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My Delightful first VSG turned Nightmare @ "resleeve" by Almanza

My Delightful first VSG turned Nightmare @ "resleeve" by Almanza

7 years ago I had a VSG with the wonderful now deceased Dr. Aceves. He was the most caring gentle sweet man and absolutely brilliant,no scars, he was there with me when I woke. He spent untold time with me personally. I loved him and the surgery was so successful. I lost 105 pounds, came within 3 pounds of my goal weight and was ECSTATIC.


A year and a half ago I had to leave my home state and move to rural NorCal to care for my aging parents. My active lifestyle screeched to a halt.. nothing to do here. The move was very difficult as I had lived in AK all my life and developed an amazing network of friends, had a booming business and a home i loved. I went through a terrible depression and a very sedentary lifestyle. Needless to say I began to gain weight. More depression. More weight. More depression, more weight. 40 pounds later I looked for a solution and found Dr. Almanza who proposed a 'resleeve" I did not know because I did not research that any reputable doctor would NEVER do a resleeve... I does not work because the side of the stomach does not expand evenly.


With no research and desperation I made appt with ALMANZA. My first impression when I met him was he is terrible narcissistic. He paid NO personal attention to the patients... quick promises and all talk about HIM, his 6 pack abs, his good looks, etc. It was too late for me. I was THERE. I awoke to the most horrible scars... and I have experienced absolutely NO feeling of reduced appetite. I believe in my heart that he opened me up, ran into scar tissue from a previou lipo job and said to heck with this and sewed me back up. A veterinarian would have done a better job at putting me back together. My scars are hideous and I have had NO weight loss. All he did was appear to the 'group once to extol his own virtues and we never saw him again. Now his staff blames my meds which are the SAME meds I with Dr. Aceves during the original surgery. SO if my meds would prevent weight loss....WHY oh why would the even take my money, promise my goal and do an ineffective surgery??? I asked for 1500 dollar back and they wont refund anything. I pegged him as a blowhard narcissist the night and the only time we met him... but it was too late. NEVER buy into the "resleeve"... it isnt "a real thing' done by any reputable doctor, but rather just a RIP off. Almanza is a quack and asshole ripoff in my opinion

Almanza is an absolute cocky, self absorbed, swindler, and fraudster. In my opinion and experience. I would advise avoiding him completely. I made a terrible mistake and lost a good of money. I so wish Dr. Aceves were still alive. I just dont know what to do now. WHAT do I do now?

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  • Sue Brat Kee Ashe
  • You are right, I didnt mention my diet. I went for 7 years vegetarian, gluten free and did great. With the move, the depression I did fall off many wagons. I totally understand what i did wrong. it just got SO FAR out of my control that I felt it was insurmountable. I'm climbing up out of that damn hole.

I am sorry you went through all of this. Thank you for sharing your story.

Unfortunately there are people out there who work as coordinators for WLS surgeons that pretend to be patients and praise that surgeon and/or fabricate lies about a competing surgeon. Worse than that, they befriend people who didn't have the surgery yet and try to lure them towards the surgeon they coordinate for.

I don't doubt what you wrote, although I would recommend you get ready to have people rip you a new one if you make a negative post like this on the Gastric Sleeve Forum about him.

Wow what a nightmare of an experience. Yes Almanza so I have read has law suits and deaths associated with his terrible practice in medicine. Did you research him before you went? Anyway I am so glad to hear that you went back and had the DS and are doing great!! If other posters would have researched Almanza first they never would have accused you of being a troll; so sorry for that. Normally this site is wonderful with lots of information sharing and support. Don't leave just yet give us another chance. Again congrats!!

Way to "Stand up and stand tall"! I doubt we will ever know just how many people you have helped through your strength and determination.

Thank you.

Now. Get mov'n with your new tool and brightened mindset. :)

Prayers --lots of prayers going up for you.

I just did a little research and Almanza has tons of allegations and law suits. I believe every word. Him not actually touching your stomach might have been a blessing in disguise. I am glad you back on the right track and that he didn't harm you more than he did.

So glad to hear things are looking up and you are on track. I can't help but think how scary all that must have been - that Almanza experience. When I read sleeve stories I would always cringe at the surgery factory. And to find out later he just made cuts without any bariatric impact and didn't disclose what/why happened- appalling and fraudulent.

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  • Author

@@Threetimesacharm

Wow, thanks so much for your kindness. yes I agree for the most part the people here seem very decent, I just got on the wrong side of a few I guess. I'm working my stuff out,,, i mean it was SUCH a culture shock moving from a very diverse and progressive city to the mountains of NorCal to tend to my folks. We lost pops this last Dec, but my mom is hanging right in there, turning 89 this month. Still dont have anywhere near the network I had back home and my lifestyle has become quite sedentary... booooo.. bad!! But I'm working on changing that. Been doing a lot of work in the back yard and bought a bike rack and new bike. I was just so spoiled before, open the garage door, hop on the bike and 40 feet away was the trailhead of one of the best bike trails in Anchorage. Here, I have to drive 29 miles to get to a park thats ride-able. Everything is an adjustment when change is involved isnt it??Again, thanks so much for your kind words of support and for believing me.

There has been a recent post, "So Confused. Newbie here/help". Please take the time and offer her, "the rest of the story".

I believe that sometimes we are so desperate for WLS that we only hear the "good time" stories.

I think the poster could really benefit from some communication with you.

Thank you.

dr. mario Almanza? he's had many fatalities. I am hoping it's not the same one. I know bariatric pal isn't associated with him anymore. hopefully it's not the same guy.

http://www.10news.com/news/team-10-dozens-injured-during-weight-loss-surgery-in-Mexico

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Wow! Thank you soo much for posting the video/article. Hopefully it will help some folks who have not yet booked their surgeries.

I know many sleevers have success stories when going to Mexico, but as for "me and mine"?

We'll stay in the ol' USA. Where if one does have a "problem" there is an attainable legal system to help.

Wow!

  • Author

@@GSleeve822

yes darlin', its the same guy. I wish i would have RUN AWAY as soon as the hairs on the back of my neck raised. unfortunately, I am still having many bowel problems, but HEY, I'm ALIVE and not in a coma. DAMN HIS EYES!!!! I despise that monster

@

  • Sue Brat Kee Ashe
  • You are right, I didnt mention my diet. I went for 7 years vegetarian, gluten free and did great. With the move, the depression I did fall off many wagons. I totally understand what i did wrong. it just got SO FAR out of my control that I felt it was insurmountable. I'm climbing up out of that damn hole.

I'd be very interested in learning more about how "you fell off the wagon". What did you start eating, how much, how often, was alcohol involved?

There are a lot of people on this forum who are concerned about long term maintenance. We all take notice to someone who fails after 7 years of success (there but by the Grace of God go I).

@@Valentina

i dont know how to navigate this site at all, its very clunky for me and I dont know how to find things. how do i find this 'newbie'?

The title of her thread: "So Confused. Newbie here/help".

Find "New Content" and scroll down until you fine the thread. I really think she would appreciate hearing your sad, but informative story.

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. Grandsons... :)

I thank you in advance for your wiliness to "talk" to her.

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