Dr. Kelly No Longer Working With Alightme- Safety Concerns Or Simply Business Issues?

[No game 14,436]

Hmmmm.. It must get awfully tiring to have to fight everyday about the qualifications of your doctors and coordinators?

Have you guys ever thought about why this happens everyday here? What is the psychology behind it?

It's exhausting don't you think?

Is it possible that the all (most of them anyway)

Have good points and bad?

And it's ok whoever you pick and shouldn't have to put so much time and energy in defending your decision.

It makes me wonder if somewhere, in your mind you are not entirely comfortable with your choice and therefore need to compensate?

[No game 14,436]

Go on girls now you can band together and get me

[gibson_girl 108]

Laura, I don't think either understood my post. I was not putting down any surgeon or coordinator. Any surgeon at all! I'm not arguing either.

I just keep reading about this death and it is tragic and my heart truly goes out to her family. That must be terrible. The statistics stand for themselves. There are more deaths happening than people care to believe. I was simply pointing out that Dr Kelly's one much talked about on the forum is likely just a small percentage to the unfortunate reality of bariatric surgery.

I was also pointing out how a head hunting coordinator is unnecessary. From what I understand Dr Kelly and Dr Aceves have both been wise and ditched agencies and multiple coordinators and use secretaries much like Drs do here in the states.

[*susan* 1,709]

Laura, I don't think either understood my post. I was not putting down any surgeon or coordinator. Any surgeon at all! I'm not arguing either.

I just keep reading about this death and it is tragic and my heart truly goes out to her family. That must be terrible. The statistics stand for themselves. There are more deaths happening than people care to believe. I was simply pointing out that Dr Kelly's one much talked about on the forum is likely just a small percentage to the unfortunate reality of bariatric surgery.

I was also pointing out how a head hunting coordinator is unnecessary. From what I understand Dr Kelly and Dr Aceves have both been wise and ditched agencies and multiple coordinators and use secretaries much like Drs do here in the states.

First off, not all coordinators are "head hunting". Many coordinators, myself included, are in this because we had surgery and it changed our lives. We know what it is to be obese, how confusing the process of choosing a doctor can be, and how important it can be to have someone with you acting on your behalf every step of the way. I am in this because I want others to achieve the same success, health benefits and happiness I have. I care about my patients. We offer care, advice, nutritional information, etc. from start to goal. I don't know about this business of coordinators receiving thousands of dollars for every surgery they book either, that is definitely news to me.

What I am saying is, with surgeons, Medical Tourism and coordinators, there are going to be good ones and bad ones. And, if they have performed enough surgeries, worked with enough patients, etc., there are bound to be some bumps along the way where, tragically, something may go wrong. That doesn't mean they are bad at what they do, and most of them will bend over backwards to correct whatever went wrong, or may have been perceived to go wrong.

Lastly, your statement that Dr. Aceves does not use "agencies" is incorrect, as we work with him.

[gibson_girl 108]

Susan, I definitely did not mean to hurt your feelings. I'm sure you are good at what you do. You do make a living doing what you do and I'm sure it is thousands of dollars per year.

Maybe I'm just too familiar with our medical system in the US that simply uses secretaries, nutritionists etc that are paid salary or by the time that they work. Personally I think receiving a cut from each patient would cloud your vision, but hey I've been wrong before.

I should have been more clear with what I said. Dr Kelly and Dr Aceves both have the option to schedule with them directly and not go through an agency. I have seen that you do have options to go through agencies with both surgeons.

Once again, I'm sorry if I have offended you. As a lifetime overeater that hasn't eaten for 5 days now I'm cranky and a little cloudy lol. I'll just zip my mouth now

[*susan* 1,709]

Lol, no worries. And actually, I make my living as a recruiter, my passion is helping others. Hopefully, in the future, I will be able to make my living and my passion doing the same thing.

[Andrea8967 25]

I'm having surgery with Dr Kelly Monday. I find it amusing how everyone believes that these other surgeons in Mexico have had no deaths. Pull your head out of the sand. The mortality rate for a bariatric surgery excluding the band is 1 in 400. If you truly believe that Dr Aceves or Alvarez have had no deaths you are in major denial. If they have preformed thousands of surgeries they have had deaths. Sure they don't advertise it, but the only reason people know about Dr Kelly's death of a patient is because the deceased patient befriended a member of the boards and they posted it. ALM wouldn't know about a death. I seriously can't believe how many people believe their surgeon who has preformed thousands of surgeries haven't experiences major complications and death in the riskiest population of all. You seriously believe that?

ALM takes thousands of dollars from a surgeon for each booking forcing them to perform more surgeries. If I was a surgeon that has performed almost 7,000 surgeries, has the FACS designation, the American College of Bariatric Surgeons approval/membership I wouldn't pay someone thousands of dollars to schedule me either.

Regardless of whom you choose, do you use a coordinator to schedule with your PCP, cardiologist, ect here in the states. Does your Dr pay someone thousands of dollars to a coordinate and hunt heads? Nope. I've worked in healthcare for a long time and with very few exceptions all of the surgeons I know work in ONE hospital.

I spent a long, long time researching surgeons. I even tried to trick his scheduler Lora into suggesting another surgeon to make sure she wasn't a coordinator. So far it has been a wonderful experience and I have no reason to believe the rest of the experience will be anything but.

Well, my surgery is Monday. My BMI is 49.9 so I could use all the prayers and thoughts that I can get because surgery in my condition is plain risky.

Good luck to you on Monday. I dug up the post I wrote about my surgery with Dr. Kelly on the Gastric Sleeve Forum. Thought you would like to know what's in store. You are going to love the whole experience. Please keep us posted on your surgery. You chose a wonderful surgeon.

Tijuana.html" rel="external nofollow">http://www.gastricsleeve.com/forum/tell-us-about-your-journey-getting-a-gastric-sleeve/10655-day-two-in-tijuana.html

[gibson_girl 108]

Thanks Andrea! I'm about to have a nervous breakdown! Lol. Not regarding surgeons or coordinators, just traveling thousands of miles from home and having surgery. I still can't believe I leave tomorrow morning! I am excited though I can't believe in a little over 24 hours I'm going to join the wonderful sleevers I've been reading about.

[Andrea8967 25]

Are you traveling alone or with a friend or family member? If you're staying at the hotel lucerna you're in for a treat. (I think thats where I was). I remember all the delicious smells from the buffet they had every day. All I could eat was Soup. But that's ok. I wanted to be thinner and did what it took. You're in excellent hands with Dr Kelly. It'll be over before you know it. Good luck and safe travels. I hope you're not stopping in the Houston airport on your way home. That was a nightmare too. They had all homemade food in the food court and NO JELLO!

[gibson_girl 108]

My mom is going with me thankfully. That is the hotel I'll be at, uh oh! Oh well, I've made it through the preop diet with an xtra large stomach so I hope avoiding the buffet is a breeze post op My layover is in MDW and only for 40 minutes. I'm hoping liquids will get me home.

[Andrea8967 25]

That's what Moms are for: support. She probably thrilled that you decided to so this. You're in for the ride of a lifetime. I noticed that after my surgery some of the food I uses to like - I can't stomach anymore. (That was a pretty good joke!). I am alot more selective in what I choose to eat now. Surprisingly - I can eat a piece of cake and ice cream without putting on a lb. My metabolism must have changed. I eat small quantities of food every 2-3 hrs now. I feel like I eat all the time. So don't think for a minute that you'll never eat again. On the contrary- you'll be eating alot more frequently. I met a woman online on one of the forums and we got to meet face to face at the hospital. We had such a good time down there. The whole experience was fun beginning to end. So don't worry about a thing. You're in good hands!

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

My mom is going with me thankfully. That is the hotel I'll be at' date=' uh oh! Oh well, I've made it through the preop diet with an xtra large stomach so I hope avoiding the buffet is a breeze post op <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> My layover is in MDW and only for 40 minutes. I'm hoping liquids will get me home.[/quote']

My mom went with me to Mexicali. It was a nice having her along.

I really wasn't "feeling" food immediately postop. Sipping Water and broth were all I had in me to do. I took powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken broth powder which saved me when we were stranded in Denver.

[Karen B45 38]

I haven't been on this board in over a year, but I see this thread has been reactivated so wanted to put in my two cents.

I was sleeved by Dr. Kelly in March 2012. I booked directly with him and had no problems doing so. I was originally going through a Lighter Me, and then chose not to do so after the Dr. they wanted me to see after they stopped working with Dr, Kelly had some really negative issues posted on this forum. I did know about the patient death with Dr. Kelly but did my research and found many people who had been happy with their experience with him.

I have absolutely nothing negative to say about him, he came to see me several times before and after to make sure that all my questions and concerns were answered about the surgery. I felt that he honestly cared about my well being. As for my surgery, he did a great job. I had no complications, and my incisions healed really well.

Weight loss surgery is hard, don't kid yourself otherwise. You can't eat very much for quite a long time afterwards, and it takes a while to kind of return to feeling "normal". I did have my sister go with me to Tijuana so I didn't go by myself.

Anyway, just wanted to voice my opinion that Dr, Kelly is a good surgeon in my opinion and I have no reservations about recommending him to anyone who is considering surgery in Mexico.

As for my weight loss, I am down seventy pounds from my surgery. Should be more, but...that's me, not Dr. Kelly! Currently a size ten, started out at a size 18. Very happy I had the surgery, it changed my life.

Everyone has to make the right decision for themselves, but if you are considering a surgeon in Mexico, I would definitely recommend you consider Dr. Kelly.

[gibson_girl 108]

Actually I booked directly with Lora/Dr Kelly. You get a better hotel etc that way. I'm one day post op today and starting from the airport until now I have nothing bad to say, only great things!

The hospital is better than I pictured described on here, the standard of care is excellent and Dr Kelly and his surgical team are fabulous! The nausea was hard to deal with the first 12 hours but manageable with Zofran. 16 hours later I just feel like someone beat me on my upper abdomen.

[gibson_girl 108]

His actual website owned by him is wlsclinic.com and you can reach him or Lora at info@wlsclinic.com

I did a lot of research before I came here and I'm glad I did!