Gilberto Ungson Bariatric Surgeon MD

I want to first let everyone considering going out of the country to have a weight loss procedure to do me this one favor and research Dr. Gilberto Ungson. This man...this man. I have never in my life me such a generous, caring man. I say this because he is a man (human being) first, before a surgeon. I receive the DS on October 11, 2005 from Dr. Ungson and I did receive an infection in my wound. Was I worried? Of course I was, who wouldn't be. All I have to say is Dr. Ungson and his staff showed such a genuine concern for my well being. It was so far more than a physician/patient relationship which is what I loved most about being in his care. Being so far away from home and not knowing what to expect is one thing. But to know your in Mexico about to have surgery and not really know the outcome is another situation. I never once felt uncomfortable, even with his staff. Dr. Ungson and his staff went up and beyond my expectations and I will forever be grateful to him. I wouldn't hesitate a second to recommend him to ANYONE! I'm forever grateful Dr. Ungson. FOREVER GRATEFUL!

Hoping to have surgery in March with Dr. Ungson

'I was kind of nervous when I first met him. I was concerned he wouldn't think I was fat enough to have surgery. But

'Dr. Ungson was a very nice and informative doctor from the first email until my jouney home from Mexico. His entire team and the hosiptal staff was the best that I have ever experience

'I've done research on Dr. Ungson and have chatted with people who have gone to him and everyone seems really happy with him and the results. He is very quick to answer your question through email and seems to be very caring.rnrnI have been to Mexico and had my surgery with Dr. Ungson. I'm extreemly pleased with his knowledge and competance. He is an excellent surgeon

Having corresponded with Dr. Ungson only via email pre-op, I was anxious to meet him in person. He was just as nice, caring and sensitive as he was in his emails. A truely gifted surgeon with a top notch surgical team. The care at CIMA hospital was second to none. Some of the nurses did not speak much English, but the majority of them did.

Very professional. None of the arrogance of most surgeons. He really cares about his patients and their well fare.

He was consistently professional and very communicative.

Wonderful nurses and surgical team.

I would recommend his services to anyone interested in this surgery. He always errs on the side of conservatism and takes extra steps to assure quality and that the outcome will be excellent.

He has a number of wonderful nurses and the aftercare nurse "Belen" was very professional, good attitude and careful.

I would rate him top notch and would recommend him to my family.

His competence and bedside manner are equally impressive.

Has anyone have Dr.. Ungson? I am thinking about having the bpd/ds surgery rather than the rouxeny surgery. I am so mixed up about which one to have. Anyone have any pointers on this? It would be appreciated!

Before surgery, Dr. Ungson was excellent with his correspondence - answering any and all questions I had.

When I went for surgery, I found him to be a kind and caring person who proved to be a very capable surgeon. He goes to great lengths to make sure that his patients are very well taken care of and I always felt that I was in good hands.

My surgeon for my DS was Dr Ungson in Mexico.
I chose Dr. U after consulting with a local Dr here in Arizona who advertised he did the DS surgery, yet he refused to do it on me, saying my BMI of 44.5 wasn't high enough. I really believe this Arizona surgeon prefers and pushes the lapband, so my consult with him was all a waste of my time, although I did buy an interesting and informative book from his office that I used as a guide both pre and post op. I have BCBS insurance that would have paid up to 8k for my weight loss surgery, however I decided to self-pay and go to Dr. U. in Mexico, since my out of pocket costs here in the US over and beyond the 8k would have been many times more than Dr U's 11k total package.
I did briefly consider another Dr in Washington who did some VGB/DS type surgery, but I decided that this one time in my life, I deserved the best! I strongly believe that DS is the best for long term results.
Dr. U answers emails promptly and pleasantly. He has an assistant Sylvia, who meets you at the airport, holding a big sign with your name on it, along with a big smile! After my plane from Phoenix on AeroMexico arrived 4 hours late, I was so relieved to find Sylvia waiting there for me, as I was worried about arriving in a strange country in the dark without speaking hardly any Spanish! But Sylvia was there, as scheduled, and from that point on, everything else went along like a well oiled machine.
Dr U has a team consisting of an internist and an anesthesiologist, who are competent and pleasant. The hospital in Hermosillo, Cima, was clean and modern looking and I had a lovely suite with a private balcony and a separate sleeping/sitting room with TV for my husband to stay with me.
After the hospital stay, I transferred to Hotel Colonial, where the beds are hard as rocks, but I rented their recliner, so I was more comfortable. The Hotel had free internet access, so I was able to stay in touch with my friends and family back home.
I think Dr U is a wonderful surgeon, my incision is horizontal, about 12 inches long, but I have not had any problems with it. I did experience some post op lung problems, but I believe that was related to my former smoker status...I should have stopped smoking well before the surgery, instead of only 2 1/2 weeks before.
Dr U really has No real aftercare program, other than telling you to take ADEKs and Calcium...but it would be extremely difficult to have a long distance aftercare program anyway in my opinion. I have easy access to my PCP and have had blood work, urine tests, and Xrays done here within 2 weeks of the surgery, so I feel quite comfortable with everything.
I would not hesitate to recommend Dr U...and I am grateful that he accepted me as his patient...I realize that at my age of 60, other doctors would have turned me down cold...