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

I began to research WLS in October 2010. After finding out that my insurance only covererd lapband or GBS, AFTER a 6 month supervised diet, I began to look at other options. I found Dr. Aceves as well as all the positive reviews. No matter where I searched I did not find one bad review of Dr. Aceves or his team. I began to correspond with Nina and eventually set up a surgery date for the end of Janaury. My mom insisted on going with me because no way was I going to Mexico to have 85% of my stomach removed and she wasn't going to be there! We had a great experience from the time we were picked up in San Diego until we were returned there. I was worried about my pain level as historically I have been a bit of a baby about any type of pain. I can say that I had no pain from the time I came out of surgery to discharge or even thereafter. Was sent home w/pain relievers and never used one! The care from the doctor and his team was superior. Having had family that had surgery (not WLS) in the US, I am used to the doctor that comes at the beginning of his shift (6a) and you don't see him again until the following day. Not here. Dr. Aceves as well as Dr. Campos came several times a day to check on progress. I had a problem with high blood pressure and Dr. Aceves monitored that very closely. Overall it was a very positive experience and I tell everyone who asks and recommend the team as well. Since 1/29, I have lost 30 lbs with absolutely no hunger. I need to get a grip on my head hunger as well as get myself moving and I hope to have the positive results that everyone seems to have!

Dr Aceves of the Mexicalli Bariatric Center was by far the best surgeon and his staff treated me better than any medical care that I have ever recived. I think that there must be alot of people in the U.S. that would be more than scared and never consider going to mexicalli to get the gastric sleeve. However I must say if you are a beliver as I am I took DR A's name to God and asked god to give me the answer to which surgeon to choose. Well Dr Aceves god did not for sake me and the care and experiance was superb. The day I got into San Deigo I was meet by his driver and in the van there was two sister's one was getting the gastric sleeve the same day as myself and the other had Dr A do the gastric sleeve (from a lap band) a year prior whom also happens to be the head RN of a hospital. Could God have put any of my fears to rest with any better referal ??? If you have the desire to improve your quality of life by reciving help in your weight loss struggle Dr A has a gift of skill as a surgeon and I would of not gone with any other. Thank you DR A .

An excellent experience with the whole team. I met Dr. Campos, the nutritionist first, who explained how we would manage diet and medications during my 4 days. He also went through the post op diet. he spent about an hour with me. The next day (surgery day), I met with the anesthesiologist, Dr. Garcia, who gave a really excellent explanation of the anesthesia induction and plan for pain control. About 45 minutes with him. I saw an internist to review my medical history, labs and brief exam. Then Dr. Aceves, the surgeon, spent an hour going over the surgery, but more importantly, the life changes that are necessary for success. He saw me three times a day after that. Dr. Campos came every day to manage my Byetta and check my diet.

As an American physician, I can't emphasize enough how rare it is to have a surgeon spend an hour with you on education--quite phenomenal. My surgery time was just over an hour, recovry time 2.5 hours and I was up walking that evening. My personal experience was that it is better to skip the narcotic pain medications like oxycodone since they just gave me nausea and headache. Ketorolac, an NSAID worked just fine and lasted longer without giving nausea.

Dr. Campos is a treasure. He had weight loss surgery himself and understands well what patients go through.

Nursing staff was excellent, with the exception of my second shift nurse the day after surgery who kept taking away my "kidney basin" leaving me to vomit in bed or try to make it to the bathroom.

My room was cleaned to spotless perfection three times a day.

I wish my own hospital was as nice!

Had my surgery on Valentine's Day. From reading reviews, it was all I expected. The hospital was clean and nice. The nursing staff were readily available. Surgery went smooth. Dr. Aceves even used old scars for my incision sites so I don't have any new scars, which is pretty cool, especially since a few were not quite "ideal" locations. I had minimal pain. Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos were always available if needed. I was made to feel like part of a "family" instead of "just one of the patients." Would I go back? Sure. Would I recommend the group to a friend? Absolutetely.

THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE WAS MADE BETTER WITH THIS PEOPLE IN MEXICALI.
DR ACEVES IS AMAZING.MY PAIN WAS VERY MANAGABLE AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE HARDER TO HANDLE BUT IT WAS VERY EASY.LOTS OF SUPPORT FROM THE DOCTORS AND LOTS FROM OTHER PATIENCE.MY WIFE CAME WITH ME AND EXPECTED ME TO BE A WHINING BABY(APPERANTLY A MAN THING) BUT TO HER SURPRIZE I HAD NO PROBLEMS.
SHOULD YOU CHOSE THIS DOCTOR HE CAN HELP YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

THANKS BIGGIE B

Please see my blog on my profile for very detailed experience of VSG 11FEB2011 with Dr. Aceves and his team. My first impression was that he was everything that I had read about him. He is caring and compassionate with top notch surgical skills and bedside manner.

If anyone told me going to Mexicali for gastric sleeve surgery would be one of the best decisions I ever made, I would have told them they were crazy. But Dr. Aceves, and his team including Dr. Campos, Yolanda, Nina, Lucy, Sergio, ALL OF THEM, Everyone at Almater Hospital is ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! Dr. Aceves checks on his patients continually throughout the time they are there and has a genuine concern for their well being and heath. This was really more like a hotel/spa experience than surgery. The hotel they put you in the first night of arrival is beautiful, the Almater hospital is also beautiful and clean, clean, CLEAN! Surgery for me was the day after arrival, I had a gastric sleeve and spent 3 nights. There is room for a friend or support person who can sleep on a little pull out bed chair or sofa and there is no charge for this. There is a cafeteria on site and a mall about 9 blocks away. The pharmacy is right across the street from the hospital so you can pick up all your meds while there. They give you plenty of meds for pain, and sleep while you are staying at the hospital. The floor I stayed on was nice and quiet even though the hospital was pretty full. I cannot say enough about Dr. Aceves, his staff, and his high level of care. I could never have imagined a stay in a hospital could be so pleasant! Most importantly, I did not feel sick at all after the surgery, some minor discomfort, but it was totally doable. They will pick you up at San Diego airport in a van and return you there in plenty of time for your flight home, This transportation, the hotel stay, the surgery, 2 weeks worth of meds, tests and x ray, 4 leak tests while you are there ALL OF THIS is included in the price!

My first impression of Dr Aceves is that he is a true professional and he genuinely cares for his patients. My impression of him has not changed, in fact I would be willing to move to the West Coast for the wonderful care he brings to the table. His office staff are awesome, and enthusiastically anticipates helping you with whatever you need and whatever question you may ask. Dr Aceves emphasizes aftercare very specifically and thoroughly. It took him close to an hour to explain how things would be after the surgery. He addressed the risks of the surgery to a tee, no sugarcoating whatsoever. I would give him FIVE GOLD STARS. His surgical competence and bedside manner are best to none. As a RN, I highly recommend him as a surgeon. In fact quite a few RN's from all over the States and Canada have made the long trek to be treated by him.

Excellent! Everything that people say is true - this man is the real deal....do your research, but you will not go wrong with Dr. Aceves.

Ok, first things first....Thanks to all of my OH family for your support, prayers and thoughts during before and after my surgery. Now for my journey story.

My husband was very apprehensive about going to Mexico for my procedure. Now not for the reasons you might think, he was fine with the hospital and surgeon. He was more worried about being shot in a drive by, by the Mexican drug cartel. LOL, we didn't see any gun weilding bandits while we were there. We were picked up at the airport and driven to the hospital (Almater) by Ernesto for preop testing, chest xray and initial paperwork. Then taken to a 5 star hotel where we had a fantastic last dinner experience with my sleeve mate Zach and his wife Christina. Then next day we were taken back to the hospital and 3 doctors came in to see us each for about 30-60minutes. The anestiologist spent a ton of time explaining every step of what he would do to keep me comfortable and even agreed to take pictures of my removed stomach and some of the procedure (gross huh, but I am a Nurse Practitioner so I think that it is kinda cool). The Internal medicine doctor (Dr Campos) came in and did a physical examination and cleared me for surgery and then Dr Aceves came in a counseled on surgery expectations, post op instructions, diet and answered any last minute questions.

I was the first to go back was moved to the OR and my IV was started and I truely do not remember another thing until I was waking up in the recovery room. The first 36-48 hours after surgery, the nurses gave routine injections of antinausea medication and pain medication whether I ask for it or not ( I think this went along way in my being completely pain free) after this time I was given oral medications as I asked for them. I have not required anything stronger than liquid tylenol since 4 days after surgery. The facility was so clean that you could have eaten off of the floors. The doctors made rounds 3-4 times a day and spent time making sure that all of your questions were answered and that you were being well cared for.

3 days after surgery we were taken back to San Diego to catch a plane home to Montana. We left Mexicali at 7am and we arrived in Montana at 1130pm no trouble with travel at all. Never required a wheel chair. The next day we spent all day shopping and I was a bit sore but nothing that tylenol wouldn't handle. Finding appropriate first foods for stage one liquids is a pain when traveling so be sure to take crystal light packets and some sort of broth packets/bullion cubes.

Some unexpected surprises- 1. I got a shot of Lovenox (blood thinner) prior to surgery to help to prevent blood clots. Very important. What I didn't really think about, is that if you are still having periods between the stress of surgery and the Lovenox you will likely start and let me tell you if was the mother of all periods. 2. I am amazed that I am not in the least bit hungry. Not even a little bit.

I am home now and am so very thankful to my Lord Jesus that I have had such an uneventful surgery procedure and recovery. I am also thankful for all of the support and friends that I have made on OH.

For anyone who is considering going to Mexico for surgery I would highly recommend Dr Aceves and the Mexicali Bariatric Clinic. I am a Nurse Practitioner and have practiced in many US hospitals during my career and can tell you that I got as good (if not better care) in Mexicali as I would have gotten in any US facility.

Sharon