Ok, so I'm here last night at the hotel in Tijuanu... Been thinking of the best way to put the whole experience down so I can really get a grasp on it. To be totally honest I researched hard for months about this surgery. Read all of the good, bad, and ugly threads. I had a very good plan going in what to ask, what to expect, how to in general handle the reality of coming to a different country to allow some random person that you only meet for ten minutes to cut me open and do the work. I am very informed on what to drink, amounts and times. How to handle my incisions and general care of my sleeve.

All of that being said I was not prepared for my experience here, it truly has taught me that people really do just think that this surgery is an in and out, no plan needed, no follow through easy peasy fix all.

Seriously, of the 8 people in my "group" only 2 of us had any real answers and information. I believe this is a total breakdown from both ends the clinic and the patients. Communication is a huge problem here. I basically became a translator/patient corindinator calming people down and maintaining the almost riotous peace... but we're not there yet.

So we all get together at the airport it's about 8pm. We had been told that we would be going straight to the hotel this turns out to be miscommunication number 1. We are taken to the clinic hustled in with our companions and all of the luggage. Companions are left in the tiny waiting room four chairs eight people two of which were totally infirmed, stoke patient. The actual patients are rushed up stairs for our EKG, patient consultation, and blood work. We are seated in a small room right outside of the two upstairs patient recovery rooms. It's loud and kinda creepy. The whole place has the illusion of cleanliness but really it's a lot of Lysol and air freshners.

Random people come and go, it's quite a hotspot. About 2.5 hours later we are taken back to the hotel, which is niceish. I learn later from the front desk lady that I befriended, that the hotel staff hate the whole set up with the clinic. So basically it's nice but I would not say friendly.

Surgery day, happens earlier then they said. Got a call 1 hour before the 6am time that we had been told. Said to be down and ready now. Get there everyone is nervous. The 14yr old boy that had been brought here by his mother for the lap band but has been talked in the sleeve goes first. I have nothing to say about this besides he wasn't heavy and had not hit a growth spent yet so draw your own conclusions... Sad

I'm second by the time I was down I was out. Quick and smooth got up and walked like people all say. It's a weird feeling like doing thousands of sit ups. Some gas some pain some nausea... Not easy because guess what it's surgery! Expect to be out of it, and for those of you that had nothing but sunshine and rose, congrats.

A couple hours goes by I'm feeling pretty ok. The staff comes in and asks me to move to the other side of the strip mall lot to the other clinic to stay over nite. Ok sure that makes a total of 11 beds fullaltogether. That night is ok. I can't burp so I kinda puke burp a couple times. This building also had been bombed in air freshners which seems strange because after surgery patients generally have a cut senses of smell.

I don't think I would recommend this clinic to anyone. It was very hodgepodge and over all un

satisfying experience. No leaks, some nausea and some cramping. So over all normal but you can do better for a little more and it would def be worth it. I can't wait to put this behind me and get home.

I notice thatmany of you are referring to the price as less. How much did you guys have to pay at this horrible place? I will be having mine done march 6 at INT hospital with Dr Jaime Ponce Deleon.

Going to Dr. Almanza is $1000 less than dr. ponce de leon. $4500 as opposed to $5500.

I was at this clinic with my husband at the end of January '13. The conditions are exactly as described. It was horrendous. I was sleeved in the US and was struck by the many contrasts. I have heard wonderful things about other surgeons in Tijuana - but I recommend that folks avoid this place like the plague.

I used Dr. Cabrera and Venezuela, they are 4500 for the sleeve, same as Almanza, There are options out there that don't compromise safety or comfort.

A friend who used Almanza 2 years ago could not recommend using him, so I did my research and knew he wasn't for me.

Jana, sleeved 1/31/13

I would have spent triple somewhere else to avoid that place! I live in Canada and my family doctor has done 3 X-rays since I've been home and I'm healing well. No issues physically but man alive I'm beating myself up for making such a poor choice picking that place! When you're overweight you're desperate sometimes. Glad it's behind me

When I first started researching surgery. I was watching videos on you tube and this place has lots of them. Almost like they try to get all their patients to do a video. But I seem one persons video and it showed them driving up to a place that looked like a strip mall and I said then no way!!!!!! I love vertical sleeve talk!!!! It has helped me choose Dr Garcia at $4700.

When I first started researching surgery. I was watching videos on you tube and this place has lots of them. Almost like they try to get all their patients to do a video. But I seem one persons video and it showed them driving up to a place that looked like a strip mall and I said then no way!!!!!! I love vertical sleeve talk!!!! It has helped me choose Dr Garcia at 4700.

What Dr Garcia is this?

Fernando Garcia . I am going through ready 4 a change.

Fernando Garcia . I am going through Ready 4 a Change.

Thank you! I just switched!

Forst of all, I am so sorry that your experience was so awful! The decision to have this surgery is stressful enough I can't imagine having confidence issues in your hospital once you arrive. I went to Mexicali and my Surgeon was Dr. Aceves. He was great, doesn't do more than three surgeries a day and I saw him multiple times a day during my three night hospital stay. Just so you know not all Mexico experiences are scary! I'm so glad you had no complications and are recovering smoothly. You sharing your story could save someone else future pain and suffering!

Oh goodness, I just wanted to say how sorry I am as well that so many of you have had such an unpleasant experience. We do appreciate when our members share their personal experiences, good, bad or otherwise. It is so important for people to be armed with as much Information as possible so they can make an informed decision about the surgeon they choose.

Sent from my iPad using VST

Wow. Just wow.

Amanda Rae

This thread may have just saved me from a very bad experience! I am now going to be sleeved by Dr Garcia and will be sleeved at Mi Doctor and staying at the Marriott! Note to self...do MORE research!!

This thread may have just saved me from a very bad experience! I am now going to be sleeved by Dr Garcia and will be sleeved at Mi Doctor and staying at the Marriott! Note to self...do MORE research!!

Especially when Dr. Garcia's prices are comparable and he is so well reviewed.

Amanda Rae

Especially when Dr. Garcia's prices are comparable and he is so well reviewed.

Amanda Rae

Exactly! Are you going to be sleeved by Dr Garcia also!? If so when?

I went to Almanza and my experience was nothing like that! They wore gloves, 6 of us were sleeved, nurses were great, and was overall taken care of. It's sad this place has gone way down hill in just under 4 months! His prices have gone up so he's no longer the cheapest. I know price was a deciding factor for me, so there's is probably a lot better care for cheaper or same price now. I'm glad everyone is ok!