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Dr.Mario Almanza, Dr. Lopez, or a lighter me?

  1. lizzyc
    lizzyc
    Hi, everyone. I'm new here,
    it's very exciting to see you guys are doing great after the VSG,
    Those before/after pics really awesome,
    I know it's totally changing lifestyle,
    and I'm so impressed that you all made it, or half way of that.

    I'm still a little afraid, since I'm having the surgery in Mexico, no offense at all.
    Btw, I still don't know which doc to choose,
    My top 3 docs are Dr. Mario Almanza, Dr. Lopez, and a lighter me.
    Can anyone give me some advices?
    Thank u so much!!!!!
  2. knip_toh
    knip_toh
    I currently sitting in San Diego, catching a flight out in the morning headed home from Tijuana! I can't say enough about Alighterme! Everyone was wonderful! Janese was very helpful, informative, and NEVER pushy. Wait, let me scoot back a couple of months, I am a 39 your old wife, with 4 amazing kids, parents that I adore and love, traditional southern girl, a brother with a family that I adore and love and the thought of going to Mexico frightened me thinking I would not return home to see my loved ones again. I am 3 days post op and few amazing. No hunger, just soreness no pain, the Mexican coordinators Eduardo, Abraham took great care of me and my requests and needs. They have also added Orlando that was just as exceptional. My mom traveled with me and they made sure we had a room with 2 hospital beds - one for me and one for my mom - for both nights in the hospital. We were there over the weekend and my mom wasn't able to get any dinner Saturday evening so Orlando made a special trip to the hospital to pick her up and take her to get dinner. Before I left Tijuana, Abraham and Eduardo escorted us around taking us shipping and making sure we saw and bought whatever we needed before taking us back across the border. I quickly felt like a part if their family, there was never any language barrier with the Alighterme Team. Dr. Ortiz was amazing and checked in me daily, made sure all if my questions were answered and that I was comfortable and informed. His assistant Dr. Morales came by a couple if times checking on me and chatted up as well. The nurses at Mi doctor were very attentive. I followed the doctor's instructions and walked walked walked and was able to have my drain removed before I left the hospital - that was a HUGE RELIEF! The Marriott - honestly can't say enough about how beautiful is is and their customer service is better than any US hotel I have stayed in (I travel often and usually stay in either Marriott, Hilton, or Choice suites). Good luck with you decision. Alighterme wasn't the cheapest or the most expensive, but was worth every penny!! You are welcomed to message with with questions!
  3. BelindaK
    BelindaK
    I hope I don't insult anyone, but Dr. Almanza has a lot of detractors. You can ask around, some of his patients are very happy, my friend picked up an infection, felt like she was part of a factory line of patients. Another friend came out with a lot of problems afterward. But...all surgeons are human. I'm never really sure if he's that bad or if these people are sock puppets for another surgeon. (its very competitive there)

    Dr. Lopez has a good reputation, as does Dr. Ortiz through A Lighter Me. I'd suggest you look at the hospitals they work through...you don't want to go to a strip mall clinic. Lopez and Ortiz operate through Mi Doctor, which is a dedicated bariatric hospital with an acute care/emergency unit. Several excellent surgeons use that facility.

    My surgeon was Dr. Ortiz (A Lighter Me) and I was pleased with him, the ALM staff and the staff at the hospital. The great thing about ALM is they literally pick you up at the hospital and take you through this every step of the way. Dr. Ortiz was trained by Dr. Lopez but prior to that, he was a top surgeon at one of the large hospitals there, so you know you're in good hands. I saw him daily and he came to the hospital before I left, to remove the drain and then gave me about a half hour of his time with nutrition and after-care counseling.You won't get that in the US!

    Gotta add: everything kip_toh said above was true of my experience, too. There was one woman who had surgery the same time I did...she had really bad nausea. They came out in the middle of the night and took her back to the hospital where Dr. Ortiz met her and checked on her. The are absolutely a wonder crew of people to work with!

    Best of luck!
  4. Chonda
    Chonda
    Be sure to know both the ladies above are speaking for Dr. Elias Ortiz with A lighter me. There are two Dr. Ortiz in TJ... one with a lighter me and the other with OOC.. I will be going on Feb 16 and I chose A lighter me and Dr. Elias Ortiz. I've researched the internet what feels from start to end on surgeries in Mexico and every review I've seen online for A Lighter Me has been just as knip_toh has stated. I'll give you my first hand experience in little over a month!
  5. Dawzow
    Dawzow
    My surgery is scheduled Feb 5th with Dr. Elias Ortiz and a lighter me. I'm very excited, and a little nervous... But I have to say that everything I've experienced with alm has been amazing! Rhonda and Janese reply instantly (or very quickly) with any questions and have been very pleasant to deal with.
  6. nanfit
    nanfit
    Dr. Elias Ortiz with A Lighter Me is amazing. I'm 7 weeks and 3 days post-op and he continues to amaze me with how attentive and concerned he is for his patients. I've been sick with colds twice since surgery, and he's surprised me when he noticed on my status updates that I was sick (and on my birthday) and he messaged me privately to check in on my birthday and a few days later to make sure I was feeling better! I found out from my 1 month post-op blood work that I'm slightly anemic. He emailed me back just a few hours later to show concern and asked me if I was going to start taking my iron! He's an amazing surgeon and a wonderful person. I am so excited to go back to visit Tijuana later this year.
  7. chuck1960
    chuck1960
    im sitting in the hotel right now after having my sleeve do with Dr. Almanza I have had a great experience ..yes it is a stripmall on the outside but once you walk into the doors its not..only you can decide I looked into both the reason I went with Almanza was experience he has been doing it a long time I am very pleased with his crew
  8. CountryGirl72
    CountryGirl72
    I had Dr. Almanza as well... He was amazing! U just have to kinda follow your heart. I couldn't have asked for a better surgeon! I am 6 weeks post-op tomorrow! If u have any questions feel free to inbox me and I'll answer what I can. Best of luck to u.
  9. paradoxgal
    paradoxgal
    I had my surgery with Dr Elias Ortiz through a lighter me, just over 3 months ago. I had no problems or complications. Everything went as promised and planned, and I have lost over 60 lbs in 3 months. I am happy with my choice. Dr Ortiz was very thorough, and very kind. Dr Morales assisted him and was great and very funny. Dr Ortiz has a very serious bedside manner, and I was very satisfied with his knowledge. They all spoke great english; the nurses at Mi Doctor didn't all speak english, and there were a few problems with the language barrier with them, but overall it went well.
  10. lizzyc
    lizzyc
    thank you guys, i chose Dr.Lopez, and i'm flying to san diego tomorrow, hope everything go well!
  11. Periwinkle74
    Periwinkle74
    I also chose Dr Lopez, because he's got an excellent reputation and he's one a handful of Mexican bariatric surgeons who is ASMBS certified.
    I wish all of you the greatest success in your weight loss journeys. I am going under the knife on Monday morning.
  12. meme_mayham
    meme_mayham
    here is a post
  13. Dawzow
    Dawzow
    I had surgery with Dr. Elias Ortiz and a lighter me... Wonderful experience, down 100lb and pregnant! But ALM was fantastic and I had a wonderful experience... After a year, I'm still in touch with the staff... Now that is customer service!
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