UHealth Hospital

GOD GUIDES THIS SURGENS HANDS. OUR STORY IS SAD. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE BOTH OBESE 3 YEARS AGO. I TOOK MY HUSBAND TO DE LA CRUZ FOR PREPARATION FOR A HEART TRANSPLANT.THIS ANGEL SURGEN OF GOD WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO WOULD TOUCH MY HUSBAND. MY HUSBAND GOT THE SURGERY . HE WAS INSOLIN DEPENDENT 6 BIG SHOOTS A DAY. COULD NOT SLEEP WITH OUT OXGEGEN.AND HAD A MACHINE IN HIS HEART. AFTER THE SURGERY 3 YEARS LATER HE IS DOWN TO ONLY 1 SMALL PILL FOR HIS DIABETIS NO MORE SHOTS HE HEART HAS IMPROVED YEA HE STILL HAS A MACHINE BUT HIS FRACTION HAS GOEN UP. HE NO LONGER NEEDS OXGEN TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. AS FOR ME I WAS 300 LBS WAS HAVING PAIN IN MY LEGS WHEN I WALKED AND HAD VERY HIGH BLOOD PREASURE. AFTER THE SURGERY I AM 180 LBS LESS AND DOWN TO A SMALL BLOOD PREASURE PILL. SO WE HAD 4 KIDS 3 OF THEM ARE NATURALY SKINNY BUT OUR SWEET HEART AMANDA WHO WAS 16 HAD BEEN BORN AT THE UNIVERISTY OF MIAMI WITH 10 ALMOST 11 LBS HAD NEVER HAD A SKINNY DAY IN HER LIFE . WAS PRE DIABETIC HAD TROUBLE WALING A LOW SELF ESTEAM ALTHOUGH EVERYONE LOVES HER. SHE AT THE AGE OF 15 SHE ASKED US FOR WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY. AFTER TAKING HER TO ALL KIND OF DOCTORS TO HELP HER LOOSE WEIGHT AND SHE WOULD GAIN TI ALL BACK. WE ASKED NESTOR FOR HER. HE SAID HE WOUD DO IT A COUPLE OF DAYS BEFORE HER 17TH BIRTHDAY. WE HAD TO FIGHT THE INSURANCE. WE DID NOT GET A FINAL AGREEMENT UNTIL DAYS BEFORE. SHE HAD IT DOEN A WEEK AGO SHE WAS 16 2 DAYS BEFORE HER 17TH BRITHDAY AND HAS LOST 30 LBS THE SURGERY ONLY TOOK 45 MINUTES. SHE HAS ALREADY LOST 30 LBS. PLEASE IF YOU ARE IN PAIN DUE TO BEING OBESE OR HAVE ALOVED ONE WHO IS OBESE AND IN PAIN. NESTOR AND CABRERA HIS OTHER SURGEN ARE YOUR ANGLES WAITING FOR YOU. DO NOT GO WITH DOCTORS WHO ARE MEAN AND RUDE. GO TO THEM. MY NAME IS OLGA MY HUSBAND IS MARIO AND OUR DAUGHTER IS AMANDA. I WOULD NOT HAVE PUT HER LIFE IN ANYONES HANDS JUST THE BEST.WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR HER THERE WERE OTHER MOMS OF OLDER YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAD THE SURGERY AND WERE THERE FOR THIER KIDS JUST LIKE US.THANK YOU NESTOR CABRERA AND THE ONE WHO GETS YOU THE PAPER WORK MELISSA THE PRETTY OFFCIE MANAGER.

Not only does my surgeon, Dr. de la Cruz-Munoz, have great "numbers" - even compared to other surgeons who do only bariatric surgery - but he is nice and willing to take time to explain procedures and experiences to me and my family. He was recommended by a friend and, after "interviewing" a number of surgeons, Dr. de la Cruz was the easy and obvious choice. He is very personally interested, very smart and very, very good at what he does. Just hearing him describe the robotics of the surgery, you know that hs is very skilled at it. There is no genuinely no trace of "disdain" for overweight people (which I did sense at another surgeon's office) He even checked with other doctors for me about another issue I had recently- and phoned me- when my own GP couldn't be bothered !

In addition to a lengthy office visit with my husband and I- where he addressed all our questions and concerns- Dr. de la Cruz does a very thorough and informative "seminar," which all his patients are required to attend. Although I had done a lot of research on the surgery prior to this time- the seminar still had much to teach. He also explained some added safety measures he takes that he believes contribute to his lower rate of complications.

After the seminar Dr de la Cruz stayed late answering many individual questions either publicly or privately and addressed very specific concerns (where I believe another doctor would have said "see me in my office" (and pay for an office visit !) )

The seminar ran concurrent with one of his support groups and a number of people in the support group came into the seminar and spoke of their experiences and answered any and all questions we might have had- no matter how "personal' ! They were all very obviously happy with their surgery and their surgeon. During that time Dr. de la Cruz also listened to what all of them had to say and even asked some questions of his own.

Dr. de la Cruz travels around the country if he wants to watch another bariatric surgeon at work and has sometimes incorporated some of their "best practices" into his own surgery. I was very impressed that he recognizes he might still be able to learn something from another surgeon- I talked to other surgeons who CERTAINLY did not feel that way- and, ironically, they have less reason than Dr. de la Cruz to feel that way as their "statistics" are not as good as Dr. de la Cruz's. I do think though that other surgeons should be coming to watch HIM work- and I'm sure they do.

Dr. de la Cruz is obviously brilliant- obviously good at the "robotics" of doing the surgery- he is likeable and nice. Despite the fact that he is extremely busy DOING surgery- he takes all the time you need if you have questions or want him to explain something. He EVEN personally sat down with my paperwork and his cellphone- calling my GP personally and going through my paperwork when I was having some trouble getting the paperwork in order.
He knows the stats and hospital stay time of other surgeons in this area by heart.

He took time out in between every surgery to come to the pre-op room and speak to the next patient to see if they had any last minute questions or concerns before we were sedated (I think most surgeons just see you in the operating room - and good luck on being clear headed enough to express a concern then) I'm sure his day would have been finished at LEAST an hour earlier had he not done this- but it is his way- and I really appreciated it.

Most of his patients stay only one night in the hospital (their choice- he has no objection to allowing you to stay longer if you feel you need to) Several young women to whom I spoke said they felt good enough to "go to the amll" when they left the hospital the next day !

Melissa, the surgical co-ordinator is super-efficient- never forgets anything- calls when she says she will- gets things done in a very timely fashion- keeps all the patients straight- is really nice and encouraging- and beautiful on top of it all!

The office is run well and is calm and has always operated on time when I have been there.

His bariatric practice is a "Center of Excellence" with above average statistics for success with this surgery and lower complications than other surgeons who perform this surgery exclusively.

I just can't say enough about this brilliant, nice surgeon ! I am so glad I was able to have him for my surgeon and recommend him to anyone !!!

Dr De La Cruz and staff are amazing. I had RNY with him yesterday morning and I am pain free and feeling great. His staff and the staff at University of Miami Hospital are second to none. Dr De La Cruz is approachable, friendly and caring. You cant go wrong with him he is the greatest!! I truly have nothing negative to say and if anyone has questions, please ask.

My first impression of Dr DE LA CRUZ was a little scary due to the fact it felt like I was handed off to him because my original surgeon left to California.

My impression was he seems very nice and knowledgeable but not my original surgeon.

The office staff is the best very helpful, nice and professional. Maydel and Jessica are the best and very efficient.

In comparison to my original surgeon he too fast.

He emphasizes a lot on the aftercare, in comparison to other doctors his food regimen in a lot quicker than others.

I just started his aftercare program I really don' know if its structure very lenient.
Week 1 first 3 days clear liquids next 4 days full liquids.
Week 2 puree
Week 3 soft foods
Week 4 regular light foods.

He is very thorough regarding risks, procedures, and aftermath of surgeries. Very realist regarding risks and issues that might arise.

I rate him as a 8 just because I felt my original surgeon was a 10.

Both his surgical Competence and Beside Manner are both a 10 he makes you feel at ease both before and after surgery.

Dr. De La Cruz-Munoz is a consummate professional, very knowledgeable in this area and extremely personable. His staff is fantastic and very well versed in the insurance process. I call them a \"well-oiled\" machine! The surgery itself took 50 minutes and I was home the next morning. I stayed home from work 8 days and then spent 4 days going to work for 5 hours per day...I felt great just didn't want to push it. Four years later I'm still 105 pounds lighter and feeling great! I wholeheartedly recommend this physician and all of his staff. My son and daughter had also had it done and my husband goes in December 28th...he's truly our \"family\" doctor! My only regret...not having done it sooner!rn

Me and my daughter met with Dr. De La Cruz-Munoz on 05-07-09. We had already attended his seminar at Kendall Regional last year and also one of the support groups for post-ops. My first impression was that he was very knowledgeable. He is a young doctor, with lots of new and creative ideas. He answered all of our questions very patiently (and we had a ton of them!) letting us take all the time we needed. He has performed over 2000 bariatric procedures to date. His staff also seems very efficient and caring. I feel confident that we are in good hands.

I tried every diet in the book and diets not in the book. rnI did not want to go through the Yo-Yo affect anymore. rnI was hungry all the time while dieting and after dieting.rnrnI realized I would lose weight and keep it off only by having a bariatric surgery. I researched and learned that the best for me was the LAP band.rnrnI did not know anyone who had done it nor any surgon. I went on the interent and serearch surgons in Miami. I made my wish list for the surgone I wanted to have.rnDr. de la cruz fitted all my wishes.rnI made an appointment, and boy, was he surprized to know how I found him.rnrnI came to my first appointment after doing serious research about pre-surgery requirments, the surgery itself-risks and what to expect, after surgery recovery, post surgery diet and what I would need to do in the short and long term.rnAs well I knew what I wanted done and why.rnI had surgery on July 17, 2007.I chose to home after surgery, which was a mistake. I should have asked to stay the night at the hospital.rnrnI am happy to say that my pre-appointment research was a sucssess. Dr. de-la cruz did not disappiont me once.rnrnAt first it was not easy. but as my body recovered from the surgery, the pounds started coming off, and best of all, I was not hungry. rnrnI followed all the recomendation and did all that was asked off me. I never tried to experiment with limits and foods. I followed the dietery recomendations to the letter. I joined a jim after realizing I will not do well on my own. rnrnTwice I had to be adjusted when hunger pengs started bothering me.rnIt is all most 7 month since I reached my goal weight.rnrnI have kept it since, and I am sure it is going to stay that way.rnrnI am gratful to Dr. de la Cruz for being the first to understand my constant feeling of hunger, and doing the surgery.rnI do wish I could have seen more of him during the monthly visit during the first year after surgery. rnrnI am grateful, Dr. Cabrer was there to help me anytime I got anxious.rnI am thankful to his stuff for being understanding, suportive and helpful.rnrnrn

it has been 12 months and 85lbs lighter after my surgery and I feel great. I do not regret having my surgery neither less having Dr. De La Cruz as my surgeon. He is very knowledgeable and expert. Dr. De La Cruz you should consider expand your practice to central Florida you, your staff are very helpful, caring, professional, and customer oriented. Thank you again for helping me to accomplish something that I couldn’t accomplish by myself.

I have been reading up on Dr. Dela Cruz-Munoz for about a year. I was informed that he was one of the best. After looking at the list of surgeon's from florida on this site; and seeing his popularity, I decided to give him a try. No he wasn't my first choice.rnI went someone else's WLS seminar before and it was ok. (In general seminars are about the same. Some are humorous and warm and some are cold and reserved) I wouldn't make my choice's off of a seminar. Do your research. rnIn my opinion Dr. Dela Cruz-Munoz is one of the best WLS surgeons in Florida.rnDr. Dela Cruz-Munoz wasn't on my insurance at first. While doing my research on this surgery a miracle happened and he became one of my options on my insurance plan for this year 2008-2009. When I saw his name on our list of surgerons. I made my decision thanrnrn*First impression of Dr. Dela Cruz-Munoz, is that he is really cute and looks so young. My impression hasn't changed so far. His office staff is the best I wish every doctor had staff like these. (Thanks Dottie I will never forget you, you made this process so bearalbe) rnYou probably won't see him your first visit because he is really busy. But his assistant and his staff make-up the difference.rnDr. Dela Curz-Munoz is very informativernhe explained the risk of surgery and kept it real. rnSurgery went well I only saw Dr. Dela Cruz, twice; right before going into surgery,(after getting the happy juice) and when it was time to go home. It didn't bother me a bit I was well perpared before going into this(WLS).rnIf your the type that needs your surgeon to sit and talk with you all the time or you want to call your surgeon every min or everyday, than Dr. Dela Cruz-Munoz is not the Dr. for you. Do your homework and ask around. I can tell you this if your tired of being over weight and you have made your mind up about WLS and want to get through the process quickly, go the seminar. I promise you they will take it from there. I still can't believe that I had WLS and it's over. So many years of research and after one visit at his seminar my life change. rnI just followed there lead and my life has taken a new beginning ever since. Dr. Dela Cruz-Munoz was the best choice for me.

SUPER HAPPY GUYS MY SURGEON IS THE BEST LOVE HIM AND THE GIRLS AND MY DOCTOR ASSISTANT....LOVE YOU THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP AND IN MY NEW LIFE....THANKS SO MUCH AGAINWell as soon as a meet him I knew he was going to be my surgeon he is super cool and super nice really atending with his patients and as I have read about him and hear from some friends that also had the surgery with him he is been great to them too...so far I really like him.....I have my surgery schedule for 02/24/09....SO EXITED and looking forward to my surgery.....he ask me to loose 40 to 50 pounds before the surgery so I will have to follow the liquid diet for 4 weeks.... at the begining was really hard but now I'm really glad he did ask me for that...so far in my 1 week on the diet I have lost 14 pounds really amazing....I'm so happy that I pick him because I know he is the best....I already meet the girls on the office and I love them they are super nice and super friendly......I LOVE MY SURGEON AND HIS STAFF......