Rodolfo Wilhelmy Bariatric Surgeon MD, FACS

Today is my one year "surgiversary"! I would not have changed a thing and would send anyone interested in the sleeve to Dr. Wilhelmy. He was absolutely wonderful as was everyone at Mexicali Bariatric Center. The hospital was clean, private and so very kind. Everyone was attentive and explained every step. They were patient with my questions and really explained everything along the way. I cannot thank them enough not only for their excellent care but for giving me my life back.

I had the lapband in 2010 and recently had a revision to have the gastric sleeve. I was very impressed by the level of care that I received at the Mexicali Bariatric Institute. http://www.almaterhospital.com/ is like going to a World Class Resort. The Social Workers, Nurses and Staff are excellent. Dr Wilhelmy was very kind and professional. I did not have any complications and I would recommend him to any of my friends or family. Please feel free to contact me by email if you have any questions. [email protected]

Thank You Dr. Wilhelmy .

For anyone struggling with weight Sleeve surgery could be the missing tool in your fight.
I struggled for decades on every diet known to mankind and exercise and lost then regained.
There is more going on in your body and mind than most realize that cannot be fixed with diet and exercise alone for the morbidly obese, that’s why 95% fail. Also a enlarged Stomach pouch produces a lot of hormones that puts obese people at a higher disadvantage and the “Need to Feed".
There are usually always underlying issues for morbidly obese people and food is the comfort drug of choice, just like any addiction the underlying issues must first be addressed.
Once you have a better understanding of why you go to food then you are ready for the next step.
Will Power will not help you long term and by removing 85% of the Stomach you are also removing 85% of the need to depend on Will Power.
Gastric Sleeve Surgery provides this powerful tool that will help make your life fullfilling and exciting and FOOD will no longer be front and foremost of your daily thoughts.
I personally am new to this procedure but the results have been amazing thus far and my life is so much better because Food does not have the effect on me it once did. My brain chemistry has changed and cravings are completely gone.
I listen to people talk and tease about cheeseburgers etc and it does not phase me one bit, unlike pre op where I would have gorged upon that kind of talk.
But to reiterate, you must learn how to make better food choices for this to be successful.
If you have made healthy choices and learned to live without refined carbs and fatty food then surgery will complete your transformation.
As you begin your final steps to success you will also realize that unintentionally you have made decisions about relationships with people that may have been an impediment to your weight loss attempts and no longer reach out to them or wish to hang out with them in certain social gatherings.
They claim suicide rates are higher for people that go through bariatric surgery too. I am not a professional but my thoughts on that is the loss of a good friend in food that helped you through all your emotional stresses pre op has gone away.
This is another important reason to address underlying issues FIRST.
Here are my recommendations in order.
1 Family Doctor about your decision and for referrals for
2 Consultations with professionals to help deal with underlying emotional issues
3 Nutrionist
4 Bariatric Surgeon

If you have finally reached the point that you are mentally ready for Surgery and prepared for post op diet and mood swings in the first few months, it's time to go for it.
If you are in a situation as I was in Canada and have been in a bariatric programs for months and not gotten approval for surgery yet and even when approved may have to wait a year to get on an operating table Consider Mexico as I did.

I was fortunate to have known someone that went through the process a few years earlier and got the information. I should have done it then but in my fat head I believed I could slay this food dragon. Well I'm here to tell you the Dragon won, so I licked my battle scars and went through the processes mentioned above and went to MBC ( Mexicali Bariatric Center ).
I requested surgery with them via email, they sent me medical request forms to fill out, I did so and took them to my GP for review and sent them back via email.
I was given a date and pre op dietary instructions and began to feel that my life was about to change, it was very exciting.
From the time I first communicated with MBC and throughout the entire pre/post op it was a very pleasant and professional experience.
I'm sure like me having heard nightmare stories about going to a foreign land for surgery but I am here to tell you don't believe everything you hear. That is no substitute for research of your own.
So as to not write a book on this, picking the right surgeon and support team is essential to your final success in your journey to new health.
I as many others are here to tell you Dr. Wilhelmy and his Team are World Class; you will not find a better surgeon FULLSTOP!!
You will meet his entire team pre op personally and they will explain everything to you so there is no anxiety about the procedure, they are compassionate and caring people and you will be treated with absolute respect.
This is a life saving event and they know it too, Dr. Wilhelmy was in the same boat, who better to trust and understands your situation better than a surgeon that went through the same process himself.

I was very pleased with the Doctors, Nurses and Hospital staff. I had my surgery May 13, 2016 and as of June 29, 2016 I have lost 51lbs and feel great. I would recommend this surgery to anyone. Had a friend tell me, " I spent the first 49 years of my life eating what I wanted, now I'm eating they I should" that way I can be around longer for my kids and family. Couldn't be happier, thanks to all involved.

I had the vsg done on May 5th by Dr. Welhelmy. I had no problems. Never had gas pain or really any pain. My recover has been so great.

I had the VSG surgery done by Dr. Wilhelmy on January 19, 2016. I had an amazing experience and feel like a walking, talking advertisement for the Mexicali Bariatric Centre and Dr. Wilhelmy! If you have any concerns at all about getting this done - DON'T! It has changed my life. I have lost about 50 lbs in 4 months and have never felt better. I brought a friend with me and were picked up at the San Diego airport by Carla. She was wonderful and so very helpful. Carla was always around even at the hospital. My friend wanted a souvenir for her husband back in Canada and Carla went out of her way to make sure she got it. When we arrived at the hospital after approximately a 2 hour drive, we were greeted by Yolanda, who was just like my mom! I instantly relaxed and cannot say enough wonderful things about Yolanda. I LOVE her!! Prior to my surgery, I was visited by the anesthetist, Dr. Compos and Dr. Wilhelmy. All of them were open to questions and just made me feel so at ease before going in for the surgery. After the surgery, Dr. Compos also made many visits to my room to check on me. He is friendly, informative, compassionate and also very good looking!! Please, Please do not waste another day thinking about whether you should go or not!! I had tried every diet on earth and nothing has been as successful as this surgery. Feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions about the wonderful Dr. Wilhelmy and Mexicali Bariatric Centre!

Everyone at Mexicali Bariatric Center was wonderful, including Dr. Wilhelmy, and the language barrier was never an issue. When we arrived on 4/13/16, Ernesto picked us up at the airport and on the ride to Mexicali told us his experience with the VSG and answered a lot of my questions about maintenance. When we arrived Karla showed us around the hospital so we felt comfortable and then I went to have blood drawn, and an EKG, the hospital was extremely clean and well maintained. The hotel we stayed in that night, Hotel Lucerna, was clean and comfy with delicious restaurants on-site. My husband and I met Dr. Wilhelmy the morning of surgery, 4/14/16, and he was very kind, explaining what was going to happen and asking if I had any questions. The anesthesiologist was very thorough in explaining how I would be put under, which put my mind at rest. For the 3 days I was at Hospital Almater Dr. Wilhelmy, Dr. Campos and Dr. Beltran came everyday to explain what the day would entail and answering any questions I had. Day 1: Had VSG done that morning, was encouraged to walk as soon as possible, but I slept most of the afternoon. No gas pains, some soreness at night, but the nurses were quick to respond and give medication as needed. Day 2: Nothing by mouth, but I really didn't want anything. I was very tired, but my husband, the Doctors and nurses really encouraged mw to walk, walk, walk and do my spirometer exercises. Day 3: Methylene Blue dye test. It wasn't pleasant tasting and I vomited a few times while drinking it. All the Doctors and Nurses that came in that morning encouraged me to sip it as often as possible. Finally in the late afternoon I finished it, no blue dye was in my drain bag (but I did pee blue for a few times after), so Dr. Campos removed it (feels weird, but doesn't hurt). And I was brought a tray of delicious chicken broth, Gatorade and chamomile tea for lunch and dinner. Day 4: Barium swallow done. The barium contrast didn't taste terrible, just chalky. I would prefer it over the blue dye any day. Got to see my new tiny stomach. Passed all my leak tests and Karla carried us back to the airport for the trip home, with all my post -op instructions, information for my primary care Doctor back home and a CD of the barium swallow study.
At 2 weeks post of as I write this, my recovery up until this point has been uneventful. I focus mainly on water first and then on my protein intake and follow the post-op diet closely. Over the past 2 weeks I have lost 10.5 pounds, which I never could've done in a month on my own before surgery and I am ecstatic to see what the future holds.
If you have any apprehensions about going to a foreign country for surgery, just look at all Dr. Wilhelmy's great reviews and go for it. I would recommend Dr. Wilhelmy and Mexicali Bariatric Center to anyone who wants a caring staff, Doctors and Nurses, a clean hospital and wonderful care and would most definitely refer and friends and family interested in the procedure to them as well.
Feel free to contact me with any questions, I would love to answer them.

Dr. Wilhelmy did my sleeve gastrectomy on January 28th. He was very kind and reassuring as I was a little nervous. He was also very attentive and came to see me more than once while I was at the hospital. I have had no complications and am very happy with the work done. I would highly recommend Dr. Wilhelmy as an option to anyone looking for a bariatric surgeon in the area. The hospital was clean and the staff was friendly at all hours of the day.

I recently had my surgery done on March 7 and have already dropped 26 lbs I'm 46 yrs.old old and at my age the weight just didn't want to come off. Diet after diet
Stop wasting your time. Why take the chance of losing and regaining weight when you can take it off permanently. If you're worried about the hospital being located in Baja California. Stop
This hospital is well staffed and more sanitary and more professional than any hospital than I have been admitted to in Southern California
With the support of at least 3 other physicians and a appointed personal assistance to help you from start to finish. You are in good hands.
My recovery has gone just as they indicated. Great
Thankyou for a new beginning, my new life. I am so grateful

My experience with Mexicali Bariatric Center was reassuring from the start. I was researching many places and ended up feeling pressured by various scheduling agencies. This was not the case with Mexicali Bariatric. I had two helpful and insightful conversations with Nina, patient coordinator. I felt no pressure at all. All the informative you tube videos she posted were also helpful. I felt that this was an educated environment that encouraged patients to do their own critical thinking. I had my sleeve done on the 17th of March, 2016. The day before I was picked up at the airport in San Diego and driven to the hospital. I will admit by this time my nerves were about to get the best of me. I was terrified I made a mistake. I was met by Carla and Yolanda. They were professional, kind and kept me moving through the process which helped me not completely break down! What was very reassuring was the lab tech was able to take my blood without hurting me. This is rare. It almost never happens. I had an x-ray, an EKG and provided a urine sample. After that, the driver brought me to my hotel. The hotel was secure and safe, the room was lovely and I ate meal which was fantastic after fasting all day. I was given an antibiotic and thankfully an anti anxiety medication that did wonders for my anxiety ridden mind! I slept well, so well I overslept and the driver was waiting for me while I was still sleeping! Fortunately I was organized and was out the door in five minutes. At the hospital I met with the internist who let me know all my tests were fine, I met with Dr. Wilhelmy who is very cheerful and confident! I think at this point I was just in a daze, nerves were back. I called home to let my husband know I was about to go in for surgery, when Dr. Campos came in. He was so kind.Very reassuring to my addled nerves. Before I knew it I was off to surgery! The surgery techs and nurses were quick, professional and very kind. I was out of surgery and back in my room feeling little pain. Dr. Wilhelmy checked on my a few hours later, as did Dr. Beltran and Dr. Campos, the nurses were in and out often, but were always there with a smile. I started recovery with slow walks and many naps. I will admit that there was pain, there was still some fear of my transformed stomach, but due to the constant reassurance and care of the staff, it lessened each day. By the time I was ready to go I was confidently drinking broth, tea and gatorade. My pain was very tolerable. After 3 days at home, the pain was gone. I know Dr. Wilhelmy has done a wonderful job. I have had no nausea, my incisions are healing wonderfully, they are tiny. I will say though, to anyone considering this procedure, my experience is that there is still the mental food addiction. I cannot partake, I want to be successful, I am following the detailed eating plan to the last detail. Yet, I think about food and I miss it. I think that this may be part of the healing process as well. Apparently I did not make healthy food choices in the past and this is a relationship that has to change. That has been the hardest part of my recovery. I don't know when it will get easier. The weight is coming off at about a pound a day. I sleep well, and my energy is better than before. It is worth it, and it will be a better future as a whole.