redalert3

Thanks Chowchows! My feelings exactly- I am hoping they choose to refund me. It's up to Dr. Ortiz specifically, if he is willing to refund me the money out of kindness, I'd feel far more secure with him in the future. If not, it's a 500$ lesson and I'll move on from working with them. He is doing better! Thank you.

Thank you- I think he will be ok in a month or so, it's just a bit overwhelming right now. I received a response from OCC that they would ask Dr. Ortiz to make an exception and refund me. I am hoping they do, and if they do I'll be rescheduling for myself and my husband next year. If not, it serves to me as an indicator that maybe it's a 500$ lesson and I should find a different surgeon or just go the ultra expensive USA surgeon route.

I just had a very poor experience with Dr. Ortiz's office (Obesity Control Center). I have no reason to personally discredit their surgical work- this is about customer service and fairness. I had to cancel my surgery at OCC because my husband had to have immediate surgery on his esophagus on Sunday that has forced us to divert our funds (I'm actually selling my car as well). Unlike any other surgical center, they male you sign a form that your deposit is non-fundable. I was reminded that it was "NON-REFUNDABLE" (in all caps) when I requested the gesture of getting a courtesy refund, as I'm canceling surgery, and it would be a great help. I know they don't have to, they don't have to abide by the same medical contract standards as the U.S., but- from the standpoint of a person imterracting with another person, what's kind and fair- I think it would be proper to give my deposit back. I have made one appointment with them in the past and cancelled. I don't have a history of calling with multiple fears and questions- but I've cancelled one time before in 2010. Since then I have referred 2 patients who actually booked and had lap band at OCC. I figured this may have made up for canceling and being a burden before, but I was reminded I have a "history" multiple times. Perhaps there are (natural) doubts that my cancellation is due to my husbands circumstances, but even if so...I don't feel theres any reason so trivial or offensive to cancel that warrants keeping an entire 500$ for a surgery that will not be performed. I miss hearing my husbands voice. We used to talk quite a bit, and this is a hard time for me and my family. I hope he recovers well. I just feel a bit tender and stepped upon after this. The funny thing is, if they had given my deposit $ back, I'd likely happily make an appointment next year for myself and my husband (who has accepted he needs bariatric help too). After this, regardless of them having my $, I don't feel they will do more than they are legally required to do by contract, and that offers me no peace of mind in my recovery and trip back to LA. Again, this is no personal discredit to their medical practice or surgical capabilities. The two ladies who had lap band on my refferal did just fine and continue to. This is merely my experience asking for compassion and my deposit back, and being shot down, in a tone that treats me as a contract, not a person who could use help.

STP Addict- I lovvvvve your chow chow photo! I've had 2 chow chows in my life, they're adorable and so much fun to hug. I am scheduled for plication surgery with Dr. Ortiz in a couple months, and after a life time of weight struggles, I am aware that healthy permanent weight loss should be slow- I am fine with that. My concern is that it seems to be the expectation and result that patients ultimately stay overweight. "60-75% of excess weight", meaning I'll likely keep up to 40% of the additional weight beyond the healthy range, and thats how it goes? I was truly hoping it was realistic to be at a truly ideal weight and no longer be describable as "chunky" or "thicker", though that may seem shallow or image focussed, I am being honest- looking good (and not just "not as fat") was a big part of what I look forward to.