I just read a great post by 'wasabubblebutt' regarding Mexico doctors. I wanted to let anybody know, who is interested, that I was banded by Dr. Lopez in TJ, Mexico. If anybody has any questions regarding this doctor, his side-kick doctors, price, pre-op diet, post-op diet, hospital care, transportation, staff, flouroscopy, or anything else regarding my experience, please do not hesitate to ask right here. Or you can privately email me and I will answer your questions.

I want people to feel like they are making the right decision by having surgery outside of the US and with a doctor they can trust.

I'm not even sure what Mid Band is.

It's a French band. It's popular in Europe. The first one was designed in 1999, but they are already on the second generation.

As far as I have been able to tell, Inamed, J&J and MID are the 3 big band manufacturers out of the 7-8 that exist when you look at bands world-wide. But this band isn't FDA approved in the US and it doesn't even appear to be in clinical trials here -- at least as far as I can tell.

It's a French band. It's popular in Europe. The first one was designed in 1999, but they are already on the second generation.

As far as I have been able to tell, Inamed, J&J and MID are the 3 big band manufacturers out of the 7-8 that exist when you look at bands world-wide. But this band isn't FDA approved in the US and it doesn't even appear to be in clinical trials here -- at least as far as I can tell.

Whoops, sorry! I meant Bio E band. I never heard of that one.

I wasn't sure but I think it might be this one:

Cousin Biotech...

They call it the BioRing but their web site is so horrible it's hard to tell what anything is and if they have an "E" version.

Video on this link should help dispel questions about quality of lap band hospitals in Tijuana, Mexico where Dr. Lopez Corvala performs the surgery.

Video - Hospital Angeles, Tijuana, Mexico

Hello,

I have read everyone's reply about Dr. Corvala (bad and Good). When I decided that I would have my lap band in Mexico, I set out to research doctors as I would hear in California. I actually called Allegan and verified that he is indeed a proctor for them, I have a friend who called the Mexican Board of Medicine and found out that he has a valid medical license. I beleive that Dr. Corvala is definetely experience and skilled enough to perform this surgery for myself. I think educating myself about the surgery itself, the possible complications and researching doctors who practice in Mexico (which is quite challenging) helped me get to where I am in deciding to have Dr. Corvala perform my surgery on 04/23/08.

For those who gave negative feedback about Dr. Corvala. I would like to know what complications you had. Having this information is helpful for me and others who really want to make the right decisions for their healthcare. I would like to know what complications you had because it will help me determine 1. Was it really "surgeon error" or was it just a complication that occurred? 2. Is the complication manageable if it happens to me? and 3. Does these complications make me not want to have the surgery? I am not trying to get in your business but it think you really could shed some light on the negative feedback for many who read this. I for one am a surgical nurse, and I need to know more objective information before I can make a decision.

All docs have their good qualities and bad (like all people) and not every surgery will go 100% ok, however, the personality of surgeons especially, is that they are perfectionist (most don't believe they are capable of making a mistake) so they think immediately that it is the patient must have done something.

Resi

But have you really read all about Dr Lopez? Have you searched all threads regarding him? What would you need to hear to change your mind? Many people have outlined in great detail the problems we endured due to Dr Lopez. When a person reports that they almost DIED due to his incompetence.....I wonder what more you would need to hear? I believe your mind is made up and you will only listen to what you want to hear. I say this as someone who did exactly the same thing. They tried to warn me and I didn't listen.

I can't rewrite my experience over nad over. Its too long and painful. Just search him a little harder.

Best of luck.

But have you really read all about Dr Lopez? Have you searched all threads regarding him? What would you need to hear to change your mind? Many people have outlined in great detail the problems we endured due to Dr Lopez. When a person reports that they almost DIED due to his incompetence.....I wonder what more you would need to hear? I believe your mind is made up and you will only listen to what you want to hear. I say this as someone who did exactly the same thing. They tried to warn me and I didn't listen.

I can't rewrite my experience over nad over. Its too long and painful. Just search him a little harder.

Best of luck.

He is also associated with BeLiteWeight. I would never suggest going to anyone associated with them! That is another big reason to be worried.

Hello Legallyblonde2,

I should have said that I read all of the threads (good and bad). I have read the 3 pages (when I do a name search). If there are more please direct me because I am new to this website. I totally understand what you are saying when you say "I almost died" what else does the person need to hear.

When a person reports that they almost died, I am wondering what the conditions were. What happened? Its a statement with no other facts to support it is what it means to me. The threads that I have read, reports that they were not happy with Dr. Corvala's bed side manner, They have also stated simular things that you have said. I have not read any details of anyone's bad experience, maybe I can go back and read all of your threads, I don't know. I need to make sure I read all threads related to Dr. Covala, I think I have done that but I don't know.

I understand and respect that you do not want to explain your obvious terrible experience because you have in the past and you do not want to rehash what happened to you.

I am simply saying that when people are reading these threads (including myself) the details of what people say are what help people the most. For example, the reason why people may go through the surgery with Dr. Corvala is because all the positive feed back is detailed, they are praising the service, the success of their surgery and their weight loss journey. These things are more noticable and desirable than a few statements, that Dr. Corvala almost killed me or I almost died without any other explanation. Actually its a little irresponsible if you are trying to bring awareness to a group of people. Its like your saying "I had this bad experience that almost cost me my life but I don't feel like telling you about it". What are people like myself who are new to this website and are eager to have this surgery to do with that.

I'm not trying to be nosy but If you said something like, I almost died because Dr. Corvala did not do my sutures correctly, therefore I got terrible infection or he did not do any pre-op tests (that happened to a friend with another Mexican doctor) or I suffered from a hemotoma because Dr. Corvala nicked my gastric vein. Those things carry a lot more weight. I sorry, but I did not read details like this in anyone's bad experiences. People stated general statements similar to yours.

Let me know if there are more threads than the 3 pages that I have read about Dr. Corvala.

And I am truly sorry for your bad experience.

Resi

Anyone Out There Do Not Ever Use Dr. Francisco Gonzalez He Is In Tijuana Mexico, His Office Is Next To The Grand Hotel Tower. He Did My Surgery And I Was Almost Dead, I Know Few Other People That Did Die And A Few More That Went Through Hell, He Is Lying And Never Calls When You Are In Trouble, Now I Am Looking For An Attorney Who Will Take This Case Any Recomendetions Please Advise, But Please Do Not Ever Use Him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do know that my doctor has performed several corrective surgeries for patients who initially had their bands placed in Mexico. I'm sure there are good doctors but I'm sure there are some bad ones. I just hope people get educated before having surgery and not just go solely based on recommendations.

Now, as far as people who work for some of these doctors posting on the forum, my thought is that they should be required to clearly disclose this information with each post in a signature block or some place in the post.

just go to all my posts and read what I have said over and over. It is all there. I think you just search my user name? You can read my progress from happy to almost dead. All details are in there. 5 years worth.

Best of luck

What was the cost for Dr. Corvala at Hospital Angeles? I have read he is very good.

The cost? Just your health and $9,000.00.

You can not be serious.:biggrin:

The cost is $8000.00 for my scheduled lap band on 04/23/08.

I am extremely interested in your experience and what your sister thought of the clinic as my girlfriend and I are planning on going to Dr. Ortiz in September. It is completely nerve wracking trying to figure it all out! Please please keep in touch and let me know how your experience went!

Good luck on the 18th, I hope to hear you are happy and have no regrets!

Looking forward to hearing about your experience when you feel "up to" letting us know about it. :rolleyes2:)