"Those arrested in the sting operation include Dr. Carlos Alessandrini, Dr. Carlos Jaime Herrera and Dr. Severo Rios Ornelas, all Mexican citizens who also have U.S. legal permanent resident status. Alessandrini and Herrera both live in Chula Vista, while Ornelas lives in Tijuana.

Also arrested were Dr. Elia Judith Cerecer, Dr. Ricardo Vega Montiel and Dr. José Sergio verboonen Sotelo, all Mexican citizens living in Tijuana. Verboonen advertises a weight-loss surgical procedure known as gastric banding over the Internet. The English-language Web site, apparently aimed at U.S. patients, notes that his Tijuana medical office is near San Diego, making it "convenient for American patients."

Found this info while searching for credible doctors....

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

I couldn't have said it better than WASA or Mindy. I have to agree with them whole-heartedly. So I won't waste my time saying the same thing. The only thing I want to add, is that US doctors are really good at milking the system and getting every last cent they can from Insurance companies. No wonder health care is so expensive.

Now dont get me wrong LOL I dont think any one is "better" than the other, I think both systems has its faults and both have their bonus. I personally go to docs that are VERY Good with me because I dont have the best RX coverage or when I didnt have insurance at all , they did what ever they could to help me out and make it financially easier on me. Doctors in general i have found do not like the insurance industry because it takes away from their job of CARING for patients. I think in general the problem is making " general " statements or sterotypes that dont apply to all docs on both sides of the border hurts ALL the other docs. Its like saying "ALL Mexican docs are FILTHY butchers " that's not true . Or "ALL American docs are SO AWESOME ' Well that's not true. If those kind of generlizations can stop then accurate info can get out about BOTH sides of the border.

Didnt mean anything personally against you Kirajh just following up sort of on your statement.

But that's for agreeing with me !

coltonwade....do you just seek out the drama posts, or what?

ROTFLMAO

:tt1: :rolleyes2:

coltonwade....do you just seek out the drama posts, or what?

ROTFLMAO

:tt1: :rolleyes2:

No no drama . Just stating my opinion . They seem to follow me anyway LOL

Mindy

I was banded in Mexico by dr. verboonen in July and have nothing but positive things to say about him and his staff. My sister was banded by him a year before me by Dr. Verboonen and my aunt was banded by him three years ago. All success stories. If anyone is inquiring about having surgery with Dr. Verboonen and would like to ask me about my experience please feel free to ask me.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

So WillyWonka asks a question ("why would one go to Mexico?") and Wasa answers it, so she's the one with a problem?

nic, she wasn't even responding to you; she was responding to the original poster who asked the question.

I'm a patient of Dr Ortiz in Tijuana, and I go to him for all my fills. I don't have to fly anywhere for them, I can drive. He and his assistants are available for fills anytime ($100 with fluoro) and I feel I am in very good hands. Not saying everyone should go to Mexico, but it is an intelligent alternative. As I've said before, my insurance pays for the surgery in the US or in Mexico. I checked out going to a bariatric clinic in Washington state near where I live half the year, and found out the surgeon there was trained by my surgeon in Mexico.

There was a nurse getting the band the same day as my daughter in Mexico, and he brought an OR nurse friend with him who observed his surgery. She said it was fully up to the standards of a US hospital.

Oh, and Willy, are you suggesting Wasa is a rep for a surgeon??? HAHAHAHA!

Sorry.

Well, it's about time. So many docs in the US get arrested...was wondering when it would happen in Mexico.

Makes me feel better they are on top of things down there. Outsourcing has become so commomplace the revenue from Spa Vacations is jeapordized.

I have a high regard for my surgeon who practices in Tijuana.

Yes I would highly recommend Dr Oliak. I had my surgery on 1/7/08 and today is my 1st day back at work. I feel great! So far I have lost about 10 pounds. I think it is just because of the liquid phase though. Dr Oliak is very professional and nice. As well as is assistant Allison is. The office staff there is very nice.

HI iAM WAITING FOR MY INS APPROVAL TO GO THROUGH,AND DR OLIAK WILL BE DOING MY SURGEY HOW LONG WERE YOU IN THR HOSP FOR ANY INFO YOU CAN GIVE ABOUT DR OLIAK THANK YOU

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico on 12/07/07. I attempted to have my 1st fill yesterday in S.F. by a well known office (I will just leave it at that) and my experience was terrible. The office was filthy and the doctor did not wash his hands before he put on gloves. He discouraged fluoro and tried to find my port w/out it which hurt like hell for like 10 min as he pressed on my stomach really hard and poked me with that needle. You can read all about it in my ranting post in the Fill section.

My point to this post is that I went to a place that is very well known in the US and it was dirty, I was treated like crap and yet it is rated a Center of Excellence. My doctors office in Mexico was cleaner than any office I have seen here in the US and the doctors and nurses wash their hands! I think I am just going to go back to their office and have my 1st fill.

Not to beat a dead horse but I agree that there are good and bad docs in the US and in Mexico. We just have to try and do the best we can by researching these doctors and makethe best choice for ourselves whether it be in the US, Mexico, etc.

I am soo new to this whole forum thing. As well as I have just recently started researching the lapband. Instead of paying the $17500 that a local surgeon wants for the surgery, I am STRONGLY considering going to Mexico. I have done some searching and reading into Dr Juan A Lopez Corvala at the Obesity Control Clinic. Any yeas or neas that someone could provide to me? I do appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks!