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Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz (not Dr. Ariel Ortiz) at Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana

  1. MamaDupa
    MamaDupa
    I used Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz. He goes by Elias Ortiz. He is PHENOMINAL! I wasn't ever scheduled with Dr. Lopez. My surgery date was December 27, 2012. I signed up with A Lighter Me with using Ronda. I couldn't be happier. My husband was sooo skeptical of Mexico and having surgery out of the US, but now he can't stop going on and on about the attention and care I received. Dr. Ortiz is about 30 years old, has done about 2000 surgeries and is the ultimate professional, you would think he is in his 40's! Also everyone in our group was very pleased. No leaks no infections with everyone and all walking within a couple of hours of recovery room exit. The service provided by Abraham (the driver) and Eduardo (local coordinator) is awesome. You couldn't ask for more. They will get you ANYTHING you want or need. A lot of other Dr. coordinators don't do this, but they will take you shopping the second day after hospital release, then take you to an excellent Mexican restaurant in Tijuana (at your cost, but my hubby had a combo plate and i had the most delicious broth and it cost $10.50US. They will take you to one of the open pharmacies where you can get antibiotics, male enhancements, etc.that are over the counter there. They will take you to a flea market in an indoor building, or anywhere else you want or need to go. The Marriott Tijuana is a very luxurious hotel and the bellman are top notch.

    Getting back to the Dr. and Mi Doctor hospital. Once you are checked in for surgery, you are taken to your room and given a gown to put on. If you have a companion, there is a bed in your room for them so they are with you unless they go on a walkabout lol. It is all very safe there. You get an IV, EKG, blood drawn for complete chem work up. It even types your blood and you will get a copy of all the labs. The anesthesiologist comes in, then an internal medicine specialist, then Dr. Ortiz. Maybe not in that order. Once your blood work comes back and is approved by the Dr. you are told what number you are in order for surgery. I was second out of 4. There are english tv channels mostly in the number 200 and up but they vary. If you get spanish commercials, wait until after the commercial are over because alot of the programs are in english! My husband was able to watch TV alot lol. Some of the nurses did not wash their hands and some wore disposable gloves. There is hand sanitizer on the nurses table in the hallway so maybe that is how they do it. When they inject three very large syringes into your IV they do it slowly so it doesn't sting, just feels a little cold. They will do it slowly if you ask them to slow down. This goes on every 6 hours during your entire stay. There is a very sweet Mexican nurse names Monserrat, who doesn't speak great english and there is another nurse named Samantha who has dyed blond hair and her english is perfect. She is really nice if you get talking to her.

    When my time came for surgery, about 2:30 p.m. I was wheeled in a wheelchair into the holding/recovery area and temp and blood pressure taken. Then I walked into the OR and got on the table. The anesthesiologist was there and said hi to me and was I ready and I said yes. He said I am going to give you a little something to help you relax so I said OK. I woke up in my bed after surgery about 6:00 with my husband holding my hand and talking to me!! I thought I would know when the Dr. would knock me out, but he wonderfully tricked me and was putting me out right then.

    When I came around I had some minor pain, very tolerable and I was just wanting to sleep and I didn't really feel much until around 8:00 when I had to pee. I raised the bed, my hubby helped me sit up and once I stabilized, we wheeled the IV pole into the restroom right next to my bed and I went. Got back in bed. I felt some gas, nothing bad, sucked on a gas-x strip and it started to move and come up. The next day and a half I probably used 6 strips. If you walk, it helps move it. You can walk around your room or the hallway. Once you are ready for your leak test number 1, you get a small (3 oz) bathroom dixie cup size of blue liquid they tell you to sip. It wasn't great but it wasn't as bad as some folks said. If you see blue in your drain, then you have a stomach leak. There were NO leaks in our group and from what I was told Dr. Ortiz has had no leaks in the last several hundred patients! The second leak test is different. You go downstairs and stand. You drink a clear liquid, two gulps while you are x-rayed and you can see the white fluid going through your esophagus and into your new NARROW stomach. I liked this part because I knew for sure the size of my stomach and the surgery was indeed done! I started to gag a little after the gulping and it hurt a little in my chest like pressure, but then it was gone as soon as it started. The Dr. turns you and you see the fluid moving. He tells you No leak! You will get a DVD of this and the report. When you go back upstairs you can have crushed ice and be sure to ask for the apple juice OMG!!! it is the best tasting I have ever had Martinelli's! Everyone was raving about it.

    The next day and a half went like this with constant care from the nurses, the Dr. coming in and checking you and you adjusting to your stomach GURGLING lol it is like there is an alien in there! When you are released they will take you to the hotel and tell you when you will go shopping. Dr. Ortiz came to my hotel room each evening then removing the drain.By the way if your companion wants to go anywhere while you are in the hospital, Abraham is available to take them anywhere they want to go. He and my husband when to a local watering hole and to Burger King. Mexico is just like the states, and very populated in Tijuana. Abraham took us to the airport or to a hotel in San Diego if you are staying there 1 night ten we caught the hotel shuttle to the airport the next day. It was an awesome experience. Now at 10 days out I have lost 10 pounds since check in at Mi Doctor! I had a BM on day 5 just after arriving home, no problems. I know this is a lot of info but when I was researching, this is what I needed to hear and wanted to read. I would highly recommend Dr. E Ortiz as he is exactly the same price as Dr. Almanza with a real hospital and recovery two nights there. There is so much personal attention and care and interaction with the Dr. afterward.
  2. Phoenixrise
    Phoenixrise
    That's great you got sleeved and are having great success with your sleeve. Congratulations on becoming a loser and living a healthier life.
  3. Joanne1958
    Joanne1958
    What a totally different experience from what I had with Almanza Mama. That is the way it should be and the way you should be treated. Thank you for sharing your story. I was told by Dr. Juan that this is a business just like McDonalds or Burger King had to laugh at him told him BK doesn't mess with ppls lives so it is scary you would even compare yourself to a fast food resturant ha..not the sharpest tool in the shed for being a doctor!..Congrats on your surgery and your experience!!
  4. itchycat55
    itchycat55
    I loved being handled by A Lighter Me, they provide super, customer service, they go the extra mile and all the staff were fantastic! Especialmente Abraham y Eduardo y Ronda!
  5. Cheri
    Cheri
    THANK YOU MamaDupa! The specific information you provide makes me feel SOOOOOOO much better! Thank you so much again!
  6. Fawn1120
    Fawn1120
    Mamadupa, your personal story helps me make my decision of what surgeon! I spoke with Rhonda yesterday from a lighter me. She said that you get contacts of other patients who will be getting your surgery at the same time.
    Thanks for sharing your story! Linda
  7. BelindaK
    BelindaK
    I also had Dr. Ortiz and my experience was similar to yours. Great experience!
  8. SeaShell
    SeaShell
    Thank you for such a thorough recap of your experience. I am scheduled with Doc. Elias Ortiz for this coming Saturday! I was so glad to learn about surgery day and what to expect. I am working with Janese from A Lighter Me and feel very comfortable. It sounds like you get a lot of attention which is great because I am making this trip solo. QUESTION...did you bring your own Gas Ex strips? I want to make sure I have everything I need by Wednesday! Congrats on you great loss so far! Amazing! Stay in touch!
  9. Natloving40s
    Natloving40s
    I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ortiz on Jan 4th and this was exactly what I needed to know. Thank you!
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