westcoastlady

The good, the bad & the ugly... Mexico Bariatric Center, Dr. Kelly, Mi hospital I have written this for information purposes only. I am trying to be as informative as possible to anyone that is considering surgery with Dr. R. Kelly, or using Mexico Bariatric Center or considering MI Doctor Hospital. We just got back a few days ago from TJ… so far so good! My wife is doing GREAT! I hope this is not found as advertising as per the Forum Rules. I accompanied my wife for VSG surgery; I had mine three years ago. My surgery was with Dr. Almanza and that is a complete other topic. Someday I will write about that gong show. THE GOOD Airport pick up in San Diego by a MBC employee was on time as scheduled. AAAAA Dropped off at the Marriot... not my first choice but very acceptable. Originally booked into the Grand but was changed by MBC the week prior. Been at the Grand several other times and prefer it over the Marriot because of its location, dining and facilities. All was ok because MBC did advise us prior to leaving for Tijuana. AAAA MI Hospital was good. There is no Doctor present in the evenings till early morning. Very clean for Mexico standards. AAA Opted to have the leak test and x-rays at Angeles Hospital due to the fact of their more advanced equipment. A Hospital that most definately meets all standards. An extra cost of $60. AAAAA Dr. Kelly and his assistant Lora were both great. Very caring, conversations were very informative, professional and there is no sugar coating and no bull ****. We really appreciated that they both personally checked in with my wife during her recovery at the hotel. It was nice to see him & Lora other than just a nurse or coordinator. Not sure if he was supposed to do that since we booked through MBC. AAAAA MBC was caught in a lie about changing Doctors to another patient and Dr. Kelly was caught in the middle. To keep the patient happy and to keep the patient from feeling they were used in a “bait & switch tactic” Dr. Kelly performed the surgery at no charge and picked up all Hospital charges as well. I witnessed this as this patient was in the room next to ours. AAAAA THE BAD Originally booked with a coordinator named Kelly. After our second communication with her she advised that she had a family issue with her dad and that Cindy would be able to assist us from there. Half a dozen emails, 3 or 4 phone calls. All was good at that time. I would rate her and the service a AAAA BUT… after us having problems with the hospital change, Cindy understood why were upset but changed her tune after speaking with a higher up at MBC. I did not take her comments lightly when she said it’s about time Dr. Kelly took responsibility and admit to his errors in regards to the hospital change. She also advised us that she did not make any money on this booking and we brought up this issue with Daniel (Mexican liaison for MBC) that we didn’t feel it was right for Cindy not to be paid as she did all the work as far as we could see but I truly don’t care how MBC pays its employees and Cindy had no business telling us that. We feel she did her job and should have been paid by her employer no matter what differences we might have had with her! This is business… not personal. AA As far as blaming it on Dr. Kelly, he personally told us why we had the hospital change… that will be in detail in “the ugly”. The Marriot's room service was poor. AA My wife wanted to be one of the first surgeries of the day and was advised by Cindy that she had to arrange that with Daniel once she was in TJ. She spoke to Daniel’s assistant, Tatianna at the Hotel the minute we arrived and she said she would look into it and call me back. No callback came and Daniel said he knew nothing of this, and surgeries were already booked. Very poor communications between Cindy, Tatianna and Daniel on this matter. A THE UGLY Taken to MI Doctor Hospital. We booked our surgeon to operate in the Florence/Oasis Hospital. We were never advised by MBC that there had been a change. We found this unacceptable. Tatriana & Cindy advised us the morning of the surgery that Dr. Kelly no longer had privileges there and he only had privileges at MI Doctor (thus the change). After meeting with the doc an hour prior to surgery he and his assistant advised they also had privileges at Nova Hospital & Angeles Hospital. MBC states the Dr. changed the Hospital on us and the doc says MBC would not pay the higher operating room fee. Any way you look at it, we booked through MBC and they were the ones that should have advised us. Then it would have been our option to cancel or book directly with Dr. Kelly’s service directly. We would have cancelled and booked directly with Dr. Kelly! Our package cost was also higher than others MBC offers and were told that part of the reason for the higher cost was having the surgery at the Florence/Oasis which was a nicer facility (according to Cindy). No partial refund/offer of extra services was offered to compensate the difference in price between the two facilities. A We were also advised by an onsite MBC employee that Dr. Kelly was not set up to operate out of Nova Hospital as of yet, but Dr. Kelly's assistant showed us his schedule and that he has worked out of Nova Hospital for the last 13 days. I detest blatant lies. A Fees at MI are $400 dollars cheaper than Florence/Oasis and Nova is a few hundred more than Florence/Oasis. If you book directly with Dr. Kelly ... Nova Hospital and all its benefits are included at the same price. More on that in my summary. The website that we booked through was www.ramoskellymd.com It states that it is the “Official Patient Coordinator Website of Dr. Ramos Kelly”. IT IS NOT! Dr. Kelly’s website is www.wlsclinic.com There are differences. See my summary. A SUMMARY I suggest anyone that is considering surgery with Dr. Kelly should book directly through his website at www.wlsclinic.com or call Lora at 619.793.4869 or email at Wlsclinic@outlook.com. There are many differences with the package sold through Mexico Bariatric Centre and sold directly. They both charge the same price but when booking direct, surgery is performed at Nova Hospital. I had a chance to inspect this facility. It is state of the art, high tech and has Doctors present 24/7 in case of any problems that might occur. Not just nurses and a doctor on call. Another difference is the leak test x-ray. He takes you to Angeles Hospital where again… state of the art equipment and images. He has a nutritionist meet with you while still in the hospital… the list goes on and on. Please do your research on this! There are many Bariatric Surgeons in Tijuana. Some excellent… some very poor. The same applies to Hospitals and Hotels. Being that this was my 10th visit to TJ, I feel abit qualified to speak on this subject. I have assisted many friends while having VSG surgery and so far… I am the only one with a few minor complications. They are not major but just little hiccups along the way. I have lost over 120 pounds and feel great. Wish I knew of this surgery years before I actually did it. If anyone wants to get the real scoop you can call me at 250.675.4657 anytime. I’m on the west coast so please remember the time difference. I’m not a coordinator; I do not get referral fees… I’m just a happy, lighter individual that wishes you the very best with whatever decision you make. And I cannot sign off without stating one opinion. I do not want to debate this statement (and won’t) but if you are considering having surgery at Jerusalem Clinic with Dr. Almanza and Dr? (Mr.) Bentacourt… please reconsider. Research the facility, Betancourt and the recovery house and its personnel. Thank you for reading my comments. They are just my comments and do not reflect others. I know many of you have had surgery with other surgeons and facilities and love your doctors but I wrote this to help others while in the decision process. If after having surgery you feel that you had the best care then I suggest you start your own Topic. George

My name is XXXXX XXXXX and I have just hijacked my wife’s account under the name of westcoastlady. Twelve hours ago I took a call from Alex, the owner of this web site and was asked several questions that concerned him. I did not appreciate the way the call started off by pretending to be a future patient of wls and asking me if he could book an appointment through me with a certain doctor. I felt he baited me to see if I was a coordinator or someone in a position that can make a booking and receive a monetary fulfillment. He failed! After being in the conversation for approximately 10 minutes, Alex requested that we “ease off” on promoting certain surgeons, hospitals and hotels but that I should continue to speak the truth as I know it. He suggested we not give out our personal phone number but to discuss my thoughts and concerns over the chat lines (which I will not due to the fact as getting lambasted when discussing someone else’s doctor that they consider a hero). He did not request my wife to leave his site but to “just cool it” abit. His concern is that my wife has given out our own personal home phone number to approximately 12 people to help people making evaluations for future patients easier. I have been to TJ 13 times, once for myself, once for my wife, three times with friends and eight times with complete strangers whom I had only chatted with on this site and the OH site. I KNOW most of the TJ surgeons, all the major hotels and all of the hospitals and clinics and I feel I have a vast amount of knowledge to share. But regrettably, this will now come to an end since Alex has had a few complaints about me (us)… as he put it… us being sketchy by giving out our private phone number and then offering my “free service”. We get 20 to 30 emails and phone calls a week of people saying thanks but it just takes a few complaints to take it all away. I even have a “new friend” in TJ right this minute that we are in contact with several times a day. Seems she thought it would be no problem being there by herself but now wishes I was there. Not everyone needs an advocate, but ones that do sure appreciate it. I know my wife has posted that I have gone down with complete strangers and acted as a patient advocate. This is true. I speak for them when they can’t because of the pain, the language barrier etc. I make them walk when they don’t won’t to. I go buy bags of ice for the nurses’ station for all patients because the hospital/clinic has none. I carry their bags, I call their loved ones, you get the drift. What is my charge you ask? It’s nothing. Zero. Nada Why can I do this? I’m retired. Retiring before I was 50 has made life grand and we live it large. I have nothing but free time and a damn plane ticket is less than $500. One hundred percent of all the people I have accompanied are VERY thankful and most of them have bought us thoughtful gifts and trinkets to show their appreciation. And to be very honest… I am considered kinda wealthy. Some say stinkin rich lol. I say healthy! I have even paid the difference for a young man to switch doctors to another (an $800 extra) so he would not take a chance with a certain doctor where I have personally witnessed two deaths. In closing I always looked at it as paying it forward. I had such a bad surgery at such a bad clinic that had a doctor on board that wasn’t a licensed doctor, had to get fixed up a year later… you get the picture. My wife had a great surgery with Dr. Kelly and his team. MBC sometimes uses a bait and switch tactic when it comes to inquiries, changing hospitals and hotels without advising you, actually just taking the cheaper way out. Again… I have vast knowledge of what goes on down there and have tried to share it at my expense. To those who read this and are concerned that I will renege on my future commitments… please feel comfortable as that I am a man of my words and I will follow through. I have asked my wife not to offer my services to any others and I feel that I have paid it forward as much as I can. Thank you all for your patience reading this mumble jumble. Seems that when you’re upset you have a thought every 5 seconds but not enough time to write them down. To those of you that complained that we had ulterior motives, your wrong and that’s your prerogative and we hope you have an uneventful surgery with whomever, wherever and whenever. The drama is over, no more suspense!

yes susan... tell me more about my husbands intentions of whom you have not met. Im sure he will reply tonight.

Possibly but I would hope not. We try to see the best in people. And YES, we do NOT support all doctors. XXX is very adamant on who he works with, what hospital and damn... even the hotel. So maybe some toes have been stepped on but he does not compete with companies doing what he does for profit... I think. Anyways, thanks for the words.

And we both believe in Karma. Thank you

So glad you are doing fine. Keep it up! Don't want to get into doctor and facility bashing but I would never go there again! We advise friends and advocates to look elsewhere. My husbands surgery was there and three years and a corrective surgery later... hes doing pretty good.. From multiple patient infections, two deaths, one patient rushed to the border by cab and left there, doctors using other doctors credentials, a recovery house that was a party house for coordinators, almost no English, so many complications and that is while we were both there. I could go on and on but it was a horror story. I always felt bad for the ELEVENTH patient of the day! Oh and an OR that was never and I mean never cleaned between operations. And today a OR assistant that was the chauffeur three years ago. Told you I could keep going. I am VERY happy for all the patients that are doing well. Thought I should edit this and say it was Dr. Almanza at Jerusalem Clinic 3 years ago, not what my original thread was about.

PM me. I will tell you what my husband does for patients. He does NOT work for any doctors or agencies. And best of all... he does not charge! I call him a patient advocate. He has been there (TJ) 12 times... soon to be 13

Did you book direct or through a wholesaler. I assume you booked direct since Cece picked you up. So to all you people considering Dr. Kelly... BOOK DIRECT! The package he offers is different than MBC. And last comment... isn't Angeles Hospital out of this world! Great Post

Im very happy for you. You have made a great choice. Now hurry up Sept!

That's bull crap about changing hospitals... I agree. And people should understand that they are not hiring the doctor when booking through MBC. The Dr. is only doing what he gets paid for by MBC and if they book direct with Kelly they get the FULL MEAL DEAL. Thanks for the post.

With all the talk about Dr. kelly switching to Nova, I thought I would post a pic of the hospital. I have more as soon as I can edit the faces I will post the inside pics. Its clean and IMO its one notch above MI Doctor and the important thing is... they have doctors staffing the hospital 24/7 Might not be important to you but it was VERY important to us. More pics to follow.

LOLThat s just the patient room. The OR is a REAL OR.. Not just tools in a Snap On Tool Box.

Only one. Walk...walk...walk...and when you are so tired... walk some more Have a great surgery!

So... have you made a decision? Pick a great doctor, a respectable hospital and... most of the hotels are all similar. Good luck!

I hope all goes well. Kelly is great. MBC is just abit shady IMO. Too many bait and switches. What I don't understand is why wouldn't you book directly at the same price and get the better package that Doc Kelly gives you. Both packages are NOT the same! Anyways... good luck on your upcoming surgery.

Dr Garcia does not need to read this forum or listen to any of us. If he's been acting inappropriate over a period of time with patients... he knows, so do nurses, hotel staff. Its not a private world we live in. I will follow up next month when my hubby is back in TJ and see what actions Garcia has taken. He should be protecting his business and many... and I mean many have changed their surgeries from him to other surgeons. And I for one... like that. Sorry Garcia lovers... but this is his chance to make thing right. IMO

Well... IMO Dr Garcia... who I also respected has lost my respect. He that surrounds themselves with the devil is no better. This is Dr. Garcia's chance to clear his name by saying adios to the looser... just saying

You have had the best responses already. WALK Need motivation? Evertime you walk for 15 minutes I will email you $1000.00 Now walk!

Im going to get blasted but your well being is worth it. My husband was sleeved at that chop shop. Do NOT go there please. Its not worth it. I pm'd you. I can advise you of other options.

You and others keep saying" the company"... may I ask... who the company is? Thanks

Kates Hubby here... She made me read this thread because of my connection to TJ. I have a saying in business. Surround yourself with great people in your company and you become great yourself. Surround yourself with the devil... you go to hell. Sorry Dr. Garcia.. YOU are also connected. I cant believe that Dr Garcia did not know of actions like these. Speaking from experience of my 12 vistits there... people brag. I would think many other proffessional people around him knew what he was doing. Thanks for coming forward, thanks for whom ever posted his name. Please report the booking agency that you used so other agencies dont get blamed. I assume its either Tijuana Bariatrics, Baha Med or MBC. It wouldnt supprise me if it was Mexico Bariatrics. Kate has her own bone to pick with them. My last chance of a bit of humour... dont sleep with a caregiver in TJ... the front doorman of the Marriott is cuter! Again... it was brave of you to come forward.

Good luck with MBC. When we originally booked I got great service from this company. After payment things went down hill. And its funny that they used the same excuse (family emergency) to transfer us to another coordinator that eventually complained that she worked for us and didnt get paid. Long story short... we are asking MBC to compensate me for switching hospitals and not telling us. That has really pissed me off. You just dont do that. Your already stressed out enough the morning of surgery to find that they drive up to a lessor quality hospital with poorer services. But thats my problem not yours. I tried to pm you but I guess you dont see them. All good. What doctor have you selected? Most doctors have their own websites and you can book direct. And a few of them DO NOT want deposits. They TRUST you! And there are MANY benifits for booking direct!!! GoodLuck

Pics of Christopher, Lora's son. I think he's around 25 yrs old. Surgery was Sunday OMG... is that a dust bunny lol See not dirty as earlier reported. Good Luch Chris! K&T

Im going to answer this a bit differet. Tip for good or extrordinary service. Tip the same as you would in USA or Canada. Dont worry what the wage in MX is... tip accordingly. As one poster said... she tipped a kid a Walmart a buck. Did it break her... probably not. Was it more than usual... yup But you wouldnt get a kid in North America to bag your groceries and accept a 10 cent tip. Your tires would be slashed b4 you got to your car. lol Tip what you can afford. Tip what you are accustomed to. Thats my answer. And if anyone wants to tip me for my thoughts... I will send you a link to my PayPal account. hahaha

Good luck and may you find the MONEY TREE!!!