Beware Dr. De La Garza

[the best me 6]

My local Dr. here charges $12,000 but that does not include the cost of the hospital, anesthesia, nutritionist, psychologist, hospital labs, ect. By the time you add it up, it's around 20,000. Then add on your aftercare costs...it's getting pricey. I'm so sorry about what happened Dwayne. What a nightmare.

From what I have gathered, Dr de la Garza is not associated with Dr Rodriguez, and those that have seen Dr Rod have had a good experience, but dig around in here.

I am worried because Tarafeena is seeing de la Garza next week. I will e-mail her and tell her to check this out.

Again, so sorry Dwayne. I think about the risks alot, since I haven't been banded yet and I'm planning to go to Mx. I don't want to regret it, or leave my husband with two kids to raise, my kids without their mother, because I am so miserable being fat. I would rather be here fat than to risk what you have encountered and lose my life. But the benfits if all goes well...man, I am praying lots lately. Thank you for your story.

[hagerteresa 3]

Dwayne,

Had you done much research on that doctor before going down there? His name doesn't pop up very often at all among this group if ever. I think I may have heard the name sometime in the past but he is definitely not one of the top half dozen that everybody commonly uses here. What made you decide on him? My mexico surgeon required I stay in a hospital for 2 nights though I clearly was on my feet and wanted to go back to the hotel desperately after one night. Anyway sorry again about your horrible experience. That would be any of our worst nightmares. Best wishes, Teresa

[blossom 2]

Wow, what an ordeal!!!! I am so sorry you went through that. Hope you have healed completely and have no lingering complications.

[leatha_g 4]

This is truly bad commentary for any doctor. I am really glad that you have posted your experience, however. There are so many, so desperate to have this surgery that sometimes they will do just about anything. Often, price is the big factor and in the end it is the worst reason for choosing a doctor. Especially those 'all-inclusive' specials some of them offer. I truly do hope your telling your story helps someone else to avoid this same danger and such inhumane treatment of such. I am truly sorry there is anyone who has an MD behind his name who could leave it at that and still sleep at night.. Shame, shame...

[Tarafeena 1]

Can you tell me who your contact person in Mexico was? And how long ago was this done? I am going to have this done next week with this Dr. they are saying that there is no record of you ever being a pt. for Dr. De La Garzia......Is this true? I hope you get back to me soon!!!!

[leatha_g 4]

It's actually against the law in the US to reveal a patient's name or information to any other party. I'm not sure about Mexico, but I would think patient confidentiality would be pretty universal. Not to mention.. why would I confirm this had happened to a prospective patient if I were truly capable of allowing it to happen??

[La_madam 20]

I agree with Leatha..what docotr in their right mind would admit to such a thing. Bad businness for them. Of course they are going to deny it.

[I'llsucceed 1]

Thanks to everyone for their support. This was a trying incident for me. It seems surrealistic thinking back on what happened to me. At the time I researched places in the U.S., I couldnt find a doctor that would do the procedure. I have learned from this experience and now still fight the battle of the bulge. Maybe one day I will find that U.S. doctor.

Thanks for your support, you guys are AWESOME!!

Dwayne

Wow Dwayne that is an incredible experience you went through. Thank goodness for your wonderful wife. I am so happy you are alive & well. Have you ever considered doing a marketing idea with your story. Its not for many - but if you did take your story public (i mean like a news story) to inform others, I just bet you might find a capable Doc here in Michigan to do the surgery for free. He in return would receive (air time & publicity) for free which cost alot more than $15000.00. Or maybe try going directly to a Doctor you've choose & present the idea. You would be astounded at what you can get if you only just ask. I know a large amount of companies & people that swap services for publicity. Its a win -win. You deserve the best & for free! I hope you get it. Best of luck from right here in Royal Oak ;0)

[leatha_g 4]

Also, Dewayne. Have you contacted the manufacturer of the band? Did you get an Inamed one? If so, I'd contact don.mills@inamed.com ASAP.

[Alex Brecher 10,495]

I'm not going to take sides but I received a fax rebuttal to Dwane's post and I'd like to share it with my fellow LBT users. I believe in freedom of speech and unless I receive a court order I will never remove a post from LBT. There are always two sides to every story and I'm glad that we have the opportunity to hear both sides of this story.

"To whom it may concern,

I just wanted to clarify a thread published in the www.LapbandTalk.com web site by Dwane Breeden the allegations his making about Dr. de la Garza aren't completely accurate for several reasons.

First, Dwane Breeden underwent surgery on October 7, 2000, more than four years ago, one important fact that he didn't include in his comment.

Secondly, in his post the patient mentions that he paid over $10,000 USD for the surgery. After checking his medical files we see that he paid a significantly lower amount, less than $7,000 USD.

He also claims that his doctor recommended him to go back to the US for a blood transfusion, however what happened was that he was offered and recommended to stay in the hospital in Monterrey. But after speaking on the phone with his sister, who is a nurse in Michigan, she suggested him to go back home, and he followed her advice. The doctor preferred him to stay here for observation, however since the patient insisted that he was feeling better and asked to leave, he was released from the hospital.

The patient was also aware that the Lap bad surgery, as any other surgery, involves a certain amount of risk, and he was also informed that he had to stay an extra day for observation and still decided to leave placing his own health at risk, against the doctor's advice.

In addition to this, we really disapprove of this particular method of defamation against the good name and prestige of Dr. Javier de la garza. He has helped more than 1,000 patients during 9 years of practicing the Lap band surgery, and this kind of comments posses an intention of harming the doctor's reputation and it is biased with no solid fundament.

We would like for this statement to be taken off this website because of it's doubtful nature if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Nina B******

OCA Hospital PR Representative"

[blacknamaste 0]

I knew this was a sensitive issue so I didint want to post a message, or tread on anyones toes. However, I was quite put out by this malicious attack on Doctor De la garza. I really found him to be a competant man with a professional approach to his medical practice. I understand that this procedure can bring about complications. However, indivuduals that had surgery with Dr. De La Garza will be completley discouraged by these posts. I too second the motion to have this thread removed as there are no grounds for it.

[Pippy 0]

Aww Dwayne I'm so sorry you've been through this its terrible and I hope your feeling better. I can't imagine what you and your wife must have gone through.

Take care

Helenxx.

[I'llsucceed 1]

I do not think that it should be removed. Now that the rebuttal has been posted along with it people can be informed on both sides & make an adult decision.

I would want to know every problem that my own physician has had prior to my own operation---- so thats all this is just more information. Besides as to the rebuttal the monies probably didn't figure in all his other costs(time off work-travel-ect.) & I don't care if it happen 4 or even 6 yrs ago. It still happened & warrents to be told. So do any other problems bansters have with any other doctors. This is why we have this site to inform us of the POSSIBILITIES. We are all adults and I am sure can make our judgements based on all our knowledge not just one THREAD.

[the best me 6]

I like that the rebuttal is posted, don't know the whole story, don't really need to but everyone's opinion is important. If you had a great experience with de la Garza, awesome, I want to hear about it, so thanks, Blacknamaste. If it was bad , so be it. But don't censor it. I'm a grown up. I agree, I'll succeed. Thanks Alex B., for sticking to your convictions and for everyone who has posted here.

[kellymoos 4]

The funny thing is that they denied having him as a patient and then turned around and sent a rebuttle letter.....