legallyblonde2

I have absolutly NOTHING to gain by posting this. I do not work for any surgeon or have any other affiliation with his office. I just can't let my personal experience with Dr. Salimitari stay private. I had many complications from a previous Mexican butcher back in 2005. Anyone can read my posts. I was legallyblonde and then legallyblonde2 after I forgot my password. I recieved care from Dr. Billy in Ventura but wasn't totally satisfied with his attitude and prices. So went searching for someone diferent. I researched the heck out of Every Dr. in So. Ca. I consulted with 11 YES 11 doctors before I found Dr. Salimitari. Let me state that I have no insurance. I am a single mother on a very limited income. From our first visit, Dr. Sal was more professional and caring than anybody else I have ever dealt with. He doesn't look at his patients as fat and therefore lazy. Ladies, you know what I mean by how men treat us as somehow "less than" because of our size. Not Dr. Sal. He looks past your appearence and into yoru heart and brain. I feel like he might have someone in his life who is overweight and this makes him "get it." Im just guessing here. I don't know the guy except for when I see him in the office. Anyways...back to what he did for me. I had an infection at my port site. (No idea how it happened 3 years after my revision) Weird but whatever. I found Dr Sal and because of my limit income, was scared about how much this would cost to fix but when you have an infection, you can't ignor it. I coudl go to the hospital but they woudl pull my band and port. I didn't want to loose my band!!!!! Dr. Sal has his own surgery center and can work with you on the price. He offered to change my port at a cost I coudl deal with. He did a great job and stayed with me until it was time to go home. He even had his staff drive me home!!!! They have a van to pick up and drive patients home. The surgery center is pristine clean and his staff is fantastic. My nurse was named Pam and she is a sweetie. Almost everyone in the office has had the band. They know what you are going through. Dr. Sal gives his personal cell phone number to all patients and EXPECTS you to call and talk to him. Name one other doctor who does that!!!!!! All my follow up is covered in the initial cost and I never have to worry again. Please consider this doctor for your lapband needs. You will not be sorry... (818) 342-2696

I saw Dr. Billy for the first time. What a great doctor! He answered so many questioned and gave me so many good tips. I was going to go down to TJ to see Dr Lopez but when I found out an upper GI costs as much down there as it does here. (I am without insurance of any kind) I would be a fool to ever go back to TJ. Also, TJ for a single blonde girl is never the safest palce. I am soooo happy to be a Dr Billy patient. I will never go to TJ again!!!! Dr Billy (805)648-2227 Christine:clap2:

What a fantastic surgeon! I am so happy to have found him after an exhaustive research period. Anyone in the Los Angeles, Ventura County area should really consider this doctor. I can't say enough about his bedside manner and skill as a surgeon. He takes his job very seriously but puts his patients needs and concerns at the top of his list. I am a cash paying patient and his office is very competetive with pricing. IM me if you have any further questions. I would be happy to tell you my whole story. Great experience!!!! Christine

Dr Salimitari has a flawless record and treats every patient with the utmost care. I am sending 2 friends and MY FATHER to him. I am overjoyed with his practice. I did extensive research and feel very blessed to have found such a competent and caring surgeon. (818) 342-2696 Christine

Dr Shahram Salimitari! He has a surgery center in LA but an office in Bakersfield. He is the greatest! You wont be sorry. 1-310-470-8446:thumbup:

I am truly an unusual case. In 2004 I went to Mexico and had my Lap Band done. I had one complication after another. In 2006 I had to have it re-done by a local Dr. who I wont name. (My band slipped) I wasn't happy with my revision surgeon. We just weren't on the same page. After exhaustive research, I found Dr. Sal. He is an amazing doctor and man. I appreciate his fantastic bedside manner but what is more important to me is his ability and skill. I spent 3 months just researching lap band doctors in the L.A area. I met with 4 different docs for a consult. I am really serious about making this work for me and don't take my health lightly. Dr. Sal is the doctor I chose. I can't say enough about him. I challenge anyone to find another doctor who gives out his private cell phone number!! Doctors usually dont give patients the feeling that they are listening. Not the case with Dr. Sal. I actually have to end our appointments!! He wants to talk more and I have to go.:thumbdown: I am so happy to have found such a skilled and kind doctor. Good luck to anyone taking this journey.

So I have been breastfeeding since 1-9-08 and got a fill 4-29-08. I have lost about 20 lbs. My fill is just right and I am just trying to make good choices to provide the nutrients for baby. Damn it! My hair is falling out AGAIN!!!!! Another short hair cut in my near future. Christine mother of Paloma

I gave birth on 1-9-08 and breast feed all day and all night! I have had my band for over 4 years and gained 57lbs while preg. Just got a fill this week and have lost 5 lbs. It is weird to have restriction again. Christine

Dr Billy in Ventura is great.

The cost? Just your health and $9,000.00. You can not be serious.:biggrin:

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

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.

I had a great experience with Dr Billy. He does my fills also. I can't wait to go back to him. (I just had a baby and had to have all my fill removed.) I am excited to get skinny again. Dr billy is a great doctor but his personality is RUSHED and AROGANT! So what. I don't go to him for friendship. I wish I would have picked him first. Contact me if you need more info. Christine

Great point!!! However, nobody seems to listen! How ANYBODY would choose Dr Lopez after ALL the negetive posts is beyond me. There are several really good doctors in Mexico with little to no complications. Why not choose one of them? If I was picking a surgeon....and I read what is written about Dr Lopez, GOOD and BAD, I would run the oposite direction. It is wonderful that he has had some happy patients but that all goes out the window when you read about the horror stories. I choose to believe people when they come here and spill their guts and tell these emotional stories. It is insulting when you relive your pain and someone assumes you are lying just to bash the dr. Argh! There are several Drs who charge the same price as Lopez. It can't be a price issue. Go to TJ, have Lap band surgery, be happy and healthy, JUST PICK A GOOD DOCTOR!!!!

Banded and lost, I almost died due to Dr Lopez also. I made a huge effort to post my situation here and warn people of my experience. I was met with nothing but grief! Don't even bother. You just can't warn people. I have been a memeber of this board for almost 5 years. All the old Dr lopez people are gone. I miss them. People are for the most part happy at first ( I was) and then his true colors come out. Nobody ever comes back and apologizes for all the negativity they cast towards those of us who made a good faith effort to warn them. I wish I could do it all over again and save myself the $9,000.00 I threw away in TJ. Dr Billy's revision cost me $15,000.00 and I wish I could have had him do my original surgery. Oh well. I hope you are well. Now watch as a mountain of shit rains down on this post......... Christine

Perhaps I missed it but who was the doctor? I wish her a speedy recovery!

I am so sorry for your situation. I believe you. Why else would you share your story. You have every right to tell your tale and warn people if that is what you think is right. I hope you get it all taken care of both legally and health wise. Christine

I thought it was fairly straight forward. Daily calls and emails=no reply. 2 trips down there to see Dr. Lopez only to be told he wasn't available but I could see his assoc. ( Yes I had appointments to see DR LOPEZ) Very proud of how diligent I was with MY part of the process.

Lisadogmom, Please help me understand how anyone could "do their part" regarding Dr. Lopez. Daily calls to his office, twice daily emails, two trips to his office to speak with him. ( a 4+ hour drive + gas etc ) .....all with no reply. Short of smoke signals, I didn't know what else to do. Last week marked my 4 year anniversary since my Lopez debacle. Still working two jobs to pay off all the money for my revision surgery and hospitial stays to try and correct his failures. Those who are "happy" with Lopez tend to be those who are new patients who are fortunate not to have experienced his lack of regard towards problems. YET! :faint:

As I write this I think, "why do I even try?" However, I just want to add my 2 cents. AGAIN. 1. Dr Lopez almost killed me and Dr Billy saved me. I am not the only one but I will respect their privacy. They dont post here anymore due to all the negitivity following their heart felt comments. So sad. The ladies I speak of were some of the pioneers of this site and so much fun to interact with. I miss them. 2. How can anyone say that they have truly TRULY researched Lopez and come out with anything less than true fright and horror? Google the man for crying out loud! Look outside of just this message board. Contact someone personally who has had experience with him and talk with them privately. I used to guard my privacy due to my job but have made the choice to come out of the closet and I will personally speak to anyone who wants to talk. Unless you seem scary and unbalanced...then no thanks. Christine:faint:

Delara, Where did the ball bouce? WHat happened? Any news? Christine

Thanks. That is very sweet. I had my band re-done by Dr Billy here in Ventura last Jan. In May I had all my fill removed because I am pregnant. I am due in Jan and will get back on the program after I have the baby. It is so weird having NO restriction! I went 4 years having to think carefully about every ounce of food that went in my mouth. Is there a bathroom near by in case something gets stuck etc....Now, it is very strange to eat bread and all the things I couldn't eat before. I went from 220lbs to around 164lbs once. I will do it again! Thanks again! Christine

No, the doctor who butchered so many of us is called Lopez-Corvala. Juan Antonio Lopez-Corvala (01152) 664-634-3870 I have the number memorized since I called it soooo many times trying to get help. Best wishes. Christine