maplewillow1 Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 I have been assessed and approved twice in the past six years for WLS and couldn't get insurance to pay.So now I have decided to go to DR. Ortiz. The problem is explaining to my friends and family. They think I'm crazy considering going to Mexico. They think I'll get second rate surgery, or be killed. How did you get your support people to understand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vhatch Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 I had the same exact problem. My mom cried for two days. Finally, I just said, "Look, Dr. Ortiz is the best. He TAUGHT the surgeons here (in Salt Lake City) how to do the procedure. Do you want me to go to the teacher or the student? You can go online and learn about this, or you can go on freaking out. My life is just as important to me as it is to you, and I promise you, I will not take any chances with it. Go educate yourself instead of making assumptions that make me feel bad." Your support people love you, and they want you to stick around. I was wigging out over going to Mexico at first, too. But the more I learned, the more I realized the expert lived in Mexico. Nothing you can do about that! The hotel and hospital are above reproach. In fact, I've worked in healthcare for 15 years, and I would give Dr. O and his hospital (actually, an outpatient surgical center) my heartiest endorsement. If you haven't bought his book, get it. It has become something of a bible for me--and many others I've talked to. And when people ask questions, you can just hand it to them. Good Luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julestpafl Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 It's something I think we all have faced. Recent news reports about surgeries in border towns hasn't helped. I too faced concern from my family and friends. I was fortunate to have a dear friend who is a licensed medical doctor go with me to Tijuana. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Ortiz allowed my friend to scrub in and attend the surgery. They were very informative and explained each procedure as they worked. Afterward, she let me know that they are excellent surgeons who are highly skilled in this procedure. It made me feel better about recommending the doctors to others and gave my family and friends assurance that I'd made the right decision. Hope my story helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choldren Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 You read my mind!! I am being banded 8/24/05, this coming Wed. I decided not to tell anyone in my family or friends but my husband (he's going with me) said he thought someone should know in case something happened to both of us. Well, I told my daughter (an adult). She came down on me so much that I cried all night but this is my decision and my decision only! The only person that will tell me not to do it is my husband (hopefully he wouldn't dare) or decide on my own. Anyone reading this....if you think you should tell a loved one, just make sure you have talked with them before about the procedure and they understand everything. Don't tell a close relative, like I did, and they make you feel like you're making a fool of yourself. I am still looking forward to being banded. I know it will not be a walk in the park but in the long run I know I will be glad I did it! Anyone having similar stories to tell, please tell them, it will make you feel better to get it out of your system! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WannaBeABrickHouse Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 I'm sorry some of you had the experiences you have had with telling your family members. I think sometimes people fear the unknown and all we hear living in the United States are the horror stories of having surgery in other countries. I've grown up in the city of Chula Vista, CA which is 5 minutes from Tijuana. Because of the close proximity and the expense of having medical care in the US without insurance, it is very common for my friends and family to get their health care in Mexico. My mom doesn't have dental insurance and has gone to her dentist in TJ for years. The doctor is wonderful! My Grandma goes to a Parkinson's specialist and gets most of her medication down there, because she couldn't afford it up here even with Medicare. One of my friends had plastic surgery and couldn't be happier with the results. Because of these and many others first hand experiences, plus with the research I've done on Dr. Ortiz it's makes me feel very confident I am doing the right thing. (Have you Googled him? All I found were fabulous responses.) Plus I've found out that he lives in Chula Vista so we have a little in common. If your support system is still not convinced after telling them how confident you are that you will be safe. Tell them to do their own research, read the posts in this forum and express their opinions to you after they have some knowledge on the subject. After you have surgery you will have a lot of work to do and need to focus on getting well and that is difficult when you have someone giving you a hard time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maplewillow1 Posted August 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2005 Thank you all for your comments. I think I'll print off this page. I have made up MY mind but this might make others feel better. I'm really quite excited about the adventure. This forum is awesome because people are so honest. Thanks again. Maplewillow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenBee Posted August 28, 2005 Report Share Posted August 28, 2005 Well, I'd just like to say I just had my surgery with Dr Ortiz and I would TOTALLY recommend him. Honestly, I did a ton of research on him before I went and knew I had made the right decision in choosing a doctor. He has been doing it longer than most Dr's in the US and he's trained Dr's in the US - so why not go to the best? I wouldn't hesitate for a second recommending him if someone has decided on having this procedure done. And I still cannot get over how easy this was and I'm really not feeling much pain now either - just a little soreness in the port area. Best of luck to you and if any questions him, just have them check out the forums and his site and consider reading his book. I ordered mine and it hasn't arrived yet, but another patient had a copy when I was down there and it was very informative and I would definitely recommend reading it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julie Posted August 29, 2005 Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 I read and article I found somewhere on the internet and it was entitled: The Incredible Shrinking Woman. It was a story about a woman who went to TJ for her band and it helped me make my decision to get the band. I have the story printed at home somewhere. Did anyone else read this article? If you can find it and print it and give it to you loved-ones to read, it will totally put their minds at ease. Hope someone knows where or how to find this wonderful success story. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maplewillow1 Posted August 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 Congratulations Queen Bee. I hope you are feeling well and thanks for the recommendation. Marilyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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