This is WAY over the top!
I just wanted to say I heart you...you are so damn funny!!
"I do know that a man being married to a woman makes him a heterosexual, like kittens being born in an oven makes them biscuits."
"I do know that a man being married to a woman makes him a heterosexual, like kittens being born in an oven makes them biscuits."
"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." - Henry Ford
Weights: highest = 520; before pre-op diet = 510; day of surgery = 494; goal = >200
Check out my blog - My Life with Sleevey. And add me as a friend to see my pics!
Weights: highest = 520; before pre-op diet = 510; day of surgery = 494; goal = >200
Check out my blog - My Life with Sleevey. And add me as a friend to see my pics!
"Betancourt was kind, however, because of my personal religious beliefs, had I known he was a homosexual, I may very well have not gone to Dr. Almanza. I am so glad I didn't know and went. "
Are you KIDDING ME??? In 2010, with a successful surgery, to boot, you say something like THIS????
Does his sexual orientation somehow make him less capable?
Shame on you and your narrow mind.
ugh!! (and flame me all you want- I teahc and have know kids to DIE b/c of attitudes like this!!!!!)
Are you KIDDING ME??? In 2010, with a successful surgery, to boot, you say something like THIS????
Does his sexual orientation somehow make him less capable?
Shame on you and your narrow mind.
ugh!! (and flame me all you want- I teahc and have know kids to DIE b/c of attitudes like this!!!!!)
L.
VSG- consult March 10th, OOC faxed to OHIP March 24th, Sleep study March 26th, CPAP autotritation April 9th thru the 14th, OHIP APPROVAL: March 31st!! PATS- June 30th VSG July 15th!!!!!!
(weight loss includes 8 lbs lost the week before surgery)
5' 6" (at surgery, wearing 2x-3x, 20/22)
Goal 175 lbs
On March 23, 2010 at 11:32 PM Pacific Time, wendyvanosdell wrote:
I understand your point, we are worth more than $$$$$. That said, I could not have had surgery if it hadn't been for Dr. Almanza. I am very upfont and blunt. If there was anything to tell about my experience there, I WOULD DEFINITELY tell it. But there wasn't. He was an excellent surgeon, and very careful with me. I have a heart condition, and he used extreme caution, even so far as sending me for an echo before operating. (FYI- most thorough echo I have ever had.)I was truly suprised at the quality of care I received in Mexico.
Betancourt was kind, however, because of my personal religious beliefs, had I known he was a homosexual, I may very well have not gone to Dr. Almanza. I am so glad I didn't know and went. Dr. Betancourt was nothing but kind to me and my husband. For me, it wasn't really about Betancourt, as he was not operating on me- he runs the business side of things. Dr. Almanza is great. He really does care, and he is an excellent surgeon. I was shopping in Tijuana less than 48 hours postop. In a lot of ways it was like a vacation. I can do nothing but recommend Dr. Almanza, it really was that good. I have absolutely no regrets. I wish you would have called me.
I had surgery on Feb. 3rd, flew home on Feb. 6th. If you have any questions- don't hesitate to ask, I will answer as best as I can.
~~Betancourt was kind, however, because of my personal religious beliefs, had I known he was a homosexual, I may very well have not gone to Dr. Almanza~~
Look, anyone that knows me knows I am no Betancourt/Almanza fan but to suggest that you won't go to someone who has differing beliefs to your own... that's kinda classless.
Do you make a practice of only going to people who do not ever sin in the eyes of your church? Can we assume you do not sin, ever?
You could have walked out without having surgery, Andres isn't exactly masculine in his overall demeanor. But it was cheap and you *reallllly* wanted surgery so God will forgive you, right?
Gahhh.....
Since you are looking for cons, I have written this second post. These are the only ones I could think of.
I reread your post and wanted to add: the place I had surgery was Jerusalem Clinic. It is NOT a hospital. And I personally don't think you could get to the hospital fast enough if there was some kind of life threatening emergency that Dr. Almanza couldn't handle. I was told by my coordinator that the hospital is just a couple miles away. This is true. However, with the traffic, it would take up to 10 minutes to get there. And forget the thought of running back over to the hospital in the US. You have to cross the border and that takes time.
Also, I found it creepy to cross the border, I did not like leaving America.
Also, I missed my children VERY BADLY (this was THE worst).
Also, I have huge issues with pain meds, I cannot tolerate many of them. Whatever pain med I was given after surgery was terrible, and it took a solid two to three hours to get a different one. Once I got the different one, I was fine. There was not an english speaking person there that night, and I had my surgery late in the afternoon, so everyone was gone when I was given the pain med that didn't sit well with me. Once they got the anesthesiologist on the phone, whatever he told them to give me, worked wonderful, and I was fine from then on. After the first 24 hours, I never needed any more pain meds.
I would love to go back and see the clinic and Dr. Almanza and the nurse that says, its ok bebe. I can still hear her saying it. It was wonderful, and I am so glad I have the sleeve. My life is really different now, my husband looks at me like he did when we were first married. I have so much energy now. It is so good.
I reread your post and wanted to add: the place I had surgery was Jerusalem Clinic. It is NOT a hospital. And I personally don't think you could get to the hospital fast enough if there was some kind of life threatening emergency that Dr. Almanza couldn't handle. I was told by my coordinator that the hospital is just a couple miles away. This is true. However, with the traffic, it would take up to 10 minutes to get there. And forget the thought of running back over to the hospital in the US. You have to cross the border and that takes time.
Also, I found it creepy to cross the border, I did not like leaving America.
Also, I missed my children VERY BADLY (this was THE worst).
Also, I have huge issues with pain meds, I cannot tolerate many of them. Whatever pain med I was given after surgery was terrible, and it took a solid two to three hours to get a different one. Once I got the different one, I was fine. There was not an english speaking person there that night, and I had my surgery late in the afternoon, so everyone was gone when I was given the pain med that didn't sit well with me. Once they got the anesthesiologist on the phone, whatever he told them to give me, worked wonderful, and I was fine from then on. After the first 24 hours, I never needed any more pain meds.
I would love to go back and see the clinic and Dr. Almanza and the nurse that says, its ok bebe. I can still hear her saying it. It was wonderful, and I am so glad I have the sleeve. My life is really different now, my husband looks at me like he did when we were first married. I have so much energy now. It is so good.
Wendy Vanosdell 
My that's a big can of worms you have there. 
I think you are making the right decision though. I came through surgery fine with Almanza, he did a great job on the surgery, but the aftercare was pretty bad. And I came home with an infection that took over a month to heal. Blah blah blah I've told it on here a million times. And surprisingly, people still go there. I don't get it. I know some people come back having had a great experience. I don't get that either. (And for the record, no I DO NOT think they're lying. Just a different experience/perception.)
I'm glad I had surgery and that it was affordabe (except for the couple thousand dollars of medical treatment when I got home) and effective, but I wouldn't go back to that clinic for any other surgeries.
I think you are making the right decision though. I came through surgery fine with Almanza, he did a great job on the surgery, but the aftercare was pretty bad. And I came home with an infection that took over a month to heal. Blah blah blah I've told it on here a million times. And surprisingly, people still go there. I don't get it. I know some people come back having had a great experience. I don't get that either. (And for the record, no I DO NOT think they're lying. Just a different experience/perception.)
I'm glad I had surgery and that it was affordabe (except for the couple thousand dollars of medical treatment when I got home) and effective, but I wouldn't go back to that clinic for any other surgeries.
I had a great experience. No infection at all. I have also posted my experiences before. The only thing I was not so pleased with was the recovery house, but I was sprung from the hospital before I had to stay there. I would have also liked more discussion about after care and diets etc.
If you would like to contact the medical tourism corp for questions please let me know and I will forward their contact details. I think that if past patients have a problem they should really let Med Tourism know so when they are helping people organize their weight loss surgery then can properly recommend doctors.
Jaime
If you would like to contact the medical tourism corp for questions please let me know and I will forward their contact details. I think that if past patients have a problem they should really let Med Tourism know so when they are helping people organize their weight loss surgery then can properly recommend doctors.
Jaime
I am waiting for a date and insurance approval. I would never judge a person by their orientation, religion or race. Haven't we as heavy people experienced prejudice? I know that I have. If a person is good at what they do, we all want the best. Treat others as we want to be treated. Let's not judge, remember judge ye not lest ye be judged. I would say more about this cause this #$&!@ really bothers me.
I agree this no place for this talk, we are here to support each other and share the journey. Everyone deserves to be loved and have happiness. Everyone!
I agree this no place for this talk, we are here to support each other and share the journey. Everyone deserves to be loved and have happiness. Everyone!
My sister and I both had surgery February 17, 2010 with Dr. Almanza. Neither of us had any infection. I wasn't able to take the antibiotics due to them making me vomit and even with no antibiotics, still no infection. I don't dispute that others have had them but in our personal experiences neither if us had any problem. My sister did develop and allergic reaction to the tape but that had nothing to do with the clinic. Our experience was very positive. If you feel that negatively about this clinic/doctor then just don't go to them. There are many other doctors.
HW257 SW196 CW149.5 GW145
On March 23, 2010 at 10:21 PM Pacific Time, donemytime wrote:
Was going to go with Almanza...but changed my mind, due to research! Infection rates...leaks and just the generalization everyone does to say the clinic is OK??? I will not put my life in jeopardy for $$$$$. I have personally spoke to 12 of Almanza's patients, 12 of Joya's, 11 of Pompa's and 10 of Acevese's. I would go to Joya, Pompa, and Aceves before I went to a "Betancourt" owned???/run??? clinic.Everyone of the Betancourt patients had at least one infection and 3 of the patients had leaks...two are still on feeding tubes, both had surgery in Jan of 2010! Joya , Pompa, and Aceves had a total of 1 infection between all of them, so I feel it is a moot point with the 3 of them, but every patient from Betancourt?
Names of these patients...it is a privacy issue...but if you can read between the lines in peoples profiles and then get in touch with them, you can talk to them too. YES, it takes a ton of research to draw these conclusions(that are fact based unless all these people have nothing better to do but lie about there personal stories!). But I truly am not here to expose people, do your own research, please.
If there is anyone out there that has spoken with me about their experience with Betancourt and you would like to tell your experience here, please feel free to post it. I feel it is a bad idea for people to continue to have surgery in unsafe conditions. The one surgeon they have does way more than 3 surgeries a day, as I am told. One woman was 6th of the day...all performed by 1 surgeon!! Sixth of the day, the most any clinics will do is 4, not 6!!!
I think this is a very valid request. There are plenty of great stories of success and the utmost of safety, I just want stories from people who experienced infections or leaks in the clinic in the last 8 months. Your there, I have spoke with you.
My choice has become based on safety of myself, not the "special" of the day!!! Maybe there is a reason Betancourt is the cheapest. I am worth more than that!!
I had my surgery with Dr. almanza and everything was fine. I was at least as well taken care of with them as I would have been in the states. Ever pushed the nurse call button repeatedly in a us hospital and wait a long time for a reply or to have your need met?
I don't know about the 12 people you quote as having infections. I know of one pinhole leak that someone had the week after I left,but that is all. there have been some infections,every surgeon has them. In addition it is not the surgeons.hospital's fault if patients are non compliant at home. Who is to say some of the infections were not user error?
Have these patients posted their issues on this site? Apparently,you found them on this site. May I ask on which forum you found them,as I would like to read them also. it seems like you might have tried very hard to find twelve patients who had such complications but I don't see you looking for any positive outcomes.
I have added a list of people here who are real patients of Dr. Almanza and Bettancourt.I am not violating any ones privacy here as these posters have freely posted their stories on a public site. they have all been there and done that,as have I. They have all been pleased with their experience. this is just a sample that I found quickly on my friends list:
Bikerchickk
ccgroves
irishsweetheart
Ptibbits
hopeful01
N H.
Emeraldcoast09
Islandguy
Boscogirl
fightingfat
Peanutfreemom
mrios1029
Carlsongang
thinasiwant
lifelover
westtexastwizter
laurie d
www.ohmeohmy.com105
teshanelson1
Stoongal
TheDoubleFlame
Bdette49mom.of.6
Laurag8019
maksl53
Here are 24 real patients who have been satisfied. I will be interested to get the forum info from you so I can check this out myself
Holly
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