Feb 10 Surgery with Dr Almanza

[Aida]

BEFORE READING REMEMBER THIS IS “MY” EXPERIENCE. THIS IS WRITTEN SO THAT THE STAFF AND FUTURE PATIENTS WILL READ AND LEARN FROM MY EXPERIENCE. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS CLINIC WILL CONTINUE TO THRIVE WITH OR WITHOUT MY INPUT. IF YOU ARE A DR. ALMANZA GROUPIE AND THINK HE CAN DO NO WRONG YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO READ THIS. HE JUST LIKE ALL OF US MAKES MISTAKES; HE MAY NOT EVEN READ THIS. MOST LIKELY HE DOESN’T BUT HOPEFULLY SOMEONE WHO HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE SOME OF THESES MISTAKES DOES READ AND CARES ENOUGH TO ACT ON THEM.

I purposely waited until 6 weeks after surgery to write this. I wanted to make sure that I felt good and that I was no longer taking any meds before writing my critique. Let me say that even with all the things that I believe you were deficient in, I would and will be back hopefully early next yr for the tummy tuck, once I lose all the weight that I need to lose. That decision is based on people and only people. Ones that work there, and ones that I met during my stay there. They were all so helpful and kind. I am sure that my recovery neighbor did not realize how her warm hand on my back felt like heaven when I stumbled and almost fell, getting out of bed to go to restroom. I have 25lbs since the surgery.

Things you did incorrect that caused undue stress:

Transport was not on time and no one seemed to know the proper place to be to get picked up. Vans were not marked. A simple marker of ANY kind would have been nice…the color of the Van would of helped. We got picked up so that was a good! This was not your first Rodeo, it should be a breeze to fix this.

All the patients that I spoke to were sent different emails of what things to bring or what to expect. Some did not even know that the hospital was changed or that they would be staying at a different hotel. I don’t believe anyone would cancel due to this information but keeping patients informed is important to minimize unnecessary stress.

When I asked how many incisions were made. I was told 3, I ended up with five, 3 that are so high on my abdomen that they will not be removed during the Tummy tuck. I was not happy when I saw them. My only recourse now is to start putting mederma or scaraway on them once they heal. Better info from the people responding to questions online would be nice.

This is already a stressful situation; simple changes would make the trip more enjoyable to future patients.

Things that you did incorrect that are unsafe and/or unhealthy for your patients and or workers:

1. 98% of workers never wore gloves when drawing blood, IV needle insertion or would care.
2. Personnel had fake nails on which is known to harbor bacteria.
3. Every employ recapped needles instead of having a sharps container immediately available to dispose needles.
4. Patients were not watched while taking their first shower. I was a bit unstable and felt weak but was so ready for a shower I took one, it would definitely be safer to have someone at least close by to help if need arises.
5. Patients would be safer if they were escorted on walking outings, I felt great and went alone on one outing but on another, myself and another patient went out together and she started feeling bad. If she had taken ill when alone, communication with locals would have been a bit hard.


Things that I feel would have made the experience better.

1. I know that as Americans we love our independence but at a time like this, after surgery I would of felt better being around others instead of a Hotel room alone or with just one another person. We got in the situation we are in because we like to eat and usually if you like to eat you like to cook, which means we like doing for others so in groups we would be very helpful to one another. There is nothing that makes us feel better than doing for others. Instead of a hotel room segregated, if we had been in a House where we could socialize and look after one another, help each other out, share things that maybe were forgotten by one person, I truly feel that the experience would have been more enjoyable and lasting friendships could have been built to help in the long road to follow. Speaking for myself I would have preferred to stay in a hospital bed instead of the hotel bed. It allows for better positioning when you can’t seem to get comfortable and sitting up feels the best, it also helps keep lungs clear and it’s easier to cough phlegm up when sitting.

2. The doctor should come see us the day after surgery.

3. Need to be able to readily distinguish between Nurses and the Assistants.

4. Consider a mobile X-ray machine.

5. Give short clear concise discharge instructions. Complications to look for that should be dealt with by a physician. None were given. I realize the we cog some instructions in the emails but none the less verbal instructions should of been given.


Things that I did correct to help myself.

1. Followed the Pre-diet to the letter.
2. Learned as much as I could about surgery and things to look out for afterwards.
3. Washed with hibiclenz before and after surgery to minimize chance of infection, and continued to use it until wounds healed
4. Meticulous about my wound care
5. Walk everyday
6. Ate healthy and in moderation.
7. Get plenty of rest.




Things that I did wrong that turned out ok.

1. Did not take any antibiotics or pain meds given to me. 4 days of IV antibiotics was enough for me. Truth is I was scared to try to swallow the pills. I had some left over liquid hydrocodone from a bad cold/cough last year that only required me to take a single teaspoon to get relief for my pain, which was gas pain. Only took once a day for 5 days.
2. Started eating more than just clear liquid foods five days after surgery because I felt that it was the only way to get rid of gas pain, and it did help very much.
3. Took bigger swallows that I should of (ouch!)…not that many times. I am a fast learner. Getting smaller spoons helped me in this.
4. Returned to work Friday after having surgery Monday night.
5. Before the surgery I went to the doctor and got a prescription for the HCG SHOTS. I knew that I would not be able to eat as much as I needed to be able to perform my job. My job is very active and is not a sit down position. The HCG shots allowed my body to release fat stores that allowed me to function when I was only eating minimal calories. Even with the shots I was and am still unable to do all the things that I used to. I am sure that with time my strength will return.

Things that I will do if and when I return, that I didn’t do this time.

1. Bring a box of small gloves and make everyone that touches me to put them on.
2. Bring alcohol swabs.
3. Bring individual sterile non-stick pads.
4. Bring a sharps container and make them dispose of needles each and every time.

Things that you did right that would make me return again.

Very sweet compassionate healthcare workers that tried their best to keep me comfortable, to the best of their abilities.

Overall I am happy with the results of the surgery. Even with my being very careful with my wound cleansing I still had one of the smaller wounds get infected and it took a few weeks longer to heal. I am using Scaraway silicone sheets on my healed wounds and they are working great at softening and lightening the color of the wounds. I have dark skin and therefore have a bigger problem than maybe a light skined person would with this.

[Denise*661]

Very helpful, thanks.

[jenniferboyd81]

Honeslty I went with Dr. Elias Ortiz and none of that was an issue for me and I made lifetime friends. Go with a different doctor glad I did

[thenewmetoday]

It is a different experience for all. Sounds like you were very aware of what was going on around you and that is good. It will help when you return, as you have said. I used Almanza and recovered well. I saw everyone use gloves and they were the best t taking blood and all that. I was amazed that I had no bruising when all needles were removed. (that's a first for me) \of course it was not the same as being in a local hospital, for me almost better because I could take care of myself. The sense of time is different and we are so anal but maniana eh! ( not sure if I spelled that correctly) but you know what I mean. Sounds like you are doing well all the best for the future, now you know what to look for. Proactive...works for me. Cheers

[Katiecarr]

5. Before the surgery I went to the doctor and got a prescription for the HCG SHOTS. I knew that I would not be able to eat as much as I needed to be able to perform my job. My job is very active and is not a sit down position. The HCG shots allowed my body to release fat stores that allowed me to function when I was only eating minimal calories. Even with the shots I was and am still unable to do all the things that I used to. I am sure that with time my strength will return.


CAN YOU EXPLAIN MORE ABOUT THIS, IF NEVER HEARD OF IT, AND CURIOUS HOW IT HELPED- KATIE