Beware Dr. De La Garza

[princess_n_thep 2]

Well, I am all for free speech but I am also thinking this post is causing some newbies to have wide spread panic about ANY doctor in Mexico or Monterrey. My second point is that LBT does not want anyone discussing prices nor advocating any doctors, although they do come up in conversation, and as I understand talk about doctors should be done in a private forum. Third point is that although he has made his point, he is now "hushed" by the new evidence. Therefore, based on the information given, I think the post should be removed. Just my 2 cents.

EDIT: OOPS, I wanted to clarify that I don't think that the thread should be "removed" but I DO think it should be "locked". I apologize to anyone if you thought I was suggesting deletion of the thread. And Dwayne, I am very sorry for all the pain and trouble you have encountered with your band. I hope you have better things to come in the future!

[Vera 7]

Hi Isa and welcome to LBT. I know Dr. Sanchez personally, he is an outstanding surgeon! His staff is wonderful. You will be well taken care of. I have never met Dr. DeLaGarza.

Monterrey Mx is a very large city with several medical universities and hospitals, there are several band doctors utilizing the modern facilities that city has to offer.

Feel free to PM me with any others questions reguarding Dr. Sanchez.

[Guest DwayneBreeden]

Princess- I was not trying to give widespread panic regarding Dr. DeLaGarza and I also have not been hushed by any new information. It is sad that someone would repremand me because I am speaking the truth. I was in Mexico and almost DIED. This is no joke, this is no rumor mongering or anything of that sort. This was my life. I was placed on a plane and told to get a blood transfustion in the U.S. I know people may love Dr. DeLa Garza but to this date he has not attempted to contact me to even see if I was ok. This is truly disheartning. I have left my phone number for anyone to call if they want to hear about my situation. I am not hiding from giving out real information.

[alice 0]

I had my surgery with Dr. Sanchez and could not be happier. I met a lady while I was in Monterey for cosmetic surgery 2 weeks ago that Dr. Sanchez is treating for FREE because she had some band related difficulties (not due to negligence I might add)

Dr. Sanchez has banded thousands and I believe he would stand by his work. He repaired my hernia without charge when putting my band in.

You can also e-mail me if you have any questions on Sanchez...

[BandsterHopeful 1]

In my band research, I found several people who said that Dr sanchez promised them a Inamed band, but then switched it to an cheaper Swedish band without their permission. One, Kathy an RN in Californiaa, had a terrible toime finding anyone to fill her and is still doing very poorly 2 years later. You can find her on the Struggling Bandsters yahoo group. Doesn'r sound very honest to me. I found that Sanchez aldso worked with Ann Marie Tiesi, from Belighter. Do a search to see what type of people they are.

[DeLarla 22]

Ouch, can you guys believe I'm actually gonna keep my mouth shut for a change? I would really love to spout off, too!

[Vera 7]

Sanchez aldso worked with Ann Marie Tiesi, from Belighter

Not any more. Ann-Marie was asked to "leave" due to poor patient relations...

One, Kathy an RN in Californiaa, had a terrible toime finding anyone to fill her and is still doing very poorly 2 years later

Kathy should get a hold of Dr. Sanchez with her concerns, if there is anything wrong with her band, Dr Sanchez will fix it. If it's just a matter of fills? There are several doctors who will fill non-Inamed bands in the Bay Area of California.

The Swedish band or AMI band is not considered cheaper. It's like comparing the VG band to the 10cc band or to the 4cc band. Bands should be chosen per person's size at time of placement as well as fat around the stomach.

Lisa, Give it to me!

[Isa 0]

How do I find that struggling bandsters website?

After all my research, I believe that Dr. Sanchez will do a great job but I'd like to see the other side of the spectrum and hear the stories of those people that may not have had such a good experience.

[BandsterHopeful 1]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StrugglingBandsters/

R

[Kendra 0]

im glad you didnt remove this post. Reguardless if the alligations are true or not people need to hear this stuff. The good, and the bad.

[nat's_back 0]

WOW, that is amazing. I went to Dr De La Garza, and thankfully had a completly different experience. This just sounds like a nightmare experience for you.

I was just wondering... I mean we all had the surgery and we know where are scars are right? THey are pretty high up on our torso. How is it that his colon and liver, which are way below your belly button got punctured? I am not saying he is a lier, I am just saying how could that happen? I did a lot of research on Dr De La Garza and found that he is the BEST!! He is the one coming over to the US to train the doctors here on how to perform the surgery. Something does not sound right to me. I have seen dr. De La Garza three times, and he has gone above and beyond the call of duty. He saw me three times in person when I was at the recovery suite. He has responded to all me emails promptly. I have made many friends that are patients of his, and they all say the same thing. THis just sounds out of character.

Either way, I wish you all the luck in your recovery.

[gypj 3]

I went to Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey, had a great experience and am healing nicely. That said I have heard of horor stories of others who had questionable medical treatment. The hospital Santa Eglacia (sp) is beautiful and well maintained. Even my mom I (who went with me) and was tremendously skeptical was impressed. I have since spoken to Dr. Sanchez and his staff and he has been accessible and very personable. I would have no hesitations in recommending him (and his staff).

To the person who asked about why people go to MX, my entire procedure including airfare was less than 10,000, the medication was readily available and I enjoyed a FABULOUS, almost mini-vacation while in the San Piedro mountains. I have friends who went elsewhere but I made an informed decision to go to MX which I firmly stand by. Even though it may not seem like it to some, there is a MARKED difference between 8 and 12,000. Just my lil ole .02 cents...HEY VERA!!!

[hagerteresa 3]

I'm with you Vera. I was hoping my trip would be more like a mini vacation but what can you expect when your down there having surgery? All in all I was satisfied with my experience and would do it again.

[banded 11/4/04 0]

That makes me sooooo angry! Well I'm glad you posted this story. If anything good comes out of it, he will get a bad rep and loose any future buisness.

[chill01 0]

I am writing this to inform people to STAY AWAY FROM DR. DE LA GARZA. I must first say that I am not a disgruntled or angry person; I just want the truth to be known about this Dr. I contacted Dr De La Garza. for the Lap band procedure because I was told that he was experienced and knowledgeable. My wife and I flew to Monterrey Mexico, she had reservations about me doing the procedure but I was determined to get it done. I paid $10,000.00 US for the procedure. After the procedure I learned dolor (pain) and aqua (water) that was all. While recovering in the hotel suite, I became extremely dizzy and could not eat; my abdomen was distended and swollen. All I wanted to do was sleep. Via phone the doctor continued to tell me that it was just the after affects of the surgery. My wife insisted that he come to the hotel. When he came, he became very nervous and pensive. He suggested that I needed a blood transfusion and for me to return to the U.S. for the transfusion because he couldn’t guarantee blood supplies in Monterrey. He simply wanted us to leave the country. My wife astutely put us on a plane for the U.S. I don’t remember any parts of the flight from Monterrey to Texas to Detroit because I was blacking out. Upon arrival I was met by my sister who is an RN and she immediately took me to Providence hospital in Southfield MI. Upon arrival in the ER the doctors examined me and immediately coded me for emergency surgery. They opened me up and removed the Lap band. I had almost 3 pints of blood in my abdomen and was told that I would have died in 2 hours. Dr De La Garza had punctured my colon and lacerated my liver!! I chose the Lap Band procedure because it was non-invasive and had quick recovery times. I was stunned. After 3 months of recuperation my wife contacted Dr. De La Garza to let him know what happened and to see if we could get our money back. The kind doctor was too busy to speak with us now and blew us off. He simply stopped taking our calls. It gets worse. We contacted an attorney in Mexico and tried to find out what recourse we had with this doctor. He wanted a $500.00 retainer and we sent it. After he got our money he told us we had no recourse. He would try to work something out with the doctor but there are no boards that we can appeal to and no jurisdiction because we are from the U.S. We tried to contact the attorney back and he stopped taking our calls. We then contacted the lead partner of the firm and he pressured the attorney. He sent us back $450.00.

I tell this story because I want other to be careful and check these Mexican doctors out. Ask questions, questions and more questions. If they get offended, leave. This is your life! They prey on those that are overweight because they know you are desperate. I think that if I had only found the right Dr. I would probably be at my goal weight, but because I made a poor choice, I am right back where I started and have lost $10,450.00 dollars.

I and my wife are willing to speak with anyone about our experience. I can be reached at 313-331-8423.

Thanks

Dwayne Breeden

i had surgery with dr. javier de la garza, i need to get in touch with him, can you help me please