Where do I begin?

My daughter received the procedure last week - January 2017. After thoroughly researching the procedure and doctors, we settled on Weightloss Agents due to cost. Plus, I was encouraged after seeing a special segment on ABC featuring the doctor's office in Tijuana. They didn't mention the facility's name, but I assumed it was the same office as Weightloss agents. Here's a summary of our experience:

1. The pre-op instructions were only available on the website. They have a nice website, but after I paid my balance in full I had no need to check it every day. As such, I totally missed the pre-op instructions which gave important information as to my daughter's diet before the procedure. Not following the diet not only complicated her recovery but prolonged the recovery period.

2. The staff at the hospital in Tijuana spoke very little English. Only one of the nurses was bilingual but she left after her shift ended. Imagine watching your daughter do through discomfort and pain and not being able to communicate with anyone in English. To make matters worse, they seemed to have forgotten that my daughter, not I, had the procedure. After 8 hours, I was starving. The neighborhood where the clinic is located appeared unsafe. And their cafeteria did not accept cash or credit cards. Needless to say, this did not improve my mood.

3. Worst of all - My daughter was discharged after being given NO paperwork and NO prescriptions. Again, I thought this was normal since it was a nonsurgical procedure. But when my daughter arrived home, she experienced extreme nausea and vomiting. I contacted Weightloss agents and was basically told that they couldn't prescribe anything because the doctor was outside the US. The only recommendation was for over-the-counter meds which didn't work. As a result, my daughter had to go to the emergency room where she was given an IV. They prescribed to her nausea medication which worked. All of this could have been prevented if they'd give her the medication before leaving.

5. I tried calling the doctor in Tijuana and left a message. And I never received a returned call. Basically, the follow-up from this procedure is non-existent. You're on your own.

5. The post-op instructions they send are not specific to the gastric balloon - they are main for the sleeve. I had to go on the Obera website to get more thorough information.

So would I recommend this place? NO. I am still positive about the procedure itself, but I cannot recommend this company due to my negative experience. If I had the chance to do it again, it would definitely be with a local doctor in the US. I get that it's cheaper here, but it was not worth the unnecessary pain and frustration experienced by myself and my daughter.

Was your daughter's surgeon Dr. Mario Almanza? If yes, she is truly lucky to be alive. Please see:

I hate that this happened to you all. Unfortunately, that's a risk you take when getting surgery done outside of the states. The cost may have been great, but look at all the hiccups that occurred prior to even getting surgery. Maybe try and find a Dr here in the states to help her post Surgery for follow ups etc.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920AZ using the BariatricPal App

Yes, it was a risk which is why I am sharing my experience. This place is very popular, and I hope at least someone will reconsider.

Thanks for replying.

Hi Cherlyn

I can understand all of these things you posted. Now I had my RNY in Coos Bay, Oregon July 2, 2013. I had a pretty easy time. But I started having trouble with Strictures right away. I ended up having 5 endoscopes with 3 dialations with my Suregon, but he treated me like I was a "PROBLEM". He even called me and my Husband "PROBLEM CHILDREN". I changed to a different Bariatric Center for my last one. That was Jan of 2015. Now for my hubby's story. He had the Lap Band for 13tyears and lost 100#'s but he still had a lot of weight to lose. His Band malfunctioned, so he went to the same Dr as I did. When they went in to remove the Band and revise him to the RNY. His Band had eroded into his liver so they were unable to do the revision. So fast forward to him seeing another Dr in Portland Oregon. (that is where I transfred to) they wanted him to lose 25#'s before his RNY surgery, which isn't bad except he is diabetic and they wanted his A1C down to a 7 along with his weight loss. He couldn't do both it was lose the weight and then his BS would be out of control again. In the mean time we find out that he has Cancer on his kidney. It could not be taken care of because of his size. So we went to Juraez Mexico. Thru BELITE WEIGHT LOSS GROUP. We had bad care there. The language barrier, the nurses didn't wash their hands only one nurse used hand Santizior. He ended up not getting the RNY because of scar tissue from the 1st surgery. ( I also forgot an important side of this, he got infections from his 1st botched revision and almost died. he was so sick and ended up with a wound vac for 4 months all in all he was sick for 9 months and 3 months he don't remember) So due to him having a different surgery

Edited January 22, 20179 yr by shedo82773

I ask for his information and was told it is basical all the same. Which I know isn't true. I'm sorry iuf this isn't making sense. My Computer keeps doing this werird stuff. The nurses didn't wash their hands at all. Even when they removed his IV. The Dr did lots of WLS that day. When I contacted BELITE for his new guide since he didn't have the RNY, they said they are the same. Which isn't true I had the RNY and I have lots more restriction than he does even after 3 and 1/2 years. It was a night mare for sure but I don't have anything on you and your daughter. I WOULD NOT recommend Mexico at all. Now I have heard good things about these Surgeon's. And also other places in Mexico. I really don't think we would use Mexico again for any surgeries at all. Thank God he is ok. But losing very slow. I got to my goal weight in 6 months so there is a big difference in the surgeries. I'm so sorry that you both went thru that nightmare and I hope your daughter is getting along great. Take care. Just know there are many reasons people opt to go to Mexico. Noone has the right to judge us for our choices. Times are hard and our health is in the makes. Hang strong

Was your daughter's surgeon Dr. Mario Almanza? If yes, she is truly lucky to be alive. Please see:

OMG, YES!!! In fact, he took a picture with my daughter in the waiting room. He said that he wanted before/after pictures and went around the room and took pictures with everyone there. Upon seeing this video, I feel sick. I WISH I would have seen this before. I would have left right then and there, regardless of paying. And I would have shared this with those poor women in the waiting room. Most of whom were getting the sleeve. The only consolation is that my daughter got the balloon which is nonsurgical. But now I fear if she has caught an infection. I am definitely following up with a specialist here and ask them to do a full exam. This video confirms my belief that this place is a complete scam. Thanks so much for sharing!

Edited January 22, 20179 yr by Cherlyn Robinson

I ask for his information and was told it is basical all the same. Which I know isn't true. I'm sorry iuf this isn't making sense. My Computer keeps doing this werird stuff. The nurses didn't wash their hands at all. Even when they removed his IV. The Dr did lots of WLS that day. When I contacted BELITE for his new guide since he didn't have the RNY, they said they are the same. Which isn't true I had the RNY and I have lots more restriction than he does even after 3 and 1/2 years. It was a night mare for sure but I don't have anything on you and your daughter. I WOULD NOT recommend Mexico at all. Now I have heard good things about these Surgeon's. And also other places in Mexico. I really don't think we would use Mexico again for any surgeries at all. Thank God he is ok. But losing very slow. I got to my goal weight in 6 months so there is a big difference in the surgeries. I'm so sorry that you both went thru that nightmare and I hope your daughter is getting along great. Take care. Just know there are many reasons people opt to go to Mexico. Noone has the right to judge us for our choices. Times are hard and our health is in the makes. Hang strong

Thanks for sharing. I didn't understand some of what you said, but it seems that everything turned out okay. I didn't mean to imply that people shouldn't go to Mexico. I understand that for many, this is the last resort as it relates to their health. But if you must go, PLEASE don't choose this place!

I ask for his information and was told it is basical all the same. Which I know isn't true. I'm sorry iuf this isn't making sense. My Computer keeps doing this werird stuff. The nurses didn't wash their hands at all. Even when they removed his IV. The Dr did lots of WLS that day. When I contacted BELITE for his new guide since he didn't have the RNY, they said they are the same. Which isn't true I had the RNY and I have lots more restriction than he does even after 3 and 1/2 years. It was a night mare for sure but I don't have anything on you and your daughter. I WOULD NOT recommend Mexico at all. Now I have heard good things about these Surgeon's. And also other places in Mexico. I really don't think we would use Mexico again for any surgeries at all. Thank God he is ok. But losing very slow. I got to my goal weight in 6 months so there is a big difference in the surgeries. I'm so sorry that you both went thru that nightmare and I hope your daughter is getting along great. Take care. Just know there are many reasons people opt to go to Mexico. Noone has the right to judge us for our choices. Times are hard and our health is in the makes. Hang strong

There are terrible surgeons in every country. There are some amazing surgeons that are world renowned that practice out of Mexico. Research, research, research! That's what everyone needs to do before undergoing surgery, anywhere.