Gilberto Ungson Bariatric Surgeon MD

I had been turned down for bariatric surgery by both Medicare and the two major hospitals in Maine. I was too old, 74, not heavy enough at 198, and what was worse, I had a Nissen Fundoplication, a surgery to tighten my esophagus to end GERD, which actually had stopped working very well. However, I had diabetes II, my weight and A1c, 6.6, were both creeping up and though I didn't yet have any complications, they seemed inevitable. I started searching for a surgeon out of the US who would perform the revision and the gastric bypass which would give me a good shot at reversing diabetes. Eventually, my search led me to Mexicali Bariatric Center and Dr. Gilberto Ungson. All my research and direct contact to people there built my confidence that I had found a good solution. My internist was very skeptical. She thought I was managing my diabetes very well and anyway, Mexico? Nevertheless, I proceeded. Right from the time I arrived in MBC, until my surgery on November 14, I could tell I was in the hands of expert and caring people. The care and attention I received post operatively beats anything I have experienced before in the US. Since I have been home, I am continuing to progress without any unusual problems. Any time I have a question, the dear people at MBC have been available very quickly. Now my internist has come around. She admitted she was wrong to dismiss the possibility of good care in Mexico, although, I have heard of some sketchy places there which is true anywhere. She agrees that I am doing very well and getting to much improved health. She says I am a "trailblazer." I recommend Dr. Ungson and Mexicali Bariatric Center most highly.

An unbelievable experience . Professional, caring and above all answered all questions with honesty and an extreme level of medical knowledge . Felt at ease and comfortable. Dr Ungson and his surgical partner Dr Beltran and well as the anastheiologist were amazing. Do your research but I found none better.

Dr. Ungson is incredible. There are no words to tell you how compassionate and caring he is as well as his team. The facility in Mexicali was immaculate and surpassed any expectation I had. Dr. Ungson met with me before my surgery and explained the procedure. He went over the process in great detail and any possible complications as well as what he would do in those situations. When he was speaking, he spoke with such compassion and joy, along with such confidence. He allowed me to ask questions and clarify my thinking. I have never experienced such a personable doctor before. At one point we were talking about his daughter and life. He was very easy to talk with. I almost forgot he was a doctor and not my lifelong friend because it felt like I was talking to my life long friend. When I woke up from surgery, he was there to explain I had a hiatal hernia and that he repaired it while in surgery. He came in the next day to check on me and we even got a picture together! Still to this day, I email his team and ask questions and they respond almost instantly with advice and recommendations. I have had NO COMPLICATIONS from the surgery and the scars are very small and cut so perfect! The only regret I have is not doing it sooner. In a heartbeat I would do it all over again and I would only do it with Dr. Ungson and his team. From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for him, his steady hands and the art of his craft. After researching him and his facility for several months, and actually going to Mexico for the surgery, without a doubt I can say he and his team are truly the best. There is NOT a better surgeon to preform weight loss surgery!!!

I had a revision surgery by the expert hands of Dr Ungson. My first surgery was a lap band in the US and I did not do well with that. I researched and decided on the DS and Dr Ungson for my revision. I had a wonderful experience at Mexicali Bariatrics , Dr Ungson is a knowledgeable surgeon, he answered all my questions as did Dr. Campos and Dr. Beltran post op. I recovered surprisingly well and had no complications or extreme discomfort. I recommend Dr Ungson and the staff at Mexicali Bariatrics. You cannot go wrong with so many years of experience! A +

I had a wonderful experience at Almater Hospital. Dr. Ungson did a great job and I was well taken care of while a patient. I felt at ease with their expertise and knowledge. Having a revision, my initial procedure was performed in the U.S. at a reputable hospital. I can easily say the care I received was better in Mexicali. I would highly recommend any person to Dr. Ungson and Almater Hospital. The other physician team members go out of their way to make you comfortable, I cannot say enough about all the providers. The nursing staff was very attentive and caring.

Sometime in the 1970’s my aunt was one of the first to have weight loss surgery and she was never quite healthy again. I had ruled out WLS as a solution, even though my weight was ever climbing and my health was starting to falter. Then my husband met a guy who used to weigh over 400 pounds but was now just this skinny guy. He told us how far the medical science behind WLS has matured and changed. Many, many hours of research later and *I DECIDED TO DO IT*. Screw my fears and all the bull hurdles that my insurance company wanted to put in my way. Screw it all. So, within two weeks I found the best place in Mexico and signed myself up, just like that.

The people and place I found, was Dr. Ungson along with all the rest of the team at Mexicali Bariatric Center. I decided I wanted a DS performed on me because I knew I needed the malabsorbtion to be successful. They did a terrific job. They really knew what they were doing. It make sense, they have helped many, many people through weight loss surgeries, but I feel like they have done an especially wonderful job tuning the whole experience to be the best possible under the circumstances.

Although I did not need it, I really liked that my recovery was in a real hospital. And it was a real hospital, with all the staff and equipment needed to handle anything. It was also the cleanest hospital I have ever been in, you couldn’t take a walk without dodging 3 or 4 cleaning people. The few times I needed to press my call button, it took them less than a minute to respond. Generally, the staff were so on top of things that I had what I needed before I needed it.

One place where I didn’t follow their recommendations was that I refused to have my husband bunk on the sofa in my hospital room and so he returned to the hotel every night around 8 pm. I’m very happy we did this. With the staff so responsive, I did not need his help at night. This mean he was fresh and cheerful at the end of the week, unlike many of supporters that stayed in the room. He said the food at the hotel was very good.

Dr. Ungson was an absolute privilege to meet. He has the best bed side manner I’ve ever experienced. It is very clear that he cares deeply and understands. All the doctors and staff were terrific to deal with. Above all else, they were super competent. I fully recommend them. I would pick Mexicali Bariatric Center again without a seconds thought.

It was an odd leap of faith to grab ownership of my health this way. We are so used to waiting for permission from our insurance company and/or doctors. Three months ago I was beaten. I had no hope of ever really losing weight or keeping it off. Now it is just a matter of time. I am empowered and that has made all the difference.

I have recently had a Gastric Sleeve surgery on August 20th, 2014 by the Mexicali Bariatric Centre (Almater Hospital). Before all this started I have struggled with weigh issues for a very long time. Now at 5 my health has started to go down hill, with High Blood Pressure, osteoarthritis, boarder line diabetic and so on.....It was time for a change. I researched extensively about this procedure and with help from a friend that have the same procedure done. I new in my heart and sole that this was for me. No regrets.
Now about the facility and people. To start I had long email conversation with Nina, Patient Coordinator, before I booked the date and lots more after. The time has come to leave to Mexicali for my life changing adventure.
Ernesto, our driver picked us up on August 19th and drove us 90 min to the Almater Hospital where we were met by Yolanda and Calra who looked after us for test we need to do. They did not leave our side ever. That was comforting. Then we had our pre op meeting. We met with Dr. Ungson, Dr. Campos. They discussed the procedure with us answering any and all questions with knowledge & compassion. Then we were off to the Hotel Lucerna and it was beautiful. We had instructions that for our supper we could eat anything and also have 2 margarita's (only 2 though). Food and accommodation was fabulous!
Ernesto picked us up at the hotel at 6:45 am to take us back to the hospital for surgery. Dr. Ungson, Dr. Campos, Dr. Beltran and Dr. Gutierrez(Anesthesiologist) all come to visit and explained thing again in case we had anymore questions. Again, so professional and so compassionate. I was so ready.
Back to my room after surgery and everyone can to visit again......in about 2 hours I was up walking around. The next day started on liquids and went from there ...all good. Went home August 23rd.

Just like to say that the Mexicali Bariatric Centre and Almater Hospital wing is one of the cleanest, well maintained medical facility I have ever been to. The staff were dressed professional, and very pleasant. I can not say enough about the Mexicali Bariactric Centre, just that I was blessed to be able to go thought this life changing experience with the most knowledgeable, warmth, loving and compassionate people. Now they have started my journey and it is my job to continue it.

Ruth Fortna
Hanna, Alberta, Canada

I recently had a duodenal switch and partial gastric sleeve surgery performed by the Mexicali Bariatric Center at Almater Hospital in Mexicali, Mexico. Prior to making such a life-changing decision, I researched extensively about the procedures and specialized service providers before selecting Dr. Ungson and the Mexicali Bariatric Center team. I had many questions and worries about my particular health condition and the procedures involved, but Dr. Ungson and the MBC team answered my concerns, and their professionalism was the deciding factor in my choice.
From the moment I was picked-up at the airport by Ernesto Arias, and driven to Mexicali, and warmly received by Carla, Nina and Yolanda, I became even more confident that I had made the right choice. Even more so after meeting the surgical team led by Dr. Ungson with Drs. Beltran and Dr. Campos. In my pre-op meeting, they listened to my concerns, answered my questions and consequently adjusted the surgery to my particular needs. They explained clearly and concisely every step of the surgery, and what I could expect and feel during my post-op recovery. They left no question unanswered or stone unturned. The post-operative care was just as thorough, professional and caring. The surgeons visited me frequently, and followed my post-op recovery very closely. Together with the patient care staff, they made sure that my every need was met, and the nursing staff was very attentive and professional.
The Almater Hospital and the Mexicali Bariatric Center wing are one of the cleanest, most modern and well-maintained medical facilities I have ever been to. The facility is as good as or better than most hospitals I have seen in the United States and elsewhere. I was thoroughly impressed with the care and facilities of MBC, but even more so with the warm and loving people who make it an extraordinary hospital. The MBC is one of the most well qualified, kind and caring group of medical professionals that I have ever known. I want to thank all those involved for making my experience there life changing indeed.

Once I decided that the DS was the best surgery for me, it was not difficult to decide who would do my surgery. I chose Dr. Aceves and Dr. Ungson for my DS in Mexico. I had both surgeons attending when I had my surgery. Dr Aceves was the main surgeon and Dr. Ungson was there also per my request. I didn't know either surgeon so my family and I figured two are better than one! LOL..Once there I realized I would have been Ok with EITHER of these surgeons as both were wonderful! I had a Lapband in and they removed that and then did my DS. I have had 0 problems and am adjusting to the DS life day by day. 100 Times better than the band for me! I was and still am thrilled with the whole experience and feel very lucky to have had Dr Ungson as a second surgeon when I had my surgery. I really cannot say enough good things about the whole team and my time in Mexicali. The hospital is top notch and the care is unbelievable. Way above and beyond care in the US as sad as that is, the staff were terrific. All were warm and helpful, Dr. Campos, Yolanda, Nina, everyone was helpful and attentive. If you are looking for the best and are self pay like I was then I wouldn't go anywhere else! I plan on going back for my plastic surgery just because they are that good and reasonably priced! Go with the best!

I could not be more pleased with the care I have received at MBC. Fantastic Doctor's and Staff.