I know that there is another thread out here for Dr. Gonzalez, but that seems to have evolved into more of a discussion on the pros and cons of this doctor. While I absolutely agree that this is a necessary thread, I feel like those of us who have done our research and are comfortable with our personal decision don't really have a place to post anymore. I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. G on December 7th and I would love to share pre-op, recovery and living with the band stories with fellow Dr. G patients.

I thought it was interesting that Dr. V told me that I could have mushy veggies on the pre-op in addition to the liquid diet. Because I am a little freaked out about the whole liver issue, I think that I'm going to try to stick to straight liquids, but it's nice to know that it's out there. I also am going to start the pre-op diet the day after Thanksgiving (2 weeks instead of one).

Thanks for listening!

Hello wanita, Yes Dr. Gonzalez is in Tijuana and he is a great doctor. I got the band but I wish I had gotten the sleeve because its uncomfortable for me to drink and I don't even have a fill yet.

Hi peachez, how are you? Still wish you had got a sleeve? Or have you adapted to your lap band?

Dr. Gonzalez and his support staff are the best anywhere. I had my lapband surgery one year ago today, December 16, 2007, and I have lost 73 pounds. I have 9 more to go to reach my goal of 120 pounds. I was so impressed with Dr. Gonzalez's clinic and staff that my daughter just had lapband surgery by Dr. Gonzalez on December 12, 2008.

I recently went for a diabetic check up at my Dr’s. and based on the last lab work and my new lab work I have been declared as no longer being a diabetic due to the weight loss, exercise and better eating habits. I could never put a price on getting rid of diabetes and no longer having to take medication daily. I will not have to always worry about going blind, loosing a limb, as my father did from diabetes, suffering from stokes or any of the other terrible complications that come from having diabetes. I am cured and I have no one to thank but Dr. Gonzalez and his wonderful staff! The entire experience is priceless! Of all the benefits of having lapband, I would say that this is, without a doubt, the most wonderful of all.

I was so impressed with Dr. Gonzalez's clinic and staff that my daughter just had lapband surgery by Dr. Gonzalez on December 12, 2008. Everything went great and she is now on her way to great health and a new attitude. I felt so confident with Dr. Gonzalez, his staff and his clinic that I entrusted my daughter in his hands, and my instincts were proven to be right!! She has now lost 33 pounds in just 3 months.

Dr. Gonzalez is my hero; no one has ever done something that changed my life as much as loosing 78 pounds has changed my life. His patient coordinator, Laura, is also wonderful at her job and helps make the surgery smooth and a great experience!! I RECOMMEND DR. GONZALEZ TO ANYONE CONSIDERING THIS LIFE CHANGING SURGERY!!:scared2:

Hi all, wanita and ck, I have been meaning to log on and post but work….work work…. I am so happy I did this surgery, I’ve lost 22 pounds so far and could not be happier. CK congratulations on your results and diabetes (WOW!) that is such great news! And Wanita if you do a little research you’ll find the lap band to be a great option, it was for me. My best friend Samara is going down to Dr. Gonzalez next Thursday for her consultation and if everything is ok she’s getting the lap band as soon as possible. I strongly recommend this procedure and Dr. Gonzalez is the one to do it. Give Laura a call if you are thinking about getting banded, she’s a doll and she will take care of all the details for you, here’s her number: 877-249-2263 at www.golap-band.com.

Happy weight loss to all!:rolleyes2:

Thank you for your response beebic.

Wanita,

My daughter and I have not had any problems with discomfort from out lapbands from drinking. That is too bad, however, it may be just a temporary discomfort from the area that your port was placed. My daughter had some discomfort initially and then when she went to get a fill found out that the discomfort she was feeling was in the area of were the port was placed. This was right after her surgery. She just had her lapband put on Dec. 2008, mine was Dec. 2007.

I too have experienced some discomfort temporarily from my port site, which mine was placed lower than my daughters, her's was place up high by the band, mine was place below the belly button off to the side, anyway I hope that your discomfort will subside. Let me know how it is going for you now. I highly recommend the lapband and think that you made the right choice.

Hi peachez, how are you? Still wish you had got a sleeve? Or have you adapted to your lap band?

I forgot to mention that when I drink carbonated drinks I feel very uncomfortable, therefore, I have given up carbonated drinks. Also, you need to drink slowly and not with meals.

Ckopasek is that you on the video? If it is you I want to congratulate you on your success! I can only imagine how great that must be for you!

Yes that is me on the video, I am the first person on the website for Dr. Gonzales, my only claim to fame. I am very happy with the successful outcome of my operation and owe it all to Dr. Gonzalez and his marvelous staff. He is my hero. My life has changed dramatically. :thumbup:

Hi all!

I am SO super excited to find this thread. I am scheduled with Dr. G on May 28, 2009 for my band-over-RNY. Not looking forward to the pre-op diet but I am wholeheartedly committed to this decision so I will MAKE it work.

It is refreshing to read so many good experiences with Dr. G and staff. YAY!

RNY 1/02

Highest - 259

Lowest - 145

Current - 189

Wonderful!! You will not regret your decision to take action against being overweight, it will change your life. Dr. Gonzalez is the nicest man ever, you will love him. He is very sweet and very competent. Good luck!!

PS. I just got back today from getting a fill and I go straight there and straight back it doesn't take any time at all and the border walk through is not very crowded because of the problems they are having down there. I have never had any problems at all.

Thanks so much for the encouragement! I am impressed thus far with the level of responsiveness to my inquiries and professionalism. Maybe we can meet sometime to "grab" a fill together. :grouphug:

Yes that is me on the video, I am the first person on the website for Dr. Gonzales, my only claim to fame. I am very happy with the successful outcome of my operation and owe it all to Dr. Gonzalez and his marvelous staff. He is my hero. My life has changed dramatically. :ihih:

I had my sleeve done by Dr. Gonzalez and his team a few weeks ago and I am so happy I did. I have lost 20 lbs and health wise could not be better. I am looking forward to this coming summer and new clothes! I highly recommend this fine group of people for your weight loss surgery!

How long did it take you all to arrange your surgery with Dr

G after your first contact? Trying to give some thought to timing etc. Do you have to go to Mexico for a presurgical consult or is the trip for surgery the only one you make?

How long did you all stay in Mexico? Thanks.

If you have had Dr. Gonzalez place your band and had complications I would like to know your experiences. I had my band placed with him July 2007 and everything was okay until I had a flipped port in January 2009. I talked back and forth with Dr. Valenzuela and once I made he understand I had a flipped port and not anything else, he was fast to get me a price quote of $300 for the repair. I went the first week of March and had it fixed, and Dr. Gonzalez and his team were their usual wonderful selves. Over the next couple of months leading up to June I had several fills and never felt any restriction,I had perfect restriction up until I had the flipped port repaired, and each time I went back the fill provider could only get about .5 cc out even though I should have had 2 cc in my band. After a few close fills in early June my incision opened up and when the last fill was placed it all drained back out the open area when I went to sleep a few hours later on my side. Once again I was e-mailing back and forth with Dr. Valenzuela and I decide to go back to Dr. Gonzalez for a repair of this problem. I went in this last time on June 29 and was given a local numbing injections and the port was worked on. I ask Dr. Gonzalez what he did later but he never told me. I felt some restriction in the very beginning but by the time I returned home I didn't have any. I was very sore and had no desire to eat so I didn't really notice the lack of restriction for several days, plus my son was in motorcycle accident so I was not focused on me. When I went for a fill because I noticed the lack of restriciton I discovered that the problem was still there. I tried to find someone here at home to help with this problem but with a Mexico placed band no one will touch me the two that would wanted close to $2000 just to get started in their programs not to mention the thousands I am sure it will take to correct this problem with them. When I spoke with Dr. Valenzuela last week via e-mail he said that he thought the band was under warranty, which I have never heard of, and that he would get back with me shortly. I am still waiting on the response and about to lose my mind. I have a self pay band that cost well over $8000 to place, over $1000 for fills would be a conservative price, and another $2000 or more for the two return trips to Mexico for the flipped port and leaking fluid. Now here I sit with a band that is still unable to hold a fill with well over $11000 in debt and I am fast approaching my pre-op weight. I need some reassurance that I am not getting farther in debt with no solution to this problem. I need some reassurance that Dr. Gonzalez will be able to correct this problem for me. He has always been great to deal with but I am in a bad situation and very scared about where to go from here. I will feel much better once I hear from him in that reassuring manner that he has. Thanks for listening and sorry for this very long post.

While waiting for a response from Dr. Valenzuela about the band being covered from the company, which I never did, I got my family doctor to order some test. My barium swallow looked good, but the dye study revealed a slow leak behind my port. I am relieved that the entire band will not have to be replaced but rather just the port. I am once again going back to Tijuana to see the wonderful Dr. Gonzalez on the 27th to hopefully have this problem fixed once and for all. Frustrated can not begin to describe the way I feel, but I am hoping there is a light at the end of this long tunnel.

Edited August 20, 200916 yr by vmills

I must have the worst luck ever with the lap band or something is not being done right. I had my old leaking port replaced with Dr. Gonzalez on 08/27/2009 and within five weeks my port incision site was seperated under the skin about half way thru thickness of stomach wall. I had that repaired here at home with a lot of work to get it done at insurance cost. Now last week what would you know my port started hurting with sharp pain, like when it flipped earlier this year. I went to have it checked here at home and surpise it has flipped again. What is the problem, I do little to no lifting, is it in the wrong position or not sutured down good or is it just a freak thing. The first year and half I had the band all was well but these last 10 months have been one problem after another. To date I have had two flipped ports, a leaking port that was worked on twice before replacement, and I have had two port incisions open up and need repairing. All this work was done after many cross country trips to Tijuana which cost major bucks not to mention the time off from work & family for each recovery. There are days I could rip this thing out with my bare hands out of frustration, but I paid a lot and I can't give up that dream of being skinny so I must endure.