HELP! I have been reviewing surgeons and various facilities and now am a little confused. I have looked into A Lighter Me who works with Dr. Lopez and Dr. Garcia. I have been contacted by their coordinator Louise. I also looked at Dr. Almanza and have been contacted by Sandy and then Melissa. On the A Lighter Me website, Melissa is mentioned as a coordinator. Does Melissa work for both surgeons? Also, Almanza is listed as operating out of Jeruselum hospital (which is really a clinic) but Melissa contacted me and signed her email from Mt. Zion. When I checked Mt Zion's website, it is actually Jerusulem hospital. I have also seen past posts where Dr. Almanza operated Emmanuel Hospital.

Do you see why I am getting confused? I am just looking for a surgeon who is experienced, has low infection and leak rates, has good reviews and uses a hospital. Can anyone help me sort through this and is Almanza a safe surgeon?

Gail....i did an international standards project for 8 years in Sydney australia.....I think I have some knowledge of what is and what isnt. I found my Lapland removal experience here in canada a nightmare.....no nurses to attend to anyone..' date=' I was taking care of patients myself....it is not the nursing staff it is the system. With dr Garcia his nurses had time and. We're patient and caring the facility was spotless and cleaned thoroughly everyday....just my experience though.[/quote']

Thank you Glendaaus your information and opinion are very valuable to me. I am scheduled with Dr. Garcia on June 11 th

Gail....i did an international standards project for 8 years in Sydney australia.....I think I have some knowledge of what is and what isnt. I found my Lapland removal experience here in canada a nightmare.....no nurses to attend to anyone..' date=' I was taking care of patients myself....it is not the nursing staff it is the system. With dr Garcia his nurses had time and. We're patient and caring the facility was spotless and cleaned thoroughly everyday....just my experience though.[/quote']

Ps Glendaaus I Gree. I am a Canadian and I feel sorry for ou Heath care workers they are so understaffed.

Thank you for the responses, I think I have decided on Dr. I.C.Garcia in Tijuana. Waiting to see if I am approved and if he is available on the dates I would like. I am very excited, watched a few vidios of the procedure as a nurse it is just a little gross. I have read the good the bad and everything in between. My real decision came when I watched as my poor 73yr old mother start yet another diet. I decided that I had to do something. I have 2 aquaintences who have had the sleeve only for a couple of months but they said they wish they did it sooner.

Talk to you soon

Gail

Thank you for the responses' date=' I think I have decided on Dr. I.C.Garcia in Tijuana. Waiting to see if I am approved and if he is available on the dates I would like. I am very excited, watched a few vidios of the procedure as a nurse it is just a little gross. I have read the good the bad and everything in between. My real decision came when I watched as my poor 73yr old mother start yet another diet. I decided that I had to do something. I have 2 aquaintences who have had the sleeve only for a couple of months but they said they wish they did it sooner.

Talk to you soon

Gail[/quote']

I can relate Gail. My decision was made when I was so tired of the unquality of life.

I'm scheduled with Dr. Aceves too. He seems to be the 'go to' doctor for revisions ( I am a lap to sleeve) and has a great track record. The hospital he works with is a full service hospital with an ICU and emergency center which is one of the reasons why he stood out for me. Also, Nina the coordinator is very responsive and wonderful.

My decision is made due to the fact that it is a full service hospital. I am certain I will not need the services but grateful they are close by just to be safe.

My decision is made due to the fact that it is a full service hospital. I am certain I will not need the services but grateful they are close by just to be safe.

I totally agree.

You have made the right decision with dr Garcia...good luck...so far I lost 2lbs a day since surgery, no pain, all healed just tiny little scratches where the surgery was...I manage a jewellery store and was back exactly one week later and now added 3 miles walking a day for 3 days.

Keep us posted

I'd like to ask, what is his fee & which hospital does he use? Angeles Hospital maybe?

I'd like to ask' date=' what is his fee & which hospital does he use? Angeles Hospital maybe?[/quote']

His fee differs. I got a special of 5500. He is at the Mi hospital in Mexico

You have made the right decision with dr Garcia...good luck...so far I lost 2lbs a day since surgery' date=' no pain, all healed just tiny little scratches where the surgery was...I manage a jewellery store and was back exactly one week later and now added 3 miles walking a day for 3 days.

Keep us posted

[/quote']

Way to go! That is great. I have to be back the following Monday after surgery. I am self employed so I can not be gone for long ugg. I look forward to being able to walk a great distance. I will keep trying.

Im going to Dr. Ponce in July. Trish with WLS is his coordinator and is so helpful. She is one reason why I am going to him. She lives in MX, speaks great english and is there when you have your surgery. She isn't just someone who you talk to on the phone. When I was doing my research I found out some of the coordinators never had met the doctors they were pushing. Dr Ponce is a well known and respected gastric surgeon. I am having my surgery done at the INT hospital. I didn't want a clinic. Any questions feel free to ask.

opps I keep posting things twice...sorry..lol

Im going to Dr. Ponce in July. Trish with WLS is his coordinator and is so helpful. She is one reason why I am going to him. She lives in MX' date=' speaks great english and is there when you have your surgery. She isn't just someone who you talk to on the phone. When I was doing my research I found out some of the coordinators never had met the doctors they were pushing. Dr Ponce is a well known and respected gastric surgeon. I am having my surgery done at the INT hospital. I didn't want a clinic. Any questions feel free to ask.[/quote']

Umm, you might want to prepare yourself, based on US standards, the INT is not really a hospital. It's more like a surgury center. Not that you have anything to be worried about, the Angeles Hospital is only a couple blocks away and Dr Ponce is quite capable Trish is heaven sent. I had my surgury there on 6-23 and it's been great, no pain, I've already lost 35lbs, & I've had no problems with the foodsive tried.

I can say you are in good hands, just don't want you to expect the INT to be more than what it is.

Well I would like to stay in the US but it is looking slim on my chances. You all are making it much easier for me to got to Mexico, so thank you. I was hoping to do Kelly or Ponce but open to suggestions. Garcia, Alvarez, Aceves. As bad as I hate it, price is a factor. I'm looking to stay less than 6000 with safest physician and location with shortest stay safely possible.