Boujie

Hi Helen! Sorry it took me so long to reply...been so busy!
ALO Bariatrics and Dr. Lopez is AMAZING!
The hospital in Puerto Vallarta is San Javier, and it is pristeen. You even get a private suite and shower, etc. The room has a sofa if your partner wants to stay with you.
We were picked up by Dr. Leo at the airport, and he takes you to the Paradise Village Resort & Spa (it's part of the package) and paradise is right! It's right on the beach. Everything you need is on the resort. The morning of the surgery, Leo picked me up in the lobby and took me to the hospital (it's literally a 5 min drive) and I registered. My surgery was at 1:00 pm, he picked me up st 11:00 for pre/op (bloodwork, EKG, IV). They (nurses) come to your room to do this. They then wrap your legs in compression bandages. A resident comes in for your medical history (medications, previous surgeries, etc). Then you are wheeled down to the OR. You will meet Dr. Lopez and the anesthesologist (who is very funny and handsome..so is Dr. Lopez...wow!) Different peeps will ask you sbout your medications, I was sick of it lol.
Then you are wheeled into the OR, scoot onto the gurney, he tells u when he's sedating you, and BOOM..you're in recovery. They gave me a shot of morphine, and I felt no pain at all. They will give you analgesics and antibiotics at regular intervals thru your IV the whole duration of your stay. You will spend the night, and in the morning, you go down to radiology for your leak test by CT scan. Both Dr. Lopez snd the anesthesiologist are there with you (I am assuming it's because if there is a leak, you have to go back into surgery immediately). You drink 2 separate gulps of a clear, bitter liquid and you get to watch it on a large screen. Pretty cool! Once you get the all clear, you can drink Clear Liquids. Discharged at 4:00 pm, Dr Leo takes you back to the resort. Anakaren (nutritionist) will come and see you before discharge to give you
Meds and instructions. We enjoyed walking, lying on the beach, etc. We stayed an extra day. Oh yeah, u will have a drain. Dr. Leo will come to your hotel room and remove it. He picks u up at the hotel, and takes u yo the airport to fly home. Very impressive and seamless!
I feel FANTASTIC!! No nausea, nothing. Go for it!

Ps - we loved the resort so much, we're going back in the new year for vacation. It is stunning!

Hi Helen! Sorry it took me so long to reply...been so busy!
ALO Bariatrics and Dr. Lopez is AMAZING!
The hospital in Puerto Vallarta is San Javier, and it is pristeen. You even get a private suite and shower, etc. The room has a sofa if your partner wants to stay with you.
We were picked up by Dr. Leo at the airport, and he takes you to the Paradise Village Resort & Spa (it's part of the package) and paradise is right! It's right on the beach. Everything you need is on the resort. The morning of the surgery, Leo picked me up in the lobby and took me to the hospital (it's literally a 5 min drive) and I registered. My surgery was at 1:00 pm, he picked me up st 11:00 for pre/op (bloodwork, EKG, IV). They (nurses) come to your room to do this. They then wrap your legs in compression bandages. A resident comes in for your medical history (medications, previous surgeries, etc). Then you are wheeled down to the OR. You will meet Dr. Lopez and the anesthesologist (who is very funny and handsome..so is Dr. Lopez...wow!) Different peeps will ask you sbout your medications, I was sick of it lol.
Then you are wheeled into the OR, scoot onto the gurney, he tells u when he's sedating you, and BOOM..you're in recovery. They gave me a shot of morphine, and I felt no pain at all. They will give you analgesics and antibiotics at regular intervals thru your IV the whole duration of your stay. You will spend the night, and in the morning, you go down to radiology for your leak test by CT scan. Both Dr. Lopez snd the anesthesiologist are there with you (I am assuming it's because if there is a leak, you have to go back into surgery immediately). You drink 2 separate gulps of a clear, bitter liquid and you get to watch it on a large screen. Pretty cool! Once you get the all clear, you can drink Clear Liquids. Discharged at 4:00 pm, Dr Leo takes you back to the resort. Anakaren (nutritionist) will come and see you before discharge to give you
Meds and instructions. We enjoyed walking, lying on the beach, etc. We stayed an extra day. Oh yeah, u will have a drain. Dr. Leo will come to your hotel room and remove it. He picks u up at the hotel, and takes u yo the airport to fly home. Very impressive and seamless!
I feel FANTASTIC!! No nausea, nothing. Go for it!

Hi Helen! Sorry it took me so long to reply...been so busy!
ALO Bariatrics and Dr. Lopez is AMAZING!
The hospital in Puerto Vallarta is San Javier, and it is pristeen. You even get a private suite and shower, etc. The room has a sofa if your partner wants to stay with you.
We were picked up by Dr. Leo at the airport, and he takes you to the Paradise Village Resort & Spa (it's part of the package) and paradise is right! It's right on the beach. Everything you need is on the resort. The morning of the surgery, Leo picked me up in the lobby and took me to the hospital (it's literally a 5 min drive) and I registered. My surgery was at 1:00 pm, he picked me up st 11:00 for pre/op (bloodwork, EKG, IV). They (nurses) come to your room to do this. They then wrap your legs in compression bandages. A resident comes in for your medical history (medications, previous surgeries, etc). Then you are wheeled down to the OR. You will meet Dr. Lopez and the anesthesologist (who is very funny and handsome..so is Dr. Lopez...wow!) Different peeps will ask you sbout your medications, I was sick of it lol.
Then you are wheeled into the OR, scoot onto the gurney, he tells u when he's sedating you, and BOOM..you're in recovery. They gave me a shot of morphine, and I felt no pain at all. They will give you analgesics and antibiotics at regular intervals thru your IV the whole duration of your stay. You will spend the night, and in the morning, you go down to radiology for your leak test by CT scan. Both Dr. Lopez snd the anesthesiologist are there with you (I am assuming it's because if there is a leak, you have to go back into surgery immediately). You drink 2 separate gulps of a clear, bitter liquid and you get to watch it on a large screen. Pretty cool! Once you get the all clear, you can drink Clear Liquids. Discharged at 4:00 pm, Dr Leo takes you back to the resort. Anakaren (nutritionist) will come and see you before discharge to give you
Meds and instructions. We enjoyed walking, lying on the beach, etc. We stayed an extra day. Oh yeah, u will have a drain. Dr. Leo will come to your hotel room and remove it. He picks u up at the hotel, and takes u yo the airport to fly home. Very impressive and seamless!
I feel FANTASTIC!! No nausea, nothing. Go for it!

The very next night!
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I'm 2 weeks post op and it takes me about 4 or 5 different sittings just to get one Premier Protein shake in. I need to focus on Protein for the healing process as you do as well. I would substitute cottage cheese or yogurt for the oatmeal...
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When it was time to stop losing weight.
Seriously, I've been around wls message boards for a long time and "I started eating crackers" is about the most common way I've seen to start off the posts that are headlined something like "Help! I've started gaining weight again!"
No one actually needs crackers. The only thing they are good for is adding more calories (and cravings) into your diet. My advice -- stay far away, at least until you are well into maintenance.

Hi Bougie! So happy to hear that all went well for you and that you had a greT experience. Your wonderfully detailed description of events has been all I needed to re-assure myself that Dr.Lopez is an excellent choice.
Just one more question, if you don't mind; how many people were having surgery the same day as you? I'm quite familiar with the area where the hospital, hotel and spa are located as I have family who live in PV. Just beautiful. Thanks so much again for your update, would love to hear of your progress going forward. All the very best to you.

Good day everyone!
I've heard so many good things about Dr. Lopez-Ortega. I don't have a LOT of weight to lose compared to some (about 60 lbs), but I need to. I'm on 3 different blood pressure meds, and on Metformin for high blood sugars.

I'm 51 and a bit terrified and excited all at the same time! I'm hoping to glean lots of information from VSG veterans

I just requested you as a friend on FB. Wendy

2 weeks today is my date! Eeek!

That's my surgery date too

May Sleeves here I come !
May 2nd is soooo close! Just had my pre admission testing done. Now just counting down the days. Clear Liquids day before. Treating myself to a pedicure and getting my nails done French (I have acrylic nails need to be clear color) maybe even get a facial! How's everyone doing? Anyone else having surgery on the 2nd? Am I the first loser of the May group?

I'm new to this whole thing. Being a yo-yo all my life, I am positive I want to have this done and I know I will be self pay. I'm looking for doc recommendations in Mexico and would like to know how long your process took before surgery was scheduled. Thank you all so much!
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May 16 here!
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I am in Edmonton I was sleeved Mar. 29 in Mexicali, Mexico.

By the way, I'm in Nova Scotia, I'm on my 8th day of the Protein diet. I have an appointment on the 28th in Halifax to see the surgeon. We are going to discuss a date for surgery, I also need a hiatal hernia fixed.
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Good day everyone!
I've heard so many good things about Dr. Lopez-Ortega. I don't have a LOT of weight to lose compared to some (about 60 lbs), but I need to. I'm on 3 different blood pressure meds, and on Metformin for high blood sugars.

I'm 51 and a bit terrified and excited all at the same time! I'm hoping to glean lots of information from VSG veterans

I start my 2 week pre op liquid diet on Monday. 4 shakes a day. I hope it is not as bad as I am thinking it will be. I am just focusing on the goal.

Welcome Bouj!

Hello!
I am east of Toronto, and my VSG is booked with Dr. alejandro lopez in Puerto Vallarta on 12 May 16. I fly out on the 11th, and back home on the 16th.
I am excited and apprehensive at the same time. I don't have a LOT of weight to lose (60 lbs), but I am doing it more for my health...I'm on 3 types of BP meds, and am borderline diabetic. I'm 51 and tired of carrying all of this extra weight around.
I'm looking forward to hearing and reading about other Canucks

I'm going to Dr Ortiz in Mexico for sleeve on May 10
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I'll catch h**l for this but I'm going to say it anyway. First, I do NOT work for anyone but myself and that is providing cosmetic tattooing services. I have NO association with any doctors or clinics from which i receive ANY benefit.
So here it is: Avoid Dr. Almanza at ALL cost, i dont care how attractive his prices are, how endearing his staff, or he seems to be ((i found him quite sleazy but there are those who are 'taken' by him)). He could have killed me, my insides will never be the same. If you would like to read my story just follow the link and read my posts. If not, thats fine.
I have such a bad taste for TJ, MX because of Almanza, which i know is not fair.. there are probably some very good doctors there, but he ruined it for me. He has put people in comas, had a man dropped off at the border who was near death because of Almanza. You dont have to take my word for it... look him up.
I think the doctors associated with THIS site are reputable. I will tell you the place where I found my sanctuary: the Mexicali Bariatric Center. I originally went to Dr. Aceves, who I fell in LOVE with. Unfortunately he passed in a tragic airplane crash. I had 7 friends from AK (my home) , 1 from TN, 1 from GA, 1 from FL, 2 from CA who, after seeing my wonderful results also went there and there has not been one reported negative result. Anyway,,, again, no i dont work for them, i receive nothing from them, I simply respect and love them for what they have done for me. I would go to ANY of the doctors there, and if I can ever afford skin removal, I will consult with them for a referral. It was suggested on here that I contact you after your post, and it has taken me some time to find you. I hope you will read my story. I dont want to REpost it on your thread because that really seems to piss people off. I dont spend enough time here to be acquainted with the 'rules and protocol' so I've had my butt chewed several times and been accused of being a.. cant recall what i was called, but basically they said i obviously 'worked' for a doctor and was trying to steer business away from Almanza. To that I say 'heck yeah, guilty as charged EXCEPT I work for NO doctor, nor gain any advantage'. I simply hate to see Almanza to maim, destroy, and butcher people. Are there those who would defend him???? Absolutely!!! But would you want to take that chance? Read up on him if he is one you are considering. Dont go by just my word. . This doc on here... Brechter, Brecher... not sure, but his office was incredibly helpful to me during my disaster. Best of Luck to you.