I would like help comparing between the Lapband 9.75 cost $4000 with Jeruselem Hospital by Dr. Mario Almana, or the Realize-C with Dr Ariel Ortiz for $5000

does anyone have and info or experience with these bands and or Dr's

I had mine done by Dr. Ortiz and it was as smoooooth as glass! I was led to beleive that, depending on the patient, Ortiz would use one band or the other but I may be wrong because I have the REALIZE - C band. If I remember correctly he said he would make his decision once he got a look at things (whatever that means........LOL)

I also went to Dr Ortiz, he and his staff were amazing! The Marriot, where you'll stay down there if you choose him, is awesome, the people are wonderful. I was banded in October '11 and just went back down there for my first fill a few weeks ago (I'm in Vegas, so flying or driving down there is pretty easy) their follow up care is great, they email you every 3 months after surgery, and you will receive Dr Martinez and Dr Ortiz cell numbers in case you need to call them after surgery. I have the 11cc Realize band, and when I talked to Dr Martinez after surgery, he stated that it is the only band they use now, and they have not had any complications with it since they started using it (a few years). All has been wonderful, and I am 60 lbs down, including the pre-op liquid diet, 2 weeks prior to surgery when I lost 20 lbs. Anyway...i cannot suggest Dr Ortiz enough. If you have anymore questions, feel free to message me!

I was banned with him almost 5 years. Not once have they called me even after my fill. Im glad to here you had better after then I did.

Wow, sorry to hear that. Have you had any complications? Where did you get your after care/fills? Just curious. I don't know if they recently began their after care program, or if maybe they didn't have your email address or something. Every three months, they email a "what to expect" informational video, they have you fill out a survey to let them know how you are doing, and then after you watch the video, they ask you to call them for a phone appointment with a doctor. Also, two days after surgery I was having some weird sensations (feeling the tubing move) and called Dr Martinez cell. It was a Sunday but he answered on the first ring, I could hear his kids (or someone's kids) playing in the back ground. I called once again when I returned to the US, the 800 number this time since the question I had wasn't as serious. Dr So (the doc who does the fills and aftercare) returned my call the same day. My sister (also banded by Ortiz on the same day as me) and I have had the most amazing experience with him and his staff, better than any treatment i've ever received from any Dr in the US. We've been joking about going to Mexico for everything now. Seriously thinking about getting my teeth done there.

as a side note or follow up to I said or whatever you wanna call it... I will say that the experience is kind of what you make it. He's a great surgeon, it's a great office, and all of the staff is great, but if you don't follow up, take care of yourself, and make sure you are getting what you need, make sure they have your information correct, make sure everything is in order, and ask the right questions, you will not get the care you should. You have to demand what you need (politely) and respectfully let people know where you stand, or you won't get anywhere with any doctor in any part of the world.

I thought they were great. I'm just saying they didn't keep up with me. I had all 4 fill with them. About a year ago I started to have trouble I called the office they told me to get unfilled I did that. Not once did they call me. The dr I had the unfill with called me for a week. I went back to tj in august he put.8 back in and he told me I stretched out my Esophgus from being to tight. So I have gained about 20 back. Going next week to apple valley for a fill. I have 3 family members that have seen him after me and they to have great aftercare. Starting over to drop my last 20 pounds. It's real nice to talk to people on this site

Thanks for sharing! I hope your esophagus problem is resolved. Have you been to Apple Valley before? My sis and I are planning to use them as back-up if we can't get to TJ for some reason. I think they are the closest to us that uses fluro.

Yes, she is very nice and with gas going up apple valley is closer

Has anybody done the 5 day pouch test?

I went ahead with the newer lapband ap I found a Dr in south florida that did everything self pay for $8999 I had the surgery 03/08/12 everything went great and I am down 15 pounds post op weight and have no desire to eat much of anyting lol