Hi, I've never posted before but I lurked for quite a long time.
I wanted to wait till my anger subsided but I just wanted to tell you all that I had a horrible experience with Dr. Joya in Puerto Vallarta. I was banded, and then unbanded 3 months later because of a bad port infection. I was a lower BMI patient (barely 35 at surgery) with no health issues except some extra weight. I did years of research and thought it was a smart decision to go forward with the band. My problems started right as I woke up from surgery with a "bleeder" that had to be fixed and they charged me 1800 dollars for. My infection showed up very soon after and it spread to the point that I was weak, dizzy and just sick all the time. I decided to get it removed because my gut was telling me that the infection was just never going to heal.
The band is a great tool and I wish you all the best of success with it. My only purpose for writing this is to tell you of the experience I had and for you to choose your Doctor wisely. I'd do everything I could to stay in the states if at all possible. It's really scary to have things go so wrong and have your Doctor be so far away. There are great Doctors in Mexico I'm sure, but I just wanted to give you a head's up on mine.
Oh, and thanks to Penni.....she let me stay with her (even though I never met her) after I PM'd her asking for advice. She hooked me up with her Doctor in CA for the removal.
All is well now but I just feel it was the right thing to do to at least tell you guys that there are alot of Doctors out there, but you may want to steer clear of Dr. Joya in Puerto Vallarta.
Sorry this is so long....hope I did it right. :biggrin1:
Sheila