My time is running out. I need to decide on a doctor now. I actually scheduled and paid deposit with Dr. Ortiz but now having 2nd thoughts. He did my lap band, wonderful experience, so just automatically thought he was the one for my revision.. Well I started receiving phone calls from coordinators because I sent for information on costs for other drs. just to compare prices. One coord. told me Dr. Ortiz was a great lapband dr but not much experience in vsg. She recommended Dr Garcia. They no longer recommend Dr. Kelly bc of some issues. Hmmm

Doing research, I am actually impressed with Dr. Kelly. Yes I know he had a death which concerns me. I called to get info on Dr Kelly. I had several numbers. The first call I got back was from Dr. Kelly himself. He assured my I would be in good hands. When I asked about all the drama, he stated that he didnt feel the coords were representing him well so he decided not to renew the contract with them. Now they are upset with him. After hanging up from him, I received a call from someone who still works with him (you know who im talking about, will not say her name), told her I was interested in Dr. kelly. She said she would book me with him but she recommended dr. Ponce de leon. Really pushed this dr. which I have not heard of, works out of INT hosp. But what about Dr. Kelly, he has great credentials. She stated he was a skilled surgeon but there were issues, regarding integrity. Dr. Kelly is $3,000 cheaper than Ortiz and has more experience with vsg. Dr. K is a member of FACS and ASMBS as is Dr. O. but im very concerned with all this drama, if there is more to it than disgruntled coords. I am a revision, so safety and experience is my #1 conceren.

I also saw a post where the person called all these hospitals and Dr. K is not allowed to operate there anymore but wouldnt state why. She was accused of being a coord for another dr. Geeez. Help!

@ Circa... Not sure what you are leading towards Circa... but i can tell you that with most insurance companies in the states, there is many more than "1" patient adovcate, in fact it's usually a team of people... and truth be told, having a good attorney is really what you want in case something goes wrong. An attorney that can get beyond the "you can't sue us" clause...

But that is not the point... the point is that there is a sudden change in direction with no real explanation of what happened - from either side. it's scheduling a surgery that I wasn't all that happy about doing in the first place.. All i needed was an excuse not to do it, and lo and behold this happens.. while I care about what happens with other folks.. bottom line, my arse is up there on the table. I want a skilled physician and treats me like "I was one of his own".. it's the exact same expectation that i'd have from a surgeon here in Georgia..

This is why you should speak to the doctor. Instead of getting information from 3rd and 4th and even 5th parties, or perhaps people that aren't all that happy about a loss in income.

Oh boy....like the rest of you I am in the same boat. when I started inquiring about a week and a half ago after many, many hours of research; I made the inquiry to Trish, filled out my health questionaire, and was settled on a date (April 23rd). the only thing left to do was send in a deposit. Well, then all this drama started! I have had email correspondence with Dr. Kelly ( prior to Trish leaving) and talked on the phone to Trish. she let me know that she was no longer booking for Dr. Kelly and did not bad mouth ( she said she didn't want to be unethical) but she felt is was a necessary move. Hmmmm.. She also has received rave reviews about her care and genuine concern for Dr. Kelly's patients. Now...what to do? I don't know except I have done a bit more research and Dr. Ponce de Leon also has good credentials and many satisfied patients. I have already booked my tickets for San Diego for April 22nd ( thank goodness it's through reward mileage...so I can get a refund of my miles back into my account) but I have to be just as certain with the decision to go with this Dr. as I was about Dr. Kelly. I have yet to decide if I will go directly through Dr. Kelly or go with a different surgeon. All I know is, just do your due diligence, research, ask questions, and follow your gut..( no pun intended!! That's my plan!

_{I loved Trish , but understand there are isssues when using a coordinator. Dr. Kelly is worth going the extra mile. Book Right with him . You will not be sorry!!!!!}

_{Can't say that enoguh!!}

_Julie

DONT GO ALONE !!! If going to Kelly ! I had sleeve done 28 2 12 two weeks ago, had iv put in wrong and left in that way for 2 days. SOME of nursing staff were less than adequate. Hospital is cancer care unit so surrounded by grieving relatives and a poor lady was moaning in pain ALL day woke up writhing in pain and had to BEG ! For pain relief. SOO glad I researched everything on these sites because I got diet sheets and that was the exstent of information I got. To top off my BAD experience they forgot about me yea FORGOT ! To pick me up to go airport and I missed my flight

if going to Kelly DON'T go alone !!!

I have to agree, but not just for Dr Kelly. Its scary being in a foreign country and alone. I have had a totally different experience because Trish has been with us every step of the way. In fact she is bringing someone over to the Lucerna this morning to give us pedicures. I had also met another patient online who had her surgery the same day at INT and we have talked everyday and had "dinner" together yesterday. Both my sister and I, and my friend at INT, had IV issues. But I have had the same issues in the states so I cant totally blame the nurses. I have been lucky, I have had the "best case senario" so far. I just hope it continues. BTW, my sister describes her first day as hell, constant dry heaving but 100% better the second day.

I think that after reading long enough you will find many things that people like about Dr Kelly, Dr Ponce, Dr Almanza, Dr Garcia and the list goes on. I think that you need to feel comfortable with your choice and that is only a decision that you, yourself, can make. I know that I initially was going to go with Dr Kelly but then change my mind to Dr Almanza and finally changed again and settled on Dr Garcia. I probably would have had a good experience with any of them but I made the decision to go with Dr Garcia. I am not sorry about my choice and very happy. I know that others on here also have nothing to say about their doctors but good reviews.

I wish you all the luck on your choice of your surgeon and all the best on your surgery and your new journey.

how much does Dr.Kelly charge??

I certainly would not just base my surgeon decision on the cost. I know that cost is a major concern for all of us that went to Mexico but that should be far not be the only deciding factor. I know that you will consider all different things before making your choice.

Don't want to go too deep in this as their are many on here that seem to already have a deep opinion on this specific issue. Just wanted to state I had my surgery with Dr. Kelly and I had a fantastic experience. He was a wonderful caring doctor. Make your own informed decisions and do your research. Coordinators are only there to help assist you in making arrangements. Only if interested, I personally went through successfullyslimmer.com with my coordinator being Chrisit Beardon. She was fabulous at getting the information I needed and was quick to respond not only to email, but I even had a direct phone line to her to. We still share emails monthly with my measurement details. Take your time, this site is to help you make a better informed decision not to sway you in either directions. Only you know what is right for you.

I have to say, that Anaid.AND Dr Kelly have been wonderful! They have answered ALL of my questions, and there have been many! I had a lengthy conversation, and I asked him every question under the sun, and he was more than happy to answer all if them. I even asked him if he had to have this surgery, who would he go to. He loved it! His answer was the only other Dr I had even looked at. Trish can't recommend him anymore because she doesn't work for him any more, pretty simple!

Just curious who did Dr. Kelly recommend?

Dr Joya in Puerto Vallerta. He said that he is an excellent surgeon, and that they are very good friends.

Go with dr Almanza if price is an issue ? The service I got I may as well have been in a strip mall infact you would probably be better off there at least you will have people to talk to and there for support and information

I also researched into dr joya and wish I'd have gone with him or almanza

But ultimately it's your choice !

Good luck with your choice and I wish you all the best

I didn't get to read through all of these posts, but can anyone please tell me why Trish no longer works for Dr. Kelly? My friend has been looking into having her sleeve done with him for a while now and called over there today and found out that Trish is no longer there...does anyone know why???

She can reach him at wls-clinic@yahoo.com. There is a lot of gossip and innuendo, but what it basically boils down to, is she needed a change.