Surgery with Dr.Almanza in Mexico

[dntsetl]

My daughter and I had surgery with Dr. Almanza on July 25. We were picked up at the airport the morning of surgery and was taken straight to the clinic. When we got to the clinic we were put in a room with a bed, changed into a gown. IV was started, labs drawn. Then we started being taken back for surgery. My daughter went first, me second. The person who weights the least goes to surgery first. The Patient who weights the most is the last patient taken back to surgery. After surgery my daughter was brought back to the room where we initially shared a room. She was a wake and doing good. Soon after I was taken to surgery. I was walked in to the operating room and put myself up on the OR bed. The anethesiologist ask me a few questions and slipped me some medication in my IV and I was out. I woke up in a recovery room. After recovery I was walked back to the room where my daughter was. My daughter and I slept the rest of the day and night. We didn't have to ask for pain medication. It was given to us in intervals. The morning following surgery our IV fluids were removed, our IV's remained. We got dressed and was taken to the guest house. At the guest house we were given a room and allowed to shower. After our shower one of the nurses changed our dressings, and the dressing around our drains. We had two drains, one had a bulb on the end that could be emptied. The drain was emptied at the clinic but at the guest house I emptied my on. Also if we want pain or nausea medication at the guest house we had to ask for it. We still had our IV, but it didn't have fluids going to it. On the 3rd day we were given a blue drink that taste real bad. This drink is used as a leak test to see if any of the blue show up in the drain. It should not show up in the drain. Then we were taken to an X-ray clinic where we were given a contrast drink which taste real bad. We were told to drink the contrast drink in on gulp and hold our breath while they shot the X-ray. Afterwards we were taken back to the clinic where the x-rays were read. We all passed. We then paid $20 so we could bring our x-ray home with us. Once we arrived back at the guest house, the nurse removed both our drains and IVs. We were also taken shopping on the 3rd day. The places we were taken shopping were pre- selected by them. I think they get some kind of kick back from these places. We were also taken to a drug store. In Mexico it is possible to by medications that you can only get in the U.S. by prescription. If there is a medication you would like to buy, be sure to have the spanish name for the drug. That afternoon we were taken to the airport. Our experience was amazing. I can't say enough good things about everyone who works for Dr. Alamnza. My husband went with us. He stayed at the clinic the first night and at the guest house after we were moved there. They made sure he had something to eat the entire time we were there. Even the night he stayed at the clinic with us. There is a cook at the guest house that seems to be cooking something all the time. My husband wasn't able to go with us to get our x-rays but all other times he was with us. I have to tell you I was nervous about going to Mexico to have surgery. I truly believe I would not have been treated and cared for better in the U.S. We tipped the drivers, guest house cook, nurses at the guest house, the older man who is over the guest house. Hope this helps those of you who are considering going to Mexico for surgery.

[splendaaa]

Thank you so much for the info. Did you come home on the 3rd or 4th day? Can we buy pain killers there to bring back if we need them?

[Ronnie]

Well it sounds like you had a good experience. Thanks for sharing. How much in tips do you recommend? did you tip every time they did something, or just give one tip at the end? I want to plan for cash to bring. AND... as for the pharmacies...I would assume that you cannot buy controlled substances such as valium or xanax - or is it truly any pharmaceutical?

[MediaHound]

Congrats, thanks for sharing your experience!!

[jdecker11]

WOW, that sounds really nice and pretty easy. How much was the total trip including flight....just a rough idea would be nice. Thanks so much. Keep us posted. Also, who does your follow ups in the US? I would be a bit worried....maybe about that. I guess you wouldn't really need but one or may be two with your primary dr...right?

[ladypooch]

Thanks so much for sharing. My husband and I are both scheduled to go to Mexico. I am a little aprehensive at times, but your post really helps. Congrats and keep posting your progress!

[bobbybeegood]

I can second this motion. It is exactly like our trip down there. Only exception was that we stopped at the lab before we made it all the way to the clinic. But that may have changed. I gave a lump sum to the nurse at the recovery house b/c I only 100$ bills. I gave it to the english speaking nurse who was actually born & works in the USA when he isn't with Dr. Almanza. In retrospect, I wish I would have brought 200$ in 20's to give out to all the individual workers. I just didn't think about it. But I hope as many times as I have brought up this subject on the board, that it has helped "grease the wheels" of sleevers who have followed in my foot steps! ;-)

I was told it's a no go on any type of narcotics in the pharmacy. Strongest you can get is Naproxen OTC.

[Evie Sleevie]

Thank you for all of that information!! Why do they take the "lightest person" first and the heaviest last, I wonder?

Did you take pain meds at the recovery house? Were they liquid?

How was the shopping?

How are the prices in the pharmacy? Do you know if they had Ambien or other sleeping pills?

How much did you tip everyone?

[Ottawaguy]

Thank you for posting this. I am going to be sleeved on Aug 19th with Dr. Almanza as well.
I have been searching this for 6 months. Initially I wanted to do the Lap band. Then I changed to the Gastric Plication. Now I decided to have the Sleeve.
I'm getting worried and nervous as the surgery day is approaching. I hope things will be Ok.

[phardin1]

I'm at the clinic right now!!! They take care of everything even brining in lunch for our guests. Can't wait to tell you guys who the rest of the journey goes. I have my IV in and labs done now just waiting my turn!!

[splendaaa]

I'm at the clinic right now!!! They take care of everything even brining in lunch for our guests. Can't wait to tell you guys who the rest of the journey goes. I have my IV in and labs done now just waiting my turn!!

Good luck today!

[dntsetl]

We returned home on the 3rd day but most were leaving on there 4th. I didn't try to buy any pain killers, but I was able to purchase retna A and estradiol. My trip cost approximately $6000. That includes cost of surgery, airfare, hotel the night before surgery, and tips. We tipped as we were leaving for home. We tipped each $20 but I am sure what every anyone tips would be appreciated. I plan to use my primary care physician for follow up. I am not sure why they take the lightest to heaviest. I was given toradol IV for pain at the guest house. That was all I needed. I know some of the others received oral medication for nausea. I am not sure about purchasing sleeping pills at the pharmacy. Shopping was fun. Hope this helps

[dntsetl]

We started home on the 3rd day but most were going to leave on their 4th. I didn't try to buy pain killers but I don't think they can be purchased. Good luck with your up coming surgery. Hope all goes well for you.

[dntsetl]

Really not sure why they take the lightest to heaviest. I was given toradol for pain at the recovery house. That was all needed. It was given in my IV. Prices at the pharmacy is a lot less than in the U.S. I paid $5 for generic Retna A. I am not sure about buying Ambien or other sleeping pills.

[sleepycrna]

wow thanks for all this great info!!