seajoan

Hi, I was banded in Mexico, but am very impressed with him and his office. He has spoken at the Seattle Bash for 2 years now. As the coordinator I hear a variety of patients experiences with many different doctors. He seems to go out of the way to help patients and they may not neccesarily have had them for a surgeon. It's been my experiences that that is one attribute of a good surgeon. If your insurance fails, write to me offline and I can help steer you to some good choices in Mexico. Hope the insurance works out for you. Joanne in Seattle.

Lake Forest Park here. What help are you looking for.? Feel free to post here. There is also the North end soup nite which may be a good support system for you.

This doctor may be attempting to make his stats look real good. However, encouraging pt's to take 800 cal/day consistently or less sounds not only impractical but is setting his pt's up for nutritional problems. Why don't you ask this guy to show you any Inamed or FDA protocol calling for 800 cal/or less day for lap band pts. Havn't ever heard of one. You might want to ask him why he doesn't think 6lbs/month is adequate. Just a thought.

dinner. Place: Varsity Grill, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma- 1/2 block north of the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel. Phone number: 253-627-1229 8:00-10:00 A special event, in the Sheraton Ballroom, “Talking with the Surgeons”. Includes a non-hosted cocktail party. Saturday: 7:30-8:00 REGISTRATION 7:50-8:00 CONFERENCE BEGINS / ANN0UNCEMENTS 8:00 SPEAKER: Don Mills - Marketing Representative Allergan Corporation, formerly Inamed Corporation. Our inside man at Inamed-Allergan Corporation, Updates Us On New Lap Band Information. 8:30 OPENING SPEAKER: Joanne Godmintz 9:00 The morning starts with a motivational seminar titled: “Hold on to your band, you are in for the ride of your life”, led by noted psychotherapist Louise Pietrafesa, MSW and Randy Brandies, MSW. Ms. Pietrafesa is a graduate of University of California at Berkeley, with a Masters Degree in Social Work. Besides having a busy therapeutic practice in Seattle, WA, Ms. Pietrafesa is a consultant to Northwest and Clinical Nutrition Center, Joslin Institute of Diabetes at Swedish Hospital and the Novartis Nutrition Corporation. Randy Brandies is a graduate of University of Chicago, where he received his Masters Degree in Social Work. He is a cognitive behavior therapist and practices in Seattle, WA. 10:30-10:50 BREAK – Meet with Vendors 10:50-12:00 MOTIVATIONAL SEMINAR CONTINUES 12:00-1:00 CATERED lunch 1:00 LAP BAND SURGEON SPEAKERS SESSIONS BEGIN: SPEAKER: Roberto Rumbaut, M.D. Medical School: Escuela de Medicina, Ignacio Santos, ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico in General Surgery Residency at San Jose Hospital ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico Graduate of Board Certified- General Surgery, Mexico Professor of Surgery: University of Monterey-ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico Past President of the Mexican Obesity Surgery Society 2003-2004 Member of the Medical Advisory Committee for Bioenterics Lap-Band System Member: ASBS Topic: Living With The Lap Band SPEAKER: William D. Neal, M.D., FACS Medical School: University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, Portland, OR Surgical Residency: Keesler Medical Center, Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS Fellow American College of Surgeons Member: Regular Member, ASBS Staff Surgeon: St. Peter's Providence Hospital, Olympia, WA Chief of Surgery, Mason General Hospital, Shelton, WA Topic: Coencentric Dilatation and Slippage SPEAKER: Dr. Pedro Kuri, M.D. Medical School: National University of Mexico, Mexico City General Surgical Residency: National University of Mexico, Mexico City Board Certified-General Surgery, Mexico Past Senior Professor at University of Baja California Medical School Member of the Mexican Medical Society of Obesity Surgery Member: ASBS Topic: Lap Bands SPEAKER: Dr. Barry Fisher, M.D., FACS Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York Residency: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles Clinical Research Professor in the Department of Surgery at University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada Fellow American College of Surgeons Member: ASBS Topic: Motivation for Success SPEAKER: Dr. Ariel Ortiz, M.D., FACS Medical School: University of Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico Residency in General Surgery: Centro Medico Nacional del Noroeste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico Board Certified-General Surgery, Mexico Professor of Surgery and Clinical Medicine, University of Baja California, Tijuana Member: ASBS Topic: Are you failing the band, or is the band failing you? 2:40-3:00 BREAK 3:00-4:00 PANEL DISCUSSION 4:00-5:00 BREAK-OUT SESSION SPEAKER: Mary Costa R.N., CDE, Diabetic Nurse Manager, Kaiser Permanente, Antioch, California Topic: Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: Weight loss is one step; are you at risk? Additional steps to prevent heart attack and stroke SPEAKER: Dr. Leo Petersen, M.D., Practices with Dr. Pedro Kuri in Tijuana, Mexico Topic: Insulin Resistance SPEAKER: Terry Simpson, M.D., FACS Lap Band Surgeon, Phoenix, Arizona, Author of several books on weight loss including “Losing The Last 30 lbs” and “Fundamentals of Weight Loss”. Topic: How to get to your goal SPEAKER: Dr. Martinez, M.D., Practices with Dr. Ortiz. Topic: Diagnosing Using Fluoroscopy 5:30-6:00 CLOTHING EXCHANGE 7:00 CATERED DINNER Followed by an evening of lively entertainment including: Fashion Show, Jamie's “Famous Slide Show”, bandsters pictures Before and After. Raffle and Bandster Auction. (Save your dollars—something Extra Special is being Auctioned off--it's a secret.) Fun continues with entertainment by the Vancouver-Portland Bandster Group, "The Van Ports" with 80's Disco-Dancing – Dance the Night Away! Prizes Galore!!!! Sunday: 8:30-12:30 PLASTIC SURGERY FORUM Speakers will include a variety of different plastic surgeons, nurses and patients. Cathy Ross, CRT, Bandster, Patient/Nurse, Kirkland, WA Topic: What you want to know before Plastic Surgery . Gavin Dry M.D., FACS, Plastic Surgeon, Kirkland, WA, Medical School: Univ of British Columbia, Vancouver, Gen. Surgery Residency, University of Washington, Seattle, Plastic Surgery Residency U of W Board Certified in Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery-US, Topic: Plastic Surgery following Weight Loss Lisa B. Stubenrauch RN BSN CDONA/LTC NHA Bandster /Patient/Nurse /Seattle, WA Topic: Total Body Lift- A Top to Bottom Reconstructive Overhaul, From the Patient's Perspective Dr. Alejandro Quiroz, Plastic Surgeon, Tijuana, Mexico Medical School-Universidad La Salle in Mexico City Medicine. Residency: General Surgery National University of Mexico Fellowship specializing in a Plastic Surgery at the National University of Mexico and University of California, Irvine. Board Certification in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mexico Topic: Total Body Lift

I think you are a bit naive. First I was a US critical care nurse for 25 years. I had surgery with Dr. Rumbaut. The Monterey hospital was just as "clean "as as a US hospital. Yes,its true that your ability to sue in Mexico is about zero. But, I have news for you the chance of you proving you got a staph infection in a US hospital and be able to get compensation for it is about zero. These sites are valuable for these reasons including many others. If there were alot of infections with one doctor or one hospital you would hear about it. The infection rate is no higher in Mexico than in the US. Probably less in Mexico, because they strive to keep a good reputation for repeat business, they have been doing the band alot longer, and their expertise for at least 3 of these Mexican docs is superior to if not better than 95% of US band surgeons at least at this time. Don't be snowed by the looks in the reception area, look for reputation. joanne in seattle

Hi- I am joanne /live in lake forest park/banded by Dr. Rumbaut/am also the coordinator for the seattle bash.

Hi- I'm joanne the event coordinator for the seattle bash. Here is the agenda if you need additional info. AGENDA Friday: 4:00-6:00 WELCOME COMMITTEE – REGISTRATION SIGN-IN POSSIBLE 6:00-8:00 Join with bandsters and Surgeons at a nearby restaurant for cocktails and dinner (non-hosted*) Location TBA. 8:00-10:00 A special event, in the Sheraton Ballroom, “Talking with the Surgeons”. Includes a non-hosted cocktail party. Saturday: 7:30-8:00 REGISTRATION 7:50-8:00 CONFERENCE BEGINS / ANN0UNCEMENTS 8:00 SPEAKER: Don Mills - Marketing Representative Allergan Corporation, formerly Inamed Corporation. Our inside man at Inamed-Allergan Corporation, Updates Us On New Lap Band Information. 8:30 OPENING SPEAKER: Joanne Godmintz 9:00 The morning starts with a motivational seminar titled: “Hold on to your band, you are in for the ride of your life”, led by noted psychotherapist Louise Pietrafesa, MSW and Randy Brandies, MSW. Ms. Pietrafesa is a graduate of University of California at Berkeley, with a Masters Degree in Social Work. Besides having a busy therapeutic practice in Seattle, WA, Ms. Pietrafesa is a consultant to Northwest and Clinical Nutrition Center, Joslin Institute of Diabetes at Swedish Hospital and the Novartis Nutrition Corporation. Randy Brandies is a graduate of University of Chicago, where he received his Masters Degree in Social Work. He is a cognitive behavior therapist and practices in Bellevue, WA. 10:30-10:50 BREAK – Meet with Vendors 10:50-12:00 MOTIVATIONAL SEMINAR CONTINUES 12:00-1:00 CATERED lunch -- Surprise Luncheon Speaker 1:00 LAP BAND SURGEON SPEAKERS SESSIONS BEGIN: SPEAKER: Roberto Rumbaut, M.D. Medical School: Escuela de Medicina, Ignacio Santos, ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico in General Surgery Residency at San Jose Hospital ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico Graduate of Board Certified- General Surgery, Mexico Professor of Surgery: University of Monterey-ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico Past President of the Mexican Obesity Surgery Society 2003-2004 Member of the Medical Advisory Committee for Bioenterics Lap-Band System Member: ASBS Topic: Living With The Lap Band SPEAKER: William D. Neal, M.D., FACS Medical School: University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, Portland, OR Surgical Residency: Keesler Medical Center, Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS Fellow American College of Surgeons Member: Regular Member, ASBS Staff Surgeon: St. Peter's Providence Hospital, Olympia, WA Chief of Surgery, Mason General Hospital, Shelton, WA Topic: Coencentric Dilatation and Slippage SPEAKER: Dr. Pedro Kuri, M.D. Medical School: National University of Mexico, Mexico City General Surgical Residency: National University of Mexico, Mexico City Board Certified-General Surgery, Mexico Past Senior Professor at University of Baja California Medical School Member of the Mexican Medical Society of Obesity Surgery Member: ASBS Topic: Lap Bands SPEAKER: Dr. Barry Fisher, M.D., FACS Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York Residency: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles Clinical Research Professor in the Department of Surgery at University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada Fellow American College of Surgeons Member: ASBS Topic: Motivation for Success SPEAKER: Dr. Ariel Ortiz, M.D., FACS Medical School: University of Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico Residency in General Surgery: Centro Medico Nacional del Noroeste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico Board Certified-General Surgery, Mexico Professor of Surgery and Clinical Medicine, University of Baja California, Tijuana Member: ASBS Topic: Are you failing the band, or is the band failing you? 2:40-3:00 BREAK 3:00-4:00 PANEL DISCUSSION 4:00-5:00 BREAK-OUT SESSION SPEAKER: Mary Costa R.N., CDE, Diabetic Nurse Manager, Kaiser Permanente, Antioch, California Topic: Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: Weight loss is one step; are you at risk? Additional steps to prevent heart attack and stroke SPEAKER: Dr. Leo Petersen, M.D., Practices with Dr. Pedro Kuri in Tijuana, Mexico Topic: Insulin Resistance SPEAKER: Terry Simpson, M.D., FACS Lap Band Surgeon, Phoenix, Arizona, Author of several books on weight loss including “Losing The Last 30 lbs” and “Fundamentals of Weight Loss”. Topic: How to get to your goal SPEAKER: Dr. Martinez, M.D., Practices with Dr. Ortiz. Topic: Diagnosing Using Fluoroscopy 5:30-6:00 CLOTHING EXCHANGE 7:00 to CATERED DINNER WITH SURPRISE DINNER SPEAKER lights out Followed by an evening of lively entertainment including: Fashion Show, Jamie's “Famous Slide Show”, bandsters pictures Before and After. Raffle and Bandster Auction. (Save your dollars—something Extra Special is being Auctioned off--it's a secret.) Fun continues with entertainment by the Vancouver-Portland Bandster Group, "The Van Ports" with 80's Disco-Dancing – Dance the Night Away! Prizes Galore!!!! Sunday: 8:30-12:30 PLASTIC SURGERY FORUM Speakers will include a variety of different plastic surgeons, nurses and patients. Cathy Ross, CRT, Bandster, Patient/Nurse, Kirkland, WA Topic: What you want to know before Plastic Surgery . Gavin Dry M.D., FACS, Plastic Surgeon, Kirkland, WA, Medical School: Univ of British Columbia, Vancouver, Gen. Surgery Residency, University of Washington, Seattle, Plastic Surgery Residency U of W Board Certified in Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery-US, Topic: Plastic Surgery following Weight Loss Lisa B. Stubenrauch RN BSN CDONA/LTC NHA Bandster /Patient/Nurse /Seattle, WA Topic: Total Body Lift- A Top to Bottom Reconstructive Overhaul, From the Patient's Perspective Dr. Alejandro Quiroz, Plastic Surgeon, Tijuana, Mexico Medical School-Universidad La Salle in Mexico City Medicine. Residency: General Surgery National University of Mexico Fellowship specializing in a Plastic Surgery at the National University of Mexico and University of California, Irvine. Board Certification in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Mexico Topic: Total Body Lift