Question:
Dr. Rodolfo Sanchez in Mexico HELP!
My Mother has officially lost her mind; she called last night and asked if I wanted to go to Mexico in 3 weeks to have lap band surgery by Dr. Rodolfo Sanchez in Monterrey, Mexico. Has anyone heard about him? I can only find his Web page but nothing else. He has success stories on his site but I'm sure he has paid these people. I can't find any other info and I need to talk her out of this. I have been losing weight on my 6-month supervised diet to be eligible for surgery in July. She is going and I need to find the information to stop her. If anyone has heard of him - good or bad - please write or post. Thanks so much! — goddesschyyld (posted on April 7, 2005)
April 7, 2005
Kristine, I would feel safer staying within the United States to have the
surgery. I agree with you are they real patients or just being paid to say
that. I would feel safer being admitted to a US Hospital, who may have
hi-tech equipment if complications occurs. I would be afraid to go to
Mexico. Good Luck with your surgery in July.
— lkirkland1
April 7, 2005
I know you are freaked out, but it really isn't so uncommon for people to
go to mexico for surgery. I am not sure about sanchez, but I have heard
that Rumbaurt (sp?) in monterrey is excellent. Is she going due to
financial issues? That is the main reason people go that route. I was
really close to going to Dr. Kuri, but my mom threw a huge fit and after
some research I found a doc in Texas that was only 2 grand more...so it was
worth it to me to stay inside the states. If you want unbiased reviews of
a surgeon, go to various yahoo groups, like smartbandsters and do a
search-there is also lapbandtalk and spotlighthealth. Find real patients
of his and see how they feel about the experience.
The absolute most important big deal about this decisionl is the
aftercare--does she have someone local to work with? Most people find it
isn't so easy to go back to mexico. Its important to have someone at least
a few hours away.
Good luck, feel free to email me with any questions!
— jessicamegan
April 7, 2005
OK, just because he has patient testimonials on his site does NOT mean he
paid them. Lot's of American docs have the same thing. We have a South of
the Border forum here. Click on Communities at the top of the page and use
the Other forum drop down to pick that board. Lots of people have gone out
of the country for surgery. For some it is the only way they can afford to
have it done. I agree you and your mom need to do a lot of research, but
surgery in MX does not automatically = bad. We have lots of members that
have had surgery in the US that have had complications. Go on over to the
South of the border forum and try to find out about Dr. Sanchez and his
clinic. It does sound like your mom needs to do some more research, like
she's a little desperate and is looking at all her options, but MX is a
very viable option. Good Luck.
— Ali M
April 8, 2005
Please don't assume that just because a doctor isn't in the US that he
isn't good. Now, granted, I know nothing about Dr. Sanchez but, I am a
MEXICAN success story! I had Open RNY with Dr. Alejandro Aguirre in
Ensenada, MX 2 years ago. I have had absolutely no complications and I'm
past goal, loving life, and feeling fantastic. I also had plastic surgery
in Mexico with Dr. Eduardo Gongora one year ago and I'm extremely happy
with those results as well.
Just to give you a comparison - the local surgeon I was going to use if
insurance paid for it, was run out of town and claimed bankruptcy after he
left, because he had so many complications. I later learned, from another
doctor, that this local surgeon had lost medical privileges at another
local hospital because his wls patients had so many problems. So, just
because someone is a US doctor, doesn't mean she/he is a good doctor.
The lesson here is research, research, research. Talk to people who have
been to the doctor. If you can't get that information, don't go to that
doctor. There are enough good ones out there who are affordable that
there's not an excuse for not doing your homework.
I would also like to add that going back to Mexico wasn't a need for me.
My local PCP has done all my follow-up. Again, I did my research prior to
going for surgery and found a PCP who would follow me post wls and post
plastics. Insurance has paid for everything post op, including semi-annual
doctor visits, labwork, stitch and drain removal - everything.
Best of luck to you and your mother!
— [Deactivated Member]
April 8, 2005
I would be very careful about going to a doctor in Mexico. I did some
research and really didn't find anything on this particular doctor, but I
did, however, see something on a Bariatric surgeon in Mexico that wasn't to
flattering just recently and the name is very familiar to me. I wish I
could remember what show and what channel, but it was in the last 2 or 3
weeks.
It's always MUCH safer to stay in the U.S. We have standards that other
countries, especially Mexico, do not.
I hope things work out O.K. for you and your Mom and that she can find a
much better and safer alternative.
God bless!
— pollypat
April 8, 2005
Thanks for all the posts. My original intent was to see if anyone had heard
of Dr. Sanchez. I wouldn't negate the medical care in Mexico - that was
never my intent. My intent was to find info about Dr. Sanchez.
My issue is this - what sane, professional doctor will take a patient in 3
weeks and require no pre op testing? After a bit more research...I found
Dr. Sanchez is trained in ...ready?....dentistry. A dentist will do her lap
band. It's ridiculous. I cannot find any other info on him. Thanks for all
the posts!
— goddesschyyld
April 11, 2005
I read something a while back about people who got a lap-band in Mexico and
then they tried to get fills in the US and couldn't get anyone to do the
fills for them. That's a real big issue.
— nursekuba
April 11, 2005
Definitely steer your mom to a more (much more!) reputable doctor in MX. As
scary as a dentist performing lapband surgery in MX is, it also happens in
the US. I have heard horror stories of people getting plastics done in the
US by dentists that take a weekend training course. This really does sound
like your mom just wants to have the surgery done quickly. How much
research has she done on WLS in general? Has she even tried to get her
insurance to pay here in the US? Was the decision to have WLS a pretty
sudden one? There are some really good docs in MX, but you do have to do
some research, just like here. I'm glad you were able to find out about
Sanchez before you mom went to him. If she is going to have to self-pay,
and is determined to go South, she could use Dr. Aguirre, or Rumbault (sp).
Check the South of the Border forums and they can help steer you and her to
a good Mexican doctor. Good Luck.
— Ali M
April 17, 2005
Hi. Surgery "over there" is really a "ticket to
trouble." Rememeber, you have no legal protection, no insurance to
back you up in case of problems, and as others have mentioned, possibly a
hard time finding a doc here to follow up with. I might add that there is
virtually NO regulation of the hospital industry in Mexico.
— DrL
April 18, 2005
I have been doing research on the Mexican surgeons who do the lap band
surgery for over a year now. One place to hear testimonials from actual
patients of several of the doctors is by joining the Yahoo group,
MexicanBandsters (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mexicanbandsters). Dr.
Sanchez is one of the top surgeons from what I can see...and not sure where
the info about him being a dentist was found...but its apparently wrong.
Here is some info on his credentials.
Dr. Rodolfo Sanchez is a certified Inamed proctor and has proctored some
the most highly esteemed Mexican doctors as well as doctors from the United
States, Central and South America.
Dr. Sanchez uses the 11 cm Inamed band as well as the 9.75 cm and 10 cm
Inamed bands approved in the United States.
Dr. Sanchez has had some of the finest surgical training in the world.
After graduating from medical school, he worked at the side of Dr. Denton
Cooley at the famed Texas Heart Institute.
He is not only known for his training and surgical expertise, but as an
outstanding professor who is currently teaching other doctors in the
Americas, this great life-saving and life-giving technique.
Dr. Sanchez is among the Top 10 Lap-Band surgeons in the world.
He was the leader in bringing laparoscopic banding surgery to North America
in 1995 and has been performing the Lap-Band procedure since, with over
3,500 patients. In addition to his surgical skills, Dr. Sanchez is a kind
and caring human being.
Curriculum Vitae:
Rodolfo de Jesus Sanchez, MD.
Specialist in General Surgery for Obesity, Thoracic, Vascular and
Endosurgery.
1970-1976
Graduated in Medicine, Monterrey University
Ced.Prof. 536799
S.S.A. 68255
1983-1997 Professor of Anatomy and Physiology, ITESM School of Medicine
1983-2000 Associate Clinical Professor of Gral. Surgery, ITESM School of
Medicine
Postgrade Training
1980 General Surgery Resident, San Jose Hospital, Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
1982 Fellowship in Cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Texas Heart
Institute, Houston, TX USA
Postgrade Courses
1991 Houston, Laser Institute, USA. Basic Laparoscopy
1993 Texas Endosurgery Institute, San Antonio. TX USA.
1996 Cleveland Clinic, USA. Advanced Laparoscopy
1998 Degree by ITESM, Monterrey, N.L. Mexico Clinical Nutrition and Obesity
Board Certificate:
Mexican Council of General Surgery
Mexican Council of Thoracic Surgery
International Member:
Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons
Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS)
Denton A. Cooley Cardiovascular Society
International Federation for Surgery of Obesity
American Society for Bariatric Surgery
Latin American Society for Endosurgery
National Member:
Mexican Society for General Surgery
Mexican Society for Laparoscopic Surgery
Mexican Society for Gastroenterology
Mexican Society for Surgery of Obesity
— BigPretty001
April 18, 2005
I just wanted to make some observations because you will hear all sorts of
answers both positive and negative. I attended Lap Band Program
Coordinator Training in Tijuana, Mexico. It was a very thorough program
and the little hospital was pristine - absolutely pristine. However, if
you had surgery in Mexico, the docs I worked for wouldn't do your fills
because it was too great a liability and there was no insurance coverage.
I have even heard of docs charging over $1000 to do fills for patients who
went to Mexico. As far as the doc having patient testimonials - I feel
pretty sure he DIDN'T pay them as this is considered unethical and all my
experience with the docs in Mexico suggests they're good surgeons. I can't
say a thing bad about the docs or the facility but I can tell you from
personal experience having worked in the field of bariatric surgery for the
last 4 years that even though they're good doctors, you do put yourself at
a much greater risk if you have complications. It's a WIN/WIN LOSE/LOSE
situation. If you have no complications it's a much cheaper option. If
you have complications you could be in real trouble. Tough call! Best
wishes to you!
— ronascott
April 19, 2005
Apparently this question was posted by a "patient coordinator"
for another Doc in Mexico...its apparently a scam to bad mouth other
Mexican doctors and possibly try to gain patients... I sent an email to
the person who posted the message...and here is the response I received:
From: [email protected]
I am a coordinator for Dr. Rumbaut. I would love to
speak with you more.
I do not have any facts to comment on Dr sanchez,
however I would love to give you some insight on Dr.
Rumbaut.
Please feel free to call me anytime
Thank you
Kristie Rivington
Mariposa LLC
www.mariposalapbandsurgery.com
800-770-8072
after 5:00 623-398-8274
— BigPretty001
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