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Gastric Sleeve done on Tuesday July 2 2013 - Dr Almanza

  1. Lissett330
    Lissett330
    I have nothing but good things to say about the medical care, been keep informed of what was going to happen next.
    We arrived (traveled with my 75 yr mother). We were picked up at the designated area, there was 3 other patients and their family waiting. Honestly you could travel by your self, you make friends and everyone is very much willing to help.

    Once we were picked up, we taken to the Hotel. Hotel Ticuan is in the middle of the city and it is compared to a Holiday Inn. Very clean and modern. Business center, I did not see a fitness center but then again you can't use it.

    Our pre-op lab work and Cardiology test where done in the comfort of our room. A coordinator came by later on and explained in great detailed what was going to happen next. I was schedule to be #5 the next day. I was told to be ready by 10 am and not to have any water or to eat after 10pm.

    Shuttle service was there on time to take us to the Hospital. Now please, please keep this in mind, you are not in the United States where our hospital are blocks long and 100's of people working. This is in a strip mall next to Office Depot and other local merchants. Once we entered the lobby, we were given some shoe guards to cover our shoes. Everyone had this on, if someone went outside, those where tossed and new one came on. I was called to a triage area, there I was given an IV, changed into my beautiful hospital gown (this one fit LOL) taken upstairs and waited for about 2 hours with other patients. During our wait time, I think 5 different people (all uniformed and with ID's) cleaning.

    Dr Mario Almanza came up and sat with us and talked to all of us. First he wanted to know how we where and from, how loan we had pre-op diet and then he spoke of him self. His English is broken but you could very well understand him. Shortly after that I was called down and into the OR room. Unfortunately I have had surgeries here in the States before and this room has nothing to envy one here in the state. The Dr. was waiting for me and gave me a big smile and said " ready for a new life". Dr Almana is a patient himself so is a lot of the medical staff, so they know exactly what we are going through.

    Day of surgery I stayed at the hospital with around the clock 2 or 3 nurses coming in to check on us. Next morning by 8 am we were back to the hotel. I rested for the great part of the day. Around 3 we where loaded on the shuttle (all labeled with the Jerusalem Hospital) and taken to have a IV that was a cocktail of vitamins, pain killers and antibiotics.

    Next morning we were given this very nasty tasting Blue liquid to drink. This is for leak test. I will tell you drink and suck on some of the Popsicles then drink again. I don't know how could someone drink it outright. At the X-ray center you will be given another NASTY barium to drink while you e-ray is taken.

    You are taken back to the Hotel and you are on your own if you want to go shopping, I wanted to sleep and so I did. But there where other that did some damage and even went to a lock Casino (nothing to write home about they say).
    Drain was removed that night and next morning I was heading back to the US.

    Now here is where I had problems, CBP (Customer Boarder Patrol) would not let us go back to the US in the vehicle that we where in because the Hospital does not have the proper paper work to transport patients back to the US. This caused us to leave our transportation, walk with our bags across the Boarder to San Diego and catch a taxi. Cab fare was $60.00 to the Airport that you are welcome to split with other patients and their families. This is my only complain.

    I have had no pain except when I forget and drink water to fast. I scares are healing well and I am following their instructions to the "T"
    I am a little OCD so this may be it.. I am excited to say that I have lost 14 pounds so far.

    Please feel free to write with any questions.

    Lissett
  2. bjsrealtor
    bjsrealtor
    thanks, I am coming on 7/22/13 to Dr Alamanza. Good to hear about your positive experiences
    .Hope I dont have to walk across the border. You Rock!!!
  3. Phranquie
    Phranquie
    I had a similar good experience with Dr. Almanza last August. I stayed in the recovery house as I travelled alone. It is a bit like a dorm room but I liked being able to talk to others when I was up. Many people slept and took naps but I was up quite a bit. We had no trouble whatsoever going across the border (either way) in the hospital van. The staff is professional and friendly and since many have had the surgery themselves they understand what your questions are and how to answer them. When I got to the operating room, a little loopy from the drugs I asked the doc to show me his scars from his surgery. He laughed and pulled his shirt right up to show me. I told him I wanted tiny scars like him and wouldn't mind have a tight little six pack like he has! BTW, my scars are quite small now.

    All in all I am so happy with my surgery. I chose Dr. Almanza specifically because he does so many VSGs. I wanted the surgeon with the most experience. I know others look down on his facility and the fact that he does so many procedures. But in the end my surgery went t=without a hitch and I recovered easily.

    I have lost 167lbs since last July when I started my pre-op diet (hight of 325+lbs). I am still losing well and looking forward to getting to my goal of losing a total of 200lbs sometime this fall. Life is so different and I have a much brighter outlook on the future now.

    Frankie
  4. moni7744
    moni7744
    I was there at the Hotel Ticuan when you were... sure I prob. saw ya, but your avatar is little and I can't see I went with dr. Kelly and sleeved on the 1st of July
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