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  1. #16
    Gastric Sleeve Member chuck1960's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Chuck Hamby
    Surgery date
    01/13/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Almanza
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Last Activity
    08-06-2014 09:09 PM
    Location
    SLC Utah
    Posts
    21
    Said "Thanks" 10 Times
    Was Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I done 4 months of research im going with Almanza not because of anything bad that I read about dr Ortiz ..I just went with the Dr who has done more Sleeves



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  3. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  4. #17
    Gastric Sleeve Member mmhutch's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Melissa
    Surgery date
    01/31/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Elias Ortiz
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    18
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I am at the Marriott 3 days post op sleeve with Dr Elias Ortiz. After all I have learned and experienced, I believe it is worth the extra $200 to go with Dr Ortiz. The care given by him, Dr Morales, the coordinators, drivers, and nutritionist is outstanding. It's a great team! One week before surgery, I had all my post surgical care instructions and diet information so that I could plan and prepare. Other companies do not do this. At the hospital, I received a care package from A Lighter Me filled with medicines and instructions, bandages, tape, gatorade, eye mask, Chapstick, etc...

    Further, Dr Ortiz has his own private nurse at the hospital on night shift to take care of only his patients, which is in addition to the hospital nurses. And, his surgeries are at a bariatric specialized hospital. Not in a clinic in a strip mall. I never had to travel back and forth between the hotel and hospital. I spent two nights post op in the hospital and two nights in the lovely Marriott. If you go to the Jerusalem "Hospital" and have any type of complication, it cannot be handled at the clinic, you will have to be sent to a hospital.

    All this hasn't even touched on the fact that dr Ortiz is a great surgeon. He is younger and has not done 5000 sleeves but, he has done over a thousand and is very good at what he does. How many US doctors could you find that have have come close to the number of surgeries he has done? Not many.
    I work in healthcare for a large group of surgeons in the USA and feel that I have a different perspective.

    Bottom line, there is more to the surgery than just the surgeon. I believe both surgeons could do the surgery without complications but, It takes a team to care for you and you want that team to be excellent. I feel that is what I got.

    My best to you in your decision and sleeve journey. Feel free to ask me any questions about my experience. By the way, I came from the USA alone for the surgery.



  5. #18
    Gastric Sleeve Member BelindaK's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Belinda
    Surgery date
    09/07/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr Elias Ortiz
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    06-12-2014 05:54 PM
    Location
    Northern California
    Posts
    55
    Said "Thanks" 7 Times
    Was Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 175 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    Melissa is spot on, it does take a team and every time I turn around, Dr. Ortiz and the ALM staff are upping the game. Now they have a surgeon who helps with aftercare (via phone or internet) and a new nutritionist you can hire (@$550) for six months of nutritional counseling.
    Sleeved September 4 with Dr. Elias Ortiz!


  6. #19
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    02/10/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Activity
    11-10-2021 03:33 PM
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    44
    Said "Thanks" 11 Times
    Was Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 4 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    After reading this thread I'm sad I didn't pick Dr. Ortiz. Dr. Almanza charges for every small item like xrays and I hear the B-12 shots. No care packages at all. The idea of a hospital setting doesn't sound too bad either.

    Live and Learn. It's too late for me to change since I'm all paid up and confirmed for Monday. I just hope it goes well and without complications. That's the best we can hope for really.

  7. #20
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    02/18/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr Elias Oriz
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last Activity
    06-10-2014 10:28 AM
    Location
    Flint MI
    Posts
    7
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    Georgiagirl and Lisalee I am going on feb 18 with dr ortiz have heard really good things...let me know if you are considering the same time frame


  8. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  9. #21
    Gastric Sleeve Member minnni's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    minni
    Surgery date
    03/25/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr. Almanza
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Last Activity
    09-22-2016 11:07 AM
    Location
    Boston
    Posts
    17
    Said "Thanks" 13 Times
    Was Thanked 22 Times in 10 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I am confirmed surgery date for 3/26/2015 with Dr. Almanza and I too am thinking of switching to Dr. Ortiz...
    Don't know... I will lose my deposit but I am ok with that....



    Before Preop Diet : 219 lbs
    Day of Surgery 3/25/2015: 216 lbs
    1 Month after on 4/25/2015: 186 lbs
    2 Month after on 5/25/2015: 180 lbs
    3 Month after on 6/26/2015: 176 lbs
    4 Month after on 7/26/2015: 170 lbs

  10. #22
    Gastric Sleeve Member Green rider's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    02/10/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Last Activity
    12-19-2018 04:44 PM
    Location
    SW Washington
    Posts
    115
    Said "Thanks" 52 Times
    Was Thanked 34 Times in 28 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 236 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    This looks like a really old thread to me. Surely there is more recent news?



  11. #23
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    05/21/2015
    Surgeon
    Juan Corvala
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Last Activity
    11-30-2015 10:17 PM
    Posts
    241
    Said "Thanks" 23 Times
    Was Thanked 83 Times in 66 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    Although I chose a different surgeon and hospital, if I had to choose between E. Ortiz and Almanza I would go with Ortiz. I am basing this on lots of research.


  12. #24
    Gastric Sleeve Member Rades69's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Chris
    Surgery date
    10/31/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Ariel Ortiz
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Last Activity
    06-07-2016 06:10 PM
    Location
    Pembroke Pines, FL
    Posts
    43
    Said "Thanks" 14 Times
    Was Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 10 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I used Dr. Ariel Ortiz of the OCC. Google his name and go onto YouTube. He is the world leader on sleeves, and has been on The Doctors, Nightline as well as the Oprah Winfrey Show. He is the best



  13. #25
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    05/21/2015
    Surgeon
    Juan Corvala
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Last Activity
    11-30-2015 10:17 PM
    Posts
    241
    Said "Thanks" 23 Times
    Was Thanked 83 Times in 66 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    Yes, Ariel Ortiz is a highly respected surgeon. He is one of a handful of surgeons in TJ who are highly experienced and credentialed.


  14. #26
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    03/04/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr. Lopez Corvala
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    14
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1 Times
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    Do the math. 240 surgeries in one month! Way too many for one surgeon alone to do. I personally went with the God Father of all TJ bariatric surgeons Dr. Corvala at Hospital Angeles. I would choose Dr. E. Ortiz. He has a good reputation and isn't over booking. If you are still deciding, please at least research Dr. Corvala. Dr. Corvala is $7500 for VSG with a 4-5 day hospital stay. Just food for thought.


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  16. #27
    Gastric Sleeve Member sweetanjil's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Robyn
    Surgery date
    04/01/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr Elias Ortiz
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last Activity
    04-13-2015 12:43 AM
    Location
    Washington state
    Posts
    8
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    I also chose Dr Elias Ortiz over Dr Almanza. I was very impressed with the dealings I have had with his staff. I've also talked to a lot of patients of both. I fly to San Diego on 3/31, surgery on 4/1. On pre-op now. Excited & nervous all at the same time.



  17. #28
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    06/23/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Last Activity
    10-20-2016 04:25 PM
    Posts
    3
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    That was an amazing post! Very informative. My name is Jamia and I am scheduled to have my surgery with Dr. Almanza on 6/23/15 in Mexico. You answered all the questions I had. I am 5'2 and 210lbs. I can not wait until my surgery is complete. Did you meet with your own doctor for follow up after your surgery?



  18. #29
    Gastric Sleeve Member sweetanjil's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Robyn
    Surgery date
    04/01/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr Elias Ortiz
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last Activity
    04-13-2015 12:43 AM
    Location
    Washington state
    Posts
    8
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    My surgery was great with Dr Ortiz. I was a special case and actually had a complication being a revision from band to sleeve. I swell easily with the band so Dr Ortiz had to go back in and loosen the top stitches that go over the staples. The team at A Lighter Me were AWESOME!



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  20. #30
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    06/23/2015
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Last Activity
    10-20-2016 04:25 PM
    Posts
    3
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Choosing between Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Almanza?

    How do you feel now? I am so excited about my surgery. It can come fast enough. Is there any advice you'd like to give about getting it done in Mexico?



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