Worried

[leaha10]

I'm having my sleeve surgery july 20 with Dr Almanza and I'm getting scared by some of the posts. Can those who had him give me some feedback on there surgery?

[cathbas]

loads of people on here that had him and were happy...there are always risks in major sugery..

[Damasyn]

I honestly wouldnt worry too much. You dont know who wrote those, could be a disgruntled employee for all you know. There are risks and problems can arise, but I think the majority of people here who have had him, said nothing but great things. Just always do your research and find a doctor that fits you and your requirements

[leaha10]

Thank you for the feedback it does help to calm the nerves. My cousin had him and has been happy I just hate when I read a post that makes you worried when you read it.

[momma_moreno]

I understand your feelings because I have seen those too. My sleeve is scheduled for Aug 11th. I have seen many many very happy patients of Dr. Almanaza here on this forum. Any doctor in the world can make mistakes so it doesn't matter where they practice someone will always have something negative to say. Those type of people are probably hard to please in life period. I know 6 ladies that live in my town that have used Dr Almanza over the past year & they all have done fabulous! As long as you are mentally ready then I'd say don't listen to any of the negativity! This is a happy time for you to change your life for a healthier you!! Good luck!

[Suziegirl]

I had my surgery with him back in Sept I had no complications. I read the stuff on him recently to and by the sounds of it it's not him in particular some people just have complications it's all based on how your body reacts to infections. I don't regret one bit going to him there are way more positives than negatives. You will be fine and congratulations for coming to the sleeved side trust me you won't regret it and it will change your life for the better I know it did for me

[amber2007]

Hi .......I am a RN and I too had the sleeve with Dr. Almanza on 6-29. First off Tijuana is a poverty stricken area and it is quite obvious when you are driving through the area. The hotel is nice and clean. The medical world in Mexico is behind the times I would guess they are about 10 years behind when compared to here in the states. And if you are looking for a hospital to be like here in the states then you will be disappointed, but I did not have concerns with their cleanliness. Just because a room didn't have windows or did have concrete walls does not mean it wasn't safe. I mean we are not going there for the aesthetics of the hospital, right? The nurses at the hotel were always available, helpful, and polite. I am a week out today and I still feel it was the right decision for me. I am not hungry and I can tell I am already losing weight ( I have not weighed myself since the am of surgery).

So although it was not like having a surgery in the US I still felt it was clean and well worth it. The group I was there with, about 10 other people were all happy with our time there.

Hope this helps
Amber2007

[traci816]

I wrote a post disturbed as thread title. I had Dr A do my surgery May 2cd 2015
I had a good experience surgery went smooth, the Hote nurses were great. My surgery buddies were also great. I am healthy I can drink all my fluids and eat small amounts of food. The weight loss is great
Everyone has a different story to tell. I didn't see the doc because I had Surgery on a Saturday. That was the only negative thing I could say about my experience. But hey the man needed his day off so I get that. Don't be worried look at all the success we have had with him. Also after reading comments I did realize if they were to search out complications with other docs I'm sure they would come up with loads of complaints. Head up move forward and reap your rewards.

[KaychieB]

If there is one thing that I strongly urge anyone who is considering surgery is to please thoroughly research Leaks after gastric sleeve. It's NOT AN EASY FIX. It can take MONTHS. I had surgery with Dr. A on 6/2/15 and one month later... I still have a leak. My options right now are as follows: continue to conservatively let the hole in my new stomach heal on its own, if at the end of 8 weeks it has not, they're going to insert a stent in my stomach, the stent is painful and uncomfortable and most patients cannot tolerate it and it has to be removed. Stents are also risky because they can move or expand and make the hole bigger, if the stent doesn't work my final and only option would be to convert my Gastric Sleeve surgery into a Gastric Bypass.
Soon please, doesn't matter what surgeon you choose, DO YOUR RESEARCH ON LEAKS!!!! They are rare, but more common then WLA states. We all did out surgery in good faith in hopes everything turns out good, but don't exclude yourself or think "this isn't going to happen to me." I'm 28 years old and the only medical issues I had before surgery was the fact that I was obese, nothing more, I have no comorbidity, I'm a healthy fat girl.. I can't stress enough, the importance on educating your self on the possibility that a leak can happen to you or anyone. I wish I would have done more research especially after everything I have gone through. I'm not a "fake" person writing negatively. I was in you're shoes once, check old posts on the forum, I had the same concerns and same questions. If you want to follow my journey, videos and pictures from when I was in Mexico and how happy I was, and when I found out I had a leak, my treatments and emotional struggle, I'm an open book on Instagram @Kay_vsg

[Ann2]

Kaycha, I'm so sorry to hear this.

Stay strong. And bet on and visualize your leak healing itself well.

Also, please stay connected here. I would like to hear how you're doing.

Very, very best wishes to you.

[KaychieB]

Thank you Ann.
I'm not trying to talk negatively or scare anyone or discourage anyone from making a life changing decision.
I'm sharing my personal experience, everyone's experience is different, but the truth of the matter is, what I am going though can happen to anyone. All is ask is for people to do more research, life is precious.

[zoey101]

Hi Kaycha, Oh dear I am so sorry to hear of your troubles with a leak. I haven't been on here in ages and I remember following your posts before your surgery. It does happen unfortunately, while I was there 2 separate people had a leak as well it wasn't anyone on my surgery day but I did see people in the lobby that had tubes in there noses and they said they had a leak. You are strong and you will make it through this it's just going to be a longer journey than you planned on. I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts and I truly hope you heal naturally and you can move on with your life.

[Suzie B]

I had surgery on April 24th of this year with Dr. Almanza. My surgery was basically a very organized event. When the driver picked me up at the airport we went directly to HMN hospital, this is a very tiny clean hospital with very sweet nurses who are more than happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. You will be escorted to a very comfortable waiting area with the rest of the patients having surgery that day . You will have plenty of time to bond and make new friends going through the very same concerns and excitement as you, while you wait for your pre op test. You will then get your ekg and blood work. Then settle up your bill. Once every one is done off the the hotel you go for a relaxing evening before surgery. No need to worry about reservations if you are going alone. They are expecting you. Your broth , juice , pop-cycles and water are all free. There will be a nurse there if you have any questions or concerns during the night. The next morning they will let you know what time your surgery is during the line up. Once you get to the hospital you will go back to the comfy waiting room where the Dr. will come speak with you as a group, answer any questions you may have and take a picture with you for your before photo. Two months post op you wont believe the difference when you compare your photos. You will then go to your room with your nurse and she will prep you for surgery, IV, compression on the legs ect. Then off you go downstairs to surgery. Here you will met your anesthesiologist and when you awake you are in your room. So feel fine, some feel nausea and in my case i was dizzy and vomiting for the first two days. Keep in mind I am a recent cancer survivor and has a week immune system. The nurses will get you up walking and encourage you to walk walk walk it works out the gas which can cause pain in your chest and shoulder until it resolves itself. My nurses were so very compassionate and sweet they would crawl up in the bed and literally burp me like a baby to help me with the gas pain. Bring GAS X Strips, they are a life saver. Bring an extra soft pillow for added comfort at the hotel. They are so packed they don't have extra pillow. The following day you will go to a separate hospital for a leak test and they will give you the films to bring home with you. Like I said this is a very organized system, they all have there roles and do their very best to treat each and every patient with respect and kindness. As scary as it is to go to a third world country to have a life saving surgery, in the end it is all worth it . You'll do great. I was with 17 patients that had surgery that weekend all of which are doing wonderful. Good Luck

[jennifermeske]

You better check out the Team 10 article, Google Team 10 Surgery in mexico. I would change doctors if I was you.

[Dorene]

I had my sleeve with Dr almanza on June the nineth and I am a nurse and it was the best medical care I have ever recieved. I could not have asked for a better dr and staff. It was organized and you were really cared about. I have had great success and would do it again in a heart beat. There were two of us that were nurses at the clinic having surgery that day and all of the others have been happy also.