Sandy Johnson

You and I agree on one thing. This industry needs some cleaning up. But you have no idea who the bad guys are! Twist things? Do you want to know if there was a death or do you want something sensational? This "14 year old child that was abandoned in TJ". "Her mother bled out on the table". Are you sticking with that story? You are refusing to name your source. You're the one that's not transparent and recklessly posting untruths. Questions? Ask on my Facebook page or call me. I even offered to meet with you when you claimed that you were in TJ. I don't think you were there. I think you got this info from MBC or someone that works with them and you don't know just how UNrealiable your sources are. I also don't think you care! We are very well respected in Mexico and now you're making yourself look bad!

Is there a reason all posts that are about just about anything are being posted in the post about a death at ALM? This question is posed to you Alex. You're obviously wanting to keep this garbage alive for your own profit. Everyone knows it. I've received TONS of emails directing me to this topic. Unless you verify your information and/or name your sources you are acting recklessly and I'm not going to stand by and do nothing! (Even though I'm pretty sure who you got this from by the way the story is being told) Again if anyone wants the REAL story, go to our Facebook page or give me a call.

Your quote, "some surgeons are a bit more picky on whom they operate on". Very true! They want the easy money without having to work with the more difficult higher risk patients that despartly need help! Alex I think you mentioned your in TJ right now? Want to meet for coffee? What hotel are you staying at? I'm done on the Bariatric Pal forum. PM me if you're interested. Let's straighten this out! Over and out!

These "facts" you know are untrue! I would like to know the names of the "2 of the most influential bariatric surgeons" that gave you this information as well as the "US Consulate" that you spoke to. First of all it would be the Mexican consulate that might get involved in tracking this type of information NOT a US Consolate! A US Consulate would NEVER release personal patient information to a company that's not involved with the patient in questions care! I lost all respect I had in you when you insisted that you even know of a surgeon that has done 8500 surgeries without complications. By the way, the chief surgeon for ALM is the number 1 Bariatric surgeon in North America, a fact! Go back to your sources and review your bullit point facts. However this is your site and your free to write what you want, delete or edit it. That's why I stated for information and questions about ALM, contact ALM. For info on Bariatric Pal, contact Bariatric Pal!

An overview, I am going on my 15th year in this business. We have had a total of 4 deaths during that period including all the doctors that I have worked with. No details here. A better question for this forum is to ask about complication for the surgeons associated with this forum and company.

I'm always happy to address any questions. ALM is an open book. However I'm no longer going to do so on a forum that belongs to another company posting about other surgeons on their page. I'll let them stuck to promoting their own company.

Yes I'm denying many so called "facts" that have been posted here. Things that have been posted about a few different doctors and even patient companions. I still would like the name of this "trusted source at the Mex Consulate". I brought up your lap band surgery because you do not have the same amount of experience that's I have in Mexico. If you don't wish to reviel your source that's ok. I can check on it myself. I take this very seriously! I have a feeling I know who your "source" is. If I'm right it explains a lot! i wish you the very best and hope that you will utilize those that are willing to help so that there will be a day when only eithical and talented surgeons are the norm so more people can get quality, safe surgeries!

Patients my not bring minors as their companions. All companions must be responsible adults. Was a claim made that this was confirmed with the Mexican consulate? What is that person's name? We have worked with the Mexican consulate for several years. All of a sudden you're following ALM making statements like "another death". If you were doing your due diligence, you would know that ALM has one of the lowest the lowest complication rate in north America! You've claimed Bariatric pal has had no deaths in 8500 surgeries. Very doubtful. You haven't been doing surgeries in Mex that long. You had lapbad surgery in New York, NY. I know who your surgeons are and their history and reputations. However I'm not going to make any detailed statements. Just by speaking in general most people have enough information to find what they need!

I also respectfully disagree. I invite you to name even 2 surgeons that have performed at least 2000 surgeries and have been performing surgeries for at least 4 years that are free of deaths and complications.

I felt this post was represented that this was a recent event. As you can see from my email this occurred a year ago. I don't want anyone to think this was recent and to me it looks like he had another and recent death. I stand by my comment that any surgeon that has done thousands of surgeries has had complications and deaths. I've been in this business in TJ going on 15 years and I personally know some doctors/companies that are making these claims. They clearly state that they have done sometimes many thousands of surgeries. If you look at the ASMBS site the stats are right there. I agree that the great surgeons have less complications and deaths. But to claim many years of experience and claim to have done, for instance, 5000 surgeries with no deaths or complications is pretty hard to believe. I also know there are surgeons that will only do low BMI,s and healthier patients so they can make the money without helping the patients that desperately need help! Dr Elias Ortiz has done patients with BMI's as high as more than 80. He also does patients with more serious co-morbidities. Different precautions need to be taken and additional treatments may be nessesary but if he and the critical care doctor feel it's safe to proceed and all the risks have been communicated to the patient, he will perform the surgery. Thanks for letting me explain Sandy

I don't know who authored this article, but it is false! Many times people post false information in order to sway patients to their doctors. Has Dr Elias Ortiz ever had a death? Yes! Any doctor that has done thousands of surgeries on high risk patients has had a death or two and complications. If they claim to have no deaths or complications THEY ARE LYING! It's impossible! The difference is that ALM is an open book! We don't lie or try to cover up anything.

I know the artical you saw. That is either from someone who is mistaken or is confusing our Dr Ortiz with someone else. Thank you! Sandy Johnston Owner and CEO of ALM

Every doctor that has done a very high number of surgeries for a very long time will unfortunately have deaths eventually. It is still safer to have surgery than to stay obese and risk all the comorbidities. that come along with obesity. Dr. Elias Ortiz had a death recently. There was one, not two. The patient was very high risk and and had a massive heart attack the night after surgery. I also noticed that some people have confused one Dr. Ortiz with another Dr. Ortiz. I cannot speak to any information except for information about Dr. Elias Ortiz. Dr. Elias Ortiz is the chief surgeon for A Lighter Me. We have been in this business for 12 years and have a stellar reputation. We are an open book. We will answer all questions and we never try to "hide" any information. Dr. Elias Ortiz has done thousands of surgeries and he along with A Lighter Me is the number one provider of weight loss surgeries in the world! We are in no way affiliated with any other Dr. Ortiz. Even though we do everything possible to provide a safe and successful surgery to each and every patient, sometimes the outcome isn't what is hoped for. EVERY surgeon will agree that all surgeries carry risks. Thank God that mortality is very rare and there is mostly success where people are returned to good health, stop or reduce their medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. No one can assure you that there will never be a complication during surgery, but I can assure you that Dr. Elias Ortiz is the top surgeon in his field and has successfully done thousands of surgeries. A Lighter Me has a complete aftercare program that follows each patient and helps with any questions regarding diet, food, exercise as well as medical aftercare. If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to call us or email. Sandy Johnston CEO aLighterMe

These doctors are NOT "American Board Certified". There are no doctors in Mexico that are certified (licensed) in any state in the United States. A surgeon may be a member of organizations in the United States, such as FACS, but that doesn't mean they are certified to practice in the United States. A surgeon must be licensed in a state in the U.S. in order to be "Board Certified". The only bariatric surgeon that I know of in Mexico who is (or used to be) licensed in CA is Dr. Salvator Valencia. All surgeons in Mexico are licensed "General Surgeons". That is how Mexico licenses their surgeons. I hope this helps.

Hi NoMoreChubby. I would like to private message you if you will let me. I am bothered by rumors that A Lighter Me has drama! I also don't understand why you were told that Dr. Lopez was tired of a middle man when now sharing 50% of his company, this coordinator partner is earning 50% of the profit. That is MUCH more than a regular coordinator earns!!

I want to clear something up. Specialized bariatrics is not 100% owned by Drs. Lopez and Osuna. If someone is telling you there is no "middle man" (a coordinator or company) that is not a true statement. Specialized bariatrics is 50% owned by the owner of Mexico bariatrics and they do the sales for that company. I'm not saying that anyone deliberately lied to you. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding. A Lighter Me has no "drama". The owner (myself) has been in this business for over 11 years in Tijuana. Can you tell me if someone at specialized bariatrics / mbc specifically told you that? I was going to send you a PM, but I can't find anything showing that I can send a PM to you. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Hi Peanutz, I did a lot of research on Dr. Lopez and it looks like he was tired of all the drama that was coming from having a "middle man", so he and his wife started their own business. By doing this, they are not only able to cut out the drama, but cut costs, too. I also couldn't find anything but good reviews about him and Hospital Mi Doctor sounds like it will be just fine, too. Cathy should have emailed you the pre-op diet. If not, just email her and ask her for another copy - She's a sweetheart. The preo-op diet should start 2 weeks prior to surgery, with a "cleanse" 3 days prior to surgery. My mom and I are both having the sleeve surgery done on January 20, so our pre-op diet starts January 6. I'm not too excited about that part, but I think it's what I need to jumpstart my "new" life. I'm also hoping that the pre-op and immediately-after-surgery-post-op diets will help me to rid sugar from my system once and for all.

As of March 2015, it will be 12 years that I have been working in the bariatric field in Tijuana. Any doctor that has done in excess of 2000 surgeries claiming zero complications? IMPOSSIBLE! ..just saying

We're so excited that Dr. Cabrera has been approved and has joined the A Lighter Me Team! I hope all of you have a great experience! I'm sure you will be happy with Dr. Cabrera!

Dr. Elias Ortiz has performed more surgeries in the last year as any other provider. A Lighter Me has a 99% satisfaction rate (I guess you can't please everyone) and has a full aftercare program. The best thing to do is contact the patients of the surgeons you are considering. Talk to as many as possible. It's easiest to find a lot of patients on the company's or doctor's Facebook page. Go with a company that has been around a very long time. No one can survive in any business if they are not satisfying their clients or they don't have a good reputation. Good luck to you!

Here's the video of A Lighter Me Surgeon, Dr. Elias Ortiz. Dr. Elias Ortiz is the number one provider of Bariatric surgery in Mexico! A Lighter Me has been in this business for over 11 years. Gastric Sleeve surgery starts at $4,600 unless there is a special of some kind.

Hello everyone, My name is Sandy Johnston. I am the owner of A Lighter Me. It is true that we worked with Dr. Kelly in the past. We made the decision in December of 2011 to part with Dr. Kelly. Since that date, we have no knowledge of any of Dr. Kelly’s practices, prices, procedures, etc. We have not recommended or been associated with Dr. Kelly in any other way. We are not now and have not been associated in any way with Dr. Kelly since December of 2011. Many of the people that currently work with A Lighter Me were not working at the time that Dr. Kelly was with our company therefore the only experience that some may have with this doctor is as a patient only. They do not, nor should they talk about a surgeon that our company is not associated with. It is our understanding that there are a few patients that either have had surgery with Dr. Kelly or considered having surgery with Dr. Kelly. They have been sharing information that THEY have discovered on their own. We know this because they called us over a year ago with the information they wanted to share. We want to make it clear that we are also not associated with anyone that has done any independent research on this doctor in any way. Of course they are free to share what they wish and we cannot stop them, but we do not endorse their information. We have made our own decisions based on our own reasons. This original thread was started well over a year ago and we have been working with other medical teams before and long after this event. I just want people to understand that this is a very old thread that has been for some reason, renewed. I hope this clears things up. Everyone at our company has had weight loss surgery in Mexico and we understand how nerve wracking the entire process is. Please feel free to ask us any questions you may have about our company directly. We are always happy to chat! We all want to wish everyone a fast surgery recovery and congratulations on your new healthier life!

You are close! It's jrkelly45@hotmail.com

Actually Dr. Alvarez is the most experience VSG doctor in Mexico. He has performed many, many sleeves and has conducted studies and written papers. Plus, he literally wrote the book on the VSG… http://www.thegastricsleeve.com/order-your-book.htm Good reading for anyone thinking abou this surgery.

When I saw the heading Kaiser Nor Cal, it sparked my interest. I live in the Sac area and was sent to SF Kaiser because I was trying to get them to pay for band removal and revision. This was about 4 years ago. Frankly the doc was a jerk. He told me it was waaaay too dangerous and if I had my band removed and a revision, I would probably end up dead or in a nursing home. Yes! He actually used those words! He offered to remove my band and have me go through the whole new patient process all over again and ..."then we'll see". I was just wondering if anyone here has had Kaiser approve and pay for any type of bariatric revision surgery?

Just want to pass this information along. A section of scaffolding on the U.S. side of the border at San Ysidro and Tijuana collapsed today. The border moving north, from Tijuana to San Ysidro is closed. The section going south, from San Ysidro to Tijuana is still open. In order to go to the U.S. from Tijuana you have to use the Otay border. I just thought I would pass this on in the event that you will be leaving TJ soon or perhaps you might be waiting to hear from someone when they arrive back into the U.S. If you have a flight out from San Diego, you will want to allow a LOT of extra time to cross the border!