Toolow

Someone explain to me how its rude to point out that the information "The Three Amigos" pointed me to wasnt derogatory at all but was infact taken from a positive post and picked apart for negative bits. I came onto this forum with an open heart and asked for real experiences from this doctors/centers patients and instead got embroiled in some sort of forum argument that has been brewing a loooong time. I have absolutely no problem with people giving me real information that I can use but to blatantly say that I am some sort of fanboy of Emmanuel or cant be swayed by logical arguments that have no base in reality is absurd. Ive looked through every link that has been provided and there are indeed some disgruntled people with former doctors that used to work for Betancourt. Ok, I'm fine with that but the fact is those doctors no longer work for him. Does this put Dr. Betancourt or the Emmanuel center in question?? Or did he realise these doctors werent a good fit and found Dr. Almanza? I'm only working with the links and information you have provided me and I am simply not swayed by it. And yes price has to be a consideration for me..heck I buy generic stuff at the grocery store and heavens forbid shop for the best price when I buy a house or a car.. and this in your eyes somehow makes my logic defective in choosing a doctor? Especially when I come here and ask for help? So please the three of you have beat the dead horse to a bloody puddle can we just leave this thread to me .. you know the guy who started it! How on earth did this get to a point where I have to ask this forums moderators to back away??

Heck I'm nervous enough about getting any surgery.. :smile2: I just want to get this done.. come out healthy and move on with my life. :grouphug: I asked for help and got flamed by the moderators of this forum for looking at the post they asked me to and noticed that they were wrong??? And no I had not already made a decision. Thats why I'm here asking questions. My surgery date is set but I can still back out at any time. I'm just not prepared to drop a doctor based on someone misquoting a post. I dunno... I just want to get this done and be happy I did it. Could someone please hit the fastforward button and let me skip the next three months? :welldoneclap: Thanks, Bob

I did some searching on the internet for Dr. Almanza/Betancourt and the Emmanuel center. In all of the posts the only negative information I could find was from the same three people and more often than not they were taking a positive post and picking at it for negative information. The mother/daughter group that went to Mexico.. Looks to me like they decided to get sleeved instead of bands.. They changed their minds? Nothing sinister about that. I looked at the post from the RN who spoke about the MRSA. " I had a gastric sleeve on January 8, 2009 in TJ Mexico. The first couple of days were really rough but I followed the doctor's recommendations exactley and soon began feeling much better. " A positive post from a satisfied person. "The only complication I had were my lungs! I have asthma and was having problems with chest pain and lung capacity. Wonderful Dr. Betancourt and Dr. Almanza were both at my bedside within minutes of experiencing the chest pain and got me up out of bed walking around, using the incentive spirometer and soon, I was breathing and feeling better.'' I never had any nausea but did experience a lot of gas. Walking, lots of Water (when you are cleared to drink it) and Mylanta worked wonders. " Again she is being positive about the doctors reaction time and her treatment for a known medical problem. "Just remember that surgery is surgery! There is no such thing as risk free anything. Anyone who tells you that there are no complications or risks aren't telling you the truth. Even the best hospitals and doctors can't guarantee you a risk free, complication free surgery!" A fair and reasonable warning about the risks of ANY surgery. "MRSA, and other infections are very common no matter where you get your surgery (I am a nurse and work in geratric long term, skilled care and rehab and see it all the time!)." She is giving a warning here about the dangers of MRSA not that she or anyone else was affected by it. "The main thing to know is whether or not your doctor gives you IV and oral antibiotic (I got both after surgery and am still taking the oral antibiotics). Don't pass on the oral antibiotics because you think you feel great. Take them anyway and be ever watchful for any kind of infection. The sooner you get it treated... the less likely you are to have a life threatening complication." And here she is simply stating that we shouldnt pass on the oral antibiotics and that she is still taking the oral dose. Not complaining because she has to still take it. zsflower I respect your opinion and appreciate your input and can accept that you are defending the reputation of the Emmanuel center but thats as far as I can allow myself to be swayed by your arguments. Elisabethew, WASaBubbleButt, MacMadame when you create a link to a post and use it to support your opinion it pays to find a post that is actually negative and to not to try to pick a positive post apart for negative bits. If there are negative posts I cant find them and would be happy if you could link to one. I can see where someone might try to induce a poster to add positive information to a forum the only problem with your arguments is the lack of proof and even worse misquoting a post entirely. As to Mexico being dangerous.. I agree it looks ugly there right now. I have however seen positive posts from folks who were there as little as a week ago and none seemed concerned or complained of being harrassed in any way. In the end Elisabethsew got it right by saying the choice is ultimately mine and though I dont entirely understand this hateful grudge that the three of you have towards the Emmanuel center I simply wont be swayed by false/incorrect information. If you have a real post from someone who is unhappy with Betancourt/Armanza or the Emmanuel center please link it to me. My request remains the same if anyone who has had real experience with these doctors has some input I would be thrilled to hear it. For now my surgery date is still set for the 25th of April with Dr. Armanza and I am looking forward to getting control of my weight issue and becoming the new better me. Please everyone responding to my post remain respectful of others opinions and try to not flame others for theirs. Remember winning an argument on an internet forum is like winning at the special olympics.. In the end you are both still retarded! (apologies to anyone with challenged children and the special olympics) Bob

Thanks for the info. I considered the drug war in Mexico and honestly I live in the hood and deal with unpleasant people all the time. Scary but we all cant be middle class and live in the burbs.. I will however speak to the people who are making the arrangements to get me to the center about these concerns. I looked at Dr. Almanza when I first considered this and he has done more than 200 sleeves and I think more than 200 bypasses. I've heard the stapling process is more delicate in a bypass so that made me feel better with him as a surgeon. As to him being new at this.. well we all have to be new at something once in our lives. Yes I know its surgery and I know its dangerous but as a victim of the new economy (unemployed) and having a limited amount in savings I have to go where I can afford to. The thought that someone might be posting false information on these forums is very disturbing. Much of my decision to have this surgery was based on posts from forum members... Now I'm having serious second thoughts. damn..damn..damn..

First let me say hello to all of you on this VSG forum and thank you for all of the wonderful insight you have given me! My name is Bob and my VSG surgery date is set for April 25th at the Emmanuel medical center, Tijuana Mexico. Dr Mario Almanza I havent started the pre diet yet but am looking forward to getting this done and get on the road to a new me. My BMI is at 34.26 and recently I have started suffering the indignities of pre-diabetes. Minor Neuropothy and cold feet. I wanted to nip this in the bud before it escalates to something worse. My primary doctor basically said if he were a betting man he would take a life insurance policy on me. (blunt but effective) If any of you are familiar with Dr. Almanza or the Emmanuel medical center your input would be greatly appreciated. They are running a spring special of $6500.00 for the VSG and that fits my budget well. This is not my only consideration but the price does help. You all have paved the way for me to make this decision and I thank you for that. Will keep you posted, Bob