Dr.Ponce de Leon

Had anyone used him for the sleeve? What kind of review would you give him? I'm hoping to get sleeved in Mexico this summer and am researching my options. Thanks!

You might want to check out the Mexico boards too!

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/MEXICO/

I didn't use Dr. Ponce, but figured that I would respond since you said you were researching options. I had my surgery with the Santa Fe Medical Group in Tijuana and had an excellent experience with them. My surgeon was by far one of the best I have ever met, and I have had a lot of experience with surgeries here in the US, and met a number of surgeons in my day. I was a bit nervous about going to MX for surgery, but that was quickly diminished when I talked to my bariatric surgeon. He spoke perfect English, and took the time to answer all of my question before surgery. SFMG has an excellent pre-op and post-op support system, I love the fact that they provided that extra support after you leave Mexico, its sort of a rare thing when having surgery in other countries to find. I'm over a year and a half out, and I can still call the post op staff if I have question about eating, or how to break a stall, etc. They really care about the success of their patients. Best of luck on your surgery.

There is a person who just had surgery with him and has been posting quite a bit since - it's clear that his aftercare and follow-up instructions are horrific.  I'd avoid him at all cost.  

Here is her most recent post -- http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/5250418/Help-in-Next-p hase-of-eating/

Gwen, I wouldn't be so quick...Spencerella used this surgeon and she was wildly successful. I think after care varies but if the surgery is in Mexico, and then the patient goes back home, they don't necessarily have access to a "programme" as such. I know Linda (Spencerella) never wondered what she should be eating. I also sent that poster who seems to be lost SIX post op eating plans and booklets including mine, an older version of the Cirangle plan and several others and she is still wondering what she should be doing. I honestly think her situation is more a reflection of her own lack of research and preparation. I had no follow up programme or any after care with my surgeon at all. Yet I never asked questions like that. And my surgeon is a pioneer in the WLS field and sleeve specifically. No reason to avoid - on the contrary, he did a fantastic cutting job! It is all here really and plenty of post VSG eating plans on the internet. Just gotta use the ole grey matter a bit and not expect to be spoon fed at every turn. 

I definitely think it's possible to be successful if you're a proactive person, even if your aftercare program is lacking.  However, I see that those people tend to be exceptions, not the rule.  And I'm not sure why someone would pay so much of their money and a) not be proactive, b) choose a surgeon with a suboptimal aftercare program, or c) both.  If I'm going to be investing such a large chunk of change, I want to get my money's worth!  

True definitely. But if people go abroad for their surgery, how much after care can they really expect? Have to be proactive! I am super happy with my surgeon but I knew it was not going to be a substantial after care programme so I armed myself in advance with all the info. 

Sadly just because people have to be proactive doesn't mean they are, eh? :(

Indeed!