Dr. Zapata Is Awesome!!!
- Replies 2
- Views 1.5k
- Created
- Last Reply
Top Posters In This Topic
-
sherbear55 1 post
-
brianMD 1 post
Popular Days
Featured Replies
Join the conversation
You can post as a guest; create a free account to track replies, follow topics, and be part of the largest weight loss surgery community.
Hello all,
I joined in May of 2010 and thanks to the wonderful advice of you guys I decided to get sleeved in Mexico since I was self-pay. I Googled, "Bariatric Mexico" and the third result was "Ready4AChange". I clicked on it and was almost convinced. So I came back here and searched for Dr. Miguel Zapata and found a couple of glowing reviews and I then was convinced I had found my doctor. I scheduled it out six months using their service and corresponded with alma, a wonderful caring lady from Monterrey. She always responded to my emails quickly the whole time. I put my deposit down and waited six months. I was to bring the balance when I came in the form of a bank check. Everything was all inclusive for my whole stay except for the extra hotel night but that was my choice.
Well, I flew down a day earlier than required just because I wanted to get there early to be safe and ponied up an extra $90 for a hotel room at The Sheraton Four Points in Monterrey. This hotel is just as nice as any Sheraton in America and the desk all speak English. When I arrived the driver, Santos, was waiting outside international baggage with a "Ready4AChange" sign and in a 30-35 minute ride I was at the hotel. On the way there Santos put me on the phone with Alma and she gave me a 5-minute briefing on what to expect. That night I was to relax and the next day I was to meet with Dr. Zapata.
The next day, Alma, met me at the hotel lobby at 5pm and we used the hotel library room to talk about what to expect for about 30-35 minutes. She went over everything. Then the driver picked me up at 5:45pm and ten minutes later I met with Dr. Zapata for about twenty minutes and we went over any questions I had. Dr. Zaptata seemed very kind. I was happy with my choice.
The following day at 2pm was my surgery. I was picked up at 12pm at the hotel with all my luggage and in about 15-20 minutes we were at CIMA, the Monterrey International hospital. The hospital is clean. Very clean. As soon as I saw it I was put at ease. The cleanliness and overall shape of the hospital is probably the most important aspect of the whole decision. That and which doctor to choose. Well, after seeing the hospital I was 100% sure I made the right choice.
The operation was a success. I was in a lot of pain directly after the operation and was given pain killer through an IV drip along with fluids. I was pretty much out of it that night and slept for almost 24 hours off and on (mostly on). When I woke up (24 hours after the operation) I still was in moderate pain and was able to request some more pain killers. Most of the nurses speak Spanish only but there was always one around that was able to speak English. I was not hungry at all but I had some built up gas which caused some discomfort and was told to walk up and down the hallway to get rid of the gas. It helped a lot to walk and walking every couple of hours is strongly encouraged by the nurses and Alma.
Dr. Zapata came in to check on me and told me no liquids (or food obviously) until my x-ray scheduled for 6pm that night. I had my x-ray and it was neat. I could watch the Fluid live on the machine go through my stomach. I had no idea if what I was looking at was good or bad. The next morning Dr. Zapata came in and told me the x-ray was fine and I was in great shape. Woohoo!!! He also told me I could eat some Jello and to start drinking Water. I still was not hungry and didn't touch my jello. Yeah!!! He also told me a nutritionist was to come by and she did. She spoke perfect English and spent about 15-20 minutes with me and told me if I ever had any questions to email her. I was discharged from the hospital at 12:30pm and went to the hotel for one more night.
The next day (3 days after surgery) I was set to leave Mexico and go back home. Santos picked me up and took me to the airport. I tipped the drivers here and there sometimes five or ten dollars but other than that I didn't have to spend another penny. In ten days I am down ten pounds and I still am not that hungry. Yeah!!! After one week out I am in no pain and very little gas. So far I am ecstatic with my decision to use Dr. Zapata.
Thank you Dr. Zapata, Alma, and Santos!!! If anyone has any questions please hit me up.