I have contacted this doctor in TJ and he only charges $7500 for the surgery and has 12 years and 2500 bands under his belt, but I still would like to hear from someone who has been to him.

Hi all, just thought I would check in since I was banded by Dr. Gonzales on Monday. I went by myself, stayed in the surgical center one night and then went home. The doctors were amazing! Dr. G. came to check on me all of the time (even coming back at 10pm) and of course the next morning. Dr. V and Laura have been wonderful and have called to check up on me and make sure everything is going well. I was somewhat skeptical and hesitant at first about TJ and Mexico, etc., but I could not be happier. Good luck to everyone!

Mehean-

WONDERFUL!!!! I am so ready.....15 more days!!! Thanks so much for checking in and giving us an update.....it really helps and it also gives us up coming bansters a sense of relief to know everything went well.

GOOD LUCK with everything!!!

mehean

great to hear. Helps me through the nervous, 11 days to go until the banding day.

After Reading Many Posts, Yours Just Encouraged Me More To Call Dr. Gonzalez, Do You Have His Or His Assistant's Number???

Thanks!!!

maddy1969

You won't be sorry. I'm convinced Dr. G is the best.

His website is

Lap Band Surgery, more than 2,500 successful procedures.

his phone is 1-877-249-BAND

maddy1969

You won't be sorry. I'm convinced Dr. G is the best.

His website is

Lap Band Surgery, more than 2,500 successful procedures.

his phone is 1-877-249-BAND

Thanks NM sunshine , I'll look in to it tonight:notagree

Maddy good luck

I'm so excited for all of you! This is a great journey and it's wonderful that we are able to do it together! Best of luck.

Hey Lap-Bandit, thanks for the info. I'm in Utah, and the flight from San Diego to Salt Lake is only about 90 minutes so I should be fine.

I've got a few calls to make to local docs about fills, but its kindof hard because I'm a sleep tech and I work nights and sleep during the day and for some silly reason I think that everyone else should just be awake at 3am too!!

Hey Lap-Bandit, thanks for the info. I'm in Utah, and the flight from San Diego to Salt Lake is only about 90 minutes so I should be fine.

I've got a few calls to make to local docs about fills, but its kindof hard because I'm a sleep tech and I work nights and sleep during the day and for some silly reason I think that everyone else should just be awake at 3am too!!

BlueEyedKitty-

If you are going to go to Dr. Gonzalez, Dr Valenzuela can find a fill doctor for you. He found a couple for me to choose from. I did not have to call anybody except for when i made my appointment, which I had to do before I even get the band due to the doctor only does fills on certain days of the month. I would send him an email and ask him about a fill doctor, if you are planning on having your surgery done by Dr. Gonzalez. He worked very hard to find me a fill doctor. One thing you will find is that some doctors do not want to deal with patients who went to Mexico. This was the case for me and so it took a little longer to find a doctor for me. I did get a paper from a coordinator of another doctor that had a list of fill doctors by state. I will see if I can find that, so that in case you decide to go with another doctor you have it. I will PM you if I can find it.

Lap Banbit how much do your fills cost here in US?

Lap Banbit how much do your fills cost here in US?

$200. I read that some people have had to pay additional fees etc. for their initial fill, but the doctor I am scheduled to go to only charges $200 and that is for any fill regardless of whether it is the first or the 10th. There are no other fees attached. I wish I lived closer to Mexico to take advantage of the "free fills", but until I got done paying for my flight, it would cost me more.

I have to say that after much research I have finally chosen Dr. G. Basically because I am so impressed with Dr. V. He has called me twice already to check up on me and to see if I have any questions, in fact just got off the phone with him. He has sent me 4 different e-mails, and answered every question that I've had. He's e-mailed me copies of Dr. G's diplomas and other credentials so that I could check up on him myself. He has offered to do research for financing options for me, he is doing research to find me a local fill doctor, because according to him the aftercare is of utmost importance to our success. I have not gotten a response like this from any other surgeon that I have inquired to, state side or Mexico. I'm so excited now. Can't wait to get my financing in order so I can get this thing scheduled and get on with my new life.:whoo:

I have to say that after much research I have finally chosen Dr. G. Basically because I am so impressed with Dr. V. He has called me twice already to check up on me and to see if I have any questions, in fact just got off the phone with him. He has sent me 4 different e-mails, and answered every question that I've had. He's e-mailed me copies of Dr. G's diplomas and other credentials so that I could check up on him myself. He has offered to do research for financing options for me, he is doing research to find me a local fill doctor, because according to him the aftercare is of utmost importance to our success. I have not gotten a response like this from any other surgeon that I have inquired to, state side or Mexico. I'm so excited now. Can't wait to get my financing in order so I can get this thing scheduled and get on with my new life.:whoo:

Congrats Mandy!

Let us know when you are scheduled.

Lap Bandit, thanks. It costs me about 160.00 for air ticket to San Diego and Dr. V said that I would be picked up by car and driven to clinic for Dr. G to do my fills. Of course I have to drive to and back from Tucson (3 &1/2 drive one way), to get to the airport. It may be worth it in the long run to go with DR G. for my fills. The first fill is real important and I will for sure go to him for that one. On the other hand, the trip to TJ after I'm over the pain of surgery, could be a fun adventure. Guess I will solve this with time.

I've been reading about RVing in Mexico and since we have one, we could RV there and have lots of fun checking out the Baja California coast.

Well I have to say that I am beond impressed with the service I have received from Dr G's office in the last 2 days. Dr V. has called, e-mailed and been incredibly helpful, and I am absolutely convinced that I made the right choice of doctors.

My financing fell through, well not exactly, they just said they don't work with DrG, so I'm having to apply with someone else, and Dr. V gave me the website, email and phone # of someone to call, and I am waiting for approval now.

Surgery set for October 2nd (assuming the $$ situation can be resolved)

Optimistically,

Jill:D