I Dont Hear Much About Dr. Almanza Anymore........

[NurseGrace 509]

A thread like this happens often. A few weeks ago i saw one about Dr. Alverez and before that it was Dr. Kelly. And its usually fueled by the people who didn't even use the surgeon. But they "heard" about that surgeon.

Nothing better to do?

 

Nah im just having good natured conversation, and your right, I would take someones opinion on a surgeon who was actually a patient over an 'almost' patient. I just dont like to see the conversation get shut down because I think there is validity anf something to be gain in learning why patients decide to switch too, especially when it's not a rare claim. Shes not the only person saying that. Not to say that its true or not because I have never been, but clearly somethibf is giving people that impression.

[partofme! 36]

I was sleeved by Almanza Nov 21st and I am still breathing. (rolling eyes)

I have read ALLLLLLL the good bad and ugly on Almanza. I agree it comes down to heresay. A few years back, our very own Mrs Canada, or, Melanie Wildman, was sleeved by Almanza himself. She then posted negative things about him AFTER she stopped referring patients to him and switched to other Mexican doctors for - here it comes - her own surgery referral biz in Canada. While her posts seem very genuine, there was a lot of slander going on and with all she said, I am hoping she was able to back that up for her business's sake.

After that, there were fake patients, real patients and everything inbetween posting stuff about him-and other doctors as well. I think it is important to look at a persons profile and history. Two posts and they all of a sudden write a flaming review? Just keep your eyes open, is all I am saying.

Were there better options for me? I am sure there were...there is always better out there, right? But at the end of the day, what matters to me is that I had a safe surgery, no issues, infections, good treatment, feel good, and I am losing weight.

One out of a hundred patients will have complications...more will have pneumonia..... .3 out of a hundred will have a leak.

My experience personally was that I was in a van with maybe 5 other patients. He did 4, maybe 5 surgeries that day. There are only 8 beds in the hospital to recover in. There is no room for anyone else. You cannot move anyone around because there is nowhere to put them. You cannot move them to the hotel...they need the IV and such and the hotel would not allow that.

Also, some people need to stay for observation for another night for vomiting, or issues, for example...the girl that stayed next to me after my surgery was vomiting and not doing well. She was there two nights.

Everyone in my group had great success and we have all kept in touch and are healthy, no complications or issues, etc. Yes, it is in a strip plaza...they have numerous medical facilities throughout the facilty...two in that plaza, they own the xray clinic, and are building a new facility. They are not using the recover house anymore-its all at the hotel where you recover and you have your nurse there 24/7.

I had comfort, privacy, a nice hotel, in-room patient massage.....I am sure it is just a matter of time before they will need to expand the facility as the one they have now is small. But it is clean-so clean....not a hair, smudge, piece of food, nothing. You have to wear booties entering their facility.

Maybe they went through a tough time or growth issues or who knows what...I don't know. All I do know is that they have a tonne of patient testimonials on youtube that are posted daily by happy patients that make endless comments on the cleanliness, attentiveness...it sounds like they are really trying to turn whatever bad rap they had a few years ago around.

I have nothing bad to say about them-it was a great experience!

[NORCALRN 60]

I just spoke with Heather -coordinator the other day. She was checking on me after i was solicited by them for feedback. I gave her my complicated journey that is still going on since sleeved 7-24-12 . Yes,.....no more recovery house and the Hotel Ticuan is utilized -suite 106. She said it is working out better. He does do a lot of surgeries. I was up first. lowest BMI-highest. I know someone did not go to the OR that day til 11pm!!!!!!!!!!!!! My post op issues are likely not his error, except he might have damaged my vagus nerve so i have gastroparesis...here comes another jpeg feeding tube likely! It would be helpful to pack your own pain meds and speak a bit of medical spanish!

[NurseGrace 509]

11pm? Yikes, how early was yours? I am a nurse so I am looking at this from a technical standpoint but how does that work? did he take a nap between surgeries? lol.... Having been in an OR hours on end I know that keeping sterile technique for 45 minutes is hard, I cannot imagine a marathon like that. I have no authority to accuse anyone of being unsafe, but that is questionable in my book for sure but for me its also all hearsay, I have no idea when they start or how true it is that someone was really being operated on at 11pm so who knows.

[kim67 26]

My husband, daughter and myself were sleeved dec 24th 2013 with dr.Garcia. It was the best choice for us. Dr. Garcia and his team were amazing, and the Marriott hotel was beautiful. We have had no problems, getting fluids in, Proteins etc. I would highly recommend dr.Garcia, but it is each persons choice. Good luck with your choice.

[circa 333]

I booked with him for Jan 11 2013 but have sinced switched' date=' he is to impersonal and does anywhere from 10 to 11 surgeries a day which seems to be more money driven, he starts with the lowest bmi and works his way to the highest, you sit in a room waiting your turn, his facility is in a shopping center hower my deciding factor was his facility is not a medical facility equipped for medical emergencies.[/quote']

Dr Almanza DOES NOT do that many surgeries a day. Whomever told you that lied to you and you are perpetuating that lie.

Sent from my iPhone using VST

[Ms_JackieDMV 18]

How much do these doctors charge?

[JamesHRN 114]

Dr Almanza charged $4500 for the sleeve

 

 

Dr Almanza does not do more than 8 a day there were only 6 of us when I went and he only has 8 beds in the hospital.

 

But I remember we all did share our beds with each other women and men shared the same bed I had 3 people in my bed it was really cozy but we stayed warm. I think he did about 20-24 that day at about 45+ mins per surgery he had plenty of time to do them.

 

He also slept during the surgeries since he was doing so many a day. He started in the afternoon and went none stop for days without sleep

[JamesHRN 114]

Patient don't get to the hospital until late morning then they all have their lab work done and the pre surgery work up. So he does not start until early afternoon maybe very late morning but I can only say that he talks to all of the patients at about 1 pm before he starts his surgeries but he still has plenty of time to botch up surgeries and still do 20 or so a day

[Ms_JackieDMV 18]

That's a good price is financing available? How much for the plan ticket? Do you need a passport for mexico?

[JamesHRN 114]

You do need passport to go to Mexico or any other country now a days I am not sure about financing but I do think he does but not for sure.

[Ms_JackieDMV 18]

Thanks never been to Mexico. I would be very nervous and scared. He offers a package which sounds great. Waiting for my insurance company hopefully all goes well...

[JamesHRN 114]

I never felt unsafe while I was there I was picked up at the airport and was brought back to San Diego airport their staff is with you the whole time you are never left alone

[Ms_JackieDMV 18]

San Diego or Mexico? Sorry confuse?

[O.T.R. sleever 3,386]

San Diego or Mexico? Sorry confuse?

 

You fly into San Diego, are picked up by a van and taken to TJ Mexico where the surgery is performed. Then after a few days you are returned to the San Diego airport.