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The doctors mentioned in this thread are all very good. I don't know of any doctor who doesn't provide what you are asking for. The only thing different is some of them do charge a small fee for your traveling companion. But to me, it is worth it.

Research is key, and this is definitely a good place to start. You will hear the good, the bad and the ugly here. My best suggestion is to do a search on the primary doctors you are considering, and read what other patients have to say about him/her. You can gain a lot of insight that way. And, of course, check their credentials, make sure they are well-educated, have trained under other respected bariatric surgeons and are experienced.

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Good luck with your decision. I was set on Almanza, then I spoke to some patients of Dr. Kelly. I researched him, researched the hospital, researched the type on instruments used and after a consultation with the engineers I know in med device, I am satisfied with Dr. Kelly. I'm going on June 10th. I'll let y'all know how things go!

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Just to add to your confusion, check out this thread

http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/55174-all-things-dr-ponce-de-leon/

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Guillermo Alvarez, M.D. Located just over the border from Eagle Pass, TX!! I have been researching these drs for a year+ and I tried looking at others but kept coming back to Dr. Alvarez!! I have spoke to several people that used him and just recently spoke with a lady that used him 2 years ago, she was well over 300 lbs and now only 116 lbs!!! He has wonderful support system and you can speak to him personally, he is there for you, and like this lady that is two years out, he is still in contact with her!!! Personally, I would not go anywhere but Dr. Alvarez. I am scheduled for my sleeve in July!!

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Ginny Coleman,

I'm getting sleeved by Dr Q on May 27th too!

I can't wait!

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I'll be getting mine at the Florence Hospital with Dr Kelly May 30. It just felt right and my doctor looked over his credentials etc and was fine with it. He agreed to do my follow ups.

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The doctors mentioned in this thread are all very good. I don't know of any doctor who doesn't provide what you are asking for. The only thing different is some of them do charge a small fee for your traveling companion. But to me, it is worth it.

Research is key, and this is definitely a good place to start. You will hear the good, the bad and the ugly here. My best suggestion is to do a search on the primary doctors you are considering, and read what other patients have to say about him/her. You can gain a lot of insight that way. And, of course, check their credentials, make sure they are well-educated, have trained under other respected bariatric surgeons and are experienced.

What doctors charge the fee for the plus one? How much roughly is the fee?

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What doctors charge the fee for the plus one? How much roughly is the fee?

It's unlikely Susan knows all of the details about who charges and what. My suggestion would be once you've done some research and determined some doctors that might be a good fit, contact them and ask. Then you might be able to narrow down your list of viable doctors even more, based on what meets your needs.

~Kat

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