I thought I was sure about Dr. Almanza....

[Socaldixiegal]

I find I spend more time here than on the Vertical forum because that site gets really catty. I still check it out periodically but wow, it's surprising that anyone posts any new type of questions or looks for support!

If you're "lucky" enough to be overweight enough and sick enough PLUS have an employer that pays for WLS and have low enough co-pays then that's great and you can rely upon insurance. But, if you're like a great many folks who are either not quite fat enough, or not quite sick enough or have an employer who doesn't include, or have really high co-pays, or have been driven nuts jumping through insurance hoops and have an open mind then self-pay is a great option. Going out of the country saves many thousands to still have the surgery with a HIGHLY skilled and trained surgeon.

But, I digress. If this site is sponsored by a particular surgeon that's fine. There's nothing keeping anyone from joining or sharing their experiences. I see my surgeons ads on the "other" site, but I'm also tired of the name calling and either the fighting between the super-strict sleevers versus the more moderate ones. Because after all, I'm (read sarcasm here) doing everything right and if you're not doing exactly what I'm doing - you are WRONG!

[anniemay]

I don't care if yall think I am mean - she was asking for guidance about her surgeon choice - I don't think she just wanted to be stroked. The reality is this is MAJOR surgery and there are many things that could go wrong. To leave her uninformed is wrong. She needs to get all the information available about him (and there is a lot out there) to make an educated decision

[Msvetrn]

I hope to never make you mad.... friend

HA! Funny, Judy!! :-) I wasn't mad...just baffled.

[Msvetrn]

All that said............Dr. Almanza doe NOT need to be promted by imaginary people on this forum or any other forum. He gets all the business he wants and MORE. There are plenty of negative posts on this forum about him as well. If he only wanted to be promted, he would have all the negative posts removed. Whatever...all I can say is if it weren't for him I'd still be a fat old cow.

[malwes99]

I am new to here. I had my surgery last Friday with him and had no problems at all. No pain at all. Everyone was professional and the place was cleaner than the hospital I work in. What things have you heard about him. Please share.

[carolynodien]

Wow...that certainly got out of hand! lol

I am another former VERY SATISFIED patient of Dr. Almanza's. I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

xo and good luck!

[niamh]

Hi anniemay,

As a health professional myself, I agree with you about the need for transparency in any aspect of health care. That being said, I think this forum is transparent. It's very clear that there are surgeons who sponsor the site, but I am not aware that there has been any interference in any people voicing their experiences good and bad about any particular surgeon here. I have read about people who have had some degree of complications going with Dr Almanza, and I've never seen posts disappearing or the like. You can start up groups about any surgeon, insurance group etc.

There are also many posts from people who use surgeons who would be viewed as Dr Almanza's main competitors in Mexico and these don't appear to be discouraged. Lots of people comment on their decision making process of how they decided either to choose or not choose Dr Almanza; again, explanations about choices not go with him have never been discouraged that I'm aware of.

And then there are lots of people like myself who had surgery in different places altogether. I feel just as welcome here as anyone.

I don't find this forum often strays into the 'mean' territory, but occasionally things do get heated and unhelpful - perhaps because this is something that people feel passionately about given that it is life changing and is/was a huge challenge to choose to do. Also, many of us have been sensitive and/or ashamed about issues around our weight for a significant time. Less than dazzling behaviour at times of disagreement is unfortunately not as uncommon as we might wish, and maybe it's easier for people to say things without foundation or in haste when they are hiding behind a computer and don't have to deal with people's reactions directly.

Perhaps you hadn't intended it to be the case, but your statement suggesting that this forum isn't transparent about Dr Almanza could be interpreted as saying that the positive recommendations by people who used him are somehow not genuine. I imagine that for people who did have their surgery with him and are very happy and want to say so, that your post almost questions their integrity (or even their existence, as msvetrn mentions). For people who think that having surgery with Dr Almanza was the best thing they ever did, perhaps it's not surprising you get some strongly heartfelt responses in reply.

[GA400]

Anniemay - yes, completely agreed that your friend should collect as much information as possible before this or any other medical procedure. It is his/her body and they have the right to modify it as they see fit and with the physician of their choosing. I sincerely hope that your friend is able to make her choice with peace and assurance that she has made the right choice. I will be glad to speak with yourself or them directly regarding my experience with the practice I used. I am very very satisfied. Had my procedure not been covered by insurance here in the Atlanta area, I would have considered having the procedure done in Mexico. I have spent many months there in both personal travel as well as mission work, both on the Baja side as well as the Yucatan.

[judy79]

All that said............Dr. Almanza doe NOT need to be promted by imaginary people on this forum or any other forum. He gets all the business he wants and MORE. There are plenty of negative posts on this forum about him as well. If he only wanted to be promted, he would have all the negative posts removed. Whatever...all I can say is if it weren't for him I'd still be a fat old cow.

Olf fat cow, lmao. You are too much lol.

[hope4me]

It was here that I came across a report about him. But after doing my research There was nothing going to stand in my way from going over there. He is in my opion a great Dr. who knows what he is doing. If I had to do this thing all over again I would use him.

[niamh]

Whatever...all I can say is if it weren't for him I'd still be a fat old cow.

Msvetrn, so does that mean between getting the sleeve to lose the fat and getting the PS to lose the age lines .... now you're just a cow? :P

[Msvetrn]

Msvetrn, so does that mean between getting the sleeve to lose the fat and getting the PS to lose the age lines .... now you're just a cow? :P

HA! I guess so!!! A skinny, young looking cow! BUT, I'd prefer to call myself more of a SENIOR BARBIE and am contemplating opeinig up a SENIOR HOOTERS here in Richmond...for patrons 55+ ONLY. LOL!

[christine53]

That sounds like a great idea! I think the people that get a little touchy on here need to eat!

[niamh]

HA! I guess so!!! A skinny, young looking cow! BUT, I'd prefer to call myself more of a SENIOR BARBIE and am contemplating opeinig up a SENIOR HOOTERS here in Richmond...for patrons 55+ ONLY. LOL!

I would pay to see that. I'll put it on my potential list of places to visit when I come to the US!

[judy79]

I'm here in the hospital, arrived a day early and they gave me my room. IV hooked up and I'm excited!!! There is only one other lady havign surgery today, and I can't wait to meet my surgery buddy!!! I am so EXCITED!!! I saved for 6 months for this thing!!!