As you all know, I've struggled and am still struggling over having my surgery done here or in Mexico. Cash I will have to pay even though I have insurance will be about the same either way. Here in the states I seem to be getting the run around. Have waited 2 weeks just to get appointment they haven't even called me back yet from 2 huge hospitals, of course there, lots quicker. Here, 6 month diet, but from what I understand I need the after care I can get here. But, can I not get that here from someone Dr. Ortiz sends me too. I'm so torn, would everyone tell me what they've done.

Thank you so much,

Sherri:help:

Oh my..... I just sent in my deposit for surgery with Dr. Ortiz in TJ and now I'm a little worried about where I'd go if I had complications. I have confidence in him as a surgeon but he has a clinic and no ICU. Does anyone know what his arrangements are for unforseen complications?

Susan

to be banded 1/8/07

Susan,

I did not have my surgery with Dr. Ortiz, but I believe you will be in good hands. He is well known and has a great reputation.

jULES, THANKS FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT. i NEED IT! :-)

Yes, I agree, you'll be fine.

I didn't have him and I went to Dr. Sanchez because of the hospital. I went to Santa Agracias and it was a huge, full hospital, but complication rate is soooo low in Mexico because they've done so many I think you'll do great. Good luck.

I contacted someone from Dr. Ortiz's office about medical procedures in case of an emergency and this is what they had to say.

"Good question....At our Center, we have a 3 bed, fully equipped ICU unit, that we have never had to use. But, it is there in case of an emergency. Remember, Dr. Ortiz has never had a mortality and complications during surgery (with Dr. Ortiz) are really unheard of. If anything is questionable about a patient having surgery, it is discovered and discussed during the patient's preops and once in a while, a patient's surgery is cancelled or post poned, as Dr. Ortiz may not feel it is safe to proceed (for whatever reason). The surgery is a quick 15 minute procedure, that Dr. Ortiz has been doing for over 9 years. He has all the experience in the world.

Yes, it is true that some people do think that going to Mexico is inferior. But, I assure you, it is all in the credentials of the doctor, their skill, education, experience and reputation. It really is more important who the surgeon is as opposed to the location."

This really put me more at ease, even more so, because I was already at ease. I feel the peace of God about it. I had a tummy tuck done in CA, and come to think of it, I didn't question that it was done in a surgery center in San Bernardino. For Dr. Ortiz to have an ICU unit ready for an emergency and to have never had to use it?? That is awesome!

Audree

Wow,

I've never heard of it taking 15 min. I know 9 people personally, but they are all Dr. Sanchez patients and it took 50 min. for all of us. That's quick.

Dr. Ortiz did mine, and I highly recommend him.

My friend was scheduled to go see Dr. Sanchez, but I just found out that he was murdered! So sad.

where did you hear that?:omg:

It's true, I called his office this afternoon. He was brutally murdered Saturday at his ranch.

Hi there...

I had mine done in Belgium. They have been doing these surgeries for about 15 years. After care is kind of a bummer. I have to have my fills done in Tijuana. (about 2.5 hr drive) But otherwise I am happy with the care I recieved. Very clean and professional.

BabyGotBack,

Was the 15 min you were in surgery after all the prep work? I ask my surgeon today, fill surgeon about it and he's been doing them for 5 years and he said the quickest he can do one is 40 min. and that's pushing it. I just wished I knew why it took mine so long. Maybe my liver was big or something. Just consider yourself lucky to had a 15 min. surgery. That's quick.

Hi, This is just something to think about when having anything medical done in Mexico. To make a long story short my father died of a massive staph infection from having a hip replacement done in Texas. And when we tryed to fight by suing because of no antibiotics given after surgery, we lost because he had some dental work done in Mexico the year before and they blamed that on causing his infection, even though the sight of infection was surronding the hip replacement. I realize that problems can happen anywear and its not that they (Mexico) are bad, it's just how different things can affect your life or your families life in the future. I guess when asked about his medical past when entering the Hospital my Dad shouldn't have mentioned the dental work???? sunnysea :think

Mysherrijo:

I haven't gotten my band yet. I just asked the Patient Coordinator what they have in place in case of emergency. She meant the actual placement of the band, not the before and after prep. She was just trying to say he was very experienced.

I will ask her again though, just to clarify!!! Audree

I was Self-Pay, waiting to save the money to have the band in the US was not the smart thing to do. The quiality of care in Mexico was great. My US doctor who suggested the Lap-Band and knew that I am a working class person with limited money had said he would do the fills, won't. When he found out that I went to Mexico the office got a little colder.

I have the impression that the Doctors are making "Bussiness" decisions and not "Medicial" decisions. I start to feel like I am dealing with someone who is looking after their best intrest and not My best intrest.