reginator17

Ok, so I'm here last night at the hotel in Tijuanu... Been thinking of the best way to put the whole experience down so I can really get a grasp on it. To be totally honest I researched hard for months about this surgery. Read all of the good, bad, and ugly threads. I had a very good plan going in what to ask, what to expect, how to in general handle the reality of coming to a different country to allow some random person that you only meet for ten minutes to cut me open and do the work. I am very informed on what to drink, amounts and times. How to handle my incisions and general care of my sleeve. All of that being said I was not prepared for my experience here, it truly has taught me that people really do just think that this surgery is an in and out, no plan needed, no follow through easy peasy fix all. Seriously, of the 8 people in my "group" only 2 of us had any real answers and information. I believe this is a total breakdown from both ends the clinic and the patients. Communication is a huge problem here. I basically became a translator/patient corindinator calming people down and maintaining the almost riotous peace... but we're not there yet. So we all get together at the airport it's about 8pm. We had been told that we would be going straight to the hotel this turns out to be miscommunication number 1. We are taken to the clinic hustled in with our companions and all of the luggage. Companions are left in the tiny waiting room four chairs eight people two of which were totally infirmed, stoke patient. The actual patients are rushed up stairs for our EKG, patient consultation, and blood work. We are seated in a small room right outside of the two upstairs patient recovery rooms. It's loud and kinda creepy. The whole place has the illusion of cleanliness but really it's a lot of Lysol and air freshners. Random people come and go, it's quite a hotspot. About 2.5 hours later we are taken back to the hotel, which is niceish. I learn later from the front desk lady that I befriended, that the hotel staff hate the whole set up with the clinic. So basically it's nice but I would not say friendly. Surgery day, happens earlier then they said. Got a call 1 hour before the 6am time that we had been told. Said to be down and ready now. Get there everyone is nervous. The 14yr old boy that had been brought here by his mother for the lap band but has been talked in the sleeve goes first. I have nothing to say about this besides he wasn't heavy and had not hit a growth spent yet so draw your own conclusions... Sad I'm second by the time I was down I was out. Quick and smooth got up and walked like people all say. It's a weird feeling like doing thousands of sit ups. Some gas some pain some nausea... Not easy because guess what it's surgery! Expect to be out of it, and for those of you that had nothing but sunshine and rose, congrats. A couple hours goes by I'm feeling pretty ok. The staff comes in and asks me to move to the other side of the strip mall lot to the other clinic to stay over nite. Ok sure that makes a total of 11 beds fullaltogether. That night is ok. I can't burp so I kinda puke burp a couple times. This building also had been bombed in air freshners which seems strange because after surgery patients generally have a cut senses of smell. I don't think I would recommend this clinic to anyone. It was very hodgepodge and over all un satisfying experience. No leaks, some nausea and some cramping. So over all normal but you can do better for a little more and it would def be worth it. I can't wait to put this behind me and get home.

It is impossible for me to eat slowly!!! Years of work, work, run and then eat fast have trained my brain wrong. I have tried timing, insane chewing, and super small portions. Every time I am getting ready to eat I hear a voice in my head that says "you have healed great! Go ahead, now you can eat like you did before." It makes me crazy! Whyyyyyyy can't I learn to slow down?!!

I was her original roommate. It makes me less ashamed with myself that she agreed with my feelings although I am still beating myself up for taking my partner there and willingly putting us in harms way. I do not regret that surgery but I do regret the place.

I had confidence in dr. Almanza he was great it was the initial whirlwind plus the aftercare that really has turned me. I'm doing well getting fluids and protein in pretty smooth. Again, this is more of a warning like I wish I had had before paying and getting whisked all over the place there, for another 1,000 you can get full aftercare in a hospital with accredited nurses. I was always reading threads and thinking why are these people so negative, I get it now. I have been there and I don't ever want anyone to have that type of unneeded experience. Again, Dr.Almaza great, creepy Dr.Betancourt who has lost his license in Mexico just learned that today, no good. The clinic was crowded, busy, and not very clean. To each there own, and buyer beware.

I did go through with it, but

I agree as I was also a big kid but seriously this was not right he was really not even hefty just had a little belly and a cute round face. It was a real eye opener to see a parent willing to put a knife into their own child basically she said so he could audition for a larger spectrum of roles! It was just one more what the #### moment for me there.

It's Notes on Mexico Jerselum hospital

Please check my recent thread notes on Jereselum hospital.

Jerusalem

I came to Tijuana as a "caregiver" what a scary place! I "knew" it was a strip mall but seriously it was a **** mall. I would discourage you from doing this there if you have an extra $1,000 . you need to know it is GHETTO. This is not a hospital. Yes you see a "dr." (Maybe) but you NeVER see one after your surgery. The hotel? Well, when I was out with another caregiver yesterday at 1pm ish to buy tampons. We went directly across the street. We came out and were surrounded by police cars (25 or 30)with ak47's . Freaking.... Can't get back to hotel. Why? Dude shot another dude 7x. Directly outside the 4 laughable stars hotel. I'm sure that the factory that these "dr's" have going on is GREAT for the owner, who showed up like "Liberace" to show us his jewels. What a nightmare that I could never recommend. This is Dr. Bentacourt and his brothers "clinic" which is a joke. Disgusting, dirty, tiny..... Such a lack of communication I wanted to help the other patients and did. Please reconsider this clinic. I'm not talking about your decision to do the sleeve. Just WHERE to do it. I'm sure my friend will be successful but I really was surprised to read all these threads,no one said what a nightmare the clinic was and yet EVERYONE i was with was in shock. So there I said it! It sucked!!!! Jerusalem hospital. Please reconsider spending a little more for better treatment. Otherwise, you get what you pay for. Buyer beware

I'm getting sleeved on 1/11/13 with him.