Mexicali Bariatric Center Bariatric Center
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A competent surgeon and nice guy, Dr. Ungson's fee includes pre-op, surgery and hospitalization, but no aftercare.
Dr. Ungson was very professional and had an excellent bedside manner. I would not hesitate to refer anyone to him. I felt assured that I was in some of the best surgical hands in the world when in came to performing BPD with DS. He was able to do it completly laproscopically, and this minimized my healing time. The only negative comment I could leave would be concerning the lack of English spoken by the nursing staff. It certainly could have been improved, but Dr. Ungson's English was very good.
***THIS IS MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ONLY****rnrnI found Dr Aceves and his clinic doing research on weight loss surgery options out of the United States. I was very impressed with the information of his website (http://www.mexicolapband.com/index1.php) and I joined his Yahoo group (http://www.mexicolapband.com/index1.php) to see what how his patients were doing. Everything I heard about Dr Aceves was terrific. The reviews of the hospital and the staff were all extremely positive and Dr Aceves' patients all had a deep respect and love for their surgeon.rnI didn't stop my research there however, I asked a friend at the local Mexican consulate here in Portland to check into the doctor and the hospital and let me know if there was any reason that I should not consider having surgery in Mexicali. My friend did check into the matter and said that both the reputation of the doctor and the hospital were perfect.rnI scheduled my surgery and made my flight arrangements. The hospital was beautiful. The staff were wonderful. The doctors were miracle workers and the entire experience was amazing. Every effort was made to ensure that I knew what I was having done and what the risks were before I even went to Mexico and then everything was gone over again in person. I had a complete battery of tests done prior to surgery to ensure that I was in good enough health.rnThat was a year ago, June 2007. I was 286 pounds when I had surgery. I am now 192 pounds and still losing. I have had no complications, no problems, no issues. I work very hard at my weight loss. I eat right and exercise. I could never have done this with out the amazing tool that Dr Aceves gave me when he gave me my lap band. It reminds me of my limitations regarding food. It keeps me motivated. rnThe only real drawback is that I have not been able to afford to go back to Mexico for after care. I have followed the instructions given to me by the doctor at the hospital and I have been getting fills and follow up care from Kelley Fitzpatrick here in Portland. I also attend Weight Watchers meeting as a support group mainly. rnI am currently in training for the Portland to Coast walking relay which takes place in August. I will walk between 10 and 15 miles on mountain roads. I would never have dreamed of being able to do anything like that a short year ago. rnSurgery in a foreign country is not something to be taken lightly. You need to know what you are doing and who is taking care of you. You need to educate yourself and you need to have an open mind and avoid having ignorant attitudes about other countries and cultures. Many US doctors go to Mexico to get training on the Lap Band procedure. If you cannot have this surgery covered by insurance, Dr Aceves is great option to making your weight loss goals a reality. My local physicians are so impressed with my progress that they have asked for Dr Aceves name so they can tell patients about him.rn
I started on line with the office staff - and they were great and very helpful. Thankfully the staff was very fluent in english. Everything moved right along and in a remarkably short period of time, like a week! I had a surgery date of Mar 5, 2007. When I flew into San Diego, Ca from Dallas, Tx they had a van waiting at the airport, drove to Mexicali to Almater Hospital where they did our pre-op test (EKG, Chest Xray, Blood work) and then on to the hotel for the night. The van picked us up next morning to take us to the hospital for surgery. Met with Dr. Aceves and his nurse and assistants, they went into great detail about the risks of the procedure and the fact that the band was just a \"tool\" it would not do the job by itself and that I would need to learn how to use my band to get the weight off. He showed us a real band and explained that we would get the serial no. and final barium xrays and all hospital work to take back home with us. It was also important for me: to know that he is on the American Board of Bariactric Surgeons. His office is in Calexico, CA but he does his surgery right across the border in Mexicali, Mexico. The hospital was extremely clean, beautiful marble bathrooms, a couch that they let my husband stay on the 3 days I was in the hospital. I had to ask them Not to come in my room one time they wanted to clean because the fragrance of the cleaning product bothered my nose and made me cough which was a little painful on my stiches!The day shift nurses spoke very good english. The late night nurses did not speak it as well, but I am sure if I had any problem they would have found someone to help. Dr. Aceves did a great job. No excessively long scar, no infections, came to do check ups regularly. He was professional but very approchable and would take time to talk and laugh with us. Everyone was really very friendly from Ernesto (the van driver) to the staff Nina and Gabby and we even got to meet Dr. Aceves' lovely wife while on an exercise walk. I was extremely nervous about the Mexico thing at first...but I know I got better care than I would have (and have had) in some US hospitals. I am so glad I had the lapband done and would do it all the same way if I had to do it again. I am 1 year 2mths post op, and 150 lbs lighter!!
My name is Regina,I am from a small town in MS.My mom had her surgery with Dr. Aceves first and came back home with nothing but GREAT things to say about her experience.Which got me EVEN more interested in going to Mexicali for my surgery.I was banded on 6/19/06.And it was one of the BEST experiences of my life..Dr. A and his entire staff are GREAT..I would do it all over in a heartbeat..We(my mom and I) have been back to him for our 1st fill back in August and are going back down on 12/19/06 for another fill and can't wait to see everyone again.Well here I am almost 2 yrs out and have lost 170lbs.I LOVE Dr. A and his entire staff with their help I have added many years to my life.I am SO much more healthy and happy with everything.The band has been my best friend.I look at my b4 pictures and don't even know who that lady is or was..I am NOTHING like her.It is AMAZING how well the band has worked for me.I am going back to see Dr.A on March 10.08 my cousin and a co-worker are going to be banded by him and I am so excited I can't wait to see them and let them see how well this has worked for me!!!
To All of you who are contemplating bariatric surgery, in particular lap band surgery, I Highly recommend it. It will change your life forever. And, I couldn't recommend Any Doctor more than I would Dr. Alberto Aceves!!! I have been an R.N. for more than 25 years and a surgical patient a number of times, in a number of hospitals. I wrote a testimonial for Dr. Aceves on this site the other day, but now can not find it anywhere, so I will write another, because he is SO Totally Awesome!!! I had my lap band surgery on January 14 of 2008. 4 months ago today. Dr. Aceves and his complete staff and the Dr. that assists him , Dr. Campos are without a doubt in my professional opinion, that of my husbands (an anesthetist) and my opinion as a patient are Truly Wonderful. He is Highly Professional. He is Credentialled up the Wazoo!! Even being credentialled in the U.S. So, his credentials alone should tell you that he is a fine surgeon. But, in addition to that, he, Dr. Campos, the enitre staff, nurses, the hospital itself, etc. are completely and utterly warm, kind, compassionate, friendly, professional, beyond Very Capable and very knowledgeable. rnWhen I first started my research Dr. Aceves' website was the first one I read. I wrote down a lot of questions for a friend here in my small town who had had this surgery. She answered all of them. It happened that she had gone to Dr. Aceves 4 months prio,r. I had no idea. What a coincidence! When I first read all of the patient testimonials I thought MMmmm?! How can anyone be that good?! But, Believe me He really is. I can't think of one thing negative to say about him. He is the most kind, caring, compassionate, everyday, down to earth, man that I've ever met as a Doctor. If you decide to have your surgery done by him you will not regret it. You will be in the very best, most capable of hands. His staff makes all of the arrangements for you, keeps you updated on what to do, what to expect, and makes sure you are comfortable, etc. at all times, from beginning to past the end. They still contact me 4 months later to see how I am doing. The hotel you stay in the night before the surgery is wonderful. Clean, beautiful, the staff are So nice, So helpful, So Service oriented. You will think you are the Queen or King of your own Castle. The food is Great. You will have (as Dr. Aceves calls it) Your Last Supper, the night before. Anything and as Much as you want. rn The hospital where the surgery is done and where you stay postop (This is NOT a Clinic) for a couple of days, is very modern, and so clean you could eat off the floor. Each room is private and has a couch for family or friend to stay with you. rnThe only thing that I could add is what the Dr.'s and nurses will tell you and that this (the lap band) is not a cure, it won't loose the weight for you. It is a tool! It helps you to loose the weight, but you have to make the commitment to work with the lap band to make the weight loss happen. That includes the DIRTY word.....exercise/walking. At first my advice is just walk slowly, even if you're just barely moving.....walk. It will also aide you on your weight loss journey. I have a treadmill and I walk (now for about 60 to 70 minutes) every night in front of the T.V. while we (my husband, the dog and the cat) watch the news, etc. before dinner. rn I have about (a little more) than half of my goal still to go and I already am SO Happy I had the lap band done and am SO Happy I had it done in Mexicali by Dr. Aceves. I had such a wonderful experience. From beginning to end I felt that Dr. Aceves truly cared about me. Dr. Aceves, nor anyone at the hospital ever made me feel like I was just some fat person. rnBefore I went for my lap band I was pretty heavy (for me), 260 pounds and only 5'1\". I think my B.M.I. was 48.1. Now, 4 months to the day I have lost 64 pounds. I am having So Much Fun buying new clothes \"off the rack\"!!! I know that I still have a little more than half my weight to loose before I'm done to my goal weight, but I do have to have clothes that aren't hanging on me to wear. rnThe only thing that might be slightest bit negative is #1 bring a spanish dictionary, most everyone speaks english really well, but there are a couple of people that this would help in communicating your needs. #2 I had some discomfort after, and Dr. Aceves did give me a sublingual (under the tongue) pain medicine (it dissolves), but, other than that there's only extra strength liquid tylenol that he gives you for pain or discomfort. But, like I said he will give you another pain medicine if you need it. #3 After you get back and when it's time for your first fill, make sure you have lined up someone to do it. It my area (pacific northwest) it seems allot of the Doctors Won't do your fill if you've had your lap band done out of the country. But, never fear, you can always go back down to Mexicali (for a little R & R) and Dr. Aceves will do them for FREE for Life.rnI want you to know if you're going to have this surgery, you could not have a more positive experience from beginning to end, if you have it done in Mexicali, Mexico by Dr. Aceves, in this wonderful, spotless hospital. rnDon't Hesitate! Just Do It! It will change your Life! Janet Watkins Florence, Oregon 05/14/08
Dr. Aceves was a very caring doctor and that was the first thing I felt when I met him. My first impression never changed. He was great.rnHis office staff went out of their way to help you in anyway they could.rnI checked on Dr. Aceves for a long time before I desided on him as a surgeon. I couldn't find anything bad on him and by the time I left the hospital I knew why. He and his staff were wonderful. I wish I lived closer I would go there for all of my medical needs.rnI don't think I could say anything bad about him or his staff. I guess if I had to say something it would be the hour and a half ride back to the airport and the driver was great so it wasn't him.rnFuture patients should know not to worry about anything when you are under his care. Even after I came home. They e-mailed me often asking how I was doing and answered any questions that I had. It has been a year now and they still contact me and ask me how I am doing.rnI don't know if it is a structured aftercare, but he gives you a lot of information and I was told to call anytime I needed to ask anything. I have a computer so I just e-mailed and ask. They got back to me within 24 hours. I could have called and got my answers right away though.rnHe was very insistant that I knew all the risk involved in my surgery. I already had checked those out myself I told him, but he insisted he inform me so I listened carefully.rnHe even told me things I didn't know about the surgery. The only negative thing I would say is that he will not send any pain meds back home with you because you can't take it across the border, but I just took Tylenol until I got home and I was ok after that.rnOn a scale of 1-10 ( 1 being bad and 10 being very good.) I would give Dr. Aceves and 11.rnHis bed side manner was good and his surgical competence even better if that is possible.rnI only had 1 thing negative to say and that was when he ask me if I was use to being in control and I told him no. He then said, \"good because I am in control here.\" That made me a little nervous at the time, but I soon found out he knew what he was doing and I didn't need to be in control.rnThis is just my personal experence and my opinion with Dr. Aceves and his staff. I don't know what other people have to say, but I know how I was treated there.
WILL BE MEETING HIM SOON.rnrn05/06/08 Finally met my Surgeon The Great Dr. Aceves, Dr Lopez and Dr. Campos. Wow, I can only say great things about theses guys, they really are the best of the best. And the hospital staff all wonderful. I recommend anyone considering this doctor to take a leap of faith, you will not regret it.
here is what i'd like to tell you about dr.Aceves and his staff, i'm convinced from my experience's in mexicali that the dr. and his staff have your well being first in their minds.rndr. Aceves, is a very serious man, who takes his job the exact same way. he expects and delivers the same from his staff. they all know what is expected of them and they do it.rnrnthey are a very thoughtful and caring staff. the staff will do what ever they can to make your experience as comfortable as possible. watch out for dr.Campos though, he doesn't know as much about american football as he thinks he does.rnrnwhen i returned to mexicali for a fill dr.Acevesrndid give me a stern talking to about how i wasn't keeping up my end of the deal when it comes to my eating habits. and let me tell you, i deserved it. an amazing thing happen after that conversation. i started losing weight. being a professional eater, it didn't take me long to out smart my band. but after a good kick in the butt from the doctor i was on my way.rnrnhere's what i can tell you about dr. Aceves and his staff. they are hard working group of people who have you and your well being in their minds and hearts. rnas for going to mexico for wls, my insurance didn't cover it in the states. which in the end was a blessing, because it led me to to dr. Aceves and i ending up saving money on top of it.rnif anyone has questions you are welcome to email me at '[email protected]\"rnrni wish all of you the bestrnbig lou of kc
