If you are considering Dr. Mario Almanza, please read this

[Chelan]

dr almanza has very mamy happy patients and some not. With all the surgeries he does I guess the odds of that go up. I really would recommend Dr ramos kelly trained in the states who is so skilled he doesnt have to use a drain. My surgery with him was awesome and he has been to see me every day!

[nickelnose]

I just saw on your post you live in Longview Washington. I live in Chehalis I will be going to Mexico in 2 weeks for my surgery!

[Chelan]

Hi I actually live in van canada.

[Kafman]

I am so sorry to hear about this. I went and did some reviews on this guy. I am terribly sorry to hear that!

[secretblonde]

Dr almanza is a fantastic dr ...with a great surgical team !

[zoey101]

AHHHHH!!!! I truly cannot believe what you have posted and quite frankly it's rather disgusting the way you attacked anyone that posts anything good about this man not to mention your choice of words are extremely immature. I haven't had surgery yet nor have I ever met Dr. Almanza and I am still doing my research inside out and upside down. Here's the thing, it actually makes me feel even more confident hearing that a Dr. will not go through with a surgery as it may possibly put the patient in danger. A real chop shop Dr. just looking to make money would have gone ahead with the surgery no matter what was wrong with the patient. You also ABSOLUTELY should not ever assume that people are not loved or Lonely and unwanted or don't have a loving family. The more I think about what you wrote the furious I am getting that someone like you hides behind a computer and tries to act all tough and insult the living hell out of people that have had a good experience and just wanted to share it. Dear God where would you even come up with comments like "people are sleeping next to him" or the they act like they are "married to him". You are horrible for posting those words of yours and this forum is for people supporting people and trying to get good honest information to make the right decision for themselves and there families. And before you make another nasty comment just don't. Stay off of here if you can't be supportive and positive there is no room for negativity on her just honest experiences not personal opinions.

[Joe Poppa]

Side effects and complications are very small, but not non-existent. It could happen to anyone by any surgeon, although some surgeons and hospitals are more skilled at these surgeries so they are lower risks, but they are never zero.
The long term health risks of obesity are a lot worse.

I didn't have surgery by any of the surgeons mentioned in this post, but as long as someone posts their surgery experience in a positive, informative way, the information is very beneficial to anyone considering the surgery so they understand there is some risk involved and not everyone will be fortunate to have a textbook surgery with no complications or pain involved.

I am not referring to this post, but there have been posts that sound as if someone has something to gain, like a recruiter or staff members. There have been allegations that some people here befriend people who are considering surgery in order to sway them to have a particular surgeon perform their surgery without disclosing that information -that is totally uncool, deceptive and unacceptable.

I even remember reading a post many months ago about some surgeon who was a real butcher, her name was Dr. Balzitch.

[Ann2]

Message Board Protip ...

zoey, if you want to protect Dr. Almanza's reputation, don't post a reply to a thread started a year go that hasn't been commented on for months. You just bumped it to the front page.

And actually, personal opinions are what we do express here. Welcome to the Internet.

[zoey101]

Message Board Protip ...

zoey, if you want to protect Dr. Almanza's reputation, don't post a reply to a thread started a year go that hasn't been commented on for months. You just bumped it to the front page.

And actually, personal opinions are what we do express here. Welcome to the Internet.

Dear Ann, I was doing some deeper investigating before I go through with anything and came across the vile post and wanted to comment if thats ok with you. This has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the Dr. AT ALL BTW. I thought it was disgusting that someone could insinuate that people are not loved by their families etc.. And yes dear I am very familiar with the internet and so very sorry if it bothered you that I responded to an old post and it bothered you so much. As far as personal opinions I am all for them but when you cut people that you don't know personally that's when I draw the line. Just my PERSONAL opinion.

[KarenJean]

Wow... What a thread to get bumped up! I had to read the whole thing.

I'm so sorry for anyone with a botched surgery or complications. I had a few few, but nothing life threatening, and I'm grateful.

Sometimes I read the posts on this website and I'm shocked that more people AREN'T terrified. I went into surgery knowing that I was risking my life. I had all the paperwork (will, medical power of attorney, organ donation, etc.) and said all my I love you's. Not to sound dramatic--I reassured everyone I'd be fine, and my husband was the only one at the hospital--but here's the reality. SURGERY IS A BIG F*CKING DEAL. I was willing to roll the dice. I won, thank you universe. Some people don't, which sucks.

If you aren't prepared for the worst outcome, you aren't prepared. That said, medical malpractice is another matter entirely, and if the poor outcome is the result of malicious negligence (such a difficult thing to prove), I hope anyone who is a victim of it gets recourse.

[Sleeveroo]

KarenJean,
You are soooo correct! Some people are in denial or not aware of the potential risks. One disadvantage of having surgery as a self pay patient in Mexico is many do not get vetted and screened as done in the US. This in itself is scary because the pre op testing and labs in Mexico is basic. Do most folks get EGD, stress test, Pulmonary function tests, sleep apnea screening prior to going to Mexico? I do not know. For me, these are important for many prospective patients. How many parients know what meds they will be getting including possibly several meds no longer approved by the FDA. I could go on and on but

The standards for qualifying bariatric dept in hospitals and for surgeons is rigorous in the US.
In Mexico, it is much easier to become qualified. This should not be a blanket statement about Mexico tourism because as I believe there are several facilities and surgeons who IMHO would meet comparable US standards.
My final comment on this subject : complicatiins at home.
If a complication is not covered by insurance, prepare to pay thousands or,10sof thousands.

I agree with you that the risk is real and our goal as patients is to be fully informed and be able to understand the risks, benefits and alternatives.
As well prepared as I am for Mexico surgery, I am very concerned about the small but significant potential adverse events.
Thanks for sharing your realistic view!

[KarenJean]

We aim to please, Dr. Sleeveroo!

Thank YOU for your intelligent, insightful, and sometimes ire-inducing comments in this thread.

[Sleeveroo]

Thanks for the compliment KarenJean. I have a feeling some may not appreciate my candor but as you pointed out; this is major surgery. Some are more concerned with getting the lowest price surgery and shopping in TJ and...... Enough said..........

[thenewmetoday]

My doc in Canada was willing to do all the screening for me before going to MX and Almanza \i am not an idiot and just could not afford time or money to wait for surg. at home. I used Almanza in 2012 and yes the clinic was not what I was used to but \I will say it was the most sterile environment I have seen in a while. It did not smell like piss, other patients were not sick with unrelated illnesses. cleaning went on constantly to the point where I wished they would give it a break.
\
Why do we think that any country other country than North America is substandard?

[Luann]

Message Board Protip ...

zoey, if you want to protect Dr. Almanza's reputation, don't post a reply to a thread started a year go that hasn't been commented on for months. You just bumped it to the front page.

And actually, personal opinions are what we do express here. Welcome to the Internet.

This. Well said Ann2.