I would like to make yet another attempt to clear up the incorrect information that has been posted on this and the lap band talk board. There have been many outlandish statements made with absolutely not an ounce of truth nor documentation to show any possibility that these accusations could be possible.

Statements were made the Dr. Andres Betancourt was arrested and/or convicted of insurance fraud. He was NOT. This is completely untrue. Below is the article showing the event that was mentioned and the doctors that were involved. There is no mention of Dr. Betancourt in this link.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20030410-9999_1m10fraud.html

Statements were made that Dr. Betancourt had is license revoked. This is completely untrue. Here is a copy of his current, valid license. I have heard that there is another doctor with the name Betancourt that resides and was licensed in California that had his licensed revoked. Dr. Betancourt of Emmanuel Medical was NEVER licensed in California. He is only licensed in Mexico. At best, this is a case of mistaken identity.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/attachments/f11/17218d1247096452-mylapbandsurgery-com-betancourt-medical-center-emmanuel-certification.jpg

There have been claims that Dr. Almanza doesn?t use the Allergan band. Here is his Allergan certification.

Statements were made that the hospital (Emmanuel Medical Center) is unlicensed. This is untrue. Here is a copy of that license. Some have speculated the reason for the name change of the facility from Betancourt Medical to Emmanuel Medical Center. Again, someone?s opinion based on nothing! By the way, you can also find this and all of these, Dr. Almanza?s and other credentials on the website of www.MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com. The documents can be viewed by anyone at any time.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/attachments/f11/17219d1247096812-mylapbandsurgery-com-betancourt-medical-center-betancourt-license.pdf

Emmanuel medical center has never had a case of MERSA either. All staff on duty is licensed and available. Patients are not left to ?recover? alone in a hotel room. Just like all the other doctors, patients are released to finish their recovery after spending the proper time in the hospital (up to 12 hours for lap band, 2 ? 3 days for sleeve gastrectomy and 3 days for bypass). Unlike some other surgeons, Dr. Almanza has an emergency plan in place for any emergency that may arise.

A statement was made that a patient fell off the operating table during surgery. That is impossible as patients are strapped down during surgery. Even if the table were to be turned upside down, a person couldn?t fall off!

Statements were made that Dr. Almanza has had many deaths and complications. Who, where, when? Dr. Almanza and Emmanuel Medical Center have not had any deaths. Yes, there have been an acceptable number of complications. All surgery comes with risk. It was stated that ?there have been many deaths and complications?, then it was stated ?They claim no complications?. Which is it? I guess we are damned if we do and damned if we don?t. Do you know how many complications and deaths other surgeons have had? You would be surprised at who and how many!

The people making these statements have been asked time and again to post documentation or proof of their claims. They NEVER have, because it doesn?t exist. It has also been claimed that certain persons were ?Asked by Alex? (the owner of this board) to post information to let people know how to choose surgeons and/or educate them in some way. Alex has claimed to me that he has NEVER asked anyone to post anything.

There has been much reference to ?Many horror stories?. Where are they? Where are the patients that actually had it happen? All we see here are references to, ?I heard, someone said, I talked to someone that had a complication, someone told me?, etc. For someone that has been in this business for about 14 years, you would think there would be lots of documentation if this were true.

Every time a post operative patient of Dr. Almanza posts on this board about the positive experience they had, they are accused of being a ?paid poster? they are made fun of and usually, eventually banned from this board. You have tried to justify this by claiming that someone admitted to being a paid poster for Dr. Almanza. Who? Why has this person not made an admission herself on this board? Because this also is untrue!

I realize that there is much competition in this business and that others are losing money because our business is able to offer high quality care and safety at a very affordable price. It?s a shame that the only way others have found to compete is to try to discredit our business.

It has been said that it is impossible to offer such low prices without cutting corners. The peso has gone down (a lot!), the economy is struggling, causing reduced profits, together with the fact that this company owns its own facility and is a medical supply company which buys in very large quantities at a lesser price and in fact supplies other facilities. All this allows us to offer very competitive pricing.

What is truly sad is that many people need weight loss surgery, struggle to afford it and are suffering. Unfortunately, they have people like some on this board try to scare them by making untrue accusations based on nothing, all in an attempt to sway people to pay more to another doctor where, I believe, they are receiving a referral fee. I base this statement on MY educated opinion that no one would spend as much time, as some here are doing, making it their mission to discredit some doctors and promote others unless they were getting something out of it. Who has that kind of time?

I have made numerous attempts and offers to speak with people that have made these wild statements to find out why they are doing this, and have offered to provide the proof that the statements are untrue. No one has agreed to talk to me. I can only conclude that they have another agenda. I will no longer sit back and allow this untrue, libelous information be posted unchallenged. If you?re going to post something as fact, also post documentation to substantiate your claim or state it as what it is?an opinion with no fact basis!

If anyone reading this would like to ask me any questions, you are welcome to contact me at any time toll free at 800-935-6710, direct at 916-647-9501 or you can email me at Sandy@aLighterMe.com

Sandy Johnston

MexicoWeightLossSurgery.com

800-935-6710

Let's not have this thread turn into a bashing of people with different viewpoints. Please stick to the facts.

Thank you!

Good Morning Cajun,

Who is bashing who, this came to me via email, did I write something wrong? It is always hot there, and in the winter it get chilly, I didn't think that was wrong. Sorry

:mad:

The moderators on this forum are without a doubt the worst at their jobs I've ever seen - going all the way back to my first forum membership in 1986.

SET SOME RULES, people.

No doctor bashing. No flame wars. Abide by The Golden Rule (you know, the one your mother taught you).

Anyone who violates the rules should be first warned, then put on probation, then banned after the third offense.

Oh, but wait - then the moderators would have to ban themselves - as they're the worst offenders!!

After scanning the sheer nastiness posted above - I'm outta here, and won't be back.

Sheri

:mad:

The moderators on this forum are without a doubt the worst at their jobs I've ever seen - going all the way back to my first forum membership in 1986.

SET SOME RULES, people.

No doctor bashing. No flame wars. Abide by The Golden Rule (you know, the one your mother taught you).

Anyone who violates the rules should be first warned, then put on probation, then banned after the third offense.

Oh, but wait - then the moderators would have to ban themselves - as they're the worst offenders!!

After scanning the sheer nastiness posted above - I'm outta here, and won't be back.

Sheri

Those posts are from months ago, and the a couple of the members that were bickering back and forth, are no longer members of this forum.

The thread was dead, and then drug back up months later for whatever reason. The entire bickering was done and over with.

I agree the thread should of been closed, or deleted, but I guess some like to keep the drama going, or stir the pot once it simmers down.

I will say to you akindofmagick that it was bad here, but everyone is trying now to move on and the Mod's have been really great. Susan is usually right here to spank us if we get mouth over load butt syndrome, so don't go away, just work with all of us. This is a good place, we all just want to learn from each other, we don't care who or where anybody went. Some of us just want to learn about our surgery, some have more experience, some are new, and it dosn't matter where you are in your experience, we are all different, and we can learn from each other. There are a few chosen ones, but mostly we just over look them or report them. But please stay, if someone gives you grief, let Susan know, she will help.

I am a bit confused as to why people are becoming so angry over an argument that took place months ago. No need to rehash and/or get angry over something that took place in the past, has long since been resolved and people have moved on from. Please, before you post something in anger, check the date of the original post.

For clarification to new members and in defense of myself and Vegas Angel, Sheri (aka akindofmagick) please note that as I already stated, this post originally began months ago, before either myself or Vegas Angel were members of the admin/moderator team here at VST.

Edited November 3, 200916 yr by *susan*