Fernando B.

Choosing a surgeon and putting my life in his hands, was not a problem for me. I have known Dr. Gutierrez for many years before deciding to have a Lap Band placed. After learning Dr. Gutierrez created a team to treat severe obesity, I knew he and his team were my best choice. Their process is simple, I flew from Chicago to the San Diego airport, I was met by the transportation hostess in the airport. She drove me every where I needed to go during the whole time I was there. The hotel and medical facilities are top tier and the human touch is superb.

The surgery was quick only 25 minutes and I experienced very little discomfort.

The food suggestions and post operative care was well explained clearly to me. I have lost 130 pounds and have not perform an adjustment yet. I have been banded for 3 years, I have downsize my waist from 52 to 42. My energy has boosted, I have new clothes, my physical activities are much easier to do, and after my surgery I have lost the cravings for bread, tortilla and sodas.

I reccomend the Gastric Band system to everybody who has tried to loose weight with no success, and regarding the team, look no more, Dr. Gutierrez’s team is the best. They believe in results and safety.



Eva S.

My story begins like most all of us who have struggled with there weight for years. I diet, exercise, try diet drugs, diet programs, personal trainers etc… I would love to share with you how my story changed though and how I hope many of you reading this will change your story.

I began my Lap-band journey in May of 2004. My sister had Gastric Bypass the year before and was very successful. I wasn’t a good candidate for Bypass but had struggled everyday to maintain a weight of around 200 lbs. I had finally given up and decided 200 was where I was probably going to be.

I was a size 18. My sister suggested I go to her doctor and explore other procedures. I went through the process only to be told I wasn’t heavy enough for any surgery but they could help with a nutrition program. Been there done that, it hasn’t worked before.

After being told NO I decided to look at other options. I had searched the internet and came across a group of people called “Bandsters”. This was a help group for people who had the Lap-band surgery. The one thing they all had in common was they had received their surgery outside the USA. The thought of having surgery in another country and never entered my mind. Through the bandsters I discovered Dr. Gutierrez and the group he works with. After several personal phone calls from his patient facilitator and his screening process, he told me I would be a good candidate. His philosophy was a little different than the US doc’s. Why should I have to wait to weigh 300+ or have more serious health problems to have a surgery that can save my life? I currently had no serious problems but did have chronic pain in my back and knee’s and took medication everyday of my life. How can this be good?

I scheduled my surgery for October 5th 2004. From August to October I did as much research as I could on what type of bands where available and success rates of each kind.
The patient facilitator stayed in touch with me and answered every question I could think of. I probably wore him out with questions. I am in the medical field here in the US so I was especially interested in sterile technique, the facility itself and many other things. I have to tell you the day I stepped off that plane and Dr. G’s assistant was waiting for me I was scared to death. What the heck was I doing I thought to myself. I did have a friend with me who was having the surgery and my sister. As we drove across the border I felt like I was having an anxiety attack but when we arrived to Dr. G’s office and met with him I knew I had made the right decision. He discussed what was going to be happening throughout the day with Xray’s and blood test and what to expect when we go to surgery and then recovery. He drove with us to the labs and to the hotel. I have never seen a Doctor who cared so much about the care you were receiving. I felt very reassured.

Everything went exactly as planned. The surgery center was amazing. The care I received by the staff was beyond words. I met everyone on the team before the surgery and was very well taken care of. I felt like a queen. Do I have to go home Now?

Its been 2 and ½ years since the surgery and I have been back to Mexico 2 times. I was 217 the day of my surgery and have lost 80 lbs since. I just bought my first size 6 pants and have not been this happy about the way I look in years. The sad thing is when I wanted to write this letter to Dr. G. I searched to find a before picture of myself and could not find one anywhere. I refused to let my family take a picture of me. Now I jump in front of the camera and enjoy life so much more. Thank you Dr. Gutierrez and your team. You have changed my life. I love hearing from you in your emails and I know you are a phone call away if I need you. Please have anyone who is interested in hearing more about my experience email me ejsombathy@yahoo.com