Newbie looking for Mexico doctor

[GeezerSue 7]

Originally posted by burnsun

OK- I also had surgery with Dr. Ortiz ( a few days before tina) and we had a terriffic experience. We loved all of it and I am sorry you find this displeasing. Sometimes this culture we american's live in doesn't allow us to look at other costumes or sttitudes without expressing our distate for what is different

I've lived in several cultures on a couple of continents.

Before you jump-I lived in Mexico (southern Mexico in Tabasco) for a year and half during 1984-1985, I consistently visit and email and snail mail my friends and thouroughly love southern Mexican culture (and it is way more conservative than US or even TJ)

and I found him to be no more arrogant than any other professional man his age I met when I lived there or that my friends turned into (actually he is a little better than some of my female friends w/professional arrogance & they are Dras. also). He has acheived a whole lot and it is normal and common practice with all of the reasons you stated and SO WHAT!!!!.

That's too bad about your friends. His hubris is pathetic. I know several medical and other Mexican professionals of very high status, who are even internationally known, who are humble, sincere people.

AS IF A WEDDING had anything to do with criteria for surgery.

Who said it did? I was speaking of the man's arrogance. And his need to be the star.

In regard to the wedding incident- every one always has a civil ceremony first any where from one week to one month before the "big" church ceremony. And from the ones I have attended of my friends and classmates (same education and $$$ level) it sounds pretty normal to the ones I have attended in Merida, Monterry, Verecruz, Villahermosa, Fronterra & Comocalco and Guadalajarra. I could send you photos on phots of extravagance. But most ended up spending very little in regards to american amount for a wedding (mine was 7K in 1990 and That was very little and I paid for the ugly dresses and shoes for my bridesmaid and travel)

Did you have your wedding out of town, during a business convention of your colleagues? Three separate surgeons (two of them Mexican nationals) mentioned to me (an outsider) that they really resented it.

Generally speaking I also have an adopted child with mexican birth parents and I swear that it is genetic. He has it to and he is only three and is disabled- but he carries himself with the "I AM IMPORTANT- PAY ATTENTION TO ME" attitude and it does serve him well and he gets more attention at preschool and all he does is flash that smile.

I've seen your kids' photos and they are darling. But I am related to and know too many Mexicans to buy into that one. (Any chance you're just adoring him a little more than the averge parent?)

I also have received calls from Dr. M and Dr. O since we got home so I am not concerned about after care. I am planning my return trip for our first fill fo mid september

I think a lot of the Mexican doctors do that.

I also think Dr. Rumbault is terriffic and if the plane trip was shorter and costed less- that would have been a more realisitic option, but I can get there in one 2 hr 45 min flight if there is a problem so I chose him for his skill and easy access (DH felt this was the most important)

IMHO, Kuri is actually more accessable than either, as he has chosen (at sra. Kuri's insistence because the kids are grown and gone and she does not like being left alone all the time) not to travel around proctoring others.

But both Rumbaul Diaz and Ortiz Langredere were my choices and then it came down to flight options and if in a hurry and a local doctor who would take us on in an emergency (and DR. O was the only they would accept here in STL- sao my choice and I am happy at this time). I did love speaking with Sra. Kuri, but when I finally saved up the $$$ for the second time I could not get the office to call me back they just kept sending me to the facilitator. I didn't want this- so I droped that option.

Added benefit- I also have the five smallest scares I have ever seen from this operation ant I am only 9 days post op _from looking at all your photos, web sites, etc)

I, too, have very small scars.

So I am as satisfied with Dr. O and an avid supporter as you Miss Sue are with your doctor. So why wouldn't this negativity offend myself or others looking at this major decision.

First, I have not yet had the occasion to defend Rumbaut. I haven't seen him badmouthed anywhere. He is the antithesis of arrogant. And I do recommend other doctors, often. But people who are looking at this major decision SHOULD hear the good and the bad, if they both exist. If they want only happy-happy-happy, they should stick to the boards the doctors sponsor, because nothing bad about them will be said there.

As I've said, Ortiz is a knowledgable competent surgeon. If that's ALL you demand, he's your guy. But he has had patients leave there in tears and give up completely because of their experiences with him. I caught him in an unethical practice. I mentioned it to another band doctor who told me the whole story. I called Ortiz on it. He accidentally ratted himself out, then he got all huffy. It has nothing to do with the surgery itself. He's good at that, no question about it. It has to do with how he regards his patients when they can't hear him and what he says about the obese and what he tells patients that does not prove out to be the truth.

And I'd sure like to hear Sandy Johnston's side of the story of how she just got disappeard by him. I'll bet it doesn't match his version at all. But she doesn't have a fan club, so I don't know it she'll even have a chance to tell it.

I hope you continue to have good experiences with him.

[donali 57]

Tina, I'm sorry I offended. I was laughing at Sue's remark, which was agreeing with what you said about him being arrogant.

Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez attended at my surgery by Dr. Lopez (this was shortly before they parted ways), but I have never really met Dr. Ortiz, so I cannot agree/disagree with anything said about him.

I am, however, in love with Dr. Martinez... He talked to me as I went under - we discussed the dichotomy of the distribution of wealth in Mexico, the arrogance of Americans in general, art, and who knows what else, as I think I dropped off in the middle of a word... lol

He came to check up on me the next day after my surgery, and our conversation was just as pleasant and interesting as the day before.

OH - and besides being well educated, well-spoken, and caring, he is one of the most attractive men I have ever met...

Too bad he's already married to a wonderful cardiologist (who also happened to do all of my cardio testing pre-surgery).

Oh... And I have a boyfriend... I mustn't forget that...

lol

[bcreativ110 0]

No problems Donali. Those were just remarks that I wasn't expected and was taken a little aback by them and expressed that. I didn't realize Sue and I were going banter back and forth about Ortiz. She's got her reasons. I totally understand that. The original post was about experiences people had with those two doctors and I was simply stating what I observed. If you don't care for arrogance, then Ortiz isn't your guy. I didn't realize it was going to turn into a Ortiz bashing post.

I'll have to agree with you on Dr. Martinez. He's going to make getting a fill a lot more pleasant. He's an absolutely great doctor and very easy on the eyes.

[edistogirl2602 0]

Oh my goodness! I never expected so much drama from a simple question

I can honestly say that I have now taken Dr. Ortiz off my list. Not because of what was said, but because after more research I realized I would be easier and more convienent for me to go to Monterray instead of TJ. I live in Georgia and it's half the continent closer.

I do appreciate all the comments. This is by far the best lap band forum I have been on. I have learned so much in just the few days I have been lurking.

[bushbaby 8]

If you would like dr. Arturo Rodriguez number I will mail it to you. He is very nice...also there is patty at www.lapbandinformation.com she is a great girl. I don't know if she gets comission, however, I did like her a lot and she was a wealth of knowlege. BTW Arturo is not the least arogant... and I don't work for him

[edistogirl2602 0]

Thanks Rica. I have already contacted Patti. I've got the ball rolling. I'm excited. I can't wait!

edistogirl2602

[bushbaby 8]

You go girl... If you need anything, let me know I will help as much as I can.

[GeezerSue 7]

Originally posted by edistogirl2602

Thanks Rica. I have already contacted Patti. I've got the ball rolling. I'm excited. I can't wait!

edistogirl2602

I just noticed that you live in GA. Have you already looked at Jaime Ponce of Dalton? He is one of the most experienced US LapBand surgeons and I think (I'm not sure) that he has lowered his prices over the past couple of years.

Just a thought...

[leatha_g 4]

I've heard the same thing.. regarding prices and his patients seem to love him.

[Banded14yr 2]

Originally posted by GeezerSue

I just noticed that you live in GA. Have you already looked at Jaime Ponce of Dalton? He is one of the most experienced US LapBand surgeons and I think (I'm not sure) that he has lowered his prices over the past couple of years.

Just a thought...

I didn't have a very good experience when I contacted his office. But maybe they were just having a bad day :sick

[Laserjock 0]

I emailed their group asking a couple of questions about follow up care, mentioning that my wife had arranged her surgery with Dr. Rodgriguez, and I received an long email back from whoever answers their main email address on the BeLighter.com website that was very vicious in its attack on Dr. Rodriguez.

It was filled with some disinformation and some outright lies regarding Dr. Rodriguez's practice and experience.

Maybe she was just in a bad mood that day, and I have read a ton of great things about Dr. Ponce and his experience, but this lady completely turned me off to having anything to do with them.

I am sure Dr. Ponce is very good and have no doubts about him, but he really needs to choose his associates a bit more carefully.

This has become a vicious marketing environment with people slanting truth and some outright lying about other docs, which does more a disservice to the entire community than it helps...and that in my opinion is a sad statement on the ethics of some of these people. They aren't selling used cars for crying out loud.

Just my .02

[Banded14yr 2]

I think one of the most important things to remember is to do your own research. I know that several have stated that we all have opinions and fortunately, we have a place like this forum where we feel comfortable in sharing those opinions, but this is a life changing decision that every person needs to feel comfortable with.

My husband and I researched every aspect about this surgery before we made our decisions. We researched the different types of bands, we researched U.S. doctors and doctors out of the country, we researched about potential erosion problems and any other problems that could arise. We read every article we could, good and bad about physicians and the surgery.

My husband is a Scientist, so he got into reading the different research studies concerning the band.

All it takes is one person's bad experience to scare the beejevies out of you, but what I found was that for the most part, everyone that chose to go to Mexico to have the surgery had a pleasant experience and the surgeon they chose is thought of very highly.

It's scary making the decision to go to a foreign county to have someone perform surgery on you that's never seen you or you've never seen him. Besides just the pain of traveling in a foreign country where most don't speak english adds to the anxiety.

I think my excitement to have the surgery helped with my anxiety level. I was on a mission! I wanted this surgery and my hope for a better future was able to drown out my fears.

I have no regrets

[edistogirl2602 0]

I did check with Dr. Ponce in Dalton, GA. His was actually the first place I looked into, but the cost is $19,000 as of a few weeks ago when I called. I have considered going to him for follow-up, but I want to find out the cost of that if he didn't do the surgery. If he does the surgery it is $267/fill. I have read on other boards that he charges $600-$900 for fills and that is just too much. It would be alot easier for me to find someone in Augusta or Atlanta. Dalton is a 4 hour drive from where I live.

[GeezerSue 7]

Aha. Well, some places it's down to $!3,000, but not that I know of in your area.

Tricia,

Aren't there two Dr. Rodriguez's in Mexico doing LapBand? One in Monterrey and one in Ciudad Acuña? Could there have been confusion about which doctor was being discussed? (Or, maybe I'm the only one who thinks there are two Rodriguez's doing this surgery.)

Sue

[DeLarla 22]

Just for the record, I AM following this thread but keeping my trap shut for a change. However, I prefer to hear it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly.