Really freaked out! Thoughts re Dr. Amanza
On March 31, 2010 at 8:28 PM Pacific Time, ishary wrote:
On March 27, 2010 at 2:40 PM Pacific Time, MidwesternGirl wrote:
On March 25, 2010 at 4:20 PM Pacific Time, TheDoubleFlame wrote:
I have been a qualitative researcher for more than 10 years and I'm published -- book, book chapters, journal articles, encyclopedia of case study research, etc.I don't wan't you to go to Almanza or anyone who will not serve your needs. I want you to be able to conduct a quality research process so that you can feel at ease with the decision only you can make because only you know all of your needs.
There have been some great posts in this thread and those are the ones that have the individual speaking only to her or his own experiences. That being said, I do not recommend using only OH as your only research source.
For instance, if you go to the thread "incision infection" you will see that infections can occur because patients may not take their antibiotics or they needed different antibiotics. Some people believe their experiences are due to the surgeon, others believe it's because of recovery. Still, other experiences are due to the individual's abilities to care for her/himself -- or not. Another on that thread projected an experience with a cat onto this forum about WLS. In another forum, VST.com, thread "how to find a good Mexican surgeon" (or similar) -- see Tell Your Story forum -- a poster says, basically: "I know everything because I have researched everything. Everything I say is credible because it is I who said it" -- yet this person has no first hand experience with the surgeon/centre she is promoting -- yikes!
There are three things I argue about using forums as research: 1) any assumption that it is not necessary to have had personal experience before you can fully recommend a surgeon/facility, is not correct and it is not supported by quality research processes; 2) no one is above having to back up their statements, and more than once or each time they post -- if they will not or cannot, there is something wrong; 3) the use of (daisy-) chain communication including but not limited to hearsay, is not effective.
On the detriments of hearsay, chain communication and quality of the research process, here are a few examples of published articles (two are by me and some by others).
The Encyclopedia of Case Study Research: "Storyselling" (2010) -- among other entries.
Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences (1998)
The Journal of Organizational Change Management: "Coaching can be storyselling" (2007).
The Journal of Leadership Development: Understanding the charismatic leader-follower relationship: Promises and perils (1998).
Criteria for assessing the trustworthiness of naturalistic inquiries (1984).
The Crowd: A study of the popular mind (1974).
Principles of Management: "Communication" (2004). -- and pretty well every book on communication using the chain or "party-line" method.
Get the information you need from the horse's mouth -- the clinics themselves -- and get it in writing. Speak to the Mexican government about the surgeons/clinics. Go to the surgery site to see for yourself. By all means factor in previous patient's personal experiences -- but please, please remember, these are only a part of the research process.
Someone here has already said it and I agree: you must do your own independent research. You must quell your own fears.
I wish you only the very best while you determine what you need, when, and from whom you will get them.
Sometimes one doesn't need personal experience to know that a clinic is not great. I can read countless infections, leaks, perforated colons, perforated stomachs, etc., and it doesn't take rocket science to know - that's not a clinic I want to go to. A little common sense goes a long way.
What I don't get are the coordinators shoving this information under a rug, hiding it, lying about it.. .kinda like telling Marie S. that board certification is done differently in Mexico than it is in the US. A US surgeon has to take a test and pass it to be board certified. A MX surgeon pays the MX gov't $15,000 and they are board certified. Would you agree that this is a flat out lie? They take a test in MX too, *if* they pass it, they are board certified in Surgery.
I wonder the karma points someone wins for sending people to a place they have to lie about, especially on their website. For example, as of today one website ;o) has Betancourt's old clinic photos on there, not the new "clinic". One would almost think the coordinator was hiding what the new clinic looks like. Kind of a head scratcher, wouldn't you think?
BTW, I find your sig highly amusing... considering who you are and all. ;o)
Who is that DoubleFlame anyway?
And btw... all things considered, you should know these answers already.
Mel, I am new to the site and I thought your post was sincere and honest . You gave facts and did what was best for your clients. The problem was no reflection on you. We come to this site as part of our research but for me it was not all. I am not going to MX for my surgery but you can get a feel for those that are hones, caring and sincere such as yourself, OM, and others. Your posts are insightful and helpful, please don't forget that.
On a side note, you can also tell of your character by your saying you will not use OH to further your business. You have integrity, you have traits that many of admire. I am a fan of yours.
Thank you so much for caring for us OHers!
On a side note, you can also tell of your character by your saying you will not use OH to further your business. You have integrity, you have traits that many of admire. I am a fan of yours.
Thank you so much for caring for us OHers!
emeraldsky, familiar screen name lolGlad you are doing your research.... it's important and yes whomever you chose, the cost will be worth it to know you are in good hands.
Follow my progress on youtube!
(Lost slowly and painfully from 355 to 275 from 2007-2009, then started gaining again before scheduling surgery! Best thing I ever did! :D)
(Lost slowly and painfully from 355 to 275 from 2007-2009, then started gaining again before scheduling surgery! Best thing I ever did! :D)
Thanks for your post, Mel. I know a lot of people respect your opinion and now maybe, finally, people will begin to actually believe those of us who had problems from our surgeries with Almanza. Everytime a post comes up regarding infection/Almanza, I cringe a little thinking about the flame war that is about to ensue. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks.
Hey Heather D, I always believed you when you posted problems about your incisions. I dont know why you thought people didnt. I have you as a friend and kept checking in on your profile page for updates but I just thought you didnt want to post much and are a private person. I take everyones experiences very seriously, good and bad. I want to hear it all and its not right if you feel like you cant post about it. Really what it comes down to for me is I cannot have insurance here because my insurance company excludes wls surgery which blows my mind because I have bl/bs. I know it has something to do with my hubbys employer. Now we dont have alot of extra money for the surgery and not the best credit. So I picked almanza because his price is good and I have heard alot of good things but people do need to hear the good and bad to make the best decision for themselves. Dont ever feel like you cant say what you want because of other people making you feel like your wrong.
Jeanette 
Hey Jeanette
I havent had surgery yet, but your words about insurance/money/credit compelled me to suggest you research Jose Rodriguez as well. Like I said I havent been there yet, so I cant recommend. But, he is one of the few doctors that does personal financing and his price is very reasonable to begin with.
Just wanted to give you another research option. The idea of you having to make your surgeon decision because of lack of options is not a situation I would want anyone in.
Good luck and hope this wasnt too invasive of me.
I havent had surgery yet, but your words about insurance/money/credit compelled me to suggest you research Jose Rodriguez as well. Like I said I havent been there yet, so I cant recommend. But, he is one of the few doctors that does personal financing and his price is very reasonable to begin with.
Just wanted to give you another research option. The idea of you having to make your surgeon decision because of lack of options is not a situation I would want anyone in.
Good luck and hope this wasnt too invasive of me.
Starting Weight 340. I am 5'7"
Goal 1: VSG by April 2010 - (scheduled for April 28 2010)
Goal 2: Lose 10% of Total Body Weight - (May 17, 2010)
Goal 3: Lose 50 pounds- (June 10, 2010)
Goal 4: Lose 50% of Excess Weight (Aug 10, 2010)
Goal 5: Lose 100 pounds (Oct 7, 2010)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goal 6: BMI of 29
Goal 1: VSG by April 2010 - (scheduled for April 28 2010)
Goal 2: Lose 10% of Total Body Weight - (May 17, 2010)
Goal 3: Lose 50 pounds- (June 10, 2010)
Goal 4: Lose 50% of Excess Weight (Aug 10, 2010)
Goal 5: Lose 100 pounds (Oct 7, 2010)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goal 6: BMI of 29
Ditto. I always believed you and was thankful you were honest about your experiences. Thank you for that. I doubt this is the end of this battle as I searched OH yesterday for Betancourt's name and saw this battle back in 2008. I am just grateful that people like you are willing to give an honest account of their personal experiences.
Starting Weight 340. I am 5'7"
Goal 1: VSG by April 2010 - (scheduled for April 28 2010)
Goal 2: Lose 10% of Total Body Weight - (May 17, 2010)
Goal 3: Lose 50 pounds- (June 10, 2010)
Goal 4: Lose 50% of Excess Weight (Aug 10, 2010)
Goal 5: Lose 100 pounds (Oct 7, 2010)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goal 6: BMI of 29
Goal 1: VSG by April 2010 - (scheduled for April 28 2010)
Goal 2: Lose 10% of Total Body Weight - (May 17, 2010)
Goal 3: Lose 50 pounds- (June 10, 2010)
Goal 4: Lose 50% of Excess Weight (Aug 10, 2010)
Goal 5: Lose 100 pounds (Oct 7, 2010)!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goal 6: BMI of 29
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