Granddaddy

Just wanted to give some information on Dr. Zavalza for anyone looking to go to Mexico for surgery. I chose him after doing months of research but still had my reservations considering I was going out of country to have my sleeve done. Working with Bariatric Pals and David Lopez I could not have made a better decision. Dr. Z is the most accommodating people I have ever met and is willing to go the distance to make sure of your comfort as well as no problems after surgery. His follow up is done by Skype and will go on for 2 years. He has become a friend to my family as well as seeing the results I have nothing but great things to say about him. If you would like to see others that have seen Dr Zavalza you can go to facebook and look for https://www.facebook.com/groups/856770857736807/?fref=nf Dr Zavalza and Dr Luna Mexico Support Group. Please if you are considering having surgery or just doing research check these men out you cannot go wrong. They are a blessing to those they come in contact with again I cannot say enough or spread enough love for them.......

Stop and smell the roses look at what you have accomplished already. You just went thru a major surgery so comfort is what your looking for at this time normal. But to lose ground on what you have started doesn't make sense so stop there are some things you can do not running. Help to encourage others who are starting this journey, prayer, and help yourself by giving to those who are going thru the pitfalls in the beginning. Keep posting and looking for answers it helps others too.

Kind of hard to say don't think about it because it is all you will do BUT remember this is a short term thing your going to do to help you with the rest of your life. Take your time drink some broth and just feel the taste of what your drinking. We all feel the way you are in the beginning so it's normal and will get easier as the days go on

Ladies and Gentleman if your looking to self pay in Mexico please look into these 2 men. They are all around wonderful people looking to help others with the best care possible. I had my sleeve done Dec.29,2014 and will be doing all follow up care thru Skype for the next 2 years with Dr. Zavalza. He is truly a blessing to all those who have met him. He works thru Bariatric Pal and David Lopez where you will get the best treatment and recovery that can be provided. There is also a Facebook page with others that are going to or planning their next move towards surgery. Please check this out...... Dr Zavalza and Dr Luna Mexico support group..... We are all supporting each other as we go through this life changing event. You will see the amount of passion these doctors have because they have been involved with answering question on this Facebook page. They are not only great doctors but true friends in the hort amount of time you get to know them they only want what's best for you. Hope to see you there and may God bless you on your decision it is a very hard one but glad I chose Dr Zavalza it came with peace for my wife and me.

Dr. Zavalza, Dr. Luna and the entire group are the best there is no way you can go wrong.

Just wanted to give an update about Dr Zavalza and my 3 month follow up visit via Skype all is well and I am on the correct path to lose all the weight I need to. I hit a stall which is normal for the body to adjust. Thanks again Dr Z. and see you in 3 months for next visit.

Just did my 3 month follow up with Dr Zavalza via Skype and all is going fantastic. Next up will be my 6 month check in unless I have any problems which I don't see happening. Dr Zavalza will be there if needed and I still have to get my blood work done and sent to him.

Also don't forget if you would like to see what the response about these men truly is go to Facebook and look for " Dr Zavalza and Dr Luna Mexico support group " we will be there answer questions and see the amazing work these men are doing....God has Blessed our group and we believe in this process as just the start to a new and correct way of living. Thanks and Please check it out

Look on Facebook for Dr Zavalza and Dr Luna Mexico support group we are all helping each other.

The Dr. told me nothing over 20 lbs. for 2 weeks I drive a truck for a living so I took 2 weeks of and have not missed a beat so I would see what the Dr. requires.

Doesn't have to be water get Gatorade2 and try to supplement with that I sip on it plus another person said they got a water jug and started at the beginning of the day and every hour or so drank a glass that gave her the guide to go by. Kinda have to use what works for you...

Thanks for the information joatsaint I hope it will help me if needed in the future. Still riding pretty high at getting to my goal but don't want to lose sight and back slide into old habits.....

That's pretty good but I don't find myself missing to much yet because I don't feel like I am on a diet. Looked at this as a lifestyle change and did so much research before hand that it became easy once I made my decision. Now I just want to help others who are struggling and I get lost in that at times..

If you considering surgery you need to be ready for a change because it is big. You will be about 2-3 months before your eating solid foods again and they will be limited. Example last night went to in laws house I had 2oz chicken breast about 1oz potato salad and half a deviled egg as my meal and felt like it was to much for about 20min. Is insurance paying for this or are you looking for a doctor? Most places in the states require you to go thru an orientation before and a mental evaluation. Just keep getting all the information you can

First of all relax it will take a while to get use to what your doing drink your Water or gatorade2 in short spurts about a cup at a time. Then remember your not supposed to eat with your meals make them small about 3oz at a time. I even try a spoon of Peanut Butter every now and again. This was a life time decision and one you didn't make lightly none of us did remember your not alone we can help. Look for other Dr. Zavalza patients we are supporting each other and they will help you also. If you need more information just ask and I will try to get some of the ladies in the group to help also..

It was my hope that every one would help each other and make these 2 doctors the talk f this and other web sites. Please spread the word because these Doctors care totally about their patients wellbeing......

By the way you ladies and gentlemen worring about leaving the kids thats understandable but your making this change in your life so you will be there for them when they get older and have kids of their own. We pray for each person as they start this journey for comfort and Gods presents in your decision because this is a full life changing event...... Go to him for comfort and ask for calm in this time...... He has already Blessed you with a humble Dr. Zavalza with those marv...elous hands and wonderful personality. Dr. Luna with his calming influence before and after surgery. Bariatric Pal as the go between and border to border protection to make this as easy as possible.. This is your call to look at the blessings your being given with finances and personel thats been lined up for you. Then you have this group from all over some started and others in route who will love on you and answer your questions which are all valid! Please ask away if it will help you or your family get better equipped because when you get home they must become involved for this all to work. I want you all to have a group hug and give the doctors a big hug when done and kiss on the cheek they really don't mind. Smile today is going to be a FANTASTIC day............................................................................................................... If you want to see people who have and are going to Dr. Zavalza please go to Facebook and look up Dr Zavalza and Dr luna Mexico support group

Greetings from Michael, My story begins with research, research and more research. Like everyone I was a hound when it came to getting my gastric sleeve and wanted the best place so I checked all over the US and found out pretty quick I didn't have the time to jump through all the hoops since I was self paying. I contacted a friend who had a lap band done in Mexico with great success found out her doctor and hospital. I checked it all out had everything set to go there and something didn't set right with me. I looked again and came across Bariatric Pal put in a request and got a call almost straight back from David Lopez. He told me he could get my surgery done at less than half the 8650.00 I was going to spend. He gave me the name of a doctor they use and hospital I researched it and it wasn't for me because I wasn't comfortable made my wife the same way. I talked to David again and he said they have other doctors and hospitals they use but it would cost more ( I thought here we go ) he gave me information on Dr. Zavalza and Hospital of the Oasis ( florence Health Systems ) and a price still less than half what I was going to pay. I researched the doctor and hospital and the only negative was the Oasis was an old hospital but being updated. I cancelled with the other company and went with all David had promised pick up at the airport in San Diego, Ca., ride to their condo, accompanied to the hospital with a translator, ride back to condo for recovery, ride to the airport to leave. What my wife and I got was so much more!!!! Robert picked us up at the airport on Sunday evening took us by a store to pick up a few thing we couldn't carry on the plane and then took us across the border to the condo. I thought it looked like a compound at first but that's where we met Juan ( aka Johnny ) he got us settled in and said if we needed anything he was right next door. My wife was hungry so we asked where we could walk to get something to eat for her Juan insisted that he go with us because some places he would need to translate we went for Chinese walk out short walk to stretch our legs and bring back to the condo. Just our luck we picked the coldest time ever in Tijuana to make this trip Dec. 28, 2014 and the rest of the week I don't think it ever got above 50 in the day and was low enough to snow yes snow in Tijuana. We settled in my surgery was scheduled for the afternoon of the 29th. Next morning my wife wanted coffee so we asked Juan and he walked with us and was the best ever tour guide since he grew up in this neighborhood along with David. We walked to Starbucks got my wife her coffee then continued to walk around the neighborhood with Juan showing us some of the best views. David and Juan took my wife and I to the hospital that afternoon for my blood work and medical history where I met Dr. Jose Luna he took all my information got everything cleared for the surgery. While I was doing all this David and Juan took my wife to a late lunch and when they got back I was almost ready for the surgery when I meet Dr. Zavalza and he comes in to see if we have any questions and let my wife know he was going to take good care of me. Put her right at ease. The whole staff at Oasis made us feel so comfortable that we told Juan we didn't need him to stay we where fine. After my surgery was complete Dr. Zavalza went and told my wife everything went as planned and I would be back from recovery soon. When I got back from recovery Dr. Luna was there to check on my vitals and get me up for a short walk around the room and make sure of my comfort. He stayed telling my wife until I was sleeping well he would not leave and ended up staying till 1 am when my blood pressure was down and I was sleeping. He came back the next morning after I had already been up walking the halls ( Big Key walk, walk, walk ) helps to get rid of the gas. The Hospital of the Oasis had to be the best choice ever because the have 3 nurses each shift and the do their hand off in the room with the patient all friendly and smiling. Wednesday we went back t the condo and again went for a walk with Juan to get stuff from the market that I needed to eat and drink. Thursday we ( Juan, my wife and I ) walked to Starbucks and continued to walk because I felt comfortable came back by the market and picked up dinner for my wife and Juan I wanted to say a little thanks to him he was such a great person. Later Thursday Dr. Luna came by to check my incisions and my lungs and got on me for doing to much. We sat and talked about the protocol he had put together about the next 6 months how to progress and what to eat and when and not to try and jump steps it doesn't work. After he left us not more than an hour later Dr. Zavalza came by the condo to check on us and go over his commitment to the next 2 years following my recovery and steps to make sure all this will be a success how we will Skype and keep in contact. I never had 2 doctors that cared so much to make themselves feel like family. I really was nervous at first going out of country to have surgery but would do it again in a heartbeat if I could be promised the kind of care I received with all these people I now call friends. I want to thank David, Juan, Robert, Dr. Luna, Dr. Zavalza, and the entire staff from the front desk to all the wonderful smiling nurses. Best group ever put together !!!!!!! We are back in Memphis, Tn. now and still doing great no pain. I don't gush over many things in life but I will over Drs. Zavalza and Luna and Hospital of the Oasis if you have the chance and are looking to find great people trust in prayers like we did because we got the best !! Much love for these folks.

Todays update begins with Saturday I went for the first time since surgery to my hot yoga class and found out that it has been a long journey so far and going to be a while getting back to where I was. I made it through the class was dizzy at times but enjoyed the process of the class. I lost 3lbs. of water during the class so I am now down to 273.2 and rehydrated and still stayed the same weight. I am smiling really big right now because this is a start to whole new experiences in weight coming off this body to get to my new one.

I also am in Memphis

If you want more help go to Facebook page - Dr Zavalza and Dr Luna Mexico support group - We were all sleeved thru Bariatric Pal and Dr Zavalza in Tijuana Mexico and all just love the results.

Focus on one thing at a time because skin has some elasticity to it you may not need what your thinking at this time. Make a plan for what is going on now because this is just a start to the rest of your new life. Prays will go out for you to be patient with yourself and have a brighter outlook on your path.

Congratulations for making this decision remember its not going to be easy but manageable. I have a post started in here- http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/328677-mexico-was-my-blessing-for-those-looking-for-answers-as-to-why-and-where/ hope you have the success that others have had and support from family will go a long way.

Yes there are quite a few just need to look around..

Are you doing pre made or powder it can make a difference. I am doing Pure Pro 50 drinks they are thicker than others I tried. I didn't do any protein drinks before my surgery did G2 and chicken broth mostly and lost 21lbs before surgery.