Alberto Aceves Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

My surgeon was wonderful.My first impression was that he was very knowledgeable. That impression did not change over time.he is very knowledgeable. His office staff are very compassionate and understanding. They also really know what they are doing.The thing I liked least was that they were so far away from where I live. When you use Mexicali Bariactrics and Dr Aceves you should prepare to be treated like royalty. You will have every need met, from the time you arrive till the time you leave. This was the best experience I could have hoped for. I wouldn't change a thing. For Me traveling to Mexico was the right decision.

ExcellentrnWas there from 7am until he said goodnite at 9:30pm. Was very thorough and explained everything in detail. Office staff were like family. You felt that you were the only one getting surgery. There was nothing I disliked -- it made a terrifying situation quite pleasant.rnrnSurgical competence & Bedside manner is 100%

Let's face it. Flying across the country, being driven to another country and being cut open is a huge leap of faith. To elect to go to a foreign country and have gastric bypass surgery is just plain scary. But like everything else in life, there's a path that led me to this place.rn<p>rnAfter having been told by my health insurance company repeatedly that gastric bypass surgery was a covered expense for me and that I met qualifications, I embarked on required preparations for surgery. This involved having many tests including a 2-day protocol stress test, a psychological evaluation, a respiratory analysis, endless bloodwork, among others. The co-pays, at $30 a pop, came to no small chunk of change when all was said and done.rn<p>rnThen, after two months of testing and waiting, the written \"authorization\" from the insurance company arrived in the mail. Gastric bypass surgery, even in the face of my debilitating diabetes and other comorbidities, was \"excluded.\" I staggered as I read the message, unable to comprehend what this page was saying. rn<p>rnAlthough I had been assured by United Health on no fewer than a dozen occasions, and although my surgeon's office had been told on 3 separate occasions that I was covered, what they were saying was clear: \"Just KIDDING!!\" There would be no payment for me to have this surgery. Sure, I had life-threatening comorbidities, but the message was (my words, not theirs,) \"Not our problem.\" Sure, they clearly told me on multiple occasions that everything would be covered. Again, \"Not our problem.\" I was at first incredulous. Why had not one \"Customer Care\" representative told me this, instead of the exact opposite??rn<p>rnI remember it all clearly. It was the day before New Year's Eve. I was devastated. I allowed myself the rest of the day to wallow in my grief.rn<p>rnThen, the next day I awoke thinking, \"No WAY are these clowns going to tell me I can't have this surgery.\" I turned my anger to productivity. I knew I could do this all on my own. I would have mortgaged my soul to do it.rn<p>rnBut no need for that kind of drama. I knew I'd go to Mexico to have it at an affordable price. After all, I had read on the bulletin board that I frequented, populated by many gastric bypass patients, that foreign countries, Mexico in particular, were the alternative for those shunted aside by US health insurance companies.rn<p>rnI started researching feverishly, and had it narrowed down to two. Both doctors had fans, and both had equivalent competence in the discipline. The reason I decided ultimately on Dr. Aceves was because of ease of travel. One doctor was in Monterrey, and flights from my nearest airport were limited and expensive. With Dr. Aceves, all I had to do was get a flight to San Diego and his driver would pick me up and deliver me to the hospital, where I'd have the tests on arrival day, then have the surgery the next. My surgery date was set for the same date I was to have had the surgery here. Being just 2 weeks away, it took some scrambling, but I made all the arrangements.rn<p>rnIt's patent that the adage my mom always said, \"All things happen for a reason\" is correct. Dr. Aceves is, quite plainly, the best doctor a patient could ever find, from any perspective.rn<p>rnThe flight went smoothly, and my husband met me in San Diego (he was away and flew in to accompany me down to Mexicali.) We met Ernesto, Dr. Aceves' affable driver, and we were off with one other couple.rn<p>rnWe arrived in Mexicali about an hour and a half later. I was shown to my room on the first floor of Almater Hospital, where I met with Yolanda, Dr. Aceves' in-house facilitator. She went over the papers with me, had me sign, and took my cashier's check (the surgery totaled $12,100 which was a $500 off special price during the month of January.)rn<p>rnThe tests were begun, with a nurse drawing blood. After all tests were completed, I had a friendly chat with the nurses at the station across from my room. While we were talking, a man approached from down the hall, whom I immediately recognized from his online pictures as Dr. Aceves.rn<p>rnHe seemed amazed that I spoke Spanish. We started to talk about that, and then he transitioned into discussing the surgery and my past medical history with me, putting me at ease. We discussed the risks inherent in this surgery. rn<p>rnHe was patient and at no time seemed rushed. This was an impression that never changed during the course of my stay at Almater. He would sit down in a chair in the room, next to the bed, and we'd talk about scuba diving (he's an enthusiast like my husband and me,) travel, his family, and all manner of interests. He even discussed medical lasers with my husband, who engineers them. Then, he'd ask about what was happening to me from a medical standpoint, answer my or my husband's questions, and tell me what came next.rn<p>rnWe were told to go out and enjoy a great meal, a phenomenon affectionately referred to by all us gastric bypass patients as \"The Last Supper.\" We went to an Italian restaurant that we could see from the hospital. The meal and service were fabulous.rn<p>rnThen it was time to go back to the hospital for the night. All rooms for Dr. Aceves' patients are private, and include a pull-out sleeping arrangements for the companion of your choice. So they helped get the bed ready for my husband and we slept very well.rn<p>rnThe following morning, they arrived at my room at around 9AM and wheeled me into surgery.rn<p>rnThat was the first time I met the internist who works in tandem with Dr. Aceves, Dr. Edgar Campos. He's a cordial, soft-spoken young man who has a reassuring way about him. We'd spend a lot of time with him, as it turned out, in the following days. I remember very little of my pre-surgical minutes in the operating room.rn<p>rnWhen I awoke, I was amazed at how little pain there was. Some discomfort, as would be expected, but I experienced so little pain that I just kept asking to get up and walking. I have no memory of it, but my husband says that a few hours later, I was up and off down the halls.rn<p>rnI did a lot of walking during that stay. My catheter came out later that night and my drain was removed on day 3. There was, however, repeated difficulty on stabilizing my blood sugars. I needed insulin injections for the first time in my life.rn<p>rnSo although Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos were willing to release me to a hotel for the remaining 2 days of my stay, I elected to stay at the hospital so that I could be monitored more consistently. Dr. Aceves lets most patients not experiencing any unusual difficulties to spend a couple of days at a hotel where he checks on them twice a day. But he also allows the patient to stay hospitalized if that's how she feels most comfortable.rn<p>rnOn day 2 (I believe - memory is a little fuzzy) I was taken to the OR suite, where a vertical X-ray machine is kept to check for leaks. I dutifully swallowed the gross-tasting barium, and was X-rayed to show a leak-free gut. Woo-HOO!rn<p>rnOn day 3 my husband and I went out of the hospital and walked around the surrounding area. It was chilly and we returned after about a half hour.rn<p>rnWhen it was time to go, I said my good-byes with some sadness. I had made friends here, as well as memories that would last a lifetime.rn<p>rnA patient cannot do better than Dr. Aceves. He has called me twice since I came home, and Dr. Campos still calls me, about once a month to six weeks or so. Surgically, Dr. Aceves does an excellent job. My wounds have healed well and are small. rn<p>rnHe and Dr. Campos speak English, so there are no worries there. His staff speaks perfect English, including Yolanda, Nina, Gaby, and Monica. They are all exhaustively patient and solicitous. As far as bedside manner, Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos could not possibly be better, because they are genuinely caring individuals and have much empathy for the situation and what the patient endures. rn<p>rnAs for aftercare, because I live more than 1000 miles from Mexicali, there could be no actual \"structured\" aftercare. However, on any occasion I have called (toll free number) or emailed with a question or concern, the office has been consistently responsive in a timely fashion. I was given the final X-ray for reference of my doctors here, and detailed post-op care and eating instructions.rn<p>rnWhereas it has been noted on this website that 100% positive reviews are \"suspect\" it would be a disservice for me to do anything but give a positive review of this nature. The hospital was immaculately clean, Dr. Aceves is the type of surgeon that should be teaching in the US to convey to the newest crop of surgeons coming out of medical school how to truly give medical CARE. In the US, that operative word seems to be missing all too frequently.rn<p>rnDr. Aceves and Dr. Campos are an unbeatable team from any perspective. We make many choices in the course of undergoing gastric bypass surgery. One could not, however, possibly choose to have a better experience for this life altering surgery than by choosing to have it done by Dr. Aceves.rnrn

I found Dr. Aceves and his staff very competent and professional. From the first interaction when the driver met me at the airport to the final discharge when the xrays and medical reports were given to me.rnThe night prior to surgery I had a meeting with another Dr. to review the lapband as being a tool. He brought the actual lapband with him so I could see & touch what was going to be implanted the next day. He reviewed diet. Met with Dr. Aceves and he emphasized the idea of the \"tool\" and the necessity of diet.rnrn

I had lap band surgery by Dr. Aceves on 5/11/07 and I was so thrilled with the hospital staff and the way that I was well informed of what was going to occur during surgery. I had lots of people say \"you're going to Mexico, You're nuts\" well it was a great choice. The staff was great! Lucy and Karen were awesome, they were very quick to assist you, and believe it or not majority of the staff spoke very clear english. Overall I had a great experience and would recommend Dr. Aceves to anyone.

Dr. Aceves was wonderful and so was his staff. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Each patient's concerns were addressed and the doctor and his staff met with us repeatedely to make sure we understood everything. I would recommend him to anyone considering surgery.

Dr. Aceves is a very kind man. I met him for the first time the day prior to surgery. If I had any fears, they disappeared immediately. He is soft spoken and explains everything well. We reviewed the surgery and risks involved and when he left, I felt very confident in my decision to go to Mexico for surgery. When I was released from the hospital, I spent one night at a local hotel. That evening, Dr. Campos (a member of Dr. Aceves' surgical team) came by the hotel to check on me. Before leaving, he gave me his cell phone number in case I had any problems. Not many US doctors would even consider this--a housecall or phone number. I can't praise them enough for their professionalism and competence.

Dr. Aceves was the kindest, gentlest man, so warm and caring. It just got better as each time he would come to check on you. His staff was just as kind, Dr. Campos, Sergio, Yolanda, Lucy, Ernesto, I hope I didn't forget anyone. All of them are so kind and caring. He emphazizes after care very much, met with us the night before surgery. again twice before we came home, Yolanda came in and talked with us. I would say both surgical competence and bedsided manner are very important and Dr. Aceves has both. I would recomend him to anyone. I was alone in Mexico, a little scared until I got to the hospital and met everyone there. Then I had no worries. If you want a referrence, let me know.

First impression - very friendly and tried to make you comfortable. He took his time in speaking with you and stressing what you would need to do to succeed. rnrnHis associated staff is also all very friendly and try to make sure you have all the information you need.rnrnMy incisions look great and I feel great. If I had to pick my surgeon again I'd still pick Dr Aceves.

My first impression of Dr. Aceves and all the doctors and staff was excellent remained so. He and Dr. Cordova made sure I knew what to expect. They stressed how important the post op diet is. Since aftercare is in Mexicali Mexico, aftercare is not always possible, however since I live in Arizona I was encouraged to go back there for my aftercare.rnOverall, everything went great and I have no regrets whatsoever.