melissa25

Good luck!

My surgery is April 22nd in Tijuana with dr Ramos-Kelly.
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I will be having surgery April 27th

Mine recommended the flint stone chewable. The Bariatric ones didn't sit well on my tummy. I use a multi Vitamin Gummy and a b complex. Oh and a B12 sublingual.

Your surgeon or nutritionist should be able to provide you with a list. Mine was:
Bariatric Multivitamin Calcium +D3 liquid B12 Probiotic

Clearly anyone who is still using Dr. Almanza at this point hasn't done a single minute of research into surgeons, so they probably won't see this post. There are dozens of reports about complications and deaths. This site ended it's affiliation with Almanza months ago and there are many multi-page threads about why. My fear is, this information clearly isn't making it into the hands of his potential patients, because he preys upon those who do little to no research.

There is one for a place called a lighter me (official page) but you can type in April with that name and it should come up . I'm apart of it and love it
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There is one for a place called a lighter me (official page) but you can type in April with that name and it should come up . I'm apart of it and love it
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My surgery is with Dr. Mario Almanza in Mexico April 25th 2016.

I'm having surgery April 15th in TJ with Dr. Cabrera

I will be having surgery April 27th

I am an April 24 sleeved with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and I am so excited !!!!
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I will be having surgery April 27th

I am having surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz April 6, 2016 @ Melissa25. What is your date??

April 4 in Houston!!
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I'm having surgery April 1 with Dr. Ariel Ortiz.

I recently rec'd VSG with Dr. Zavalza in Tijuana at Florence Hospital on Jan 12th. First, it was such a unique and exciting experience. As a Registered Nurse, I notice bedside manner, customer service, and clinical expertise. Dr. Zavalza exceeds in all 3 categories and provides such personalized care.

When we arrived in SanDiego, I didn't know exactly what to expect with the staff at BariatricPal. We were picked up at the airport by Roberto as soon as we landed. He eased our anxiety by providing a geographic tour as we drove to Tijuana. He was so friendly and professional that my faith in the process was quickly building. As we arrived to the florence Hospital,I admit I apprehensive as it was not like the large Medical Facility I was familiar with in the States but I remained open minded as I had been reassured by others. Immediately upon arrival, the staff was attentive and friendly. We also met Juan from Bariatricpal. He was waiting upon our arrival to the hospital. Now Juan was a hoot. He took such good care of my husband and took him out to eat (some of the best food ever according to my husband). Juan also took us shopping and explained the city quirks and cultures.

My surgery was a success with only 4 incisions and my only pain was gas. I was up and walking hours after surgery. I was discharged feeling great after 2 days and we transferred to the Grand Hotel which was nice. We received visits from Dr. Zavalza, Roberto, and Juan while at the hotel checking on us. Each one always made themselves available 24/7 with the upmost sincereity.

Roberto drove us back to San Diego with a gift and a hug! Overall, I would not be reluctant to return to Tijuana. Furthermore, I would highly Recommend Dr. Zavalza!!!!! Also, you want to ask for Roberto and Juan to feel taken care of and for fun experience.

Well here I am day 2 post op (I was sleeved Friday 3/4). amd since I'm relaxing by the pool right now I figure I may as well post a review, right?
Let me first tell you a bit about me. I'm a single mom, 33 years old and live in the Washington DC area. I'm 5'5 and my highest weight was 273 lbs. Over the last year I'd worked to lose some weight so I started my pre--op diet at 250. At the end of my pre-op diet, I weighed in at the Guadalajara Hospital at 235, so not too bad.
Day 1- Surgery Day March 4th. I caught a 8:48 am flight out of Dulles Airport directly to San Diego. Of course, it's snowing in Washington DC, but my flight made it out and on time, so I was happy. When I got off the plane, I had a phone call from the Bariatric Pal driver Memo, who was ready to pick me up. I made my way out of the airport, and found a "letter" outside and told him where I was. He found me, and off we went. I brought my dad with me as a companion, so we loaded up the car, and off to Guadalajara Hospital we go. Memo was great, we didn't get stopped by border patrol, so we made it to the hospital in about 30 to 40 min, if I were to guesstimate.
Inside the hospital I was greeted by Little Robert. He will become your best friend. I'm not even kidding.he's the best. Little Robert helped me with registration. Just like a hospital in the US, you have to check in. Unlike hospitals in the US, the forms and most of the people at Guadalajara hospital speak Spanish. I don't speak any spanish. Not even a little bit. So Robert was there and helped me translate what the paperwork said, and communicate with the hospital staff. So I get all checked in, got my TV remote (yeah, you get that at check in), and I went to the seating area to be lead to my room. We make it to the room (which was very comfortable, btw... had a bed, a bathroom and shower, a large tv, and a place for your companion to sleep). I get to strip and put on my ultra cool hospital gown, and then it's IV time. I had told Robert I was horrified of needles, because I am, so he asked the phebotomists to stick me only with the iV and draw blood from there. It was as great as getting a needle in your hand could be. After getting my IV and blood drawn, I got my blood pressure taken (I have white coat syndrome...in any drs office my blood pressure skyrockets, and a little "cocktail" to take the edge off, Dr. T came in to go over my medical history. At the same time, I got my EKG.
While we were waiting on bloodwork, Dr A came in and chatted with me, and let me tell you- he's sooo personable and great. I can't sing of his praises any more. I was completely comfortable placing my life in his hands. Dr A went to get ready for me in the OR, and I was wheeled down there as well. I met Dr Ag the anesthesiaologiest (I spelled that way wrong), and she's wonderful as well. I switched beds over to the operating room bed, chatted with Dr. A and Dr Ag. Dr A held my hand, and told me everything was going to be just great, I remember saying, yes, I know it will be, and then I woke up in recovery. I have no recollection of being in recovery at all. I just remember being wheeled back to my room. I was pretty groggy that night, and was slightly uncomfortable from the CO2 gas that had settled in my shoulders. I just walked and walked and then took naps and walked some more. My dad and Robert went out for dinner, and I think they had a great time. Then I went to sleep for a while.
Day 2: A pretty uneventful day at the hospital. The staff keept it very very clean. While the majority didn't speak english, they went out of their way to communicate with me. Even translating on their phone what they wanted to say. They came in every so often to give me antibiotics and pain killers. I met Paola the Bariatric Pal nutritionist, and we went over the next steps with my diet. She's very sweet and I look forward to working with her. Robert and my dad went out on the town again and got some food. I took a nap. Did more walking, etc. Again, a very uneventful day spent healing. Dr A went on vacation, so he sent his colleague, who also helped with my surgery in to check on me. All was well, and he said I was looking good.
Day 3: Checkout of Hospital Day. In the morning, the nurse came in and let me take a shower. I took off my bandages and checked out my new battle scars. Not so bad. I was fortunate and Dr A only had to make 4 incisions. So shower was great, Robert came and helped me check out of the hospital, as you have to sign some paperwork to get out. He also helped explain my perscriptions to me, as they were written in spanish too. Got all that figured out, and Stacy showed up to drive me to the hotel. The recovery houses were full, so I'm at the Holiday Inn. Bill Yanez came by to say hi as well. I swear, everyone in Bariatric Pal is like family. Because I'm an active member in the Facebook groups, it's like I already knew everyone, and I was visiting friends. I truely adore the BP MX team. This hotel is great. I've spent the last several hours drinking a bottled Water at the pool, sitting and enjoying the weather. Tomorrow, Stacy is taking me back to the airport.
Overall, I'm so happy with my decision to come to Mexico. I know that it can be a somewhat scary choice to leave our own country and go have surgery somewhere else. I get it. But I have no regrets at all, everything has been smooth sailing, and I am thrilled. I highly recommend Dr A, and of course the BP MX team as well.
If anyone has any questions, I'll gladly assist in answering them :)

You can use any flavor. We have some great example liquid meal plans for pre and post surgery posted here. You can mix and match and you don't necessarily have to use our products

Is there a specific flavor that can be used for the clear liquid phase?

I suggest you get single packets for traveling. We offer variety packs so you can try out many flavors and see which you prefer.

Awesome I will be looking into the Protein because I will be on clear liquid diet as well and I wasn't sure what to take for the long plane ride [emoji28]

For traveling to/from Mexico for my surgery, I bought Syntrax Nectar, because it makes a "clear" shake and I had to be on Clear Liquids the day before surgery and in the days immediately post-op. I also bought some of the Unjury chicken broth, because I was allowed broth during my clear liquids phase.

Hey Melissa, Dr. Ortiz did my VSG on 1/29 ...he is great ...the whole team is wonderful... They will bring u wherever you want to go... I even got some dental work done while there... My only surprise and concern was that I was his last surgery for the day and it was at like 7pm ... He assured me I was in good hands and that he performs 6 of these surgeries a day... You will be very pleased with A Lighter Me ???? Sent from my SM-N910T using the BariatricPal App

Hi All,
I'm 3 weeks post-op from my sleeve surgery on March 4th. I wanted to pay-it-forward and share my detailed experience in Mexico. I can only hope that it will help at least one reader gain some additional insight on this experience. Besides, I was helped by so many with their stories. Here's mine... here goes...
(***** warning long post ******)
_______
Tuesday, March 3rd - Travel Day - It's really here!!!!!
I arrived in San Diego, CA airport; flight was delayed due to weather in Atlanta. Either way, I didn't get in until 7:00pm local. However, the driver, Ricardo, was at the airport and I Iiterally walked out of the airport and into the waiting van. Love the curbside service. His English was very good.
Arriving in Mexico was truly uneventful - only took 35 mins - until we came through the section where there were no real traffic lights and cars came out of every direction imaginable. I'm used to driving in New York and Europe so it didn't phase me, but my ex-police officer cousin was on edge. Imagine that! Got in late so the nurse had to come to my hotel room to take my blood. Didn't quite like that, but it would help with surgery the next day. The Tijuana Marriott was just like being in the states. Nothing at all any different. I travel a lot and felt quite at home.
Wednesday, March 4th - SURGERY DAY - My journey begins....
I met my sleeve buddy for the first time in the hotel lobby. My best-friend cancelled - she was not getting the support from her parents and couldn't mentally pull it off due to job demands. She says she will do it at a later day - hope she does.
We had to go to a separate location to have the EKG done. The office didn't look like a clinic, but some things are just different. EKG was fine even though the nerves reality kicked in and I felt my heart would jump out of my chest and do the EKG for me.They took my weight; elated to learn that I lost 20 pounds on the pre-op diet. Yippie.
We were taken straight to VIDA Hospital - beautiful, absolutely beautiful place. Dr. alejandro lopez was my surgeon. They prepped me for surgery, but couldn't get a vein because I was dehydrated - possibly from the flight. After getting stuck 3 times, I had to stop them and say a prayer. I knew I hadn't come this far to be rescheduled. A more experienced nurse, Fatima, came in and with some work was able to find a vein for the IV. I chatted with the anesthesiologist and was taken back for surgery. I remember singing a tune - "good-bye fat, hello health," and was completely out in seconds. The next memory is waking up in recovery. Man, that is some strong stuff.
I was up and walking within the first hour in the recovery room. My cousin states that I was so out of it that I was bossy and commanding the nurses to do stuff - bring me ice chips, check my temperature, take my blood pressure, etc. While they did it all, they probably had a few choice words for me - drugged, crazy lady from the states would be putting it mildly. LOL My cousin reports that I would not open my eyes while walking. I have no memory of this at all - drugged out of my head. LOL
I ate the ice chips and started dry heaving. It was an awful feeling. I had to pray that this would not be the norm for me. I went to sleep - slept a lot and slept well. I drank the leak test stuff and had no problem keeping it down. Tried ice chips again and it was better. Now I was ready to test my bodily functions - ability to pass urine - Bladder works A+; started belching and passing gas - bowel function B+; need to have a bowel movement before I could make it an A+. Mom is a retired nurse, so it's that part of her talking to me. My sleeve buddy was having a rough time was very nauseated. I had her get up and walk with me more. I think I slept for what felt like hours, but it was really for 40 minutes at a time and then I would walk more. I'm telling you the drugs are amazing.
Thursday, March 5th - Day 1 Post-Op
The next day was much better. I was handling the ice chips really well. The doctors came in and told me I had a hernia that had to be repaired. I didn't even know what a hernia was, let alone needing to have it repaired. I was thinking, I have some other things that needed repairing too, but you didn't fix them - breast lift would be nice.
We were taken to our recovery suites which were like hotel rooms. I slept a lot there and walked a lot without an IV pole, which helped. The drainage pump was still attached, but didn't bother me. I showered with this thing and had no problems. The five (5) incisions were much smaller than I imagined.
I was good - able to hold apple juice, Gatorade, Water with no problems. I had no sensation of hunger or thirst but drank because this is what I was supposed to do. And then I started hearing this growling noise. The doctor stated it was my "ghost stomach." Freaked me out for a minute. I ain't scared of no ghosts but definitely didn't want my body thinking I still had the old part of my stomach either. This lasted for a day and then went away. Whew. I couldn't take that. The rest of my time was truly uneventful. I was doing well with the liquids, taking showers, didn't feel any pain, even after the surgery. My issue was keeping the IV line open which failed when my vein completely collapsed. They ended up giving me meds through 2 shots in my butt. Hurt like the dickens but I was done with IVs. Hallelujah!!!
Friday, March 6th - Back to the hotel, my last night in Mexico
We had one stop by make before the hotel and that was the clinic for the 3rd and final Leak test - the first was during the surgery. The liquid was not as bad as I'd heard - perhaps that was because I probably liked anything at that point. The leak test was successful. It was really cool seeing the liquid flow all the way through my system. I actually saw my new tummy too. How cool - my new sleeve, my little angel that will help me reclaim my health through weight loss.
Fast-forward to week 3
I have had no problems with my sleeve. I tried a Gas-X one day and nearly threw up on the spot. My stomach hates that stuff. I decided to walk so the remaining gas away. I was amazed that I still had some gas lingering. I'm grateful I have not had the major pain it can bring, but walking, talking small sips, small bites, and chewing your food to a complete liquid substance is the key. Honestly after a few bites and long chewing times, you lose your appetite for much more - 4 bites is usually it for me. Amazing. I remember just a few weeks ago and I would devour everything on my plate - huge servings at that. Now 4 bites - really? Amazing indeed.
Since my pre-op weight loss and surgery on March 4th, I am down 34 pounds. I saw my PCP at 2-weeks post-op and she cut my blood pressure meds in half and stated she will most likely remove me altogether in May. Wonderful thing as I've been on blood pressure meds for 12 years. I've lost tons of inches - everywhere. I took my measurements in January and now showing a whopping 7 inches from my abs, 4 from my chest, and 4 from each thigh and 6 from my hips. Now that's amazing to me. I'll take every pound and every inch. I'll say to others, take your measurements; it's the truer test. :-)
HW: 300lbs
SW: 288lbs
CW: 254lbs
Overall weight loss - 46 lbs.
That's it. Hope this is helpful.

I was sleeved by Dr Ortiz last month and had an absolutely great experience. Dr. Ortiz came by my room and checked in on me both days I was in the hospital. He was very nice and had great bedside manner. Dr. Morales was very nice as well. I had a great experience with the hospital staff that took care of me. I would choose Ortiz and A Lighter Me all over again. Good luck with your journey and who ever you choose.