Hospital Angeles in Tijuana, Mexico Performs Lap Band Surgery No. 2,500 on Georgia Mom, Facilitated by WorldMed Assist

Dalton, GA (PRWEB) April 4, 2008 -- Angela Jones just learned that she became the 2,500th patient to undergo lap band surgery at Hospital Angeles in Tijuana, Mexico. She followed patient number one by just over two years. "This was a significant milestone for the hospital because 95% of its bariatric patients come from north of the Mexico border," said Wouter Hoeberechts, CEO of WorldMed Assist (www.worldmedassist.com), the medical tourism company that facilitated all arrangements for Angela. "If anyone wonders how fast the trend of North Americans traveling for medical procedures is growing, Angela Jones and those who preceded her tell the story."

Hospital Angeles and WorldMed Assist decided to team up in celebration by awarding Angela a free lap band fill, a post-surgery procedure that restricts food intake.

"Wow, was I surprised," said Jones. "I knew this hospital had done a lot of these surgeries, but I didn't know it was that many, and that I'd be part of their celebration."

When Angela Jones began researching a permanent solution to her perpetual battle with excess weight, little did she know the trail would lead her first to WorldMed Assist (http://www.worldmedassist.com), and then to a hospital in the upscale Zona Rio of Tijuana.

After studying several weight loss surgery options, the solution she chose was lap band surgery. "I chose lap band over other weight loss surgeries because it's less drastic, adjustable, reversible and fast to recover from," Jones said. "I had two friends who'd gone to Mexico for this same surgery, and each lost 150 pounds. Once I'd made up my mind to go for it, I found WorldMed Assist on the internet and asked them to find an experienced medical team to perform the procedure at a price I could afford."

Among the options WorldMed Assist proposed was Dr. Juan Antonio Lopez Corvala at Hospital Angeles Tijuana. "I checked Dr. Lopez Corvala's background and was very impressed with his volume of lap band surgeries--over 3,000--and his track record. Then I checked out the hospital, and saw that it was very new, very modern. I was completely confident in my decision to go there."

Located just a hop across the U.S. border, Hospital Angeles Tijuana, performs the highest number of lap band surgeries among all hospitals in Mexico.

Carlos Zavala, Director of Business Development for Hospital Angeles Tijuana, explained the lap band. "It relies on an adjustable silicone ring place around the upper part of the stomach that is filled with saline to reduce the stomach capacity and restrict the amount of food that can be consumed at one time. The diameter of the band can be modified as patients lose weight or if circumstances change. For example, pregnant patients can expand their band to accommodate a growing fetus, while patients who aren't experiencing significant weight loss can have their bands tightened."

The procedure does not require stomach cutting and stapling or gastrointestinal re-routing to bypass normal digestion. More information about lap band surgery can be found at http://www.worldmedassist.com/Lap-Band-Surgery-Mexico.htm

Jones was away from her home in Dalton, Georgia for just two days. "I'm so glad I found WorldMed Assist. They made everything so easy, and stayed involved from my very first contact. Not only did they make all the arrangements for me in Mexico, they also helped me find a center to have my lap band filled that's only an hour away from my home. And now, this extra bonus of getting a free fill makes it even better!"

Would she recommend a trip to Hospital Angeles in Tijuana for others seeking a permanent weight loss solution? "Definitely. Everyone at the hospital was super nice and my doctor was terrific. The hospital was even more impressive in person than on the internet. Lap band surgery at home would have cost me more than $20,000. That's too much for me. My surgery in Mexico cost me $8000, everything included."

Jones plans to shed 80 pounds by fall. "The hospital urged me not to take it too fast, and recommended I plan on 10 months so I can maintain good nutrition," she said.

About WorldMed Assist

Experts in facilitating global health care, WorldMed Assist's mission is to improve lives by helping patients receive high quality medical treatment abroad at affordable prices. WorldMed Assist coordinates and simplifies every aspect of care and travel. WorldMed Assist also provides medical tourism as an option for self-insured businesses seeking expanded and affordable health care options for employees. Lap Band Surgery in Mexico is significantly less expensive than in the U.S., yet delivered with the same or higher quality care and results as set by U.S. standards. Waiting times are virtually eliminated, track records are proven, and facilities are state-of-the-art. For more information, visit http://www.worldmedassist.com.

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