Dr. Alejandro Lopez for Duodenal Switch

Curious if anyone on here has used Dr. Lopez for a DS.  Please....I don't need any lectures about going to MX, or why or why not to use certain docs.  Not trying to be rude, but a little overwhelmed with trying to make the right decision for ME right now.  So, with that said, if you have any experience with Dr. Lopez (especially in regards to a DS) please let me know!

Sorry, haven't heard of him in 5 years of being on these boards.  Worried for you.

--gina

I just did about 30 minutes of internet research and couldn't find anything bad on him and I'm told I'm a good "googler." I did find some people on this website who were going to have procedures done. One was 

ChristinaS9476     her procedure was to be Nov. 15th

920amy    was looking into the same doctor and may have some info

shanti4758    had surgery with him on Oct. 23rd and liked him so much that her husband is going to see him, too

go to http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/mexico/4581557/dr-alejandro-lopez-tijuana-questions/   to read comments

You may already know of these people but I thought I would help by searching a little. His credentials seem solid and he has a wife in the same field.

I understand not having insurance coverage. I was lucky that I finally got coverage that was not so restrictive. I'm a "light-weight" and would not have normally be eligible. You appear young and I think it is important to not continue to live at a high weight. Some people feel MX is poorer standards in medicine but I would not always agree with them. My neighbor had surgery (lapband) in MX years ago and she said it was done very professionally and she is one of the picky people. She is still doing well and never had complications. 

I wish you luck and will pray for you to get the information you need. Despite those that want to warn you, many of us are here to help you as you transition after surgery. 

It is very overwhelming.  I went through the same thing.  I was going to get RNY through insurance but, after much research decided that the DS was right for me.  I was originally going to MX with a doctor whom I can not remember right now.  From what I here, MX has some great facilities and people rave about the care they have gotten.  I was going to go with Dr. Ungson, but for a variety of reason that have nothing to do with him or MX, I decided to use a different surgeon.  USA healthcare is not the end all be all.  When I went to Belgium, you could eat out of the trash can, it was so flipping clean.  Everyone was ridiculously helpful.  Just a great experience.

Please understand that when people question your doctor doing a DS, it is because they have seen some really screwed up procedures done (not by him, per se, just in general) with regards to the DS and non vetted surgeons. The DS is far more complicated than RNY.  People end up with ERNY, they end up dead.  I worry greatly about someone going to a non vetted surgeon. I wish you the best.  Please keep asking questions and reading.  We are here to support you.

so what do you consider to be "vetted"? I have heard different opinions...some say 250+ surgeries, some say 1000+, so what is a good number?

DSfacts.com has the list.  In MX, it is Dr. Ungson or Dr. Ungson with Dr. Aceves.  Dr. Aceves has been assisting Dr. Ungson on some cases.  Not sure if he is considered vetted or not at this point.  Those are the options in MX.  Please keep us posted.  It is a frustrating process to sort it all out.

also curious about what you are referring to "some have ERNY, they end up dead".  Could you please explain?

I am saying some end up with a surgery that is not the DS (ie ERNY) and there have been some deaths.  Not saying the ERNY=death.  Sorry about the confusion.  I suck at writing on the internet.  That is why I dont write much on here.  I don't want to say something misleading or dumb, for that matter.  But, I have had 5 days off and have been in a posting mood.

don't feel bad...I am just looking for info...and the ERNY is a new phrase I am unfamiliar with.

ERNY is an extended RNY, so stomach with a pouch but DS intestines.  You lose your pylorus so eating high fat may well be an issue and give you dumping which you don't get as a DSer.  ERNY really shouldn't be a first choice.  ERNY tends to be done on RNYers that haven't lost enough as it's a less complex revision, but I've still seen a few people revise from ERNY to the DS.

Listen to LadyTazz and her experience.  I have had a very easy time of it so far (I'm nearly 4 months out) and I have to credit my surgeon with that plus listening to the vets re diet and vitamin advice.

Look into to the Dr Ungson/Dr Aceves combo if you can get it.  You'd have the surgery in Mexicali that way which isn't too far over the border.  Steer clear of any other surgeons purporting to do the DS in Mexico