Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Looking For Detailed Stories From Anyone Who Has Been To Mexico For Lapband With Dr. Alamaza



Recommended Posts

Hi everyone! My name is Amber and I will be going to Mexico to have surgery with Dr. Alamanza-Reyes in February of 2013 after I get my taxes. I am extremely excited to be getting banded. I'm a little nervous about going to Mexico because of the violence going on though. I am looking for stories from others about going and what happened, etc. Also, did piercings have to be removed?

Any other information would be appreciated....

Thank you!

:D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am self pay.. And I asked someone about how much it was to pay for the flight and the hotel and surgery in Mexico and they said it was about the same as what I paid... About $8,000 ... Just putting that out there. Good Luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine will be less then 5k after everything.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

please don't go the Mexico to have this done. Have you found a dr who will do your fills and follow-up visits when you get back?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went to Mexico and used dr. Kuri no regrets!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Before you go please make sure you have someone lined up at home who will be in charge of your aftercare and fills. I have read quite a bit of people who have been banded in other countries/states who cannnot find someone to do their fills once they get home as alot of dr's won't touch you if they didn't band you.

good luck

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I heard that Dr. Malley will do fills for patients that went to Mexico. There was a forum about it on here I read.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm going to Dr.Almanzo at the end of January. I can let you know how it goes. I'm near Dallas. I'm so excited!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There are a few people on these forums who basically cut & paste the generic warnings for going to Mexico on nearly every post about Mexico, but I have yet to hear that warning from somebody who actually went. I am scheduled with Dr. Ariel Ortiz on the 18th. So far the communication has been awesome and they gave me a list of docs in my area who will do fills & aftercare so I got myself set up with a local nurse practitioner who does fills.

The cost for everything is $5000, no taxes/fees. Airfare is costing me $700 because I bought 3 seats (1 for a friend, 2 for my fat@ss).

I will definitely update on the Mexico forum after I get back to describe my experience. Leaving on the 17th!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There are a few people on these forums who basically cut & paste the generic warnings for going to Mexico on nearly every post about Mexico' date=' but I have yet to hear that warning from somebody who actually went. I am scheduled with Dr. Ariel Ortiz on the 18th. So far the communication has been awesome and they gave me a list of docs in my area who will do fills & aftercare so I got myself set up with a local nurse practitioner who does fills.

The cost for everything is 5000, no taxes/fees. Airfare is costing me 700 because I bought 3 seats (1 for a friend, 2 for my fat@ss).

I will definitely update on the Mexico forum after I get back to describe my experience. Leaving on the 17th![/quote']

Good luck! I was there dec 3rd and everyone was great;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery Aug. 30 with Dr. Almanza for $4,000. It was super easy, no problems. They were very sterile and professional, and I was only out for about 30 minutes. They pick you up at the SD airport and drop you back off there. You don't really leave the hospital, unless you elect to stay in a hotel, and then they drive you there, too. In other words, you aren't running around TJ loosey goosey shopping or anything, so yu aren't really exposed to danger. I live in Orange, CA, so I drove myself to the airport and back, and found a good Dr. in Huntington Beach to do the fill. I had minimal pain or even side effects.

Laura

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Dr. Ortiz is a lap band pioneer in Mexico. We must remember that the procedure was done in Mexico before it came to the US. Dr. Ortiz proctored American surgeons such as my doctor Lee Grossbard. I live in Orlando, FL where right now there is much violence and I think that every city has its good and bad areas. Dr Ortiz's office does a good job of taking care of his patients and his clinic is not in a bad area of TJ. I know TJ well because even with insurance I used to go there for medical treatment. There are excellent doctors there!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi everyone! My name is Amber and I will be going to Mexico to have surgery with Dr. Alamanza-Reyes in February of 2013 after I get my taxes. I am extremely excited to be getting banded. I'm a little nervous about going to Mexico because of the violence going on though. I am looking for stories from others about going and what happened' date=' etc. Also, did piercings have to be removed?

Any other information would be appreciated....

Thank you!

:D [/quote']

I am knew to forum. I went to Mexico in October 2011. I had mine done at Mexicalli Bariatric center. They picked me up at the airport in San Diego and drove me to the hospital to meet the doctor and take care of all per op stuff. Then carried me to the hotel and picked me up the next morning. I had a very good experience and felt very good about the doctor. I had a lapband over a bypass so mine has been a little different. has anyone shared this experience. Also what is "green zone and red zone and slimimg?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the lap band by Dr Almanza last Thursday Jan 31, 2013. It was safe and sanitary but not ultra-modern. Be prepared to wait for the van, the border crossing can take some time and can be delayed. I recommend only taking one person for support although both of my sisters came and another patient had 3 generations of family. The other patients and family are supportive of each other. The Ticuan hotel is nice and comfortable but I wouldn't recommend going out alone or at night. There's really no reason to. The front desk has freezer pops for you and coupons for free broth.< /p>

I was feeling pretty ill the first 2 days, with waves of cramps each time I moved or drank. It's lessened some today.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×