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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member georgiagirl1227's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Missy
    Surgery date
    02/15/2014
    Surgeon
    Sergio Quinones
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Last Activity
    07-10-2020 01:40 PM
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    84
    Said "Thanks" 35 Times
    Was Thanked 28 Times in 22 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 541 Times

    Default Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    Hey Everybody, I need to make a decision between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza. I have talked to coordinators from both doctors and they have been very helpful and friendly. I will be going by myself in February and I am trying to decide the best doctor and hospital for me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.



  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member barrbdoll's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Emily
    Surgery date
    04/16/2012
    Surgeon
    Dr. Ariel Ortiz
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Last Activity
    07-24-2017 06:31 AM
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    462
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    Was Thanked 132 Times in 114 Posts
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    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    Which Dr. Ortiz????



  4. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member georgiagirl1227's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Missy
    Surgery date
    02/15/2014
    Surgeon
    Sergio Quinones
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Last Activity
    07-10-2020 01:40 PM
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    84
    Said "Thanks" 35 Times
    Was Thanked 28 Times in 22 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 541 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I didn't know there was more than one ..sorry. I was looking at Elias Ortiz with A Lighter Me...but I would love to hear about your doctor..I just looked him up..



  5. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/01/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Almanza
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Last Activity
    03-24-2016 07:34 PM
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    362
    Said "Thanks" 6 Times
    Was Thanked 86 Times in 80 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 100 Times
    Blog Entries
    24

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I love dr. Almanza. He did an awesome job. I've lost 166lbs in 8 months. I've had an Egd Done since I've been sleeved and the GI specialist said he did an amazing job, that you can't hardly tell I've had it done. It healed really well with small scar.



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  7. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    Surgeon
    Dr Elias Ortiz
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Last Activity
    12-06-2014 07:21 AM
    Location
    Little Rock, Ar
    Posts
    27
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    Was Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts
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    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I'm leaving the Marriott in TJ as we speak. Dr Elias Ortiz is incredible. All of us from Alighterme were doing great post op. The driver, Abraham, takes you shopping and gets you home made ice cream. The Drs come to the hotel and check on you multiple times a day in between surgeries. My experience was a 10/10.

    I know Almanza has a good reputation also. Check and see which hospital he uses. You probably want MI, INT. TL There are lots of negative things about Jerusalem.


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  9. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  10. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member georgiagirl1227's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Missy
    Surgery date
    02/15/2014
    Surgeon
    Sergio Quinones
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Last Activity
    07-10-2020 01:40 PM
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    84
    Said "Thanks" 35 Times
    Was Thanked 28 Times in 22 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 541 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    Thanks for the information



  11. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    08/19/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Avara. S.Miss.WLC
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Last Activity
    09-29-2016 03:15 PM
    Posts
    168
    Said "Thanks" 44 Times
    Was Thanked 22 Times in 21 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 22 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    Did You all Drive from Arkansas and Georgia to TJ Mexico? or did you fly? Did you have to get a passport?



  12. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member Cleverjuls's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Julie
    Surgery date
    10/02/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Almanza
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Last Activity
    11-01-2015 08:25 AM
    Location
    Fairfield, CA
    Posts
    78
    Said "Thanks" 23 Times
    Was Thanked 26 Times in 22 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 76 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    My advice would be find out what Dr. Ortiz's morbidity rate is. Dr Almanza has a 0 morbidity rate, has done 4200 sleeve surgery's and does approximately 240 a month. Hospital Jerusalem is in a strip mall and is more like a clinic and I thought that was un nerving, however he has a tremendous amount of satisfied customers. He not only did my sleeve but he also repaired my hiatal hernia. The Hotel Ticuan is comparable to the Marriot and they have a clinical staff in the hotel. They take very good care of you. My surgery cost with the repair was $5500.



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  14. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    Surgeon
    Dr Elias Ortiz
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Last Activity
    12-06-2014 07:21 AM
    Location
    Little Rock, Ar
    Posts
    27
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    Was Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    Dr Almanza is a good surgeon but his morbidity rate is not zero and YOU can do a quick google search to read about other issues. However, I wouldn't let this alone dissuade you. He has done a lot of surgeries and these things will happen. Currently Dr Ortiz has never lost anybody but he will eventually. All surgeons do at some point.

    Just research doctors AND hospitals to find what you ate comfortable with.


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  16. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    10/30/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. M Almanza
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    05-06-2014 05:24 PM
    Posts
    2
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    Was Thanked 6 Times in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I had my surgery on 11/30/2013 with Dr. Almanza. As of today, 20 days out I can make a few comments.

    1. I arrived the day before surgery at about 3:30 pm. Bus pick me up at San Diego airport and went straight to the clinic to draw blood and make final preparations.

    2. From there to the hotel. Very nice room and great medical support staff located in the hotel.

    3. Day of surgery arrived at clinic at 8:30 am and got to wear the typical hospital gown. Every member of the clinic staff knew what to do and when it was to be done. It never looked like a Chinese fire drill, well organized and directed.

    4. I will tell you up front that I insisted that I be first or second in the surgery rotation or I could come back the next day. This clinic is very busy, I was just one of many people taking advantage of the excellent price offered.

    5. Surgery completed and spent the afternoon and that night at the clinic.

    6. On a personal note, not my surgery. Several of the people who had surgery the day before me or the same day just did not handle the surgery very well. This next comment is all mine. I noticed that several patients had traveled to the clinic alone and left me with the impression that they were the type of person who would find a complaint and disappointment in normal life if they just had a headache. Very needy people who never stopped to understand that they had just had major surgery and needed to understand their life had just been change forever. I got away from them as fast as possible and went walking in the area of the hotel.

    7. On the third day post op we went for the X-ray of the stomach. Nasty purple liquid to drink and then off to another clinic for the X-ray. One more small cup of white liquid to consume during the X-ray and then given the OK to live a new life.

    8. From the X-ray to San Diego airport and then home. All was good.

    9. NOTE, NOTE: Bring with you a warm jacket and or blanket. Damn it's cold in the airport and airplanes. Flew American Airline and no blankets, unless your First Class Seating; I was going with the least expensive surgery I could find, so I wasn't flying First class.

    10. Another note: 20 day out I am living on yogurt, Popsicle (God sent item, buy them by the case), flavored water and protein drinks. My stomach does not hurt or bother me; it’s the gas and heart burn. Heart burn especially if I try to drink tap or bottled water. Gatorade and such no problems.

    11. SMALL is the key word here, very small bites of any food and chew it like it’s your last bite of food forever. Don’t take my word for it, you and I and everyone else will find out.

    12. In closing my comment, Jerusalem Clinic does a great job at a great price, if you feel that you need to have a lot of hand holding and sweet nothings whispered in your ears then by all means go get the $22,000 surgery stateside and bring a friend who understands you and your needs. It will help you feel good about your choice.
    Reason: Misspelled words




  17. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member VALVAL's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    09/09/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Elisa Ortiz
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Last Activity
    02-13-2014 03:50 PM
    Location
    Oklahoma
    Posts
    17
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 5 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I used Dr. E Ortiz and was very pleased. The care I received was amazing.



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  19. #12
    Gastric Sleeve Member country girl's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    09/30/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Jason Suits
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    07-26-2014 09:55 PM
    Location
    northeast texas
    Posts
    26
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times
    Blog Entries
    7

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I have a friend that used dr ortiz and she had a good experience and was back to lite duty work in 1 week. She did take someone with her. I would be scared to go alone, but u make our own decisions and good luck.



  20. #13
    Gastric Sleeve Member paradoxgal's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    10/24/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Elias Ortiz
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    05-10-2019 12:10 PM
    Posts
    141
    Said "Thanks" 42 Times
    Was Thanked 44 Times in 33 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 9 Times
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I'm 4 weeks out and I went to Dr Elias Ortiz (Dr Morales assisted him - he's a hoot. Very outgoing.) Dr Ortiz's bedside manner is very professional, knowledgeable, informative, and kind. He was very thorough. I was very impressed with my surgical team. No leaks, no issues, and I'm happy with my decision. I had a hard time making my decision, but in the end I went with price, because the more expensive Dr I would've had to wait and save up more money. That was just me.
    Good luck with your decision!



  21. #14
    Gastric Sleeve Member BelindaK's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Belinda
    Surgery date
    09/07/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr Elias Ortiz
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    06-12-2014 05:54 PM
    Location
    Northern California
    Posts
    55
    Said "Thanks" 7 Times
    Was Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 175 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I had surgery with Dr. Elias Ortiz and had a really good experience. ALM is full service, getting you from the airport to hospital, and to the very nice Marriott they use. He practices out of Mi Doctor hospital, which is the top rated bariatric hospital in Tijuana. My friend had surgery with Dr. Almanza at Jerusalem Hospital and says she had no significant problems but didn't like the hospital or the hotel they put her in.
    Sleeved September 4 with Dr. Elias Ortiz!


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  23. #15
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/07/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Quinones
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Last Activity
    04-07-2014 11:19 AM
    Location
    Atlanta, GA
    Posts
    21
    Said "Thanks" 8 Times
    Was Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 5 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    @georgiagirl1227 It seems like I'm having that same dilemma. I plan to have my surgery in Feb as well. Let me know what you decide.
    Thanks.


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