Hi.

My name is Leeann and My husband went to Betencourt Medical and had his lapband put in. His surgeon was Dr. Lopez.

He has suffered every since the surgery with an open oozzing wound and much pain due to a bacterial infection called MRSA :sick- go to webmd.com to check it out.

It took a long time to find a lapband doctor to treat him (because not only do Dr.'s not like to fix other doctors problems due to complications and law suites) this one particularly did not want to fool with yet another bautched Mexican surgery. he had delt with a few). Unfortunatly we have no Medical coverage and therefor all surgeries and follow up have been out of pocket cost (eveb if you do have health insurance they do not want to cover treatment resulting from a surgery out of the states).

Dr. Brad Ray is an awsome Dr. in Bloomington, Indiana. He felt so bad for Wayne and all he had already been through with trips to the Hospital, the wound care center, and first health that he knew Wayne needed help and someone had to do it.

He first tried simply antibiotics which were not helpful, then he tried to take out just the port where the infection seemed to be rooting from in hopes of getting rid of the infection and later on putting in a new port but the infection is one that is very very hard to get rid of and eventually the band had to come out.

Although he had the band removed he is still suffering with infection. He is on three sets of antibiotics and is in much pain still. He is now seeing and diease specialist and we are going from there.

My sister went to the same place (which is where we found out about Betencourt Medical/Molding Clinic ) and she had great results. However the 3 other people we have met who had surgery there did not have as good luck.

It is truely a gambel. And all they are conserened with is the money. That is why in Mexico you first sign your rights away and their responsiblities away and then hand over the check as you go into surgery.

I am perfectly aware infections happen anywhere but if the same thing were to happen here in the U.S they would have to fix the problem or be sued. You have no repercutions in another country. :angry

Make sure you check out the good and bad before you have the surgery. Save your money and have it done in the U.S. Dr. Brad Ray says the price is going down dramatically in the states. It is becoming more known about, and more popular. Many doctors are doing the surgery therefor to be competitive they must reduce prices. Hang in there, wait , save, learn all you can before having the surgery.

(I too am heavy set and was going to go down this year to have mine done but I will save my money and have it done here in the U.S. (If we can get Wayne well first). When wayne came out of surgery ther was a gentleman who went into surgery after him. When he came out he said they tried to lay him on a bloody table and he had to get them to clean it up. Then and there I would have said HAULT! Not sure how he is doing).

Leeann

Thank you!!!!!!!

I'll tell him your thanks.

** I remember a woman on here several months ago stating she would not hesitate to go to the U.S. for care and wondered why so many would risk going out of the country. Of course it was bottom line $$ but her response resonated with me...how much is your life worth?

touche`

...............

I think the best thing we can do for eachother is post as much information on here as possible, the good, bad and ugly. I even think naming names is appropriate. Let's list the good ones with the hacks. We are all in the same boat together with the same journey and destiny in mind.

I'll tell him your thanks.

** I remember a woman on here several months ago stating she would not hesitate to go to the U.S. for care and wondered why so many would risk going out of the country. Of course it was bottom line $$ but her response resonated with me...how much is your life worth?

Mine is worth every penny I paid my Mexican surgeon.

Sorry, I can't let a post go when the theme is that surgery in the US is better than anywhere else. It simply isn't true. Yes, if something bad happens here we do have recourse. A friend of mine is a great example. She is a nurse, she went to a surgeon in the US without doing her research. Turns out she should have done her research. She had to have her thyroid removed. Actually, she didn't HAVE to have it removed, she didn't do her research on treatment options either. Shame on her.

Long story short, the doc cut nerves by mistake. The nerves control her ability to speak and breathe. She currently has a trach and will die an early death due to the trach and various complications that come with that procedure.

She had the typical US options and she reported him to the medical board. They wrote him a letter (again) telling him not to do that anymore. She sued him, his medical malpractice insurance co filed bankruptcy. She got nothing but a lot of court costs and attorney fees.

The *real* key here isn't a matter of deciding which country to have surgery. The key here is that patients have a responsibility to do their research. No way around it. I don't care if you are in the US, Mexico, or Asia. Do your research, know what the heck you are doing. Know everything you can about your doc, look for dirt on your doc. Talk to his patients, verify credentials, don't go to a doc based on price, go to a doc based on his long term track record.

Patients have responsibilities today that they didn't have before. It's not a nice reality but it IS a reality.

Don't go to a doc that has such a horrible reputation that even those in his home country wouldn't go to him.

Verify credentials.

Know the laws in that country, even if it is your own.

Assume nothing.

Don't go by price.

Don't go by ONE person's suggestions. "I had surgery and I'm still alive so he must be good!"

Find a doc in that country that will help you research if you are unable or don't know how. In Mexico I paid $30.00 to a trauma surgeon to help me verify credentials, ask his other MD friends about the surgeon, etc. This is NOT an expensive process.

Read at least 100 patient reviews for the doc.

Don't assume that just because your doc has charisma that this makes him a good surgeon. Know what the heck you are doing. "Nice" does not mean skilled in surgery, it means NICE!

There is more, but this is the idea I am attempting to convey.

Having surgery in the US is not a promise things will go any better than they do in another country. Patients have a responsibility and if they don't follow through with their own responsibilities, they pay dearly in the end. That holds true regardless if the doc is in their home country or not.

I have a real problem with people that don't do all the right things and then blame an entire country for their own failures to protect themselves. One just can't go to the absolute worst possible place for surgery and then blame the country for what happens. It's just not right. There is a right and there is a wrong. When it comes to this topic there is little middle ground.

Mine is worth every penny I paid my Mexican surgeon.

Sorry, I can't let a post go when the theme is that surgery in the US is better than anywhere else. It simply isn't true. Yes, if something bad happens here we do have recourse. A friend of mine is a great example. She is a nurse, she went to a surgeon in the US without doing her research. Turns out she should have done her research. She had to have her thyroid removed. Actually, she didn't HAVE to have it removed, she didn't do her research on treatment options either. Shame on her.

Long story short, the doc cut nerves by mistake. The nerves control her ability to speak and breathe. She currently has a trach and will die an early death due to the trach and various complications that come with that procedure.

She had the typical US options and she reported him to the medical board. They wrote him a letter (again) telling him not to do that anymore. She sued him, his medical malpractice insurance co filed bankruptcy. She got nothing but a lot of court costs and attorney fees.

The *real* key here isn't a matter of deciding which country to have surgery. The key here is that patients have a responsibility to do their research. No way around it. I don't care if you are in the US, Mexico, or Asia. Do your research, know what the heck you are doing. Know everything you can about your doc, look for dirt on your doc. Talk to his patients, verify credentials, don't go to a doc based on price, go to a doc based on his long term track record.

Patients have responsibilities today that they didn't have before. It's not a nice reality but it IS a reality.

Don't go to a doc that has such a horrible reputation that even those in his home country wouldn't go to him.

Verify credentials.

Know the laws in that country, even if it is your own.

Assume nothing.

Don't go by price.

Don't go by ONE person's suggestions. "I had surgery and I'm still alive so he must be good!"

Find a doc in that country that will help you research if you are unable or don't know how. In Mexico I paid $30.00 to a trauma surgeon to help me verify credentials, ask his other MD friends about the surgeon, etc. This is NOT an expensive process.

Read at least 100 patient reviews for the doc.

Don't assume that just because your doc has charisma that this makes him a good surgeon. Know what the heck you are doing. "Nice" does not mean skilled in surgery, it means NICE!

There is more, but this is the idea I am attempting to convey.

Having surgery in the US is not a promise things will go any better than they do in another country. Patients have a responsibility and if they don't follow through with their own responsibilities, they pay dearly in the end. That holds true regardless if the doc is in their home country or not.

I have a real problem with people that don't do all the right things and then blame an entire country for their own failures to protect themselves. One just can't go to the absolute worst possible place for surgery and then blame the country for what happens. It's just not right. There is a right and there is a wrong. When it comes to this topic there is little middle ground.

I think we are all passionate about our surgeries, our doctors and so forth because of the nature of our lives and all we've been through and are going through.

Somewhere in all the words we say to oneanother is a healthy balance of what it is that is right for us. That's the key thing.

Well I'm just here to tell everyone that you don't have to go to Mexico to have problems or run into a brick wall of sorts. I was banded in the U.S., had my insurance carrier changed and now no doctor in the U.S. will take me as their patient. Their reason being: I did not do the surgery. How screwed up is that. My port has come undone and I have yet to find a doctor that will help me.

What city/state are you in? I'll look on a list of docs and see what I can find in your area if you wish.

Well I'm just here to tell everyone that you don't have to go to Mexico to have problems or run into a brick wall of sorts. I was banded in the U.S., had my insurance carrier changed and now no doctor in the U.S. will take me as their patient. Their reason being: I did not do the surgery. How screwed up is that. My port has come undone and I have yet to find a doctor that will help me.

Have you contacted Dr. Curry? Whenever he posts here, he always seems willing to see patients that he didn't band.

I meant to put Texas in my post, and instead put U.S. I would appreciate any help. I have called about a dozen Drs. in Houston, closest to me. No one will see me. Any help would be appreciated.

All these docs see patients they did not band:

Arlington Fort Worth Area

Dr. Dobson & Dr. Peterson

972 660 3188

Dallas

Dirk Rodriquez

877-TXBRCTR

Paris TX

Dr. Clifford

903-785-8521

Walter Dobson

972-660-3188

drwalteradobson@<WBR>swbell.net

Nova Body Solutions

972 665 2639

Dr. Cynthia Jones

cynthia@newyouwmc.<WBR>com

214-956-9999

Decatur

Dr. Snow

940-627-1707

El Paso

Dr. Castro & Applebaum

915-351-6272

Houston

Obesity Surgery Specialists

1-800-664-9177

Tomball

Jason DeMattia

866-345-5872

Thank you WABB, I will call them and hopefully have some good news from them. Thanks again for you help.

You are correct about Betencourt, it is the worst and cheapest place in Mexico. Sadly, this is one of those times that you do get what you pay for.

Betencourt's docs.

The key is to do serious research regardless of doctor or what country they are in. My doc is in Mexico and I'd go to him again in a heartbeat but he has a fantastic reputation and he does a good job. There is a lot of good care to be had in Mexico just as in the US. Don't let the horrific reputations of a few bad docs turn you against an entire country. We have really bad docs in the US too.

I had my surgery done in Mexico by Dr. De La Garza. I never hear his name mentioned. Anyone have any bad experiences.

My surgery was 1-19-2007. Hopefully is I was to have had complications I would have by now. I really liked the Doctor and staff. The hospital was superior to any I have been to in the US. ]

I just need someone to ease my mind after reading all the bad comments on Mexico. Thanks.....

Janed

Having the surgery in the states doesn't mean better quality when it comes to the procedure or the surgeon.

It means there is accountability and avenues to pursue bad treatment. Get bad treatment in Mexico and hold your breath waiting for the Mexican govmt to help. Bad treatment can be had here too but those doctors dont stay in business long.

Brad

It means there is accountability and avenues to pursue bad treatment. Get bad treatment in Mexico and hold your breath waiting for the Mexican govmt to help. Bad treatment can be had here too but those doctors dont stay in business long.

Brad

People are often times surprised at what accountability means in the US when it comes to docs. We have the attitude that the best medical care with the most checks and balances is to be had in the US. That simply isn't true, it is an assumption by people and nothing more. Years ago (and to some degree today) people idolized doctors and really believed they could do no wrong. Today we know better but the old time rules from yesterday still apply to docs today.

In Arizona (as many other states) doctors get a letter placed in their file if they kill someone. If they keep doing that then something is done assuming they are not one of the good 'ol boys. For example, in AZ the farthest you can go with a complaint of a doctor is the Az Medical Board. They call the shots. If you don't agree that the doc who killed your loved one should continue practicing medicine, too bad. It's not up to you. It's up to the peers of that physician. You know, often times that means his friends.

There is a pediatrician in Maryvale, AZ that is a known, convicted, and admitted pedophile. His "punishment" you ask? He was told to get therapy and have a female licensed person with him while he examined children. Most rational people would question why he still has a license to examine and treat children especially after the CA police dept was done with him, but not our medical board. He got therapy, his records were made available for public record for two years. The licensed female that was supposed to be with him? He didn't wanna. So he didn't and continues examining them without supervision.

Want to sue? Insurance companies used to just pay off claims because it was easier and cheaper to pay it off vs. fighting it. Not anymore, insurance companies are tired of lawyers that take advantage of the fact that most insurance co's used to pay off $5K claims without even trying to fight the case no matter how stupid the case. So now they fight them ALL tooth and nail. They won't be taken advantage of anymore.

So with all due respect I we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. As long as doctors police themselves, we get what we get. Sometimes the system works and sometimes it doesn't. Just like in Mexico.

The key here isn't to plan ahead on if you can sue or not, the key is to research the doc REGARDLESS of country. 99% of the time that takes care of the potential problems.

Someone was posting earlier about community MRSA. I am one of those evil people who carry it around. I spent 6 months in a transplant ICU with family member, and that's where drug-resistant bugs get started. In immuno-supressed people who need tons of antibiotics/anti-fungals to stay alive. I'm pretty sure I've got it living on my skin along with all the regular staph aureus. I feel guilty about it. My family member died, btw. Makes you wonder if transplants are worth it at all.

All these docs see patients they did not band:

WABB - where did you get that list? Do you have a similar one for Georgia? Like you, I was banded by Dr. Ortiz and am VERY, VERY pleased, but if an emergency should arise, I've realized I need to have someone w/in ASAP driving distance

Unfortunately, it's hard to do "research" on doctors. Whether they're here or in Mexico. For everyone promoting research, please, fill me in on how this research is done.

I have the ability to do more research on certain segments of doctors than most of the population, because of the profession I'm in.

Without access to the databases I use, without access to the hundreds of medical professionals who will be more upfront with me than they will be with the average joe, without access to the lawyers I know and their databases and court access...

Please, tell me how the average person can do this research?

All the Med Board tells you is if someone's licensed or if they've had malpractice suits. No details.

And I've seen people post on boards, asking about doctors (including this board) and get no response.

And doctors generally don't give you patient lists so you can chat with former patients.

For the horrific story about the poor woman who is now dying from her surgeon's incompetence... what surgery was it (hope it wasn't lapband). And why wasn't the name of her surgeon/hospital mentioned? It's one thing to share horrific experiences, but why not blow the whistle on who the incompetent bastard was?

Even in forums that share horror stories, there are not many people who will take the extra step and name the offender/s.

So, how exactly are people supposed to research doctors? Especially doctors in other countries?

P.S.: Me, personally, I would never go to Mexico or India or the Phillipines for surgery. It has nothing to do with their skills, but my own personal hang-ups. Which says that if I can't drink the Water because my body wouldn't be able to handle the bacteria, then the last thing I want is my body surgically open and defenseless against any native bacteria that might seep in.