Mexicali Bariatric Center Bariatric Center

I had Gastric Sleeve with Dr. Wilhelmy on January 9, 2017. From paperwork to check out this was the best experience. I would highly recommend Dr. Wilhelmy for your weight loss surgery. I had a great experience with Dr. Wilhelmy, Dr. Campos and nursing staff. I highly recommend Bariatric Center. I only wish I had done this months earlier.

Dr. Wilhelmy And his team were terrific!! Everyone took such great care of me and eased my fears.

Today is my one year "surgiversary"! I would not have changed a thing and would send anyone interested in the sleeve to Dr. Wilhelmy. He was absolutely wonderful as was everyone at Mexicali Bariatric Center. The hospital was clean, private and so very kind. Everyone was attentive and explained every step. They were patient with my questions and really explained everything along the way. I cannot thank them enough not only for their excellent care but for giving me my life back.

Dr. Antonio Esquerra and his staff at the Mexicali Bariatric Center were truly amazing.
I researched for a long time before contacting MBC. It is a little daunting to leave the United State for surgery in Mexico. I wanted to know the staff, the doctors, the anesthesiologist, previous reviews, hospital ratings, where the surgeons were trained, if they were credentialed and certified in bariatric procedures, if the hospital was credentialed and certified and many other facets of practicing medicine in Mexico.
I enlisted the assistance of a friend who is responsible for doctor and hospital credentialing at a major medical facility throughout the United States. I narrowed down my search to 3 different facilities and asked her to please review and make a recommendation. Hands down she recommended Dr. Esquerra and the Mexicali Bariatric Center.
My first point of contact was Nina Eguia, Patient Coordinator. She was helpful and responsive and answered all my questions regarding travel arrangements, hotel and hospital stay, the procedure itself (I opted for the Gastric Sleeve), what I would need to bring with me and what I would need to have available at home once I returned. She answered all my questions and made me feel comfortable with my choice of surgeons.
My second contact was Ernesto, the driver who picked me up at my hotel. He was a delightful man with a friendly and reassuring demeanor. We talked about many things and I was surprised to learn he had the sleeve surgery 8 or 10 years ago and has maintained his weight successfully. We talked about his experience and it was nice knowing someone first hand who had the same procedure I was having. We picked up a few more patients at the airport and began our 2-hour journey to Mexicali.
Upon arriving at the Almator Hospital I was greeted by the most amazing woman, Yolanda. She was the Patient Coordinator and handled my admission and paperwork. She was so warm and engaging that I felt like I’d known her for a lifetime. She guided me through the admitting process and got me settled nicely in a very nice, comfortable private room. She held my hand and explained the processes involving the lab work and prep for surgery.
I met Dr. Esquerra shortly after arrival. He introduced himself and we talked about the surgery. He was friendly and reassuring, explaining the process in terms I could understand. He was genuine and warm during our conversation and eliminated all of my concerns and answered all my questions. He is credentialed, highly educated and very well respected in the medical field both in Mexico and in the United States. He is a specialist in bariatric surgery. After meeting with him in person there was no doubt I had made the right decision.
I was visited by their cardiologist who reviewed my EKG with me directly. I was also visited by Dr. Edgar Campos, Bariatric Nutritionist, who was amazing and accommodating and highly professional. He, too, was warm, friendly and supportive. My anesthesiologist was Dr. Andres Gutierrez who was also delightful. He was professional, friendly and reassuring. I felt safe and secure in his care.
The entire bariatric team at Mexicali Bariatric Center was kind, caring, amiable and approachable. There were two other patients having bariatric surgery while I was there and we all received exceptional care. My research was thorough and complete and paid off in terms of the care I received while at Mexicali Bariatric Center.
I highly recommend Dr. Antonio Esquerra and his staff. I have recommended him to family and friends since returning home. The success of the surgery is apparent - 5 weeks post-op and I’ve lost over 31 pounds, feel terrific and I’m already wearing some of the clothes I couldn’t fit into prior to my surgery.
Thank you to Dr. Antonio Esquerra and the entire staff at the Mexicali Bariatric Center.
Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions regarding my experience:
[email protected]

I had the lapband in 2010 and recently had a revision to have the gastric sleeve. I was very impressed by the level of care that I received at the Mexicali Bariatric Institute. http://www.almaterhospital.com/ is like going to a World Class Resort. The Social Workers, Nurses and Staff are excellent. Dr Wilhelmy was very kind and professional. I did not have any complications and I would recommend him to any of my friends or family. Please feel free to contact me by email if you have any questions. [email protected]

I had a revision from lap - band to Duodenal switch. Dr. Esquerra and his staff at Mexicali Bariatric Center were a pleasure to work with. From the beginning, all of my questions were answered. When I arrived, the staff was so respectful and helpful. Dr Esquerra is such a genuine lovely man. The hospital was clean, the nursing staff was attentive, and patient coordinator was almost like having your own mom there to comfort you.
I am so thankful to the patients who told me about Dr. Esquerra and mexicali Bariatrics.
I would absolutely recommend to any friend or family member to go to MBC and Dr. Esquerra.

I just got back from getting a switch from Dr. Esquerra. Dr. Esquerra and the whole team took care of me. I had 4 doctors stop by 2 a day for two days after surgery. Plus the rest of the support team is great. I would highly recommend him. I think it's a leap to go to Mexico, but it the end, it was a great decision.

Thank You Dr. Wilhelmy .

For anyone struggling with weight Sleeve surgery could be the missing tool in your fight.
I struggled for decades on every diet known to mankind and exercise and lost then regained.
There is more going on in your body and mind than most realize that cannot be fixed with diet and exercise alone for the morbidly obese, that’s why 95% fail. Also a enlarged Stomach pouch produces a lot of hormones that puts obese people at a higher disadvantage and the “Need to Feed".
There are usually always underlying issues for morbidly obese people and food is the comfort drug of choice, just like any addiction the underlying issues must first be addressed.
Once you have a better understanding of why you go to food then you are ready for the next step.
Will Power will not help you long term and by removing 85% of the Stomach you are also removing 85% of the need to depend on Will Power.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery provides this powerful tool that will help make your life fullfilling and exciting and FOOD will no longer be front and foremost of your daily thoughts.
I personally am new to this procedure but the results have been amazing thus far and my life is so much better because Food does not have the effect on me it once did. My brain chemistry has changed and cravings are completely gone.
I listen to people talk and tease about cheeseburgers etc and it does not phase me one bit, unlike pre op where I would have gorged upon that kind of talk.
But to reiterate, you must learn how to make better food choices for this to be successful.
If you have made healthy choices and learned to live without refined carbs and fatty food then surgery will complete your transformation.
As you begin your final steps to success you will also realize that unintentionally you have made decisions about relationships with people that may have been an impediment to your weight loss attempts and no longer reach out to them or wish to hang out with them in certain social gatherings.
They claim suicide rates are higher for people that go through bariatric surgery too. I am not a professional but my thoughts on that is the loss of a good friend in food that helped you through all your emotional stresses pre op has gone away.
This is another important reason to address underlying issues FIRST.
Here are my recommendations in order.
1 Family Doctor about your decision and for referrals for
2 Consultations with professionals to help deal with underlying emotional issues
3 Nutrionist
4 Bariatric Surgeon

If you have finally reached the point that you are mentally ready for Surgery and prepared for post op diet and mood swings in the first few months, it's time to go for it.
If you are in a situation as I was in Canada and have been in a bariatric programs for months and not gotten approval for surgery yet and even when approved may have to wait a year to get on an operating table Consider Mexico as I did.

I was fortunate to have known someone that went through the process a few years earlier and got the information. I should have done it then but in my fat head I believed I could slay this food dragon. Well I'm here to tell you the Dragon won, so I licked my battle scars and went through the processes mentioned above and went to MBC ( Mexicali Bariatric Center ).
I requested surgery with them via email, they sent me medical request forms to fill out, I did so and took them to my GP for review and sent them back via email.
I was given a date and pre op dietary instructions and began to feel that my life was about to change, it was very exciting.
From the time I first communicated with MBC and throughout the entire pre/post op it was a very pleasant and professional experience.
I'm sure like me having heard nightmare stories about going to a foreign land for surgery but I am here to tell you don't believe everything you hear. That is no substitute for research of your own.
So as to not write a book on this, picking the right surgeon and support team is essential to your final success in your journey to new health.
I as many others are here to tell you Dr. Wilhelmy and his Team are World Class; you will not find a better surgeon FULLSTOP!!
You will meet his entire team pre op personally and they will explain everything to you so there is no anxiety about the procedure, they are compassionate and caring people and you will be treated with absolute respect.
This is a life saving event and they know it too, Dr. Wilhelmy was in the same boat, who better to trust and understands your situation better than a surgeon that went through the same process himself.

Over a decade ago, I had the good fortune to discover MBC and the great Dr. Aceves to have my lap band surgery. I learned a long time ago what a special man this was, and what a special place he created.

When I decided to revise my band to DS surgery, there was no doubt in my mind where I would go.

With the tragic loss of Dr. Aceves, I knew the surgeon who would perform my surgery would have some big shoes to fill. No problem.

Dr. Esquerra was warm and welcoming, and I felt complete confidence in his hands. The care I received was bar none, and I couldn't recommend Dr. Esquerra and his team more highly.

I had my surgery on 08/04/16. I am 2 weeks past my surgery, and I am feeling well. I start back to work the day after tomorrow, and I know success is in my future.

Thank you to Dr. Esquerra ,
MBC, Almater Hospital, and all of the kind people who made this as easy as possible for me.

Meryll Dawson
08/16/16

I was very pleased with the Doctors, Nurses and Hospital staff. I had my surgery May 13, 2016 and as of June 29, 2016 I have lost 51lbs and feel great. I would recommend this surgery to anyone. Had a friend tell me, " I spent the first 49 years of my life eating what I wanted, now I'm eating they I should" that way I can be around longer for my kids and family. Couldn't be happier, thanks to all involved.