Anyone heard of Dr. Francisco Gonzalez in TJ?

[NM Sunshine 1]

Judy

There is parking at the border. That would be the place to park. If you do take your car across the border be sure you get extra insurance. Laura will pick you up. You just walk across the border. It's a short walk and no stop for border check.

I went alone for my banding and everyone is so helpful. They understand that you are in a foreign country, getting surgery.

I had my first fill Wed. and it was a piece of cake. Nothing to it. I'm feeling restriction again which feels great. Bye Bye hunger pains.

[judy2291 0]

OK, I've got to ask... did anyone put their deposit on their M/C and notice that the $500. turned into $525.? I was planning to initially put the cost on my M/C then transfer the money so I could get more points toward airfare. But if there's a 5% fee, it doesn't make much sense. At that rate, it's an additional $350+ and I can buy a plane ticket for that. I'll have to call Laura Monday morning.

NM: Thanks for the parking information. I just didn't know if the car would be safe over 2 nights. I've used the lots before but it's been a long, long time and don't want to come back to find it gone. I need to get home, you know. ~LOL~

Has anyone walked back across the border AFTER surgery? How did that go for you? From what I remember, you can stand in line for an hour, and you're still not done. It's another walk to the parking lots. But I also remember a bus. It picked us up in downtown and went back to the parking lots. I think we had to get off at the border and go through the entry process but got back on the bus when we were through. It's been at least 10 years.... Does any of this sound familiar?

I feel like the date has come up so fast! I'm not sure I am ready since I will continue to work until the day before surgery. I still need to clean out the refrigerator and make sure I have lots of Clear liquids for my return. Am I forgetting anything?????

Judy

:whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:

[christine yng 0]

OK, I've got to ask... did anyone put their deposit on their M/C and notice that the $500. turned into $525.? I was planning to initially put the cost on my M/C then transfer the money so I could get more points toward airfare. But if there's a 5% fee, it doesn't make much sense. At that rate, it's an additional $350+ and I can buy a plane ticket for that. I'll have to call Laura Monday morning.

NM: Thanks for the parking information. I just didn't know if the car would be safe over 2 nights. I've used the lots before but it's been a long, long time and don't want to come back to find it gone. I need to get home, you know. ~LOL~

Has anyone walked back across the border AFTER surgery? How did that go for you? From what I remember, you can stand in line for an hour, and you're still not done. It's another walk to the parking lots. But I also remember a bus. It picked us up in downtown and went back to the parking lots. I think we had to get off at the border and go through the entry process but got back on the bus when we were through. It's been at least 10 years.... Does any of this sound familiar?

I feel like the date has come up so fast! I'm not sure I am ready since I will continue to work until the day before surgery. I still need to clean out the refrigerator and make sure I have lots of Clear Liquids for my return. Am I forgetting anything?????

Judy

:whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo:

Judy

I had the same thing happen with my c/c. Laura explained that they have to charge the credit card in Mexico in Mexican pesos at the daily exchange rate and then your bank changes it back to US dollars at their rate to charge you, so that can translate to a few bucks more. Your best bet is Paypal. They take Paypal.

Judy

There is parking at the border. That would be the place to park. If you do take your car across the border be sure you get extra insurance. Laura will pick you up. You just walk across the border. It's a short walk and no stop for border check.

I went alone for my banding and everyone is so helpful. They understand that you are in a foreign country, getting surgery.

I had my first fill Wed. and it was a piece of cake. Nothing to it. I'm feeling restriction again which feels great. Bye Bye hunger pains.

Congratulations sunshine! Just be careful, because after the first fill then restriction is felt for sure and if you forget and gulp down your first bite it's hello toilet!

[judy2291 0]

I'm sitting here after working all night and wondering how I'll stay awake the rest of the day. Ive decided to sleep a few hours before making the 2 hour drive to Tijuana. I'm hoping to get there by 2pm, cross, get something to eat, and going to bed. I still haven't heard from Laura about payment and it's causing a lot of anxiety. I decided to walk across the border and get a cab to the clinic but I can't find an address anywhere! More anxiety..... I feel so unprepared. But I know they're expecting me because Dr V left a message yesterday.

What should I take? Toothbrush and a change of clothes? I really want to travel light because I'll be hauling it all back across the border in a few days. I already have my wheeled tote out, love those wheels! I'm hoping I feel well enough to do a little shopping before I leave. Is that unreal?

Before I left work this morning, 2 girls said they'd be watching how I do. They're both quite heavy and considering bypass. Of course, I've been singing the praises of lapband so I've got to do good!

OK, I'm just babbling so will try and take a nap before I set out on this adventure.

Judy

[DrPhil 0]

I have to concur with all that has been said about Dr. Francisco (Paco according to Dr. Valenzuela!) Gonzalez. The man has a good heart and a love for surgery (not to mention 17 years of surgical experience). These are the things anyone would want from a lap-band surgeon, or any surgeon for that matter. My friend, who had also been banded in Tj, went with me for the procedure. As we sat talking to Gonzalez and Valenzuela (who made me laugh so hard I almost popped a stitch), I saw her grinning. Later she said, "He answered your questions as though he hasn't been asked them ten thousand times." It's true. I felt like I was his only patient. He's just a good guy. And, as others have noted, he doesn't advertise as much as he ought. But I prefer his integrity over a factory approach you see in other places. I just returned last night and was banded on Friday. Aside from the discomfort of travelling back to Oregon with reduced mobility from the surgery and stress, I'd say that it was overall a good experience. Hands down, though, Gonzalez is the guy to see. Write me with any more questions you may have, I'll be glad to reply asap. Aren't we fortunate to have this forum? It's a blessing to me.

:ranger:

[NM Sunshine 1]

Judy

Good luck to you. Perhaps you could just get the extra insurance and drive your car into TJ to the clinic. It's right close to the border in the new beautiful part of TJ. I'm sure it would be perfectly safe.

Otherwise, Most likely Laura would drive you through customs, so you wouldn't have to stand and wait.

[NM Sunshine 1]

DrPhil

You will feel even more sure of your choice when you experience the aftercare. Believe me you don't get the same treatment from other docs.

[judy2291 0]

DrPhil.

What a wonderful post! It's exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you too, NM. Maybe we'll met up one day since I plan to get my fills with Dr G too.

Well, I finally reached Laura and sh'e going to pick me up in front of McDonald's (last minute torture????) after I cross the border. I need to finish getting dressed and my bum in the car. No luck on getting any sleep after working all night. I guess I'll sleep well tonight!

Hugs to everyone! Thanks for everything!

Judy

[NM Sunshine 1]

judy

That is where I met Laura this last time. You'll wait in street in front of MacD

[jimmyjoe 0]

I've been reading this thread for some time and I'm encouraged by your experiences! Dr. G may be the surgeon for me. I'll be deciding as soon as I can narrow down a date off work and finance. Thank you for your useful info!

[NM Sunshine 1]

jimmyjoe,

Good Luck to you. I don't think you will be sorry for your choice. I think you will be in agreement with the rest of us who've been banded by Dr. Gonzales, that he is tops. I don't think another surgeon can beat his aftercare. After the surgery you will realize that aftercare care is EXTREMEMLY important. I have heard stories about the horror of some doctors aftercare. I hear that Dr. Ortiz (the one who currently does the most lap-bands) treats you like an assembly line. And that he doesn't respond to you if you need him after the surgery.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

jimmyjoe,

Good Luck to you. I don't think you will be sorry for your choice. I think you will be in agreement with the rest of us who've been banded by Dr. Gonzales, that he is tops. I don't think another surgeon can beat his aftercare. After the surgery you will realize that aftercare care is EXTREMEMLY important. I have heard stories about the horror of some doctors aftercare. I hear that Dr. Ortiz (the one who currently does the most lap-bands) treats you like an assembly line. And that he doesn't respond to you if you need him after the surgery.

That's not true, Ortiz does respond after surgery if you call. He's just decided not to be proactive in contacting patients anymore. But if they need him he's there. Same with his Asst. surgeon.

It's better than a 4% erosion stat. :cry

[NM Sunshine 1]

Wasabubblebut

I know someone who was banded by Ortiz and he did not respond to her about post surgery problems. She was going to go to him for her fills but, was so furious and untrustful of him that she goes to another doctor in MX for her fills.

Also I have heard from others that Dr. Ortiz treats them like an assembly line.

Where did you get this 4% erosion stats with Dr. Gonzales? I've heard you say that before and have not been able to find out where those stats come from.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Wasabubblebut

I know someone who was banded by Ortiz and he did not respond to her about post surgery problems. She was going to go to him for her fills but, was so furious and untrustful of him that she goes to another doctor in MX for her fills.

Also I have heard from others that Dr. Ortiz treats them like an assembly line.

Where did you get this 4% erosion stats with Dr. Gonzales? I've heard you say that before and have not been able to find out where those stats come from.

I don't know about your friend's case specifically but if you talk to a number of Ortiz patients they typically say that he's great about returning phone calls, etc.

The 4% erosion stats for Gonzales came from his office. If you look earlier in this thread you'll see where one person posted the email from his office giving the stats. There was a huge amount of drama during that time. I dared to offer the 4% stats and you would have thought his patient coordinator was going to have heart failure. She insisted that Dr. G was wrong, his stats were not that high. HA!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Whoops, it wasn't this thread, it was this one:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f11/tell-me-your-story-i-cant-pick-mx-surgeon-40662/index2.html#post557756