Hello all!

I have just joined and am researching both VSG and gastric plication, though I seem to be leaning in the direction of VSG at the moment. Years ago, when I researched the lapband, I did a rather exhaustive graph/chart comparing the Mexican doctors doing the band, their experience (number of bands they have performed), location, cost, and contact info. I posted this over on yahoo groups, and I think a lot of others found it useful. Being the ultra cautious (read scared) person I am, I never got the band and now I guess I am glad i did not.

My question is: has anyone done this yet for the Mexican doctors for VSG? I hate to reinvent the wheel if this has been done. It seems if there is a place we could post it here in this group, it might save a lot of us newbies a lot of time and then we can just do research from that page. I felt at the time, I was pretty open minded as I hadn't had an operation and wanted the graph to reflect that, just presenting the facts. It might not be a bad idea to also post if there have been any numbers for morbidity (deaths). Although it might be hard to get a doctor to answer that.

so..

1. Is there a graph/chart now that anyone knows of that shows each Mexican VSG Dr.? where?

2. If not and I have to make one, WHERE would I post it here in this forum?

THANKS

tris the newb

Hi Tris,

I am fairly new and would love to see a chart and comparisons on Mexico Drs. I have been trying to figure this out for 2 or 3 months and it can be very confusing. I have almost made a decision but have not made a date yet. I just know I am looking forward to it and reading this forum has helped a great deal.

Welcome and if I can help please let me know. I am not great at this but am learning to communicate the best that I can.

From one newbie to another,

honib52

Hi, my friend and i went to tiquana mexico just over 3 wks ago for our surgeries and we both had a good experience. We both did our research not only on the surgeons but the hospital and the medical tourism company we went with. We ended up going with medical tourism corporation, they are the ones that do all they leg work as far as aranging someone to pick you up and take you back to the airport, they get the schduling done and hotel lined up. And they also have a person to meet you once you get to mexico to help you. The surgeions were dr ismeal cabrera and dr venezula. And the hospital was hospital mi doctor. We were impressed with the whole process and would both do it again. It only cost $4500 all inclusive from the time they pick you up and drop you off at the airport. And they put us up in a 5 star hotel/casino called pueblo amigo. It was a good experience and i have lost 22 lbs and i think she has lost about 20 and its only been 3 wks

I made a chart comparing Mexico surgeons last summer. Ended up going to Dr Alvarez. Down 120# so far, in 9 months, and have had no problems.

I made my own comparison chart. However, it was very easy to narrow it down to the top three most reputable doctors in my opinion.

I was also having my lapband removed, so cost was a huge factor along with doctors reputation and amount of surgeries they had done.

I would never go with a public generated chart. Too much BS and commercialism would ruin the outcome. You can only count on your own research not others word of mouth. After you narrow it down you have to talk one on one with other patients including on the phone or in person if you are near one another. Don't count on hear-say or community charts.. How could they be real? It's the Internet

Pretty pink, and Lisa lose a lot, thank you for your posting. Would you feel comfy allowing me to make your research as a part of a larger table? Could you send me a copy via attachment to harpsong@gmail.com (harpsong at g mail dot com) and I will figure out how to post it or will use it as a part of the table I will put together (giving you credit too). I would update the info, if I needed to (i.e. # of operations performed as of xx date) or state the date you gathered the info. Or if you feel comfy, you could post your table here yourself. (which I don't yet know how to do here).

Laurambers, thank you for your reply and I will include your info (dr name, hosp & cost) if I end up making a chart.. thanks.

MsAntiband, glad your operation is over and successful. You won't need a research table. As I said, a chart is a starting tool. My chart (if I make one) would have a disclaimer, "this is a starting tool, to begin your own research, and I take no responsibility for your final decision". To restate, the table would give only facts - name, contact info, # of operations performed, cost as of xxx date, and perhaps mortality, complications (from the doctors' mouth, if i decide to post that). No patient opinions of the doctor will be included. I am not associated with any doctor nor hospital nor care center. Thanks for your concern. Congrats on the success of your operation. I see you benefited from information you gathered to make a decision on your doctor. From your comments, I got the idea that I may add (with their permission of course) a name of a patient that is wiling to give more info. To be fair, perhaps one that is willing to give positive and one willing to give negative outcome info. That could actually be a separate chart/table. Hmmm. But that also means me researching the source to make sure they are not employed by the hospital or doctor.. hmm.. maybe too much work. but thanks for the idea.

So, forum members, 1. Please continue to let me know if a chart/table has already been made, posted somewhere, and where.. and 2. Where would I post such a chart/table on this forum if I choose to make one.

I guess a good third question would be : is there a doctor or hospital that runs THIS website and forum? Because I would think they may not allow a chart to be posted here.. which would mean going to Yahoo groups to post.

I also made my own...made a list of what was important....looked for those things and like they said above, it was pretty much narrowed down to a top few. Everyone should do their own research. I would hate to put info on a table etc and someone use my info and heaven forbid something happen.

I like the idea of a table. I understand the risk that the results might be watered down by the possibilities that co-ordinators might be posting their "results" posing as patients. That being said, we are all at risk for this occurring to our own results. Many of us have made charts or have taken notes collecting our information. It seems wise to me to pool our efforts and organize this information. If I was at all competant with spreadsheets, you can bet I would have one to submit right now. I'm still in the process of selecting my Doctor. A number of factors are at play for me: Airport to fly into, Cost, Experience, Operation location, Drain vs. no Drain, Dr. Experience, Hospital Stay, Same day Surgery, Post op medications, Accomodations in Hospital, Hotel accomodations. Most of the factors that I'm interested in will have very firm unbiased answers. Since the accumulation of a lot of these factors could significantly assist me (and others) in deciding on a surgeon, I don't see where the risk would be? I for one, would be happy to assist in the making of the chart by providing the information that I've gathered.

You all should just share the ones you made, so people can compare and also use them to get their information!! I would appreciate it!

Well I've looked for the chart I did last year, but I guess I knew I wouldn't need that info again, so threw it out! Lol! I had data on how long @ Dr had been doing bariatric surgeries, what types of surgeries, how many VSGs he had done, if he was fluent in English, where the surgery was performed (I wanted in a full service hospital),

cost of course, and most importantly to me, complication rates. Complications I tracked were: leaks, bowel infarction, liver problems, blood clots to lungs, INFECTION, & deaths. I am a nurse & I had my personal priorities - there may be different data that is important to you. I trust my instincts, and in this case, I feel I made a great decision. Not to say others didn't make great decisions for them!

I gathered a lot of info off this site & Obesity Help, then called each Dr or his coordinator to see how well the info meshed.

I chose Dr Alvarez because of his very very low complication rate, the full service hospital & his fluency in English. After surgery, I have come to really appreciate his dedication to weight loss surgery education and also how easy it is to communicate with him & get fast answers to my questions. He also helped us out of a jam during my stay there that went WAY WAY above my highest expectations for ANY Dr I have ever known! That really sealed the deal for me.

My suggestion is research each Dr you are considering, looking at posts from his patients over a long period of time so you can get a feel for his results. You will know when you've found the right one for you. Best of luck in your journey!!