Introduction and question about Dr. Almanza Reyes
Hi, my name is Liz and I live in Pittsburgh, PA and just signed up on this site. I have been exploring WLS for awhile now and I definitely can not afford it here without a windfall since my insurance won't cover it. I have been leaning towards lapband because that way if we decide to have a child I can have it adjusted during pregnancy (this is a great concern of mine as a friend who had gastric bypass has had 2 miscarriage and hospitalized because she can't get enough nutrients, etc.) I came across another post and someone posted a link to Dr. Mario Alberto Almanza Reyes and his website, http://www.mexicoweightlosssurgery.com/index.php. He advertises the following cost for surgery and what is included:
-Liz
LAPBAND PACKAGE: $5,500.00
- Pre-Operatory Tests: EKG, X-Ray, Blood test and Evaluation performed by an Internal Medicine Specialist
- Antibiotics and Pain Medicine during your Recovery
- Nutriologist Program to help you achieve your ideal weight loss
- Transportation to airport/hotel/hospital
- Hospital Fees
- Surgeons Fees
- Anesthesiologist Fees
- Allergan Lap-Band
- 2 Nights at Marriott hotel Tijuana
- Use of car with driver for sight seeing / shopping
- American cell phone for use during your stay
-Liz
I had my surgery in Mexico in December, 08. My doctor, Antonio Cueva Chong, operates in Tijuana at the Hospital Los Angeles. I paid $7,500. It was a wonderful experience. The hospital is state of the art and the care I received was outstanding. His phone number is 011-52-664-635-1834. I also looked into getting the surgery here but the prices were horrendous. I have Kaiser and they wouldn't do it. I hope this information helps.
Olga.
Olga.
Highest weight: 270 Surgery weight:267 Current weight: 225 Goal weight: 150
I just returned from Mexico this past Saturday after having surgery (LAPBAND) with Dr. Almanza. I would highly recommend him to anyone, he is a fabulous surgeon and the clinic and rest of the staff that look after you are absolutely amazing. Not only did I get great care they were very attentive to my husband while I was having surgery and at the clinic. The price is good and the surgeon is wonderful, you will enjoy your experience.
Liz,
Like you I started this path with the idea of the lapband. The more and more I read from OHers posts and the research I did, my mind was changed to the VSG. I understand your reasoning due to future pregnancy but be sure to investigate your other options also.
Also like you, I am a self pay and will not deny the $$ was a consideration, but not the main consideration when I was at the stage of looking into the docs in Mexico. When I started narrowing down the doctors, I PMed members that posted the docs I was interested in. They sent me good and bad reviews of the docs that were on my list.
There was a bit of negative scuttlebutt on this site about Dr. Almanza and Dr. Betancourt but I kept looking and found more members who had been patients of his. No one of his patients said anything I could even remotely take as negative. The most unattractive thing regarding his training, experience and bedside manner is that his English is sketchy but that an interpretor is always with him.
A negative I can see from having surgery in Mexico is the follow up care. Unfortunately, there is no one in my city that does a VSG (if I could afford one stateside!) so it would be a similar issue for me.
When I posted a few months ago if anyone had heard of Dr. Almanza there was a lot of "I heard" this or that, but no one replied that actually had a bad experience. Considering no hard evidence and all of the other information gathered, I am scheduled for a VSG with Dr. Almanza on June 16. I can't wait and am already taking my vitamins, walking and following a high protein diet. I have lost about 16 lbs (only 92 to go!).
Do your research. Call their offices. Ask, ask, ask questions. How many/how often/where did he-she train/complications/fatalities/nosocomial infection rate, etc.
Other docs that are greatly raved about that I looked into were Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Aceves.
Good luck!
Like you I started this path with the idea of the lapband. The more and more I read from OHers posts and the research I did, my mind was changed to the VSG. I understand your reasoning due to future pregnancy but be sure to investigate your other options also.
Also like you, I am a self pay and will not deny the $$ was a consideration, but not the main consideration when I was at the stage of looking into the docs in Mexico. When I started narrowing down the doctors, I PMed members that posted the docs I was interested in. They sent me good and bad reviews of the docs that were on my list.
There was a bit of negative scuttlebutt on this site about Dr. Almanza and Dr. Betancourt but I kept looking and found more members who had been patients of his. No one of his patients said anything I could even remotely take as negative. The most unattractive thing regarding his training, experience and bedside manner is that his English is sketchy but that an interpretor is always with him.
A negative I can see from having surgery in Mexico is the follow up care. Unfortunately, there is no one in my city that does a VSG (if I could afford one stateside!) so it would be a similar issue for me.
When I posted a few months ago if anyone had heard of Dr. Almanza there was a lot of "I heard" this or that, but no one replied that actually had a bad experience. Considering no hard evidence and all of the other information gathered, I am scheduled for a VSG with Dr. Almanza on June 16. I can't wait and am already taking my vitamins, walking and following a high protein diet. I have lost about 16 lbs (only 92 to go!).
Do your research. Call their offices. Ask, ask, ask questions. How many/how often/where did he-she train/complications/fatalities/nosocomial infection rate, etc.
Other docs that are greatly raved about that I looked into were Dr. Alvarez and Dr. Aceves.
Good luck!
Pre Op-Surgery-Current-Goal232 - 213 - 153 - 150
5'4" tall
Stage 1 Plastics 10/20/10 with Dr. Adrian Menjarrez-Mexicali
Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck
Dear N.H.
I have been struggling with some issues with weight loss surgery and was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering a few questions for me. First and far most, I am 'old school' and not very familar with computers and am clues how to "I P" members to ask questions. I ran across you entry and decided to text you to see if you could help me. My first question is 1.) did you have any complications with the VSG? Also, what was your experience with Dr. Alamaza Reyes. It's the same song and dance as everybody else; I must pay out of pocket, hence I must go to Mexico. I am concerned about staple leakage, sterilization of the hospital and "tools" that will be used. so thats question #2. I did read a blog on OH about a member who ended up being off of work for 4.5 months due to complications of the sleeve (i think) but cannot find it now, so I'm clueless of who her doctor was. If you could shed some lite on the above or a "area" where all this questions can be posted or how to do this I would really appreciate it. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
L
I have been struggling with some issues with weight loss surgery and was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering a few questions for me. First and far most, I am 'old school' and not very familar with computers and am clues how to "I P" members to ask questions. I ran across you entry and decided to text you to see if you could help me. My first question is 1.) did you have any complications with the VSG? Also, what was your experience with Dr. Alamaza Reyes. It's the same song and dance as everybody else; I must pay out of pocket, hence I must go to Mexico. I am concerned about staple leakage, sterilization of the hospital and "tools" that will be used. so thats question #2. I did read a blog on OH about a member who ended up being off of work for 4.5 months due to complications of the sleeve (i think) but cannot find it now, so I'm clueless of who her doctor was. If you could shed some lite on the above or a "area" where all this questions can be posted or how to do this I would really appreciate it. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
L
Hi Liz!
I guess I am an "old timer" since I had my VSG two years ago tomorrow.
Here is how my lap-band story unfolded: I had a lap-band almost three years ago, but couldn't get anyone to follow me as it was placed by Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana, MX. Dr. Ortiz was skilled and very kind. My problem was not with the surgery - it was the follow-up. The band was never filled, but as I read more and more experiences about slippage, erosion, etc., I got spooked. The only doctor who consented to following me (arrangements were made pre-op) sold his practice to a corporation that wouldn't allow him to follow patients that he hadn't done the band placement. I found this out when I called for my first fill, six weeks after surgery. It didn't matter we had agreed for him to follow me before my lap-band placement. (Actually, I think there is quite a bit of money to be made in follow-up as it is ongoing.)
I started researching as I knew I had to have help. I found Dr. Alvarez and decided to have the VSG. It was the best choice for me as I knew I didn't want ongoing problems with fills, worries about slippage, etc. My regret is wasting my time and money with the lap-band.
I would encourage you to really look at the patient recommendations, ask for infection rate, complication rate, success rate in percentage of weight loss and keeping it off, need for reoperation, etc.
Good luck as you explore your options.
AnnieZ
I guess I am an "old timer" since I had my VSG two years ago tomorrow.
Here is how my lap-band story unfolded: I had a lap-band almost three years ago, but couldn't get anyone to follow me as it was placed by Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana, MX. Dr. Ortiz was skilled and very kind. My problem was not with the surgery - it was the follow-up. The band was never filled, but as I read more and more experiences about slippage, erosion, etc., I got spooked. The only doctor who consented to following me (arrangements were made pre-op) sold his practice to a corporation that wouldn't allow him to follow patients that he hadn't done the band placement. I found this out when I called for my first fill, six weeks after surgery. It didn't matter we had agreed for him to follow me before my lap-band placement. (Actually, I think there is quite a bit of money to be made in follow-up as it is ongoing.)
I started researching as I knew I had to have help. I found Dr. Alvarez and decided to have the VSG. It was the best choice for me as I knew I didn't want ongoing problems with fills, worries about slippage, etc. My regret is wasting my time and money with the lap-band.
I would encourage you to really look at the patient recommendations, ask for infection rate, complication rate, success rate in percentage of weight loss and keeping it off, need for reoperation, etc.
Good luck as you explore your options.
AnnieZ
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