Are you guys real people and patients?

[MeMeMEEE 206]

Make sure to look at the complications section - I know there are a few who have had some problems in Mexico, gives you an idea how it was handled, what to expect if the worst happens, etc. Those people definitely aren't getting paid!!

[NanaNanner 7]

I am very real. You obviously haven't seen my youtube videos because they are so NOT professional looking. Actually, most of the ones I did while in the hospital were done on my iPhone. I do understand your skepticism though. Sandy does work with Dr. Kelly. My daughter just had her VSG with Dr. Kelly Friday but we went through Christi Bearden at A Slimmer You. It gets confusing because Christi also works with Sandy and then there's Trish who is actually in Tijuana but she is now having to go through Sandy as well.

We just left the hospital and are now at the Lucerna Hotel for another two days. Heading back to NC Tuesday morning. She has had a pretty easy experience. We just did her final leak test and everything looked good. I compared her test to mine (I have pics of my test) and it looks like Dr. Aceves does a little tighter sleeve to me.

[ToDream 18]

I'm real too! I have a complete blog (in my sig below) that outlines everything from the decision to have the surgery through to today. I'm not paid by anyone to encourage my surgeon over another. I had a good experience and so I tell others because I want to help them make a decision too. Was it perfect? No, there were some things I didn't like but overall I really had a good experience and I'm so happy with my decision!

Good luck with your Journey!

[Sandy Johnson 15]

I received a couple of phone calls regarding this post so I thought I would come here and hopefully clear up any questions. Dr. Kelly has contracted with Bravo Development Group, LLC (a California Company), DBA: aLighterMe.com to assist him. We handle all of Dr. Kelly’s sales, marketing and advertising. We are what I guess you would say the Patient Coordinating Management Company for his practice. All of Dr. Kelly’s patients are now processed through aLighterMe.

It is my understanding that Trish’s new website will soon be operational and Christi Bearden has a website called Successfully Slimmer. All of these coordinators now work through aLighterMe which will handle each client’s paperwork, payment, transportation, hotel and other administration and logistics. So no matter if you go directly to aLighterMe or to Trish or Christi, you will receive the same superior service.

Ricardo now handles all transportation and Dr. Romero is our new aftercare specialist! He helps patients with any questions or any help they may need with their diet and eating habits post-surgery.

All of these changes will allow Dr. Kelly to do what he does best. Dr. Kelly will concentrate on performing surgeries and giving each and all of his patients the very best care possible and a superior surgery experience. This will also allow Dr. Kelly to be more available to his patients.

We are all very excited about the changes and we all believe this will allow a smoother flow and assure that each patient gets the very best care. This is what Dr. Kelly feels is paramount in his practice.

I hope this clears things up.

Sincerely,

Sandy Johnston

[Nichelle 21]

I am sorry, but I must admit a huge smile and a giggle came out when I read this. I felt the exact same way as you did. I am so happy and excited that they finally put this forum up. This was what I was looking for a few months ago when I was doing my detailed research. I kept digging to find some negative posts and searched all of youtube for some evidence that this wasn't real. Yet, it is!!! These people are real. They are just so great and have so many great things to say. I went to Dr. Kelly and through a site called successfully slimmer. My paitent coordinator is Christi Beardon and she was and still is amazing. I can't say enough good things about my experience. I wil go out on a limb here and say you can probably get in touch with anyone here and they will tell you their story. If they haven't said so yet I will say it. You can contact me any time with any questions you may have about this life changing decision. Plus if you are already talking to coordinators you are heading the right direction. It is crazy to have to send a down payment right? Wrong, they just need it to ensure on your part that you are real and serious about your decision. Even when I did I thought I was crazy to be doing so, but it all works out. We are real, they are real, and guess what the results are real too. I am about six weeks out 26lbs lost and down 19.5 inches. Good Luck!

[CCinINdiana 9]

Hi Everyone,

I sure appreciate all the replies. I am moving forward and am hoping to have the surgery in July. I am 96% sure I am going with Dr. Aceves. I look forward to getting to know everyone here a little better. Cathi

[thinoneday 445]

Hi,

I am brand new to these boards. I have been researching, reading all the boards and watching youtube videos of people's experiences of having the vertical sleeve done in Mexico. The youtube videos all look professionally done. I have not found one negative post, well one where a woman complained they didn't give her any jello! So now I am beginning to wonder if it is all one big scam. That the posters on here are hired by the facilities to promote the surgery. I have talked by phone to a patient coordinator Sandy, of Dr. Ramous-Kelly in Tijuana. I am tentatively scheduled for July 12 th, but my family is having fits. The forms the office sent me to fill out list Bravo Development Group LLd as the person you send the initial deposit to. That is a company in California that develops websites? It is owned by Sandy Johnston. I am guessing they are the same person. I have two small children and don't want to lose a 1000.00 deposit if this is all a big scam.

If you guys are really patients what did you do to feel reassured? Is there any way to verify if this is all for real. My family all lives in Southern California I am in Indiana. Two of my sisters are nurses. They are going to ask doctors they work with if they have heard of Dr. Kelly or Dr. Aceves and what they know about the facilities. Is there anything else I can do. I appreciate anyones help or suggestions.

Thank you,

Cathi

[dallasmom 0]

Lots of good info here. I have narrowed down our search to Dr. Kelly, Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Aceves (though Dr. Ortiz looks great too.)

Dr. Aceves costs almost s much as we can get it done for here in Dallas, TX. ($8750)

Dr. Jose Rodriguez is $6800 and Dr. Kelly $5500. I know there is a cheaper option also ($4500) , but understand the location is small and in a strip mall. Thats out for us. We narrowed our search down first by reputation and then looked at affordability. We will only consider a full service hospital able to handle emergency situations and NO group house after surgery. Hospital or nice hotel only.

I connected directly through Trish (found her through Obesity Help) for Dr. Kelly and she is awesome responding to my questions by phone & email.

Good luck everyone!

GREAT to add this forum:)

[Oregondaisy 2,019]

I liked Mexicali so much, I went back and had a face lift there by Dr. Luque.

I got to see Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos again and I was so happy to see them!

Dr. Aceves' qualifications are superior . I had much better care at that hospital than I did here when I had my gall bladder out.

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,280]

Someone else to consider and look into as well is Dr. Pompa with LIMARP. She would have been my second choice only she didn't have as much experience with revisions as Dr. Aceves did, which is why I chose him.

All the best!

[Weightbgone 9]

I know how you must fill ! I went to Mexico as well But I went with Dr. Almanza he was GREAT!!!! The reason why I choose him was because prior to me getting the sleeve I went to mexico and had a tummytuck and when I was there Dr. Almanza himself had the sleeve done on himself and I was stunned becaused I knew then that if he trusted his own life then I should be okay! After that 8months later I went back and was sleeved! My tummytuck was great as well as the sleeve! If you have any more questions feel free to ask! Goodluck!

Hi,

I am brand new to these boards. I have been researching, reading all the boards and watching youtube videos of people's experiences of having the vertical sleeve done in Mexico. The youtube videos all look professionally done. I have not found one negative post, well one where a woman complained they didn't give her any jello! So now I am beginning to wonder if it is all one big scam. That the posters on here are hired by the facilities to promote the surgery. I have talked by phone to a patient coordinator Sandy, of Dr. Ramous-Kelly in Tijuana. I am tentatively scheduled for July 12 th, but my family is having fits. The forms the office sent me to fill out list Bravo Development Group LLd as the person you send the initial deposit to. That is a company in California that develops websites? It is owned by Sandy Johnston. I am guessing they are the same person. I have two small children and don't want to lose a 1000.00 deposit if this is all a big scam.

If you guys are really patients what did you do to feel reassured? Is there any way to verify if this is all for real. My family all lives in Southern California I am in Indiana. Two of my sisters are nurses. They are going to ask doctors they work with if they have heard of Dr. Kelly or Dr. Aceves and what they know about the facilities. Is there anything else I can do. I appreciate anyones help or suggestions.

Thank you,

Cathi

[christina420 3]

Hi,

I am brand new to these boards. I have been researching, reading all the boards and watching youtube videos of people's experiences of having the vertical sleeve done in Mexico. The youtube videos all look professionally done. I have not found one negative post, well one where a woman complained they didn't give her any jello! So now I am beginning to wonder if it is all one big scam. That the posters on here are hired by the facilities to promote the surgery. I have talked by phone to a patient coordinator Sandy, of Dr. Ramous-Kelly in Tijuana. I am tentatively scheduled for July 12 th, but my family is having fits. The forms the office sent me to fill out list Bravo Development Group LLd as the person you send the initial deposit to. That is a company in California that develops websites? It is owned by Sandy Johnston. I am guessing they are the same person. I have two small children and don't want to lose a 1000.00 deposit if this is all a big scam.

If you guys are really patients what did you do to feel reassured? Is there any way to verify if this is all for real. My family all lives in Southern California I am in Indiana. Two of my sisters are nurses. They are going to ask doctors they work with if they have heard of Dr. Kelly or Dr. Aceves and what they know about the facilities. Is there anything else I can do. I appreciate anyones help or suggestions.

Thank you,

Cathi

[christina420 3]

This is the first thing I thought too. But I can say For sure that it is real. I'm am going on Friday to Dr Almanza. I have actually known people that have gone to him. Plus he has the best prices because his overhead is so low. keep researching until you are 100% comfortable with it. I have also heard good things about dr aceves. My email address is luvburds1230@gmail.com. I will be taking tons of pictures before and after. If you want email me and I will send you some. It might make you feel better.

Christina

[ybnormal 21]

Hi and welcome. I'm a real person and I went to Mexico. I was sleeved on May 24th with Dr. Aceves. I did a lot of research bf I went and I had a great experience. I wish I would get paid to talk about going to Mexico, that would be great!

There are a lot of people who have gone to Mexico on this board. I, too, wondered if some of the people were getting paid. I even sent a pm to ask them if they were getting paid!

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions. I will even send you my phone number and you can have your family call me and I will be glad to answer any questions they may have.

Take care and best of luck to you!

I know Sarsar is real because I was next door to her at Almater Hospital. Her surgery was the day before mine and she was in and out of my room helping me when I was sick and dry heaving. A true friend, she even tied my hair back for me. We talk on the phone almost daily and have developed a great friendship.

It IS scary and I had the same thoughts that you are but then I realized there as so many people on here that no way could ALL of them be paid, the doctors would go broke! lol

So yep, these are real people with real experiences. Some good, some bad. LOTS of questions and answers that in reality, a paid person wouldn't post. Hope your experience is a wonderful one and don't let fear hold you back. As Nike says, JUST DO IT!

Renee`

[mp8btpc 32]

I used Dr. Pompa and was very impressed and satisfied with my choice. The location and staff is wonderful.