What about Dr. Zapata?

[hopefulchurch2000]

I contacted Dr. Sanchez's office and received an email suggesting Dr. Zapata who is apparently in with Dr. Sanchez now. Has anyone had surgery with this physician? I am trying to narrow down my search to about 3 surgeons so I can focus in on their individual practices. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.:rolleyes:

[DebbieChoos]

You will find a few people on this board that have used Dr. Zapata or are scheduled with him. Dr. Sanchez will be taking on less patients as he wishes to lighten his surgical load. Dr. Zapata has a great history with gastric bypass but also does the lapband. ready4achange has selected him to be their next "Dr. Sanchez" once he retires.

Both my partner and her sister had Dr. Z this past May for their surgeries. I have never met a more professional, friendly and patient doctor. The hospital was better than any hospital that I had been to in the states. He has not completed as many lapbands as Dr. Sanchez, but we are all more than happy with his results.

Judycay has now joined this board, she is a patient coordinator with ready4achange. You can get a wealth of info from her here or through the ready4achange group. If you feel more comfortable with Dr. Sanchez you can always request that he is your surgeon and they should be able to accommodate you. I know that Judy told us that Dr. Sanchez is really trying to "retire" so to speak so I don't know how much longer he will be performing lapband surgery. With the amount of lapbands that he has done it's a wonder that he has any free time!

Hope this helps, there are several great docs in Mexico and you will find alot of info on this site. Most seem to have used Sanchez, Ortiz or Rhumbard and all are extremely happy. Good luck in your adventure!!

Debbie

[Idahobeauty]

I am going to be banded by Dr. Zapata on the 10th of November. I went through ready4achange and so far all has been wonderful. I spoke with Janet and it was so easy. I will let you know after my surgery how it went but I have read nothing but good about Dr. Zapata.

[hopefulchurch2000]

Thank you so much for that information. I am still early in research and all this information helps tremendously.

[hopefulchurch2000]

Idahobeauty, I would appreciate you sharing your journey with me. First hand accounts...you can't get any better than that. Good luck and best regards!

[Idahobeauty]

Hopefulchurch2000,

I will be happy to share my journey with you. I will contact you as soon as I get back. I leave on the 8th and will be back on the 12th.

[PhotoNut]

Hey Susan.. be sure to take a camera with you. I'd love to see some pics of the facilities, the staff and the hotel you'll be in. Have someone there take after surgery pics of you too. You'll be glad you have the record when you get further down the road.

I sure wish I were going with ya! You're so brave to travel all that way by yourself for surgery. I'm impressed! :)

[Idahobeauty]

P'Nut, I will take a camera for sure! :nod: I will have someone there take pics of me right after surgery. I took "before" pics last night. I wish you were going too. I just realized last night that with school being out thurs and friday I could have taken my son with me! I checked airline tickets but they are now up to 800.00 each :eek: I will be fine. I have so much support with my family and you guys that I will never feel alone! I just have to remember to update my cell phone before I leave wed so I can call from Monterrey.

[Idahobeauty]

Just a quick update. I will post full details as soon as I can sit long enough to get it all on here.

Dr. Zapata is a wonderful surgeon, dr., human being. His profession goes deeper than just being a fabulous sugeon. He is kind, caring and his attention to detail is amazing. I often threatened to try to stuff him in my bag and bring him home with me! I felt like I was not just a patient but a friend and he truly shows compassion for his patients. I would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone considering having their band done in Mexico!

[jsmarr]

Tell me about follow up and fills after having surgery in Mexico. Do you think the followup with a different program...surgeon is as comprehensive.

[Idahobeauty]

Jsmarr, I can give you my experience. I have my fills done through Fill Centers USA which is a network of doctors that will fill Mexico banded patients. My doctor is 3 hours away but she is absolutely awesome. I have had great care and I can contact my Dr. at any time and she is there for me. I have had great care. I would recommend that you check into doctors in your area before you have surgery in Mexico. Not all doctors will fill a person banded in Mexico and the Fill Centers USA is a small network at this point. I look at it this way. Yes, I drive 6 hours (round trip) for a fill, but I live in Idaho and going back to Mexico for fills is just not reasonable for me. If I could go back to Mexico for my free fills and aftercare, they would fill me with minimal saline and I would have to go back several times a year. My fill doctor here started me off with a HUGE fill and I have only been to her 4 times. I saved TONS of money and got awesome care right here in the US. So, to answer your question, yes, I do think the care back in the US is just as comprehensive.

[DonHoll1]

Hi! I just returned from Mexico and Dr. Zapata. He was great and the hospital he uses was beautiful. I heard Dr. Sanchez was killed. I do not know if it is true but i heard it in Mexico from another patient. Santos and Alma were great too and Janet is as nice as can be. So glad to have my band. Donna

[wearyroad]

I had surgery by Dr. Sanchez and Dr. Zapata and just loved them both. I sure miss Dr. Sanchez. Dr. Zapata is a true humanatarin and as sweet as they come and one of if not the most experienced that there is. Over 7000 surgeries. I took pics while I was in the hospital and the guesthouse and of Monterrey in general if anyone ever wants to see what a fabulous hospital it is and the guesthouse is awesome. They are two of the best surgeons as far as I'm concerned in the world.