Annsue

I have been thinking about this for quite a while and now it is bugging me enough to write it down here, and see if anyone else had a similar experience. I was sleeved/revised by Dr. Lopez in Tijuana on May 23, 2014. I felt very comfortable with my decision- I thoroughly researched all the doctors and have friends who have used Dr. Lopez in previous years. Also, to preface my account, I was sleeved by Dr. Aceves in Mexicali in '07 and that was an AWESOME experience!! Best hospital experience I have ever had and I have had a lot! So, back to it...Everything seemed to be going well until I woke up in my windowless little closet of a room after the surgery sicker than hell. Horrible reaction to the anesthesia which isn't new for me. The part that bothered me was that every time I tried to get anti-nausea drugs or ice chips from the staff, they treated me like I was putting them out. As a matter of fact, none of the staff was very friendly or helpful. I was never encouraged to walk or sip my Water. I found my breath exerciser thing buried under a towel on a chair still wrapped in plastic when I was discharged, with no instruction on using it. OK- here's the part that REALLY bothered me: When Dr. Lopez and another doctor came in to see me the day after surgery, Dr. Lopez started off by saying I had a great revision and they removed my lap-band and by-the-way I fixed your hiatal hernia. Well, that shocked me because I had my lap-band removed in 2009. Turns out that almost everyone I spoke with in those 5 days had a hiatal hernia repaired that they were not aware was a problem previous to surgery. Maybe hiatal hernias are very common. Maybe it was a slip of the tongue regarding 'removing' my lap-band. In any case, it's still gnawing at me and I am curious if anyone else felt uncomfortable in Mi Doctor hospital and/or with the staff of Dr. Lopez.

Yes, I knew there would be a charge if I had a hiatal hernia. I had the endoscopy done prior, but either I was not told about the hernia or I was out of it due to anesthesia. The first i heard of it was after being sleeved. I guess I just feel that it was odd that so many other patients- most of whom had low bmi like myself- had the repair done and we were given no paperwork or info on the procedure. That, coupled with the fact that Dr. Lopez told me he removed my lap band when I didn't even have one just got me to thinking...

Actually, I had to sign a consent to repair a hernia, if found- at a cost of $1000. I (and other patients I spoke with) was charged $500.

Thanks Rocky! I was negligent in reporting that I am enjoying this new way of life and am sooo glad I had this done!! I was asked to write a check for $500 for the hernia repair the same day I had the surgery. My cost was was $4400 + the $500 + $1500 because it was considered a revision even though I already had my lap band removed.

I'm on the road quite a bit daily for work. Sometimes when I catch myself without my protein drinks or lunch, I will go to El Pollo Loco and get a chicken taco al carbon. Its like a street taco and a little over a dollar. I only eat the chicken and its just enough to keep me satisfied and get my protein in!

Hi Rocky, Yes, there was an additional cost for hernia repair - $500. I was never given any instructions written or verbal regarding the hiatal hernia whatsoever. As a matter of fact I got very little information on recuping from the surgery period. I spent my post op days at the hotel researching on my own.

Also, I was never weighed prior to surgery. So the day after, I asked to use the scale I saw outside my room. I was told it was broken. I spoke with another lady in the room across from me, who also had issues with the staff, who said that she was in fact weighed prior to surgery.

Dr. Aceves did my lap band in '07. He was awesome! The staff was terrific and the whole experience was better than any surgery I have ever gone through. I have done tons of research and settled on Dr. Lopez for my revision on May 23. I keep hearing nothing but great things about him so I am very comfortable with my decision (albeit, a little nervous as with any surgery)! Good luck to you- I will update post-sleeve on Friday!

Hi JennMc76, I am getting so excited too! I'm sure we'll cross paths down there sometime!

Hello!!! I will be traveling alone to TJ. I live in San Diego so I don't have a long distance to travel for the trip home...I am hoping to talk to someone else who is scheduled around my time or has a recent experience with Dr. Lopez. I have done years of research and feel very comfortable with my choice of doctor, but any new info would be great!! Thanks!

Thanks Snowbunny! Glad to hear you are happy with your choice!

2 weeks for me too, Ness!! I don't have to start my pre-op til next week, but I'm practicing....I'll be in Tijuana also..

Yep! Staying at the Marriott on the 22nd. I'm getting a revision. Just praying that my lap band problems didn't scar up my stomach too much. I had to have emergency surgery in 09 to have it removed.

Hi Shanuska! I am scheduled for the sleeve with Dr. Lopez on May 23...I am going down alone so I am pretty nervous!