I am contemplating gastric sleeve surgery with Dr Almanza in the near future. I'd love to hear the good and bad with regard to him and his facility/care. I am trying to be as educated as I can and rely on your expertise. if you have suggestions for places I can look for information on this doctor I'd also be very grateful. Mexico is the only option for me. I am paying for the surgery myself.

thank you

If you go on the Gastric Sleeve Forum someone just returned from her surgery with Dr. Almanza and had quite a lot to say about the clinic, the noise at the recovery house and the amount of people packed in there. They had to leave and go to a hotel. I heard he's an excellent doctor. All things being equal, I just wanted my Tijuana experience to be fun, safe and productive. I had a great time.

Oahu, I was wonderinf if you got your daye yet?

If you go on the Gastric Sleeve Forum someone just returned from her surgery with Dr. Almanza and had quite a lot to say about the clinic, the noise at the recovery house and the amount of people packed in there. They had to leave and go to a hotel. I heard he's an excellent doctor. All things being equal, I just wanted my Tijuana experience to be fun, safe and productive. I had a great time.

 

Quite familiar with the stories of the noise - that's why I've booked an outside hotel. There's nothing that wasn't already known. My concern is the medical staff and my medical treatment, not the recovery house. I know that's going to be crowded and noisy and I know i don't like that so I have made other arrangements.

Circa, I agree with you on this one. I haven't decided yet if I'll be staying at the Hotel or the recovery house yet though. Tough choice, as I will be traveling alone.

If alone the recovery might be a good thing. But with a guest definitely has to be at Hotel Ticuan in a master suite for $95/night. Bubble bath jacuzzi parties with mexican prostitutes and party hats on my losing side party. Just kidding on the party but a nice thought.

 

It depends really on your ability to deal with people. Now as for me, lol someone might die. Likely me from strangulation from irritating someone till the try and choke me and I would laugh to death.

 

I make things interesting for sure. Poor people thats gonna be there with me. May god have mercy on their souls.

 

 

 

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If alone the recovery might be a good thing. But with a guest definitely has to be at Hotel Ticuan in a master suite for $95/night. Bubble bath jacuzzi parties with mexican prostitutes and party hats on my losing side party. Just kidding on the party but a nice thought.

 

It depends really on your ability to deal with people. Now as for me, lol someone might die. Likely me from strangulation from irritating someone till the try and choke me and I would laugh to death.

 

I make things interesting for sure. Poor people thats gonna be there with me. May god have mercy on their souls.

 

 

 

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I'm totally with you on that one - I'm a very irritable person when I don't feel well - I'm quiet, I don't whine, but i want to be LEFT ALONE. Likewise, whether warranted or not, I have little patience for others that don't suck it up and deal. Can't stand whining - even though it very well might be warranted! If I feel like crap and I can suck it up, others can too haha!

 

In reality, I know that not everyone experiences pain the same way - which is why I will remove myself so as not to have a bad experience myself, but also to not create a worse experience for someone else that might get on my last nerve Its not them that's the problem, its me. I know that

I was sleeved in July 2010 by Dr. Almanza. I did well and had no complications at all. I have met my goal weight and don't have any problems with foods or keeping the weight off. I have also sent two friends down there for the same. I went with one of them and the other went with her husband. They both did well also and are pleased with their choice to go there. As an earlier person posted - it is Mexico, not America and you will not be as pampered there as in the States (I can say that lol, I have been a nurse for many years). It isn't bad and it isn't wrong, it is just different. I went into it with the mindset that I was going to do whatever it took to get through it and get on with my life and that is exactly what I did. There are risks with every surgery no matter where you have it done. One of the girls who was there when I was did have a leak and some complications for a few months afterwards, but she is STILL pleased with having the surgery and has actually sent another friend down there for their surgery. I don't believe she would have done that if she had felt like she had sub-standard care.

This is a scary, lifechanging part of your life. Ask questions, try to be as prepared as possible and do what you feel the most comfortable with. Where ever you go, you won't regret having this done! I truly believe it saved my life and I am so happy that I did it. I walked into the OR at 307 and today weigh 148. This past summer I went whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning and on a zipline adventure on a mountain. I couldn't have even dreamed of doing those things before. Good luck to everyone!!

Wow Kathy, that was very informative. It's good to hear the success stories about Dr. Almanza. Thank you very much for sharing.....my surgery date can't come fast enough!

Shannon -

Are you going alone or is someone going with you? Your date will be here before you know it!

Kathy, I'm going alone. I don't mind though, in fact it feels like I should go alone. :-)

Shannon

I went alone, you will do fine. Take your laptop if you want to, they have wireless internet at the clinic and also at the recovery house. The day of your surgery can get kind of long if you are by yourself because if you aren't first (I wasn't) there is alot of waiting. Also take along a little travel alarm clock. They didn't have clocks in the rooms at the clinics and it drove me crazy not knowing what time it was!

If you are going to go alone, you won't have anyone to make you get up and walk so you have to make yourself do it!! Right after surgery I made myself get up and walk up and down the hall three times EVERY time I woke up. Then at the recovery house there is a big hill/driveway. Go outside, walk up that hill and touch the wall at the end at least several times a day. Walking will help get rid of the gas that they use to inflate your abdomen during the procedure and that will help your discomfort a great deal. The gas in your abdomen will travel up and settle between your shoulder blades when you are up and around. It can be a little uncomfortable, but just know that it will get better. Alot of people like to take those Gas-X strips, but I really don't think that they help because the gas is not in your stomach, it is in your abdomen. They won't hurt you to try them though!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. There are no stupid questions, I remember how scared I was before I went. You will do great!!!

Kathy

EEEK! I just found the video I did for Dr Almanza when I went down there last summer with a friend who had her sleeve done. I was sooooo nervous lol and I look kinda geeky. Thought some of you might like to see it - it helps to see a real person with real results. Sorry I was such a nerd!! haha

I think your video was great! Not scripted and definitely genuine!

I am an RN with 20 years ICU experience. 5-7 surgerys a day for a surgeon is a slow day for docs in the U.S. Loud, obnoxious smells? Welcome to ICU. Don't let those aspects sway you. It's not better here, it's all part of being in the hospital.

i am so excited just booked with Dr. Almanza for June 6th. This is something that I need and if God has says yes.....I'm gone. I expecy everything to divinly ordered and have wonderful experience!