I keep reading good things about both Dr.Kuri and Dr. Ortiz and now Idk who to go with?? I thought my mind was set but now I'm just confused :/

You haven't read anything bad about either?

Well Dr Kuri had a death last yr you can read it on Google

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz. He's amazing, but you definitely have to be self-motivated since there aren't post-op appointments or check-ups. I'd go to Ortiz again if I had the choice. I researched him for over a year before I decided... He's been in the game for a looong time, and even trains American doctors.

Can you kinda give me a run down of what to expect from him as in the process if you don't mind please;)

I was also banded by Dr. Ortiz and have been back for my first fill as well. Love the personal attention I got from the staff and can't say enough about my whole experience. I was able to ask my patient consultant all sorts of questions prior to my surgery too. Feel free to shoot me an email if you have any direct questions. I'd be happy to help.

Julie

Me too!!! Dr.Ortiz as awesome!!! I think for me, reading some of the articles, and hey if Oprah likes him, he must be good.lol (and cute)

What will happen is the co ordinator will call you, ask her anything, pain, size of scars, food, pre op diet, what ever. YOU have to be completely comfortable with this.

Once you decide and arrive in San Diego a van will pick you up, you will watch a short video on the way there, they will take you to the hotel, depending on how long you are staying, this is what happend for me, the hotel was gorgeous and was organized with the hospital regarding the food plan, and any extra needs. Fantastic! Then went for my pre op, they talk to you about the band, weight loss, foods to eat, and not to eat, take your blood, weight etc..all the normal stuff..Surgery day- hospital is extremely clean, and calming, the doctors come and meet you personally, and make you feel relaxed. You have the surgery, everyone is amazing, you come out of surgery, yes it is all this fast, they make you walk so the gas does not build up. If you feel good, about 4hrs later, they return you to the hotel, the hotel will make sure you get your popsicles and plain soup, lol..and relax..The nurses were fantastic!!! I dont know what else to say, but it was just the best decision I have done, and it took me 6 friggen years to finally jump into it, 6 yrs!!! lol!!! I get regular emails too!! If you need to know anything else, dont hesitate to contact me...Im just happy!!!! lol!!!

Wow! Thank you sooo much I really appreciate it this helped a lot..if you don't mind me asking price range? I know Dr Kuri is 5500

Dr Ortiz is 5k. Offers the same hotel and transporation. They made everything really easy. Where do you live?

I live about 45 min north of Bakersfield ca

Thank you soo much for all your support so far I'm starting to lean more towards ortiz;)

He is pretty awesome and cute too! I'm in Phx and going down there for a fill really wasn't a big deal either. Also, they only hope to do 2 or 3 fills in a life time so your not looking at making monthly trips.

I'll shoot you my personal email in case you have questions.

j~

I was banded by Dr. Kuri and am now treated by Dr. So in Dr. Ortiz's office. There simply is no comparison.

I had a horrible horrible experience with Dr. Kuri. I'm surprised he's only had one death in his practice.

You can private email me if you want any other information.

I totally trust Dr. Ortiz, the other physicians in his office, and the office staff.

Wooww! Really?! If you don't mind me asking why the experience was horrible?

Like I said, you can pm mail me for further details. Basically, I had a complication from Dr. Kuri;s surgery and called Dr. Kuri's office for help, with no response. I live in the San Diego area, and a friend almost carried me over the border to his office. I assumed there was just a language problem. Wrong. I was doubled over, cryng, and being almost carried. The staff was not interested and said I needed to get in back of the "fill line" if I had a question for one of the doctors, which was a wait of several hours. When I did, the person doing fills just looked at me and said I looked pale and should go home and rest. I asked them to put in a call to Dr. Kuri. They said they did, but that there was no answer, and no answering machine, and no paging system. I had no other experience with Dr. Kuri's office other than the surgery itself. Thankfully, Dr. Ortiz's office took me in immediately. I have been with his office every since. I regret my decision to have my lapband surgery with Dr.Kuri. I posted a review several years ago, but I can't find it now. Dr. Kuri has a huge sales force with a significant presence on many lapband forums, and often swoops in to attempt to discredit anyone with a different opinion of Dr. Kuri, so I usually don't post anymore. It is not my intention to enter into an argument with Dr. Kuri's sales team. This is my own experience. I have no interest in or connection to any doctor's office.

That was why I asked the question I did in my response.

I knew that a few years back there was a big controversy over one of the Lap Band Drs and I couldn't find it for the benefit of the OP. I thought it might be Kuri but I wasn't sure. I then googled and found the report regarding the death but couldn't find anything else.

I also heard that a lot of the negative threads were removed as certain Drs were paying a lot of money for advertising etc. I do not know if this is true.

That is why it is important to research your potential Dr thoroughly before making a decision.