Band to DS revision Dr Ungson

Hello after lurking for a while and researching I've decided to have my band revised and go with the DS.  Since I am a self pay I am very strongly considering using DR Ungston. I've been in contact with his patient coordinator Luz Sandoval. I have many questions and a few concerns. My first question is about the method in which they want a deposit. They want me to deposit 3K into a bank account in his name. That in and of itself screams RED flag but I've heard nothing but good things about him. Why would a respected professional organization conduct business this way? Why would they not accept paypal or credit cards? I don't like the idea of having no means of recourse if something happens like they decide to cancel or reschedule at an inconvenient time for some arbitrary reason. Also I haven't  been able to ascertain if they do indeed accept any form of financing, I've asked but no response on that yet. I do realize that this DR is a highly regarded surgeon with a great reputation, so I guess I may just be overly cautious. Ok moving on I asked him specifically how many lap band to DS revisions he has performed and he stated 40-45 with zero deaths and only one leak. That sounds good to me but I have no point of reference, what is yall's opinion on that? Lastly I am concerned about travel to Hermosillo. I was planning on bringing my wife but I'm not sure on the safety aspect. Can those that have been there chime in on that. Thanks in advance for all of you input.

Dr. Baltasar wanted his money in cash.  Euros.  I asked why and he said he could get into trouble and be investigated as a terrorist if he had too many foreign transfers into his bank account.

Ok thanks for the response.

That'd make me nervous too.  I had the exact same thing with another surgeon and I ended up not going with them.

I'd look into the Aceves/Ungson combo in Mexicali (I think it's just a drive away from San Diego).  There are so many that have been to Dr Aceves for sleeves I can't imagine that the payment method would be an issue - I'd call or email and check out that route.

To ask you for 3K up front also ensures that you are not going to schedule to be there on a certain day and then not show up, after they have scheduled the OR, the staff, the hospital bed, etc. 

I understand your concern though.  I balked at this request also, but felt that the positive reviews on this surgeon outweighed my reservations.

What financing are you talking about?  Are you asking if they will accept monthly payments from you?  They will accept cash from whom ever you finance with to get the surgery.  They don't care how you finance it, but they are not going to accept payments from you.  It's cash up front, all up front.  You are an American citizen - if you default, they have no recourse to get it out of you.  Of course they are not going to give you credit.

Both this surgeon and the other one (Alceves?, who is less qualified) have medical facilities that specialize in this - so the facility is safe for her.  Ask the coordinator if they will have a cot for your wife so she can sleep in your room.  She then goes to the hotel with you.  As long as she stays in the compound and doesn't stray to far on her own, she will be safe.  I've heard of ladies shopping with their teen age daughters in the town square on their own and felt safe.

I'm assuming you are talking about going to Mexico here.

I was asking if they accepted financing not if they offer it.  I heard back from Luz today and they will accept financing.  So you had your DS with Ungston in Hermosillo? How would you rate the overall experience? Did you feel it was lacking in any way?

At the last minute, a veteran told me about a program in my own state that ended up costing me the same amount of money as going to Mexico so I did that instead. But I did work with the Mexican surgeons, researched both of the surgeons, made my schedules and reviewed their paperwork to do the DS there.  If it had not been for the veteran telling me about a different program that I just luckily qualified for right before, I would have flown to Mexico for the surgery.   I was scheduled to do the DS in Mexico.

I think they do a good job.  I've heard nothing but good reports about them.  I stayed in the USA, and ended up getting a huge infection in my incision that was one step below MARSA.  I was in the ER 2 or 3 times, and they put me on the strongest antibiotic available.  I probably would have had a better time in Mexico!