Question for DSers.

There is a surgeon in Mexico that is apparently telling their patients that they have 1000 DS under the supervision of Dr. Ungson and another 300 DS on his own.

In reality this surgeon as of today has 43 DS TOTAL.

Can anyone prove this wrong?  I thought someone was going to this surgeon for a sleeve, come to find out he's going for DS believing this surgeon has 1300 DS surgeries.

Some surgeons advertise they have done 300 DS but that doesn't make it so.  When calling the surgeons office and asking how many DS he has done the response is ... Oh, a LOT.  I can't count them all.  TONS.  When backed in a corner they will usually tell the truth.  Sadly, they have to be backed into a corner.

Truth is, 43.

Has anyone here seen any evidence any surgeon in Mexico has done 1300 DS with 1000 of those being under the supervision of Ungson?  Wouldn't anyone be able to call Ungson and actually VERIFY this info?  Is there reason that is not possible?  Does anyone here know how to reach Ungson so this gentleman can indeed verify for himself and he doesn't need to believe anyone, he can go to the source?

The only surgeons in Mexico that are generally recommended at all for the DS are Drs. Ungson and Aceves. Dr. Aceves's experience is relatively recent, but he did train with Dr. Ungson, who worked with him on his Ds cases before he started doing them solo.

As to the numbers for either, I have no idea. I would caution anyone looking into any kind of surgery in any foreign country that people can tell you anything over the phone, and we've seen some people get rude surprises when they arrived at their destinations, and we've also seen some horror stories regarding complications and poor care.

And as to the guy asking about the numbers, it's nice that you are trying to help him out, but the best thing would be for him to come here or to other DS oriented websites and ask questions himself. My experience with transmitting info second hand has never been good. It just doesn't work, no matter how well meaning the people involved.

Larra

Yep, it's Aceves claiming 1300 DS.  I call BS.  I have copies of emails from Nina proving this 1300 number is nonsense.

The guy IS here, but he's believing what the office is telling him.  I am hoping he will call Ungson and see if the office is being honest - or not.  I don't want anyone going to a surgeon believing they are that experienced when in fact, they are not.  43 is not enough DS surgeries.

Someone had contacted Aceves' office about  eight weeks ago.  Nina wrote that at that time he had done 35 DS surgeries.  Now it's up to 1300?  He's apparently been busy with DS in the last 8 weeks.  I just don't care for people being deceived when it comes to their health care.

oh my gosh, hopefully that was a mistake and it should be vsg that he has done that many and no, he has not done that many DS not anywhere close....

Wow! I don't understand why Dr Aceves would have to use such a tactic. He already comes so highly recommended within the DS community. He seemed to be reputable by his association with the, much sought after, Dr. Ungson. I hope there is a misprint, misunderstanding, or general mix up cause it would be a shame throw away his reputation on a lie. Most doctors will tell you that the number of DS surgeries they do is less that other WLS because the DS isn't asked for as much as the sleeve or RNY.

I hope this is not an attempt to get more patients cause dishonest doctors are always doomed to fail. If he wants to persuade more patients to choose him, he needs to bring down his price. Why pay for the student when you can get the teacher for $3k more. I thought about going to Dr. Aceves, but his price was too high for a surgeon whom was just striking out on his own with the DS. JMO