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THANK YOU FOR YOUR POST!!!

Im going next week 3/13 and have been worried because of the people who say they have seen a post of a post u knw...but ive only seen good recommendations. Thank u

AshleySkinnyer PortlandOR

Exactly, that's why I took the time to post link for you to a recent thread I read on this board where multiple people shared their Jerusalem FIRST HAND hospital experiences. I took the time to do this for you because I don't find it helpful to receive second or third hand information either. If you don't want to click on the link I gave you and see with your own eyes where people gave less than stellar experiences then that's up to you... you can just ignore the link and keep saying that you've never seen any one provide a negative first hand experience with the facility that Almanza uses. Of course you'll want to weigh the positive and the negative and make the best decision for you which in all likelihood will be continuing with your present plan... but it's irritating to me that I GAVE YOU THE LINK to a recent thread on this board that recounts several first hand negative experiences and yet you continue to claim that you have not read any negative first hand experiences.

And again, here is the link. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/65082-notes-on-mexico-jerselem-hospital/ and yes.. there are positive reviews in that thread as well... discount the negative reviews if you want. I discounted a negative review of the facility where I'm having my surgery, but I don't pretend like it doesn't exist.

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Just to be clear I'm not saying Almanza is a God, nor is he the bestest bestest there ever was. My experience with his, and how I relay it to those who are curious and trying to make their decision, is as truthful and non bias as possible. I do not think Almanza shoots rainbows and butterflies out of his bum, however I don't think he's as bad as some make him out to be.

For many it boils down to cost.

And honestly, for people who aren't even interested in Almanza, some do sure show up on boards/forums/discussions relating to him a lot. I'm not pointing fingers directly at anybody, but if you feel it applies to you, it probably does.

Either way. Traveling to TJ is scary. They drive scary, there are stray dogs, they are trying to sale you stuff on every street, and man are they pushy! Lol

Hospital Jerusalem is a clinic. It's one patient in, get sleeved, patient out, turn over room, next! Luckily I didn't have to wait. I had surgery the day I arrived since my BMI was high I was late in the day anyways. The nursing staff is nice. The transport from hotel to testing places (as with MANY of the TJ places) can get annoying cuz you just had surgery and you're tired, you're in a new place.... Whatever.

Fact is some people don't have the extra couple thousand dollars. Fact is we are all here for support. Fact is we are all fat and unhealthy and are looking for friends on the journey.

I love Amanda Rae's signature thing but I know it a little differently:

Before you speak, THINK

is it True

is it Helpful

is it Inspiring

is it Necessary

is it Kind.

Maybe we all should apply that.

Don't expect glitz and glamour with Hospital Jerusalem. Do expect a clinic.

Don't expect grim and rude people, expect clean (they mop tons) and kind people.

Do as much research as you can to be as prepared as possible. It's easy to freak out, but in all reality we are ALL going off what people say they experience, regardless of our surgeon (unless we've traveled there to check it out prior). So do what you think is best for you, and screw everyone and their judgmental attitudes! :)

Good luck

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And to clarify: complimentary accounts aren't really "heresy" as much as non complimentary accounts are. Most of the time it's "I've been to Almanza and he was great and is recommend him" the 'I've been' makes its an experience, rather than "I read somewhere that he does this and that" which would be heresy.... Or readtype :P

Can't we all just get aloooooong! Lol!

There are 1st hand accounts on this forum of people who didn't like their experience with Almanza. Please be sure to read those...

There's a thread "notes on hospital Jerusalem" or something like that where a gentleman goes in to great detail about what he didn't like about the clinic.

I will say I think they should change there name from Hospital Jerusalem to "Clinic Jerusalem"

There is also more than one location, in the same "strip mall" type area. (Hence the confusion over him being able to do X amount of surgeries)

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Exactly' date=' that's why I took the time to post link for you to a recent thread I read on this board where multiple people shared their Jerusalem FIRST HAND hospital experiences. I took the time to do this for you because I don't find it helpful to receive second or third hand information either. If you don't want to click on the link I gave you and see with your own eyes where people gave less than stellar experiences then that's up to you... you can just ignore the link and keep saying that you've never seen any one provide a negative first hand experience with the facility that Almanza uses. Of course you'll want to weigh the positive and the negative and make the best decision for you which in all likelihood will be continuing with your present plan... but it's irritating to me that I GAVE YOU THE LINK to a recent thread on this board that recounts several first hand negative experiences and yet you continue to claim that you have not read any negative first hand experiences.

And again, here is the link. http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/65082-notes-on-mexico-jerselem-hospital/ and yes.. there are positive reviews in that thread as well... discount the negative reviews if you want. I discounted a negative review of the facility where I'm having my surgery, but I don't pretend like it doesn't exist.[/quote']

Hi. Yes I did read this. Every single post. I have been to Tj before. Ive been to doctors for ear infections strep throut Ect. And you have to understand that doctors there are doctors. Not buildings. My brother inlaw is a Doc. There. OB/GYN and he studied for 11years plus to get all the leyyers behind his name...and guees wht....for about 2 years he say women in a spare room in his house while saving up to open his own hospital. I know for $4700 im not getting a 5star hotel or hospital but im making my choice to over look all tje "air freshener" and busy nurses to save money. I have seen people say oh this sucks or Ugly place but they all seem to be happy their sleeved and they are getting what they truely wanted right....healthyr skinyr bodys. So i say if you cant handle TJ save up the $25000 and do it in your home town. But here in PDX it was $25000 plus 10k more for a year of after care. So for $4700 ill go to Tijuana

Thank you to everyone for your expieriance good ,bad and in between!

AshleySkinnyer PortlandOR

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Actually the Hotel Ticuan is lovely ;P

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I have researched and have a best friend that has had surgery there at Jerusalem hospital,I have researched and have a living proof that the Dr.s and staff treat you well.Also its truly sad to have seen that some have had complications.Reality is even here in the U.S Dr have cases were there surgery didn't go right yet we still let them operate.Well with that said yes I understand its in a strip mall and yes I know its there might be risk but I also know the same risk apply to us out here Ca.Anyway I was posting asking if anyone was going to have surgery at the same time I was.I appreciate everyones post and believe me I am far from being knew to this.Really appreciate the ones that have posted there experiences,as far as someone asking me why I would choose there instead of somewhere else well because I can.This is my decision.I wrote this post to see if there were any other people going to have the sleeve at the same time as me in April.

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I wish you the best of luck wherever you go, and from the sounds of it, you're all set :) , just wanted to say for anyone reading this thread for research that Mi hospital and Dr. Garcia is not more expensive. For a night at the Marriott, 2 nights at the hospital and 2 nights post op at the Marriott, surgery, meds and travel to and from San Diego, my cost was $4700 as well. I only had to add an additional $500 because I am a band to sleeve revision. Just wanted people to have the info since it was implied that the hospital was more expensive than the clinic!

Best of luck on your surgery!!! :)

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I wish you the best of luck wherever you go, and from the sounds of it, you're all set :) , just wanted to say for anyone reading this thread for research that Mi hospital and Dr. Garcia is not more expensive. For a night at the Marriott, 2 nights at the hospital and 2 nights post op at the Marriott, surgery, meds and travel to and from San Diego, my cost was $4700 as well. I only had to add an additional $500 because I am a band to sleeve revision. Just wanted people to have the info since it was implied that the hospital was more expensive than the clinic!

Best of luck on your surgery!!! :)

Seems that most of the doctors working out of Mi are around the same price. I'm booked with Cabrera/Valenzuela next week at Mi Doctor Hospital, including 2 night hospital and 3 night Marriott stay for $4,500. Fantastic value for sure, especially since around here it's around 20K for self pay patients!

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Dr. Lopez out of Mi hospital for me was $4,750 through A Lighter Me that included 3 night hotel stay at the Marriott and all 'food' (broth and popsicles) from the hotel also.

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And to clarify: complimentary accounts aren't really "heresy" as much as non complimentary accounts are. Most of the time it's "I've been to Almanza and he was great and is recommend him" the 'I've been' makes its an experience' date=' rather than "I read somewhere that he does this and that" which would be heresy.... Or readtype <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':P' />

Can't we all just get aloooooong! Lol!

There are 1st hand accounts on this forum of people who didn't like their experience with Almanza. Please be sure to read those...

There's a thread "notes on hospital Jerusalem" or something like that where a gentleman goes in to great detail about what he didn't like about the clinic.

I will say I think they should change there name from Hospital Jerusalem to "Clinic Jerusalem"

There is also more than one location, in the same "strip mall" type area. (Hence the confusion over him being able to do X amount of surgeries)

[/quote']

Complementary comments such as "Oh, you're using Dr. So and So? I've heard wonderful things." That is what I meant and that would qualify as hearsay.

Lets keep it real... Typically (not always)... We like hearing what we want to hear and we get snippy when we don't.

And naturally I hope to hear nothing but wonderful experiences and success stories from everyone.

Amanda Rae

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Hi. So I know I know this but can u drink Water second day post op? And also how do you take liquid medicine post op???

Im so afraid of that cause I know my doctor doesnt use narcotis much so im reallu scatd about the pain and how the liquid tylenol will go down....do i need to get the flavorless colorless or is regular ok

AshleySkinnyer PortlandOR

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Ashley . You should ask on the self pay mexico forum in the forum list. You will get a better response.

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has anyone out there had their surgery in Tijuana' date=' Mexico? Trying to do some resurch ..

I will be having my sleeve done there at the Jerusalem hospital ,by Dr Abril in June.

Just wish Iknew if I was doing enough checking, but dont know where else to go.

I would be thankfull for any input.[/quote']

Dr. Francisco Govea.

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. summerseeker

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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