Beware of Mexico Bariatric Center (MBC)

[dsteimen 16]

Hello,

My name is Debra Steimen.

It has taken me several months to recover from my mexico bariatric experience to talk on these forums. Now it is time.

Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding my experience. If you don't ask you may fall victim to:

Mexico Bariatric Center

mexicobariatriccenter.com


WeightLossMex.com

SOURCiS, Inc., doing business as, Mexico Bariatric Center.
Address: 705 E. Bidwell Suite 2-111 Folsom, CA

Last April my lapband of 5 years slipped and needed removal. I was told that it would cost me $40.000 out of pocket to have it removed because my insurance did not cover the removal. Desperate, I contacted Christy at mexicobariatriccenter. Christy told me that the owner was in business for years leading me to believe that the company was in business for years. Christy was very believable and seemed very concern with my welfare. I trusted her and the company and went ahead to schedule a lapband removal and a gastric sleeve. Christy suggested that I use a specific doctor because of his experience, since she did not think the other doctors had enough experience with revisions. It would only cost me $6,500. My Surgery was scheduled a few weeks later. I arrived in San Diego and was taken to a little hospital. The Mi hospital. I was being registered by a Mexico bariatric center assistant that seemed very shady. He made me feel uneasy. After being register I was moved to a normal hospital room. I was undressing when a staff member came in and told me I needed to be moved. I was then escorted down to a different floor in a room with no nursing attendant and no other patients. I was a little confused but I was trying to go with the flow until I realized my hand had swollen up three times it size. The needle that was inserted penetrated my vein. I rushed out into the hall asking for help by anyone that I thought could understand english. Finally someone ran upstairs to get a nurse. I was so freaked at this moment.

Debra Swiszcz <dswiszcz@gmail.com>
4/9/13
to cindy

Hi Christy, I'm pretty nervous right now. They have not been able to get an IV in me. I was put into one room and moved to another room down on the second floor. I don't think there is a-nurses station on this floor. Finally they called a surgery nurse to put the Iv into my hand. She thought she go it in however 20 minutes later I look down and my hand was swollen 4x it's size with fluids. People are all very nice here but I'm still a little confused about my room. It has no call buttons for a nurse. I had to run and find someone to look at the IV in my hand. I'm really getting worried about the safety.

Sent from my iPad Debra Swiszcz

Things didn't get better during my stay. I was in that room for a day and a half before they moved me into a real room.


4/12/13
to christy

Hello Christy,

I hope you had a nice day. I was up early and walked a total of 5 miles. I paced myself and did it in intervals. I spoke to Daniel this afternoon around 2pm and he told me doctor Kelly was going to stop by this evening with the return to work certificate. It is now 7:55 and I haven't heard anything from anyone. No note, not what time I should be ready in the morning to leave for the airport. It's a really good thing Im very independent and smart enough to reach out to you early enough so you can help with some answers. With that said. Can you please find out what time Victor will pick me up at the hotel? Victor told me that Daniel should have contacted me with the information. Also is doctor Kelly really coming or do We need to figure out another way for me to get note. I really don't understand why Daniel couldn't run the note over this afternoon to make sure it was in my hands. It's only a five minute drive. I really don't know what his problem is with me. Yesterday he's ask me if I would like him to pick up omeprazol since he was going for other patients. I.asked how much was it and he told me around $15.00. I didn't have change and I gave him a twenty. I told him he owed me five dollars back. Some how I knew he would not give me the money back. If he handed it back to me I probably would have told him to keep it but since he didn't bring it up again. I just though wow he thinks he deserves at 35% tip. He is leaving a bad taste in my mouth and today is just adding to the pot.
Ps my phone does not work in Mexico. I'm in room 219 if you want to call me at the hotel.

Warm regards,
Debra S

Desperate to have the revision that I went through hell, something I would never have accepted in the States. In Mexico I guess I just expected this was normal. I'm well traveled so once I was at the hotel I was pretty much on my own. I felt fine after the surgery and could eat just about anything I wanted. I was starving. What was wrong with me?

Several months after the surgery I gained 20 lbs. I contacted the doctor and Mexico Bariatrics. No response. I finally got this email telling me to stop eating. "Really"

Stressed and my whole self esteem deflated I just felt something was wrong. I contacted MBC and spoke to the owner Ron. I told him of my concerns. I didn't believe the doctor they recommended preform the gastric sleeve. He ask me to get some test done in the states to verify my concerns. Again out of my pocket $3000.00 later I was told by my doctor her in the states the procedure was not done.
Mexico Bariatrics washed their hand of me. I was shit out of luck.

My story got out to others by an x-employee of Mexico Bariatrics Janice from A LIGHTER ME called me and asked me about what had happened with my surgery. I told her my story and she was dumbfounded. She then confirmed the rumors I heard about Mexico Bariatrics. MBC was only in business for a few months at the time of my surgery. The owner Ron at MBC was the webmaster for a Lighterme and had no experience. Janice reached out to her boss and owner of A Lighter Me, Sandy Johnston. Sandy contact me herself and listened to my story. She was so nice. She offered me to come to Mexico with A lighter Me at cost to find out what exactly was performed on my stomach that cost me $6500.

On February 2014 I had a surgery performed by Dr. Ortiz from A Lighter Me On his report ( I have copies ) It states that no gastric sleeve was performed. He himself performed the gastric sleeve. It is now two months later and I have lost about 10 pounds. I hear from Ronda the dietitian once every two weeks to make sure i stay on track Sandy the owner has called me as well as Dr. Ortiz himself. The care and concern from the staff at A lighter me has been wonderful. A difference of Night and Day from MBC.

The moral of the story. Research carefully what you are about to do with your body in Mexico. The Dr. that performed my surgery was DR. Ramos Kelly ( I am not the first patient that he has done this too.)

Please if you have questions contact me. I would love to help anyone about to undergo a bariatric surgery in Mexico.

[nolagirl 36]

WOW i had called them before i went with OCC and their surgery booker totally creeped me out. i asked if there were any potential side effects of the surgery he said only weightloss UhhhMMMMM yeah right. he was creepy and untrustworthy IMO so i went someplace else.

sorry this happened to you but glad you got it right in the end

[lynn2win 142]

Sorry to hear that happen to you...did you come on here to research about that company...its sad ppl prey upon others

[BrandNewBrandy 79]

How do they explain your incisions? What and who did what procedure on you? I'm sorry you went through all of that. Wow!

[cowgirlup1379 1]

Seems fishy. You didnt have any incisions??????

[dsteimen 16]

I contacted for a revision. I had incision because Dr. KELLY removed the lapband. He never performed the gastric sleeve. I still needed help to keep the weight off. That is why I gained 20 Pounds so fast.

[cowgirlup1379 1]

So how did he remove the lap band? through your throat?

[dsteimen 16]

Gain I had the 5 incisions.

[mmhutch 28]

Hello, My name is Debra Steimen. It has taken me several months to recover from my mexico bariatric expereince to talk on these forums. Now it is time. Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding my experience. If you don't ask you may fall victim to Bariatric Surgery | WeightLossMex.com WeightLossMex.com/bariatric-surgery Weight Loss Surgery in Mexico - Mexico Bariatric Center www.mexicobariatriccenter.com www.mexicobariatriccenter.com/contact SOURCiS, Inc., doing business as, Mexico Bariatric Center. Address: 705 E. Bidwell Suite 2-111 Folsom, CA Last April my lapband of 5 years slipped and needed removal. I was told that it would cost me $40.000 out of pocket to have it removed because my insurance did not cover the removal. Desperate, I contacted Christy at mexicobariatriccenter. Christy told me that the owner was in business for years leading me to believe that the company was in business for years. Christy was very believable and seemed very concern with my welfare. I trusted her and the company and went ahead to schedule a lapband removal and a gastric sleeve. Christy suggested that I use a specific doctor because of his experience, since she did not think the other doctors had enough experience with revisions. It would only cost me $6,500. My Surgery was scheduled a few weeks later. I arrived in San Diego and was taken to a little hospital. The Mi hospital. I was being registered by a Mexico bariatric center assistant that seemed very shady. He made me feel uneasy. After being register I was moved to a normal hospital room. I was undressing when a staff member came in and told me I needed to be moved. I was then escorted down to a different floor in a room with no nursing attendant and no other patients. I was a little confused but I was trying to go with the flow until I realized my hand had swollen up three times it size. The needle that was inserted penetrated my vein. I rushed out into the hall asking for help by anyone that I thought could understand english. Finally someone ran upstairs to get a nurse. I was so freaked at this moment. Debra Swiszcz <dswiszcz@gmail.com> 4/9/13 to cindy Hi Christy, I'm pretty nervous right now. They have not been able to get an IV in me. I was put into one room and moved to another room down on the second floor. I don't think there is a-nurses station on this floor. Finally they called a surgery nurse to put the Iv into my hand. She thought she go it in however 20 minutes later I look down and my hand was swollen 4x it's size with fluids. People are all very nice here but I'm still a little confused about my room. It has no call buttons for a nurse. I had to run and find someone to look at the IV in my hand. I'm really getting worried about the safety. Sent from my iPad Debra Swiszcz Things didn't get better during my stay. I was in that room for a day and a half before they moved me into a real room. 4/12/13 to christy Hello Christy, I hope you had a nice day. I was up early and walked a total of 5 miles. I paced myself and did it in intervals. I spoke to Daniel this afternoon around 2pm and he told me doctor Kelly was going to stop by this evening with the return to work certificate. It is now 7:55 and I haven't heard anything from anyone. No note, not what time I should be ready in the morning to leave for the airport. It's a really good thing Im very independent and smart enough to reach out to you early enough so you can help with some answers. With that said. Can you please find out what time Victor will pick me up at the hotel? Victor told me that Daniel should have contacted me with the information. Also is doctor Kelly really coming or do We need to figure out another way for me to get note. I really don't understand why Daniel couldn't run the note over this afternoon to make sure it was in my hands. It's only a five minute drive. I really don't know what his problem is with me. Yesterday he's ask me if I would like him to pick up omeprazol since he was going for other patients. I.asked how much was it and he told me around $15.00. I didn't have change and I gave him a twenty. I told him he owed me five dollars back. Some how I knew he would not give me the money back. If he handed it back to me I probably would have told him to keep it but since he didn't bring it up again. I just though wow he thinks he deserves at 35% tip. He is leaving a bad taste in my mouth and today is just adding to the pot. Ps my phone does not work in Mexico. I'm in room 219 if you want to call me at the hotel. Warm regards, Debra S Desperate to have the revision that I went through hell, something I would never have accepted in the States. In Mexico I guess I just expected this was normal. I'm well traveled so once I was at the hotel I was pretty much on my own. I felt fine after the surgery and could eat just about anything I wanted. I was starving. What was wrong with me? Several months after the surgery I gained 20 lbs. I contacted the doctor and Mexico Bariatrics. No response. I finally got this email telling me to stop eating. " ReallY" Stressed and my whole self esteem deflated I just felt something was wrong. I contacted MBC and spoke to the owner Ron. I told him of my concerns. I didn't believe the doctor they recommended preform the gastric sleeve. He ask me to get some test done in the states to verify my concerns. Again out of my pocket $3000.00 later I was told by my doctor her in the states the procedure was not done. Mexico Bariatrics washed their hand of me. I was **** out of luck. My story got out to others by an x-employee of Mexico Bariatrics Janice from A LIGHTER ME c called me and asked me about what had happened with my surgery. I told her my story and she was dumbfounded. She then confirmed the rumors I heard about Mexico Bariatrics. MBC was only in business for a few months at the time of my surgery. The owner Ron at MBC was the webmaster for a Lighterme and had no experience. Janice reached out to her boss and owner of A Lighter Me, Sandy Johnston. Sandy contact me herself and listened to my story. She was so nice. She offered me to come to Mexico with A lighter Me at cost to find out what exactly was preformed on my stomach that cost me $6500 On February 2014 I had a surgery preformed by Dr. Ortiz from A Lighter Me On his report ( I have copies ) It states that no gastric sleeve was preformed. He himself preformed the gastric sleeve. It is now two months later and I have lost about 10 pounds. I hear from Ronda the dietitian once every two weeks to make sure i stay on track Sandy the owner has called me as well as Dr. Ortiz himself. The care and concern from the staff at A lighter me has been wonderful. A difference of Night and Day from MBC. The moral of the story. Research carefully what you are about to do with your body in Mexico. The Dr. that preformed my surgery was DR. RAMOS KELLY- Contracted with Mexico Bariatrics a company that is not reputable in any way. ( I am not the first patient that he has done this too.) They stole my money and let me believe that I was a failure. They prey on desperate people who are really just trying to get their life to a healthy state. Please if you have questions contact me. I would love to help anyone about to undergo a bariatric surgery in Mexico. I have all the emails from Mexico Bariatric, Dr. Kelly and the staff to back up my story. PLEASE, Do not put your life in their hands. I beg you.

Hello Deb. It's Melissa from TN. I met you in TJ on the shopping trip with A Lighter Me. Dr Ortiz performed my surgery the day before yours.

I'm so glad you are sharing your experience on here. I'm also happy to hear that you are now doing well and losing weight.

[dsteimen 16]

Again I have the incisions

[NewBeginning2014 45]

Debra- I am so sorry to hear about your experience. As I read your story I could feel my anxiety build..."what the hell am I thinking" "that could happen to me" "am I crazy?!"

When I got to the part about Janese contacting you from A Lighter Me and their genuine concern and helpfulness. From that point on, I knew I had made the right choice. It is comforting to hear that Dr. Ortiz, Sandy and Janese are truly in this to help other people.

It is tough to hear the bad stories but those stories need to be told and need to be taken into consideration when making such an important decision.

T-minus three weeks and I hope to be on the other side of this (with minimal issues.) I hope things are going well for you now. Take care!

[dsteimen 16]

Good Luck with your surgery. You are in good hands!

[elenasal 44]

Thank you for sharing your story. We all deserve the best medical care out there - period. Medical professionals should never do anything other than their extreme best for patients or they simply should not be in the medical field.

I am so very sorry for your horrific situation...I wish you never had went through this...

Dr Kelly is no longer affiliated with MBC. I have done a lot of research for over a year and am going through Mexico Bariatric Center - going to Mi Doctor Hospital - having surgery with the team of Dr Cabrera and Dr Valenzuela. I have to put my faith in the research I have done and pray this will turn out the way it has for over 3000 other individuals.... I can only believe and pray...God will be there for me, for us all.

Again, thank you for sharing - God bless.

[MadB 26]

While I generally avoid the whole 'devils advocate' stance, I have some concerns with this. Please forgive me if this comes out wrong, which it surely will.....

You are a new member, signed up, and immediately made two identical posts in two separate forums about your ordeal.

You speak of MBC as if they are a fly by night illegitimate operation. In reality, they've been around for a little bit, (though not as long as some of the other Medical Tourism companies).

Hospital MI Doctor and their staff are used by several of the above companies, not just MBC, ;I think even A Lighter Me, though not positive).

You were emailing MBCs rep in the US? Why? Did Daniel not answer his phone? What about Tatiana? Even the Marriott staff have contact with them and can get ahold of either of them when needed.

Were the forms you signed translated, or did you have someone there to translate them for you? Or did you just sign them? Remember that MBC, (like ALL of the companies out there), are there to recruit you, and farm you out to whichever city and Dr meets your needs. It's up to you, the patient, to verify the correct procedure is going to done. (At the facility, not what the US company's paperwork says). Wrong procedures are common enough in the US, you're using an intermediary to pass along info to a foreign healthcare system. Perhaps they only had it scheduled as the band removal?

You get a cold-call from another competing company, who takes care of everything for you, and says that MBC, (their competitor), is not legit.

If your ordeal is legit, I am deeply sorry for what you have gone through. However, in this very forum, there are dozens of posts/threads about MBC. I know, because I participated in them when I had my surgery in January, through MBC, at Hospital MI Doctor, (though it was with Dr Cabrerra).

I am a cynic by nature, but this sounds like either simple 'bad mouthing' of a competitor. The alternative, of it being completely true and accurate, are obviously more scary, but just browsing through the multitude of threads in Self-Pay/Mexico, I am finding too many questions and red flags pipping up.

[Jmcp 14]

Hi! I'm in Mexico right now waiting to be sleeved tomorrow. I went through Mexico baratric centre with Cindy. Dr Ponce is doing my surgery at int hospital. I'm super nervous and have been having doubts all day. Is there anything you recommend me asking about? Just reading your post is making me want to go home!