mistakenly was taken in by the glitz of Dr. Alvarez's website,etc...and some postings from people who used him....I spoke to his 'coordinator' and sent in my one thousand dollars...( alot of money for me),bought a plane ticket...also expensive...never had any of the money returned....I then did my do diligence[in many different ways that I am unable to discuss here] and discovered that I made a huge mistake..,,I called to see if my deposit could be returned since my physician said that I had an issue with a bleeding disorder and had to wait...the 'coordinator' refused to return the funds,,I lost the plane fare as well...I suppose a small price to pay for a potential disaster to my health...I discovered that the 'coordinator' keeps her fee of one thousand dollars(like a finders fee and the cash paid to the 'surgeon' is kept by him.....they will not take credit cards or personal checks....?I wonder ????Mmmmm? I have family in Mexico City(a famous person in the coutry) and discussed my decision and was told...to rethink and not to go there....I looked at the resume of the 'surgeon' and discovered that yes, there was medical school and training in Mexico however,No Post Graduate training in bariatrics....only lots of certificates for seminars lasting from 3 to 5 days duration in a variety of places in MX, in the USA and in Europe....physicans must take CME's Continuing Medical Education training to keep their medical licenses....the places listed were at lovely vacation spots.... paid a fee for the seminars and received certificates.....to me..lots of padding... for the non medical trained person....it looks impressive....that, is clearly NOT
an accredited Post Graduate Fellowship that takes two to three years and more....and, there is no recourse in a foreign country as there is here in the USA....once a person is left on US soil after the surgery.....what then ? Do one return to Mexico to have it addressed ?There were other important issues that I became aware of and I decided that I would try and find the best medical facility here in the USA....that is a regulated hospital with surgeons that have the Post Graduate training and a huge success rate without complications......
It took me awhile......and I found several fine hospital based settings with fine surgeons......and a good presurgery program...I saw a primary care physician once per month, had a pre surgical diet, a pul,omologist, a cardiologist,a gastroenterologist who did both an endoscopy and colonoscopy, a psychiatrist,an anesthesiologist and the Surgeon and his support team.....oh, and a nutritionist.......the post op period takes some getting used to....and adjustment however, it can be done.....I hope and pray that all goes well with all of you......and whatever surgeon that you choose.....the VSG is clearly life changing.....and successful.....wishing you good health and every success in your journey......all the very best......

wishing you all every success in your journey.....Caveate Emptor or Buyer Beware ! As i mentioned...I had my plane ticket paid for and also sent in my one thousand dollar deposit to Dr. Alvarez's 'coordinator' ..after my personal physican stated that I was not able to have the VSG at that moment in time....due to a bleeding issue....the coordinator and Dr. Alvarez Refused to return my deposit...I also lost the air fare money....for me...alot of money....! My feeling is that that is no way to run a 'medical practice'...should I have gone ahead with the surgery in Mexico....there could have been a serious medical disaster....mind you...with no recourse....at all....! I also researched his medical training ,etc. It is important to Look closely at his training.... going to a a weekend course sponsored by a medical society to earn CME's in a lovely hotel....to me,,,,clearly, is NOT postgraduate training....for a surgeon who does Bariatric surgery it is important to have atleast a three year Fellowship....plus!
I ddid my due diligence...it took a long time...and decided to go the more traditional route...for safety reasons...... ..it took 9 months of seeing many physicans who did lots of testing....to prepare for the VSG...in a regulated hospital setting......I am glad that went that route....i hope and pray that all goes well with whatever surgeon that you choose.....post op is not a picnic...it takes time to adjust.....all the very best for much success for Good health to all....

I wish you well in your journey... I was going to go to Dr. Alvarez and even sent in my deposit( that was never returned and kept by his 'coordinator')for me, a loss of one thousand dollars is alot of money....after doing my extensive research.....I decided NOT to go to that 'surgeon'...he does not have the extensive medical post graduate training and I was concerned about the safety factors as well.....I found a wonderful team and surgeon in New York City....it took 9 months to prepare...had to see a variety of physicans in several disciplines......the surgery was successful...no complications....and a weight loss of 112 pounds since July.... be careful.... do your research....ask physicans here in the USA what their thoughts were about leaving the USA for any surgical procedure.....?in the end...the cost might just be too much....in potential medical issues....that could not be addressed should a person go to another country.....there is no recourse on any level.....all the best...to you for good health and every success.....

Hi,... I used to live in Memphis....some of my mom's family is there.....nice town...... have you looked into the Babtist Hospital system ?I am sure that there are many fine surgeons to choose from ? Also, there is a website called.....Healthgrades and you could look up the qualifications of a particular surgeon...... I had my VSG at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City....with a Dr. Daniel Herron .....it was a truly comprehensive program that lasted for 9 months prior to having the surgery......it was the best decision and a great surgeon and team......all the best...with regards////

It is so important to do due diligence and a great amount of research before choosing a surgeon in the USA as well as out of the USA. When I set out on my personal journey to have the VSG, I truly believed that going to Mexico was going to be the best alternative.....the particular 'surgeon' that I was going to use...has a great PR system .....after,I did my research about this 'surgeon', I discovered that he clearly was NOT Board Certified, he did NOT have any Post Graduate Training in Bariatric Surgery-he did Not have a Post Graduate Fellowship in any sort of surgery.....what he did have was several CME's
taken at lovely vacation spots around the USA and other countries....that, is Not post graduate training... taking afew days vacation and sitting in on afew
meetings... receiving certificates is also Not Post Graduate training. a good Post graduate training in Bariatric surgery is a two year Fellowship after a Residency......the general public would not know this....people who are in the medical and or legal professions would easily discover this..... so, as with anything.....Buyer Beware'...... there is no recourse,in countries outside of the USA....wishing you all the very best in good health....

It is so important to do due diligence and a great amount of research before choosing a surgeon in the USA as well as out of the USA. When I set out on my personal journey to have the VSG, I truly believed that going to Mexico was going to be the best alternative.....the particular 'surgeon' that I was going to use...has a great PR system .....after,I did my research about this 'surgeon', I discovered that he clearly was NOT Board Certified, he did NOT have any Post Graduate Training in Bariatric Surgery-he did Not have a Post Graduate Fellowship in any sort of surgery.....what he did have was several CME's
taken at lovely vacation spots around the USA and other countries....that, is Not post graduate training... taking afew days vacation and sitting in on afew
meetings... receiving certificates is also Not Post Graduate training. a good Post graduate training in Bariatric surgery is a two year Fellowship after a Residency......the general public would not know this....people who are in the medical and or legal professions would easily discover this..... so, as with anything.....Buyer Beware'...... there is no recourse,in countries outside of the USA....wishing you all the very best in good health....

It is so important to do due diligence and a great amount of research before choosing a surgeon in the USA as well as out of the USA. When I set out on my personal journey to have the VSG, I truly believed that going to Mexico was going to be the best alternative.....the particular 'surgeon' that I was going to use...has a great PR system .....after,I did my research about this 'surgeon', I discovered that he clearly was NOT Board Certified, he did NOT have any Post Graduate Training in Bariatric Surgery-he did Not have a Post Graduate Fellowship in any sort of surgery.....what he did have was several CME's
taken at lovely vacation spots around the USA and other countries....that, is Not post graduate training... taking afew days vacation and sitting in on afew
meetings... receiving certificates is also Not Post Graduate training. a good Post graduate training in Bariatric surgery is a two year Fellowship after a Residency......the general public would not know this....people who are in the medical and or legal professions would easily discover this..... so, as with anything.....Buyer Beware'...... there is no recourse,in countries outside of the USA....wishing you all the very best in good health....

It is so important to do due diligence and a great amount of research before choosing a surgeon in the USA as well as out of the USA. When I set out on my personal journey to have the VSG, I truly believed that going to Mexico was going to be the best alternative.....the particular 'surgeon' that I was going to use...has a great PR system .....after,I did my research about this 'surgeon', I discovered that he clearly was NOT Board Certified, he did NOT have any Post Graduate Training in Bariatric Surgery-he did Not have a Post Graduate Fellowship in any sort of surgery.....what he did have was several CME's
taken at lovely vacation spots around the USA and other countries....that, is Not post graduate training... taking afew days vacation and sitting in on afew
meetings... receiving certificates is also Not Post Graduate training. a good Post graduate training in Bariatric surgery is a two year Fellowship after a Residency......the general public would not know this....people who are in the medical and or legal professions would easily discover this..... so, as with anything.....Buyer Beware'...... there is no recourse,in countries outside of the USA....wishing you all the very best in good health....