Question on Mexico Docs

[ARVEL 0]

any info out there about Dr. Ortiz in TJ Mexico?

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz Today. I have nothinhg but the best to say about him, his staff, and facilities.

[thebarley7 0]

has anybody or was banded by Dr de la Garza in Monterry?

Dr. de la Garza was wonderful as well as his staff. I would pick him again anyday. Banded 03/31/06

[Martinia 0]

I was banded in November of '05 by Dr. Ortiz and then had my first fill by his associate Dr. Martinez. Both were fantastic. They were professional, curteous and knew what they were doing. I have lost over 50 lbs. since the banding and it has changed my life. I would not hesitate to recommend these doctors. With any medical procedure there is an element of chance, but with these two docs, I felt very safe. I am from Chicago and costs for banding here were astronomical. My insurance would not cover me and the doctors themselves, make completely ridiculous demands. These docs are great!!!

[irishrose 0]

The band is a lot less for most of us, who's insurance does not cover anything bariatric,in Mexico. I would have to pay about $12,800 here without insurance and instead paid $6,900 in Mexico plus airfare (every penny made a difference for me.)

Hi lightnerbride!

I know you got the midband. I heard that it is filled with a different solution. Is that correct? Would it be better to go get fills in MX? Why no the SAGB? Thanks. Still deciding on the type of band.

Amy

[erashi 0]

Hey there, you may have already made a decision but wanted to let you know that my friend and I were banded in TJ on April 10 by Dr. Kuri's team.

The new hospital there far exceeds any hospital I have been in in the US regards to cleanliness and it is soo beautiful. You are allowed to stay at the hospital for both nights which I chose to do and could not have had a better experience. Everyone on his team is wonderful and caring and very knowledgeable. I actually have a friend that does the lap band here in the US, Los Angeles area where I live and I went to Mx and have not regretted it for a minute. Almost ready for my first fill. Let me know whay you have decided.

I have lost 18 lbs.

Good Luck.

[princess_n_thep 2]

I agree about your original "purse" analogy... however, it isn't the band that you are paying for in Mexico, it is the Mexico surgeon, it is the experience and reputation. And yes, you may just get what you pay for. Mexico is a different type of animal. If you were just buying the band, then I say yes, go for the least expensive price. But you are paying for a surgeon to place a foreign object into your body under anestesia and using tools to cut you open.... I say pay the bigger price for the better reputation and more well known surgeon from US patients.

I have never heard of Cunta. I researched VERY hard about Mexico surgeons and never even came across his name.

I would try and stick with the more well known names and cross categorize them.... Ortiz, Rumbaut, Kuri, Sanchez, DeLaGarza, just to name a few that are commonly heard of here and are well known that come with references.

If you take the "cheaper" route with someone not well known or someone that comes with some horror stories (cough cough Lopez) then you may just end up paying for some serious costs out of your own pocket with serious complications.

We are only really talking about $1-3k here. Seriously, it isn't worth the "savings" you are trying to make with your health. There are many wonderful Mexico surgeons out there, just make sure you do your homework and really find out the good, the bad and the indifferent when making your decision.

[marys 2]

I had surgery in Nov 05 with Dr Ortiz and was and am very pleased with his skill, his team, the facility, etc. I think he has a 'special' now but i paid 9500 and airfare. There are many good docs in mexico but i chose him because of proximity, skill, experience, length of practice, 'success' rate, etc.

[Banded14yr 2]

Lots of great surgeons in Mexico. Just keep doing your research and go with your gut feeling when you make your decision

[urbrdfs 0]

Lookingout -

I was banded by Dr. Aceves September 2005 and he has a wonderful staff. I took one week off in order to recoop and am very glad that I did. Could I have went back to work in a few days? Possibly. Now I was able to get around fine in a few days, but to feel like myself I really needed that week.

Bette

[Kat817 19]

Bette, Didn't you love Sergio, and his desire to speak nothing but English?? He took such excellent care of me!!! Glad to hear you too did well!!

Kat

[lightnerbride 0]

Dr. Ortiz has dropped his prices and he is definetly well know for being top notch. In my research I didn't care for Dr. Kuri's staff so would pick Dr. Ortiz or Dr. Alceves in Mexicali. The only thing I had against Dr. Alceves is that he wanted to charge over $2000 extra just because I'd already had 5 abdominal surgeries. He hadn't even seen me yet but decided he wanted more money where as all the other doctors said they would only charge extra if the surgery turned complicated and took longer or if had to go open banding, and even then the quotes for extra weren't as much as Dr. Alceves wanted...maybe a little money hungry? I choose Banajor clinic with absolutely no regrets with terrific docs and less debit due to great prices (Dr. Covarrubias was my lead-surgeon.)

[marys 2]

I also chose Dr. Ortiz and researched for about 6 months EXTENSIVELY. There are many good mexican docs but I chose him because I am closer to TJ (San Diego) then Monterrey and he uses a very new, modern anesthesia. I also thought he was very personable, we talked a long time before I had the surgery and he calmed me etc. as I was an extrememly nervous patient. In fact, he told me if I came down and backed out at the last second, absolutely no worries and no charge either so that was comforting. Every one I met on his staff added to my confidence so it worked for me. My sig other was even more picky then me and they talked to - again, many good Mexican docs - Just don't make the $ the absolute final deciding factor - yes, there are cheaper docs and some are just as good and maybe better but in my opinion, Ortiz was tops! Good luck to all.

[GeezerSue 7]

Irishrose..

One of Cantu's shills comes on here now and then, pretending to be a happy patient and trying to drum up business. Leaves a kind of nasty taste in my mouth.

But I don't get why anyone would be attracted to some of the "lesser gods" in Mexico. Some of their places are DAMNED rustic (I like the "McSurgery Shack" term) and even the newer, cleaner places are still NOT full-service hosptials.

Sure, most of the time, nothing bad happens. But if something bad DOES happen, doesn't everyone want to be in a real hospital with real emergency services and all that?

And it's not like there's a huge financial difference. A cheap surgery south of the border PLUS arfare, PLUS hotels, PLUS follow-up airfare and hotels and sometimes cars...OR...finding out that the only local doctor who will do the follow-up will charge $3000 up front or $1000 per adjustment. I just don't see the bargain.

I paid about $10,000 for Rumbaut which included follow-up EXCEPT for radiology, which is extra...$50 or $100, I don't remember which. It did not include airfare or hotel.

I'm just saying that if the money is a big part of the decision-making process, count it all first...don't assume that the price of surgery gets anywhere NEAR the actual cost.

While I still adore Rumbaut, if I lived on the east side of the country, I could learn to love Jaime Ponce in Dalton, GA or, closer to home, Paul Cirangle, in San Francisco, CA. Having an experienced surgeon who's close to home, works in modern facility and whose work OTHER US surgeons aren't going to back away from is a HUGE plus.

This is a lifelong committment...it's worth a few more dollars up front for the benefits you'll receive.

[Tropicana 0]

Of the big names...how much do they charge and where in Mexico are they located?

[erashi 0]

My surgery with Dr. Kuri cost $ 8,900.00. This does not include airfare, but I live a little over one hour from TJ. The hospital is brand new and does have emergency facilities onsite. Their new van picks you up at the border. I stayed at the hospital 2 nights for no additional charge and it was very very nice, just like a nice hotel room. Large showers with glass doors, dvd player in each room, room for a visitor to stay with you. Great experience for me and I was afraid of the Mexico experience. Dr. Kuri does fills for free but the flouro is $95, not bad as far as I am concerned.

My friend was banded at the same time as me and she has nothing but good to say about Dr. Kuri, his staff, the nurses at the hospital, and the hospital.

Also, the follow up care and fills.

Good Luck

Elaine