I have been thinking about this for quite a while and now it is bugging me enough to write it down here, and see if anyone else had a similar experience.

I was sleeved/revised by Dr. Lopez in Tijuana on May 23, 2014. I felt very comfortable with my decision- I thoroughly researched all the doctors and have friends who have used Dr. Lopez in previous years. Also, to preface my account, I was sleeved by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali in '07 and that was an AWESOME experience!! Best hospital experience I have ever had and I have had a lot!

So, back to it...Everything seemed to be going well until I woke up in my windowless little closet of a room after the surgery sicker than hell. Horrible reaction to the anesthesia which isn't new for me. The part that bothered me was that every time I tried to get anti-nausea drugs or ice chips from the staff, they treated me like I was putting them out. As a matter of fact, none of the staff was very friendly or helpful. I was never encouraged to walk or sip my Water. I found my breath exerciser thing buried under a towel on a chair still wrapped in plastic when I was discharged, with no instruction on using it.

OK- here's the part that REALLY bothered me: When Dr. Lopez and another doctor came in to see me the day after surgery, Dr. Lopez started off by saying I had a great revision and they removed my lap-band and by-the-way I fixed your hiatal hernia. Well, that shocked me because I had my lap-band removed in 2009. Turns out that almost everyone I spoke with in those 5 days had a hiatal hernia repaired that they were not aware was a problem previous to surgery.

Maybe hiatal hernias are very common. Maybe it was a slip of the tongue regarding 'removing' my lap-band. In any case, it's still gnawing at me and I am curious if anyone else felt uncomfortable in Mi Doctor hospital and/or with the staff of Dr. Lopez.

Also, I was never weighed prior to surgery. So the day after, I asked to use the scale I saw outside my room. I was told it was broken. I spoke with another lady in the room across from me, who also had issues with the staff, who said that she was in fact weighed prior to surgery.

I'm supposed to be sleeved by Dr. Lopez July 22 and I was really having second thoughts.. You just made up my mind... Thanks I'm going back on low carb until I can have it done in the U S A..

Interesting that so many patients had the hiatal hernia repaired while you were at the hospital. MI is supposed to be a respectable hospital and Dr Lopez is reviewed quite favorably. He and his wife did open their own business last year as they left their previous group.

The nursing lack of attention can happen at any hospital.

Is this additional procedure included in the surgery fee or extra?

Does the procedure require additional post op healing?

Thx.

Hi Rocky,

Yes, there was an additional cost for hernia repair - $500. I was never given any instructions written or verbal regarding the hiatal hernia whatsoever. As a matter of fact I got very little information on recuping from the surgery period. I spent my post op days at the hotel researching on my own.

Thanks Rocky! I was negligent in reporting that I am enjoying this new way of life and am sooo glad I had this done!! I was asked to write a check for $500 for the hernia repair the same day I had the surgery. My cost was was $4400 + the $500 + $1500 because it was considered a revision even though I already had my lap band removed.

My best friend has had the surgery in Mexico by dr. Corvola and she's been post op 5 years and still no problems. I am having surgery done June 28th. I am excited and nervous at the same time. keep in touch and I hope this all works out for you.

Kayleena

My GI doc here locally told me that 40% of the US population have hernias and are unaware. He said that number goes up quite a bit for obese folks.

How many surgeries does Dr. Lopez do a day?

I would be SO mad if the doctor fixed something without asking me in advance if that is ok and letting me know there would be an extra charge if it did get fixed. That puts a patient in a real bind. If you don't have the extra 500, then what will they do? Put you out on the street?

Edited June 20, 201412 yr by Travelmego

Dr Lopez is wonderful and doesn't charge extra. That's why I am going to have him do my lap band. I think he does about 6-8 patients a day.

My best friend has had the surgery in Mexico by dr. Corvola and she's been post op 5 years and still no problems. I am having surgery done June 28th. I am excited and nervous at the same time. keep in touch and I hope this all works out for you.

Kayleena

Kayleena,

How was the after care for your friend? I'm looking into Dr. Corvala as well, but have seen some people have trouble getting in touch with him and his office after their sugery is done.

Please let me know.

Kayleena,

Out of curiosity - how do you know he doesn't charge extra? Did the office tell you that? And how do we reconcile that with the report earlier in this thread that he did charge someone $500 extra?

Actually, I had to sign a consent to repair a hernia, if found- at a cost of $1000. I (and other patients I spoke with) was charged $500.

No extra charge it's in my plan of package care. It's all in black and white writing

so, as I said earlier (in the wrong thread), every one has to do a scanner before going under surgery, so that you won't be wondering if this hernia really existed or was an alibi to charge you more,

it is not normal to be asked to sign a cheque when you just got surgery and while anesthesy is not totally cleared from your blood, you can drop it with you consent before surgery as you know that yes, you have an hernia....

Annsue,

So you did know that there was a charge for the hernia? So you don't have a complaint about that? Just asking for clarification.

Edited June 20, 201412 yr by Travelmego

Yes, I knew there would be a charge if I had a hiatal hernia. I had the endoscopy done prior, but either I was not told about the hernia or I was out of it due to anesthesia. The first i heard of it was after being sleeved. I guess I just feel that it was odd that so many other patients- most of whom had low bmi like myself- had the repair done and we were given no paperwork or info on the procedure. That, coupled with the fact that Dr. Lopez told me he removed my lap band when I didn't even have one just got me to thinking...