Re: How did you choose your Dr?

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy:

After months and months of research and after going through dozens and

dozens of doctors I picked the best doctor I had come accross: Dr.

A. There are more expensive, less expensive, some closer and some

farther, but none like Dr. A. I was able to speak with dozens of

people who have used other doctors and the most recommended doctor was

Dr. A, I went by credentials and by the recommendations of some of his

existing patients. I have found not one bad comment about Dr. A and

his many years of experience made him my only choise.

Do your research, talk to existing patients, check credentials and

experience.

Good luck in your search.

Celia

Banded 12/10/2005

227/207/140

>

> Hello you guys. I have been reading about Dr. Aceves and I have

read

> the full journals of two ladies that were banded. One by Dr. Aceves

> and another in Texas. I already know that I have to go to Mexico,

> there is no way I can afford surgery in the States, however, there

are

> many Doctors in Mexico. Some are higher priced(I saw one up to

> $9300.00) than Dr. Aceves and some are lower. Matter of a fact, I

> just got an email from one offering a special for $7000.00. Does

> price or location in Mexico make a difference in the quality care

you

> get in Mexico? How did you ladies make your decision on who to go

> to? I look forward to hearing from you. Tammy

>

[Guest guest]

Tammy: I've been researching this almost all year. I even checked with Dr. Aceves' affiliations/groups to make sure everything is on the up and up. I've read the posts, good, bad and ugly, and I have decided to go to him (maybe in Feb?). I had 3 options, Sanoviv, Plenitas, and Dr. Aceves. All prices are different. I just get the feel of "family" from Dr. Aceves and his staff.... in fact I think they all are his family for the most part! The other places were just like "salesmen", very demanding, wanting to close the deal... but still maintaining an air of politeness. I'm sure you've done your homework, and you know to look at how many surgeries with the band that the doc has done, how long he's in practice, and if he has been certified by the makers of the band. Just some things to consider.

Kim Clatworthy

DIVA

"... she runs on 100 proof attitude power..."

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of TammySent: Thursday, December 29, 2005 5:24 PM Subject: How did you choose your Dr?

Hello you guys. I have been reading about Dr. Aceves and I have read the full journals of two ladies that were banded. One by Dr. Aceves and another in Texas. I already know that I have to go to Mexico, there is no way I can afford surgery in the States, however, there are many Doctors in Mexico. Some are higher priced(I saw one up to $9300.00) than Dr. Aceves and some are lower. Matter of a fact, I just got an email from one offering a special for $7000.00. Does price or location in Mexico make a difference in the quality care you get in Mexico? How did you ladies make your decision on who to go to? I look forward to hearing from you. Tammy

[Guest guest]

//Does price or location in Mexico make a difference in the quality

care you get in Mexico?//

Tammy

I just wanted to put in my 2 cents about the prices charged. 8-9K

is average for the lap band in Mexico. Prices may vary depending on

the pre op hotel, the airfare, hospital costs, etc...

I don't know if the cost has anything to do with the quality of care

although, it may have a lot to do with they type of facility you are

having surgery in.

The cheaper places will use clinics as apposed to a real hospital

which Dr A uses. God forbid something happen out of the ordinary

during surgery. You will want to be in a hospital where they are

prepared and equip to handle emergencies.

You should be very leery of those that are charging under 8k. I

have read on other boards about Dr's (charging between 6-7K) that

say they used Inamed bands but end up putting another band in. The

patients don't find out until after surgery. The dr says something

like the Inamed band didn't fit so he had to use the other band

instead. These patients can not get fills in the US because most

Dr's will not fill a band that isn't approved in the US. Be very

careful.

You can rest assured Dr A uses the Inamed band, because if he didn't

you would hear about it here and on other boards. He has been doing

this for years and has a great success rate.

7/18/05

280/220/140

[Guest guest]

Quite frankly I chose Dr. Aceves based about equally on his

availability matching mine and on the postings on this website. I

would guess that quality of care will vary in Mexico much as it does

in the US--there are all levels of ability and concern and attention

to detail available in everywhere. The loyalty and details of

positive experiences of patients I " met " on this website were a big

factor and in my experience they were right on the mark. In New

Jersey medical charges are higher than they are in south Texas and in

Arkansas probably due in large part to the cost of real estate and the

cost of living as well as supply and demand of resources--short

translation I think it is not likely that higher price means better

care nor does lower price means worse care or less skill. Don't make

your choice just on price unless you are sure the really important

things are equal--skill of the doctor, level of care from hospital

staff, ability to communicate with those caring for you. I know some

people choose a doctor who uses a clinic setting rather than a

hospital--find out if a hospital is nearby should you have any

unforeseen emergency--surgery has its risks and if anything goes wrong

how available is emergency care?

Having surgery is scary enough without wondering if you will be well

cared for. Everything I read on this website was true-- Ernesto met

me at the airport and Yolanda took care of all the administrative

details and was present for all the medical details and their

English is excellent as is Dr. Aceves' English. The doctor explained

everything in detail prior to surgery and checked on me multiple times

afterward and he had me watch the barium swallow so I could see the

band and that everything was working like it supposed to. I wouldn't

change any of my decisions.

I did several months of research and read lots of posts on websites

and got emails from people on this website. Some of the other

websites I visited--my questions were never answered nor responded to.

Dr. Aceves rocks as do his bandsters.

gloria

[Guest guest]

Couldn't have said it better myself Gloria. You are right on the

mark with your assesment of the Dr. and his entire staff not to

mention the immaculate hospital.

For anyone meeting up with Ernesto in the near future - there is a

picture of him in " Traci B's " photo file (in the sub-folder) and

another in the " @ Almater " file of Ernesto & the van you'll be

looking for if you meet him outside near the curb like we did.

Happy New Year to all you Bandsters!!

Liz

DOB 8/11/05

275/235/135

1 fill - 11/25/05 of 1.9cc's

>

> Quite frankly I chose Dr. Aceves based about equally on his

> availability matching mine and on the postings on this website...

[Guest guest]

Hey Tammy,

I did a lot of research before I picked Dr Aceves. First of all I got on this site and talked to many of his patients. They told me of the great care they had all experienced.

Then I looked at his Qualifications. Dr Aceves is a member of The Bariatrics Surgeons Association. He was trained and is CERTIFIED by the INAMED FDA approved Lapband company. All of his surgeries are done in a very nice hospital. Most of the others in Mexico are done in a clinic and then they ship you off to a hotel the night of your surgery. Dr Aceves keeps you in the hospital where you get great care for 2 nights after your surgery. After any abdominal surgery it is very nice to have a reclining bed instead of a hotel bed and someone to check in on you, get you drinks, just give good ole support if needed. Dr Aceves is one of a few surgeons that does the more difficult surgeries, such as the band after bypass surgery. It is very complicated and he is qualified to do them.

Dr Aceves' whole staff is amazing. They are compassionate and so organized. You will be taken care of every second you are in their care. From the minute you walk of the plane in San Diego to the minute you get on the plane to return home someone will be by your side.

This whole experience for me was a breeze. Knowing what I know now, if I had a million dollars I still would have gone to Dr Aceves.

I hope everyone else on this site will chime in too. My computer has been down for the last 24 hours or I would have responded sooner.

Please let me know if you have anymore questions. I hope the band will become a reality for you very soon. You are in for a wonderful experience if you choose Dr Aceves.

Take Care!

WA State

Banded 7/20/05

210/172/140

How did you choose your Dr?

Hello you guys. I have been reading about Dr. Aceves and I have read the full journals of two ladies that were banded. One by Dr. Aceves and another in Texas. I already know that I have to go to Mexico, there is no way I can afford surgery in the States, however, there are many Doctors in Mexico. Some are higher priced(I saw one up to $9300.00) than Dr. Aceves and some are lower. Matter of a fact, I just got an email from one offering a special for $7000.00. Does price or location in Mexico make a difference in the quality care you get in Mexico? How did you ladies make your decision on who to go to? I look forward to hearing from you. Tammy

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy, Just wanted to answer some of your questions about money, Dr.'s and Mexico.. First off I'd like to say-Congrads on making the choice to have band surgery. It's WONDERFUL!!!!!! I'm 17 days out of surgery and I've lost 25.5 lbs. and just started walking yesterday... I must say that Dr. Aceves and his staff are WONDERFUL!!!! I was like you when it came time to decide where to go, how much to spend and what was it going to be like having surgery in Mexico.. Believe me, it's nothing like you might be thinking.. His staff is very helpful and caring. They are with you at all times, I never was scared or worried about things not being as clean as they should be-there was a cleaning lady in our rooms it seemed like nonstop. Almost as soon as the floor would get dry she was back in there cleaning again, which made me feel so much better. The hospital is very clean,friendly and much to my surprise seemed almost new-small, but new. Dr. Aceves was

very friendly, but very informative about how your life and eating habits HAVE to change in order for this to work. If I had to do it all over again I would go right back to Dr. Aceves. As a matter of fact I'll be going to him for all of my fills-you do know that your fills are free for life with him, right??? I live in California, so I just hop a short plane ride and rent a car, get my fill and I'm done. As far as the hotel you will be staying in-it's WONDERFUL!!!! I believe it's a 4 star. The beds are a little hard, but other than that, it's a nice place... I don't think you'll be getting alot of sleep anyway the night before the surgery, I didn't-sat up thinking about how my life is about to change.. I looked for just about 2 yrs. before I found Dr. Aceves and I'm glad I did.. It's the best thing I've EVER done for myself.. If you need to talk, I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have-I'll do my best.. banded

for life, Donna Tammy <cuttinoutback@...> wrote: Hello you guys. I have been reading about Dr. Aceves and I have read the full journals of two ladies that were banded. One by Dr. Aceves and another in Texas. I already know that I have to go to Mexico, there is no way I can afford surgery in the States, however, there are many Doctors in Mexico. Some are higher priced(I saw one up to $9300.00) than Dr. Aceves and some are lower. Matter of a fact, I just got an email from one offering a special for $7000.00. Does price or location in Mexico make a difference in the quality care you get in Mexico? How did you ladies make your decision on who to go to? I look forward to hearing from you. Tammy