Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
I booked my appointment to get sleeved 9/12/12. I am a bit concerned because I was told to do the laxative cleanse 3 days before surgery. However, by reading the forum a lot of people are talking about a pre op diet. I did not receive any info about being on a pre op diet other than the laxative. Another thing is the people that I booked with has made me pretty uneasy because I feel like once I booked my flight and paid my deposit that is when they asked me about removing my gallbladder because of gallstone complication. I was told that the stay at hotel tiquan was included but again after I booked my flight I was told that I would have to share a room with another person or pay to have a room by myself. Then trying to make me buy insurance from them "in case anything happens" I just don't like the feeling I am getting from the staff and it is making me pretty uneasy about choosing that Dr now. Can anyone tell me if every Dr put you on a pre op diet. I have read good reviews about Almanza but I am truly not feeling at ease about going now. :confused:
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
I'm certain lots of Dr Almanza's patients will answer this but I wanted to let you know I had surgery in NH at a bariatric center of excellence and I only had to do a clean out as well. I ate less but normal foods until the day before surgery. Anything I did otherwise was my choice.
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
I personally didn't feel comfortable with going to dr. almanza, I instead went with dr. Perez in Cancun and had a great expierence.
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
I had Dr. Almanza and did not get asked to buy insurance or for any other surgeries. I did a 3 day liquid only diet and laxative 3 days prior. If you have a lower BMI they may not make you do the pre-op diet. I would recommend liquids only for 48 hours prior to the surgery as it makes the surgery go easier and the recovery faster. Dr. Almanza is truly one of the best in his field. He does 10-15 of these surgeries daily. I had my surgery 3 weeks ago and I am happy with my decision. I can't speak of the $55 for the hotel because when I Went the Recovery House was still open. I hope I can offer you some comfort by telling you he is a good surgeon and you will be well taken care of. Best of luck with your surgery!
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
My brother had his sleeve and I originally had the lapband done here in the states. I had a full pre-op diet that for some folks lasted up to a year along with a psychological workup and nutrition counseling - basically to get the BMI down but also to test whether or not I was going to be a successful candidate (Dr.'s words note mine). Because my brother's co-morbidity issues were so bad (427 lbs) his wait was only about 2 months with cash payment.
I did blended soups for the week prior and liquids from Sunday to Tuesday. Because of church etc., I didn't do the laxative until Monday.
August 8, 2012 - I had the band to sleeve conversion done by Dr. Almanza -- The only complaint that my husband and I had regarding our experience was the communication with the liason's. When I started my conversation I was speaking with Louise and then starting dialoging with Melissa and Heather. I didn't realize that my husband and I wouldn't be staying at the guesthouse until the week before the surgery and it was then that we learned of Hotel Ticquan (beautiful hotel by the way) If you are going down by yourself, you will stay at the guest house and all your expenses are covered in your fee, but if you are taking a companion, their lodging and meals are not covered in your original fee. I understand that this is a change in how things used to be done -- but the bright side is that your companions expenses may be tax deductible!!! Because there was a group of us from the Aug 7th & 8th date we all kinda hung around and were shuttled together and I just followed by little crowd.
Surgery -- The nurses in the clinic were wonderful and the care that I got was attentive and nurturing. Everyone dressed in white and very professional looking -- blast from our past! I met with Dr. Almanza before the surgery, he walked us through the possible complication of the conversion, took a picture of he and I and was very personable. I walked into the surgery suite and was escorted out afterwards and set to rest with one of my roomies. In recovery, the nurses were one the job 100%
I am very pleased with my whole experience -- you won't walk into a big fancy American style medical center, but I paid $18,000 for my lapband in 2007 and my brother paid $27000 for the sleeve in 2009 -- but I found a clean, sanitary environment with people who took very good care of me.
Being bold -- pray about it and start this journey with peace!
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
I am assuming because the recovery house is closed, that is why you would have to share a room or pay to get one alone! (just like at the hospital or recovery house you share) It is the only place for patients, so it might get pretty full if everyone got private rooms :)
I am also going to Almanza and have no been asked to purchase additional insurance. But I am doing a 3 day liquid diet prior with the laxative
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
As with any surgery there can be complications. The insurance that is mentioned in the paperwork is $300 for 6 months and $500 for 12 months. If there were to be any complications, the insurance covers your airfare and care. If you've ever had to purchase a short notice airline ticket, you know that it would be a whole lot more than $500. There was no pressure to buy, but it was available.
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
NanieGirl,
I had my surgery on August 9th, so we were there at the same time! Sorry I didn't get to meet you. The night before my surgery we stayed at the Hotel and the night of the surgery, in hospital, and the following 2 nights at the Recovery House. Since they have since closed the Recovery House, all patients and guests are staying at the hotel. My understanding is if you are bringing a companion with you, you pay the $55 per night and if you are going alone, you will share a room (like we did at the Recovery House) but it is included in your fees paid. I have also been told that they have a whole floor of the hotel and the nursing staff is now located there. Personally, I have to say that a private room in the hotel with nursing staff there sounds like an ideal solution. The privacy you want with nursing staff you need.
Also, as confident as I was that I needed and wanted to do this, I still had second thoughts and got scared a bit in the week prior to the surgery. It is normal. Trust that you are in good hands.
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
Hello thinnhealthy. I am planning to have my sleeve done January of next year. I believe pre-op instructions are different for each patient. Depending on BMI as well as the answers to the questions asked on the patient history form. For example, I was told "In reviewing your information, you will need to be on a five day preop diet, consisting of liquids, in order to prepare for surgery. Please review the attached preop instructions but follow them for FIVE days." I have bad acid reflux or LPR to be exact...I'd be willing to bet that may have something to do wiht my 5 day liquid diet. I'm also taking the laxative three days prior. So far they have been really informative about what I need to do and how everything works. I received two pdf files with information. One had pre-op instructions and the other had post op instructions. I just received these yesterday. Haven't heard about the insurance yet, but I'm sure I will later. I haven't paid my deposit yet. I've read a lot of reviews on this forumn as well as others and have read nothing but good things. It is a little scary but the more I review, the better I feel. It's also my understanding that the recovery house is closed...I read on another post that this was because it was just getting to full...from reviews I read, this was very true...I hear being at the hotel is much better. They will pay for your room and have you share with other single patients. If you want a private room it's around $55 for each night which isn't expensive at all. I'll be taking my husband with me so we will need a private room. Read, read, read and hopefully that will make you feel better....I'm scared too. :)
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
Just go. Do liquids for three days. Don get all hung up on all this other stuff. You do, though, have to "go with the flow" as it is not like going to a clinic here in the states. Tell Melissa you need to know where you will be staying and if you have to pay. If you are going alone, you dont pay for the hotel if the recovery house is full. There are no private rooms at the recovery house so what would be the big deal about sharing a hotel room??
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
I have no opinion or info on this surgeon, but I can't help but notice that there are many different protocols depending on the surgeon. I didn't do any kind of "cleanse" since they aren't operating on your colon. I did have to do a liver shrinking diet - super low carbs for 2 weeks preop. Surgeon told me my liver was nice and healthy looking, not enlarged like they can be for obese people. Some surgeons don't require a liver shrinking diet because they can work around a fatty liver (when I had my band surgery in 2001 surgeon did not have me do a liver shrinking diet and told me my liver was enlarged and fatty) but I figure that the smaller the liver, the less impact the "handling" has on it so I was on board for that.
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
I didn't know that the recovery house was now closed -- I agree that hotel option is wonderful. Since I had hubby with me, that was my experience.
Just wait til the air conditioner spits little snowflakes at ya!
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
I did a 2 week pre-op diet but you will be fine with 3 days. The only reason they have you do this is so that it can clear all the gook off your liver because they have to lift the liver with a metal utensil in order to do the surgery. And if your liver is slippery, it will further complicate the surgery and just cause you to be more sore after the surgery. But 3 days is plenty fine for your liquid diet. I wouldn't worry about that :) Your gonna do great! And I wouldnt worry about the doctor either. The biggest majority have used him on this site and regardless of all the circumstances, they're surgery has gone fine and they've been happier for it :)
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
Hi there. I had my surgery with Dr. Almanza in August 2011. He and his staff were very professional and were very attentive to my needs. While I stayed at the recovery house for 2 nights (yes, it's now closed), we spent one night at Hotel Ticuan and it was incredible. Regarding your pre-op instructions, I would contact Melissa and explain you haven't received your documentation yet. She responds pretty quickly so you should have what you need soon. (We had dealt with Louise back then, but she's since left and Melissa is her replacement.)
It's normal to be nervous and question things. All will be okay. Trust that this is the best decision you've made and the pay-off will be soooo worth it. Take care. Remember, we're all here for you. :)
Re: Dr Almanza, having 2nd thoughts
I stayed at the hotel one night and it is very nice. You will like it!