Ariel Ortiz Lagardere Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

My first impression of Dr. Ortiz was great, He is full of life and very much a people person. As my husband and I talked with him, his personality never differed, he was very informative, personably and very funny. His staff is so friendly and are there to answer any questions. He told us that in any surgery there is always risk of things that could happen. I would suggest anyone going to him I liked him that much, he really knows what he is doing and talking about, he even has written a book called (lap band for life, excellent book and informative I might add). To me competence and bedside manner's are both extremely important.

Drs. Ortiz and Martinez were great. The facility was top notch and I was very impressed! I have no regrets!

I have heard all wonderful things about him. I cannot wait to meet him.

I haven't met him yet but his staff is very kind, caring and knowledgeble. I will let you know more as I know more.

Dr. Ortiz was great. The office staff has the system down to an art. I arrived monday and did all the necessary pre-op work. I had Surgery Tuesday, I had the option to stay another day in a hotel near the office, but I felt so good I went home. There were five of us who had surgery that day. Three of us felt so good we opted to leave rather than stay another day.

One had some nausea, but felt better after 24 hours, the fifth had plane reservations that were difficult to change, but she was doing very well.

Dr. Ortiz was one of the first of a group of doctors to try to persuade the world that this was an excellent surgery with excellent outcomes. He finally suceeded. My insurance company finally has agreed to start covering the procedure. I had already pre paid and really did not want the fight anyway so I went forward as a self pay. I wish you all luck.

He is an excellent surgeon, has an excellent staff, and has a great bedside manner. For the Lapband I would say he is one of the top 5 in the world.

Dr Ortiz was wonderful. his staff of doctors that assisted him were great! The hospital staff was great. The hospital was clean and family friendly. Dr Ortiz and his staff answered all of our questions and concerns. The traveling arrangements his staff made for us was wonderful. I would recommend him anytime!

I wasn't nervous about my decision to go to Mexico to have my surgery done until the umpteenth person asked me, "You're going to MEXICO?!" Once I met Dr. Ortiz and the very competent and friendly staff there, however, I was completely relaxed. The girl drawing the blood for the pre-ops even got me on the first stick, which impressed me greatly.. being so obese, my veins are of course invisible to even experienced eyes. The surgery went off without a hitch, and I recovered so well they let me out the next day. A day after that, I was in San Diego, on a whale watching tour! I would recommend Dr. Ortiz to anyone who decided on this surgery to help them change their lives!

I had my first phone consultation with Dr. Ortiz yesterday. What a nice guy! He answered all of my questions completely and spent over 30 minutes with me on the phone! He was very personable and courteous on the phone with me. I had a ton of questions and his patience shows!! I can't wait to see how his bedside manner is! (it doesnt hurt that he is adorably good looking either hee hee hee)

His office staff (especially Sandy) has been phenomenal! I can't believe how wonderful the experience has been thus far. I look forward to meeting him in person and all of his staff!

DR. ORTIZ IS GORGEOUS, BUT HE IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPERIENCE LAPBAND SURGEONS IN THE WORLD. HE PROTORS FOR INAMED AND WAS RECOMMEND BY DR. GROSSBARD THAT WAS BANDED BY DR. ORTIZ ALSO.

MY IMPRESSIN HAS NOT CHANGED.
DR. ORTIZ STAFF ARE WONDERFULL AND INFORMATIVE.
LEAST LIKED - HE'S MARRIED!
I PREVIOUSLY HAD A VBG BUT HAD GAINED ALL MY WEIGHT BACK, DR. ORTIZ DID A REVISION ON ME.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT, THAT IS WHY I SEE DR. GROSSBARD HERE IN FLA. AND ALSO WILL RETURN TO DR. ORTIZ.
HIS FILLS IN TIJUANA ARE WITH FLUROSCOPE.
HE TOLD ME THAT MY HEALTH WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, AND IF WHEN HE WENT IN THERE WAS ANY REASON HE WOULD NOT LAPBAND ME.
A+++
HE'S THE GREATEST IN BOTH AREAS.

I havnt met Dr. Ortiz yet, I wont meet him until I arrive on Feb. 14th for my pre-op.

The office staff is amazing, I had contacted many offices in Mexico and none of them were as professionsl and helpful and compassionate as them. She took the time to talk to be for about an hour and answered every question I had until I was completely saticfied.

I received a very thourough package in the mail that required the same types of information and precare that is exspected here in America. I was told that if it looks like my WLS isnt safe to do for any reason, Dr. Ortez will not do it.

So far, I only have phone conversations and paperwork to judge by.. and compared to the other resources I had been checking out in mexico...and factoring in a very bad obesity program here in my home town and A most excellent one in Portland with Emma Patterson... I would rate Dr. Ortez (so far) and 8.