Miguel Zapata Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

I was turned down by my insurance co. they have a clause excluding any kind of weight control, so I started searching the web for Mexican drs. and I found ready4-achange website and nearly drove Judy and Janet crazy because I was scared but after talking to them several times my confidence grew.They suggested Dr. Zapata because I didn't have much money to work with and hernhad a special going on. Well needless to say I choice Dr. Zapata. I had sugery Aug. 8, 2006rnYou know how sometimes you see a picture of someone and think \"Oh he looks nice\" only to be disappointed, well this was notrnthe case, he was just as nice as I imagined.rnMost American drs. think they are God and go around acting like one to, not Dr. Zapatarnhe is really down to earth and so easy to talk to. He has very good English and I couldn't believe that when I was trying to make up my mind, Judy said \"would you feel better if he called you\", I said yeah, and thinking, he'll never call, but he did, and was so nice and answered all my questions. My surgery went very quickly and I hardly had any pain.rnWhen I asked to talk to him he was right therernassuring me everything was ok. My anesthesiologist was very nice too, calming me down the whole time because I was scared because my husband could not come to be with me. I would rate Dr. Zapata and his staffrna 10. The nurses were there every time I buzzed them. My only regret is I didn't learn my spanish before I went because the nurses do not speak English. I did not get sick after surgery as some do, so I was glad. I was up walking the hall the day after surgery.The only bad experience I had was when the fluoroscoped me the stuff I had to drink was awful and gave me gastritis, but Dr. Zapata sent Alma by first and then he came by to check on me at the motel, I don't know any American dr. that would do that.rnMy driver was great, his name was Santos, he never asked for money and we paid him what we wanted. He was so polite. The motel was 4* and the hospial Santa Engracia was so clean and had nice big rooms. They brought me whatever I needed. rnThere is not one bad thing I can say about Dr. Zapata, he is the nicest dr. I have ever met and very competent and knowlegeable. I would recommend him to anyone.rnIf you are thinking of using him, Just Do It!rnyou won't regret it! He still emails now if I have any questions or problems. Again, I don't know any american dr. that would do that!rnAnn Ballard, Porter, Texasrncell ph: 281-798-9250

Dr. Zapata ... WOW!!! What can I say about a REAL LIFE GUARDIAN ANGEL!!! rnrnI was at a stage where I couldn’t go on being “fat” anymore. I’d look in the mirror and think to myself, “WOW, you used to be pretty, now you are so fat and ugly!” So I spent 8 months researching insurance companies here in St. Louis that we could subscribe to as a company that would help me cover the gastric bypass. After 8 months of HARD WORK, many hours of research, and always ending up at the same spot … “ NO, I’m sorry” … I had all but given up! Then a little voice in my head said, “Just for giggle purposes, check Mexico.” So I did. I Googled it, and I found Dr. Zapata, plus a few others. I began emailing for information from all sources that I found. It was almost immediate that I received information back from “Alma” Dr. Zapata’s patient coordinator. Within the next few days other emails trickled in, but were VERY INPERSONAL and just basically this is the cost, thank you for inquiring. ** LESS THAN IMPRESSIVE** I decided I really liked “Alma” and felt in my heart she really CARED about helping people make changes in their lives, so I advanced in my thought process and made the call to Alma to get more in-depth information. All I can say simply is “WOW!” I felt like Alma really understood my concerns, and my feelings. We talked at great length, and she gave me lots to think about and at that point I told her I’d get back to her. I went home, talked to my significant other, and called her the next day!! I told her it was a GO, but I had some specific questions. She said she would have Dr. Zapata call me when he was out of surgery. Much to my surprise, it was about 45 minutes at best later, and there was my call from Dr. Zapata. Well, speed the story up … It took me a few weeks to get all things in line, but I had tentatively booked my surgery for September 15th, but after thinking about it, I wanted it sooner, so Alma, and her little angels made it happen for me, there was room!!!! Surgery date was set … SEPTEMBER 8, 2006!!!! rnrnEven though I was set up for surgery, and my deposit made, I still felt the need to send off emails to all the references I was provided with. Daily I received back responses … all were so positive!!! I knew in my heart I had made the right decision.rnrnHere we are, September 7th … I was scared to death as I was headed to Mexico alone…. yes folks, ALONE with only a small knowledge of Spanish, but I knew in my heart things were going to be OK. I almost turned back when at the airport leaving but I stayed positive, yet scared to death, I got on the plane. I arrived in Monterrey, MX and just as promised, Santos was there to pick me up!!! What a wonderful, sweet guy!! He put my heart and mind at ease!!! As soon as we were in the car, it wasn’t but maybe 10 minutes and there was Alma calling to make sure I was OK, and to let me know she would see me in a few hours, and so would Dr. Zapata. I was very nervous, but talking to Alma and knowing in just a few hours I would get to meet both Dr. Zapata and Alma I was OK!!!! rnrnI went for my pre-tests, and then Santos came back to the Dr.’s offices where he left me, picked me up and took me to my hotel. WOW, was this for real??? I was staying in a hotel that was THIS beautiful??? HOLY COW … unbelievable!!! I was really beginning to realize this was a FIRST CLASS, A#1 program!!!! It was about 4 hours later and a knock at my door … it was ALMA!!!! She was not only beautiful, but the sweetest lady you ever hope to meet. She stayed for about 1 hour, and just as she was leaving, Dr. Zapata arrived. I was set, and ready for surgery. rnrnSeptember 8th … 5:45 AM I was picked up and taken to Clinica Vitro. Being American, I was concerned about it being a “clinic” type facility … please hear me … IT IS TOP KNOTCH!!!! It is truly a FIRST CLASS HOSPITAL!!! I was so scared, and felt so alone, but just when I thought I was going to lose my nerve, there in front of me was Dr. Zapata. He again impressed me so. He was so caring, so thoughtful ….. you couldn’t ask for a better Dr!!!! It went very quickly from there … no long waits before surgery … in, ran the fluids, and boom, in the operating room. (I have had MANY surgeries in America … never have I felt like I did there. Just before I went to sleep, I looked around and I know there were at least 6-7 people in there to assist with the surgery.) rnrnDr. Zapata came to visit the night of surgery, and then the next two days in the hospital. Dr. Zapata has an incredible bedside manor that is unheard of in the States. He was kind, compassionate and caring … If I had a question/problem or fear … he very quickly assured me all was OK!!!rnrnWell, the next week went by very quickly for me, but during that week Dr. Zapata called me, came to check on me and offered support with any issue I had, any question I had or any concerns that I had!!!! Alma was there almost nightly, and then also arranged for me to go to her lovely sister’s salon for a pedicure, manicure and then we highlighted my hair!!! It was a long day, but I felt like a “PRINCESS”!!! rnrnMy last day Friday Sept 15th … went back to the clinica to have the drains removed, and my final weigh in … DOWN 17 POUNDS!!! I just giggled, cried, and hugged Dr. Zapata and thanked him from the bottom of my heart for helping give me the tool to change my life!!! rnrnDr. Zapata, Alma, and Santos were incredible. I truly believe Dr. Zapata and Alma are angels sent from above. They are truly my “GUARDIAN ANGELS” rn

Dr. Zapata is a very personal kind of doctor. He does house/ hotel calls on his patients. On a scale of 1 to 10 he rates a 15 to me. I reccomend him to any one who is looking to have the RNY surgery. He speaks very go English and his assistant Alma does too. If there is anything that a patient needs they will get it for you if you can not get out. He pushes you to get out to walk after you are at the hotel. My total bill was 13000.00 dollars with 500.00 dollars for food for my husband and meds. My insurance company WOULD NOT PAY for the surgery. I would go back to Monterrey, Mexico again just to see the Doctor and thank him and show him how I look like and what feel.rnI am the spouse of Diane and I had a VBG in 1983. As with many of the VBG procedures it was a failure in the long term side effects from the invasive surgery, six abdominal wall hernia operations. If they had been doing the bariatric procedures I believe my outcome would have been different. I have known many surgeons over the past 20+ years and have respect for only a couple. Most of the surgeons were introduced after I woke up but then I found most suffered from the MDiety complex. Dr. Zapata is one of the most competent and down to earth persons I have ever met. MY ONLY COMPLAINT is that there was not enough staff that spoke english. I speak enough Spanish that I was able to communicate but my wife was not always able to. The other problem is phone communication, the Mexican phone system is not the worlds best. If you take a cell phone make sure it is opened by your carrier for roaming in Mexico. Cingular charged 6.99 per mont and 60 cents per minute. These are people that I trusted my wife to and I have no regrets. My email address is [email protected] you can contact me and I would be happy to talk with you about any questions I can answer.

Dr. Zapata works with Dr. Zorrilla as a team. Their profiles can be found on the surgicalteams.com They are both very compassionate, wonderful men. I was fully pre-tested and screened the day before, had the best of care in a private hospital in Monterrey, MX. The only obstacle in the whole experience was that my Spanish was limited, when trying to communicate with the nurses. But the Drs. and anesthesiologist spoke very well. Dr. Z gave me paperwork regarding aftercare, and did very well to inform me of all of the recommendations. Overall, I would rate them a 10+++++. They're awesome!!

Negative comments: the procedure was very painful, but after all it's Major Surgery. Dr. Zorrilla wanted to discharge me after two days, but I paid for three and convinced him I needed to stay all three days. It was no big deal. The cab driver ripped me off for $100 pesos when he drove me to the airport on the return departure day. But that's all I can think of, really.