I had ortiz do my band, I am converting to the sleeve and have booked with dr fernado garcia.

I am a lapband patient converting to the sleeve, I jumped right in and have surgery scheduled for the 29th of Oct. Was wondering if anyone else will be there at that time.

Please reconsider seeing any physician at OCC. I had my lap band surgery done by Dr. Ortiz and I also had two close friends see him. 3 years after seeing him, all of us had to have or bands removed. I became very sick after my band was put in and I followed all orders to a T. I was sick for 2 years, no US Dr. would touch me because I had my surgery done in Mexico. I had to save up another $10,000 and go back to OCC and get it removed! My 2 friends ended up having to have emergency surgery in the US and have their bands removed.

P.S. Happy to say I found a Dr. here in the US, it took a long while and lots of appointments but I'm now a little over 5 months post op from Gastric Bypass and I'm down 75lbs. Good luck to you!

Ugh, waiting is the worst!

Hope everything goes very well for you Caligirl.

I traveled from CT to have my VSG with Dr Alvarez on 8/15/15. Best decision I ever made, wish I went thru with it years ago. I sing his praises to everyone..... But so does everyone else that has gone to him! Never heard, or read one negative comment about Dr A, and it really is because he is the best. No more than 3 surgeries a day, in a full hospital the entire time, and his technical staff are awesome!!!!!

And there is actual aftercare! I can talk to Dr Alvarez and his staff everyday, ask any question, call them. He continues to be there for his patients after surgery. I know he costs more, but you said cost wasn't a factor with your life (which was a big reason I chose Dr A), so travel shouldn't be that big of a factor either. He's the best :) just my honest opinion.