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  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    12/05/2010
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Last Activity
    07-04-2014 03:22 PM
    Posts
    6
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    Was Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    Hello fellow adventurers in new lives!

    I had my Vertical Sleeve with Dr. Mario Almanza in December of 2010 and over 100 effortless pounds lighter (still) and 3.5 years later (yesterday), visited his partner in plastic surgery (Dr. Martin Yañez) for a circular tummy tuck and leg lift. My sister flies in tomorrow on my recommendation to be sleeved by Dr Almanza. I just can't wait for her, having lived my own glorious experience these last few years.

    UPDATE AND EDIT TO THIS ORIGINAL POST _ 6/18/2014:

    I have edited this post, having learned too late that it was full of misinformation regarding Dr Yañez. Dr Almanza is great and everything about him is true. I wish I could edit the title of this post... Dr Yañez is dangerous and I'll update this post with information and pictures as soon as I feel up to it. Suffice it to say that once Yañez got my money he washed his hands of me, sent me on my way with an open wound, added unauthorized charges to my credit card and justifying it by giving the procedures different names although the net effect is identical to what the original quote cited. I flew home with a 101-degree fever soaked from the waist down in my own puddle of blood and drainage fluid. I wound up that night in the ER, being told I would had to be admitted for the deep wound near my groin, which was highly likely to become severely infected to the point of perhaps losing my leg.

    Don't let Yañez taint Almanza's reputation - the latter is an excellent doctor and not at all affiliated with the former. They just happen to work on the same floor in the hospital.
    Reason: I deleted a copy of the letter I wrote to Dr Yañez, having learned too late that it's full of misinformation.




  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    pam
    Surgeon
    dr atkinson
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Last Activity
    01-21-2015 03:21 PM
    Location
    las vegas, nv
    Posts
    20
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    Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 46 Times

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    how much did the plastic surgery cost?



  4. #3
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    12/05/2010
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Last Activity
    07-04-2014 03:22 PM
    Posts
    6
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    Quote Originally Posted by pamletha2 View Post
    how much did the plastic surgery cost?
    I came home to find unauthorized charges made to my credit card. Yañez turned out to be a butcher, who sent me on my way with a gaping hole near my groin, where his sutures had become unsewn. I told him about this on day 2, but he refuted the possibility that I could feel sutures down there, without even looking. Because the problem was in a place not visible to my own eyes, I figured he knew what he was doing and accepted his assertion.

    Three days later I could feel the gaping hole and was swimming in my own puddle of blood and drainage fluid. Still the doctor ignored the problem and minimized it, telling me to just put neosporin and gauze on it and that it would heal on its own. I had to buy the neosporin myself. The pain meds that were supposed to be included never came.

    I flew home soaking wet in my own bodily fluid from the waist down and arrived home with a 101 degree fever. I checked into the ER, who in turn had to admit me for what they called a severe wound that threatened my leg with potential gangrene. I now have necrosis and must visit the wound care clinic twice weekly. Yañez has washed his hands of the whole affair. Do yourself a favor and stay away from him.


  5. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    pam
    Surgeon
    dr atkinson
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Last Activity
    01-21-2015 03:21 PM
    Location
    las vegas, nv
    Posts
    20
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 46 Times

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    thanks for the input!



  6. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member Claudia B's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    05/29/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Almanza
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Last Activity
    08-15-2016 07:25 AM
    Location
    Port Dover, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    127
    Said "Thanks" 23 Times
    Was Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 141 Times
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    Excellent - thanks for sharing this - my surgery is tomorrow with Dr. Almanza and I couldn't be more pleased that I chose his team for my VSG.



    <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/1211/9534/12119534.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Free Calorie Counter</a></small></p>

  7. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  8. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    06/24/2014
    Surgeon
    Almanza
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Last Activity
    06-26-2014 10:17 PM
    Posts
    1
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    Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 9 Times

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    Thank you so much for sharing your letter and thoughts with us. My vertical gastric sleeve surgery is scheduled for June 24th with Dr. Almanza. Your post literally made me cry. I feel less anxiety and more excitement thanks to your story!



  9. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    12/05/2010
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Last Activity
    07-04-2014 03:22 PM
    Posts
    6
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    Quote Originally Posted by amartinez View Post
    Thank you so much for sharing your letter and thoughts with us. My vertical gastric sleeve surgery is scheduled for June 24th with Dr. Almanza. Your post literally made me cry. I feel less anxiety and more excitement thanks to your story!
    Wow amartinez, all I did was shar the enthusiasm and gratitude I feel for this amazing new life. To think that doing so might give peace to others who walk in the shoes I once did - just for being me - is an amazing gift in itself. You too have brought tears to my eyes! Thank you so much for your acknowledgement, and DO hang in there... I promise you won't be disappointed.

    FYI: I went to Dr Almanza for a bypass 3 1/2 years ago. When I got here he said he'd do it if I wanted, but recommended instead the sleeve at a lower price. He explained the several drawbacks of the former and the advantages of the latter. I was wary and scared but agreed. I'm so glad I trusted this man, who unequivocally proved to me to have the best interest of his patients in the forefront of his strategies.

    Yañez' patients (like me today in recovery) are down the hall from Almanza's patients. I walked over there to thank Almanza and to show him the product of his permanent handiwork (he hadn't arrived yet), and crossed paths with a couple from Missouri who hoped Almanza could fix a botched lapband (caused a hernia during procedure) back home in St Louis. She wants the sleeve, but Almanza is afraid to hurt her because of the hernia, His solution: a baloon for some 6 months at a small fraction of the price of a sleeve, to allow him freedom down the road to fix her right withut doing further damage.

    Count on this fine human being (who is sleeved himself) to do what's best for you in concert with your agreement. In my humble opinion, you picked the best in his field.

    Thank you so much for your kind and uplifting words.

    Best of luck to you. I recommend starting your exciting countdown to the new, free and liberated you!! In 27 days food will cease to overwhelm your life. You'll eat what you want and when you want it and forget how your life was once governed by the mental strain of eating or wishing and struggling not to!

    Amen!!


  10. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    12/05/2010
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Last Activity
    07-04-2014 03:22 PM
    Posts
    6
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Claudia B View Post
    Excellent - thanks for sharing this - my surgery is tomorrow with Dr. Almanza and I couldn't be more pleased that I chose his team for my VSG.
    That's so exciting Claudia!! That means that you and I will be in the same floor just steps away from each other when you arrive!! I'd love the opportunity to present myself to you so that you can see for yourself what Almanza did for me so long ago, and what amazing work Dr Yañez capped it off with the day before yesterday!

    My name is Edward and I'm in room 9 on the Yañez side (no more than 75 feet from whatever room you'll be in). If you give me permission (only if you do) I'll stop by and say 'hello'. I'll be in your neighborhood anyway because my sister flies in today for the same reason as you. She too is scheduled to be sleeved tomorrow with Almanza, so I'll be needling my kid sister in just a few hours just like in the good old days

    FYI: Almanza speaks no english but I am bilingual. He's very patient and responsive to any and all questions and it would be my distinct pleasure to translate for you if the need should arise. After all, I'm still looking for the opportunity to thank him in person.

    You go girl!! Good luck!!


  11. #9
    Gastric Sleeve Member secretblonde's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Karin
    Surgery date
    03/14/2014
    Surgeon
    Almanza
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Last Activity
    05-10-2017 12:24 PM
    Location
    San Diego, CA aka Paradise :)
    Posts
    251
    Said "Thanks" 23 Times
    Was Thanked 50 Times in 49 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1,400 Times
    Blog Entries
    12

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    I love your journey! !! I was sleeved 3/14....dr almanza spoke quite a bit of english .... wonderful doctor! ! Keep us updated on your journey! !!



  12. #10
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    12/05/2010
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Last Activity
    07-04-2014 03:22 PM
    Posts
    6
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    I'm sorry for the previous misinformation. I had such a great experience with Almanza and was sweet-talked by Yañez, who was presented to me as being a part of the 'Almanza Team'. As it turns out he's not, and Almanza has specifically asked him to stop doing so. Do yourself a favor and stay away from Yañez... I wish I had. As soon as I'm able to do so, I'll post pictures of the catastrophe he left me with and the reports from my local ER and hospital bills that I'm now having to deal with, plus the unauthorized charges he posted to my credit card.

    Nessy4 on realself.com posted a reply to my post there, in which I prematurely praised Yañez. Here's what she had to say, and as it turns out her experience from a medical standpoint (including the part of lost wages and perhaps lost job if I can't go back to work soon) mirrors much of my own:

    nessy4 June 9, 2014
    I am glad you had a success, with dr yanez as I did not. I had surgery in late April with him, and ended up with a huge seroma and tons of necrotic tissue. Two surgeries, a wound vac, a month off of work and twice weekly appointments to wound clinic and I still have a wound that has not healed. I am also still in pain, and will have to undergo a third post Dr Yanez surgery in the fall. My insurance in the US is attempting to charge me, and when I tried to get follow up care he told me to put neosporin on it and contact pcp for antibiotics. This doctor is awful at after care, and once he has your money he no longer cares. A butcher in my opinion and I truly hope no one else deals with what I went through


  13. #11
    Gastric Sleeve Member Claudia B's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    05/29/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr. Almanza
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Last Activity
    08-15-2016 07:25 AM
    Location
    Port Dover, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    127
    Said "Thanks" 23 Times
    Was Thanked 27 Times in 25 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 141 Times
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    Thanks for the update! I so hope that you will heal and put this bad experience behind you with no lasting effects. Best of luck to you.



    <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/1211/9534/12119534.png" /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Free Calorie Counter</a></small></p>

  14. #12
    Gastric Sleeve Member QueenBsleeved's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    07/02/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    22
    Said "Thanks" 7 Times
    Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 20 Times

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    Are you able to contact your credit card and dispute any charges that where not agreed on in writing?
    Is there some kind of protection against that put in place by the bank?



  15. #13
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    12/05/2010
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Last Activity
    07-04-2014 03:22 PM
    Posts
    6
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 0 Times

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    Quote Originally Posted by QueenBsleeved View Post
    Are you able to contact your credit card and dispute any charges that where not agreed on in writing?
    Is there some kind of protection against that put in place by the bank?
    Because of confusion I've caused, I'll preface each subsequent post with the statement that Almanza is first-class and I wholly recommend him and his team - especially for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. My deep concern and even anger is with the irresponsibly dangerous 'service' rendered by Dr Martin Yañez, who is NOT a member of Almanza's team - no matter what anyone claims.

    In answer to your question:

    I've submitted my dispute with the credit card company and included my original quote as documented via the website through which I originally coordinated the service, which still exists. I also submitted as supporting document email I received from the provider confirming in advance that we'd agreed on a specific set of procedures at a pre-determined price. The jury is still out on whether or not I'll be successful with my claim, although I only submitted it two or three days ago.

    FYI: this doctor offers a significant discount (I was quoted 5%) if paid in cash. If you go that route with ANY provider, I strongly recommend obtaining a receipt that specifically states the procedure you are paying for and of course, the amount of cash paid.


  16. #14
    Gastric Sleeve Member QueenBsleeved's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    07/02/2014
    Surgeon
    Dr Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Posts
    22
    Said "Thanks" 7 Times
    Was Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 20 Times

    Default Re: Dr Mario Almanza (sleeve) and Dr Martn Yañez (plastic surgery) in Tijuana are first-class operators!!

    I hope the credit card company sides in your favor!



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