Bob Barnett

Is completely calm and at peace about my surgery until one random morning it hit me. Holy shit I'm having most of my stomach removed! It was a strange feeling and It all got real. Then it became exciting again. It's truly a new life and a great surgical option. Congrats on your journey! I'm 6 weeks post op and loving it.

It has been very easy for me so far. I'm 6 weeks post op and have zero issues. No side effects at all. My actual surgery was also fairly easy. I didn't like being tired so I stopped pain meds on day 2. They did give me some light pills similar to Tylenol. But I never had pain over a 3 or 4. One thing that helped me was the 2 week preop diet. It was so hard at first but really prepared me for after surgery. Now things are simple. I eat a Protein shake or bar for Breakfast, something like 3oz Tuna for lunch, a protein snack, then a small dinner. Low sugar Greek yogurt has been good. It's easy to eat and has lots of protein. I'm getting around 600-800 calories and feel flipping fantastic. Have tons of energy and don't have food very often. Good luck! It's an adventure for sure but I think it's a great decision for most of us.

There was a rather significant difference in the Valenzuela patients and the Ortiz patients when I was there. The Ortiz group was feeling great and had outings everyday. We all still talk with Janese, Orlando, Abraham, and even Dr Ortiz on Facebook. But truthfully the Valenzuela patients weren't feeling near as well, and had very little post op support. That was just my experience. I'm 6 weeks post op.

$4200 with Dr Elias Ortiz. The BEST medical care I could have received.

There are tons of positive reviews on this and other forums of Dr Elias Ortiz. In 5 weeks post op and he still checks up on me. I had absolutely no side effects. A lighter me will baby you in TJ. Abraham and Orlando are always available and they plan outings to local shops. Dr Ortiz and Dr Hernandes check on you every day. Multiple times in The hospital and multiple times in The hotel. I would not choose another surgeon in The US even if the cost were the same. Eventually he will have a leak bc they just happen but as of now he has never had one. Also, read up on the various forums. Most of the problems come from the US. I keep touch with many alighterme patients and we all feel great. None of us had complications and are able to eat and drink comfortably. I feel so lucky to have used them. And like I stated, Dr Ortiz still keeps in touch and answers questions. They also have a post op care c coordinator, Ronda, that calls once a week to discuss the different stages of diet. All around first class service and surgery. Bob

I'm 4 weeks post op and loving it. I was fortunate to have no side effects whatsoever. I can drink quickly and love the portion control. I'm just starting to eat more normal food but I don't miss it at all.

Hey everybodygbbhhh.

I had surgery on Tuesday and went back the next Monday. No problems at all other than lack of energy.

I am so confident in Dr Ortiz and Alighterme that I have no reservation about recommending them. My wife is on the borderline of needing this surgery and that is where we will go. My wife's insurance even covers it in The United States but we will still go to Ortiz. I paid $4200 plus airfare. You really don't need much money when you get there. Everything you need is covered in The $4200. The ONLY thing I bought was protein drinks from GNC and a few Gatorade's from Wal Mart. The facilities are as they appear. Mi Hospital is small but clean. The care you receive is very good. Dr Ortiz or Dr Hernandez will check on you several times a day in The hospital then at night at the Marriott. You will have Abraham or Orlando driving you and keeping you busy. They will also run errands for you if you need something. I can also say his patients do extremely well. We were all up hanging out and shopping on day 2.

Wow that sucks. Did she not come to the Marriott daily?

I just got back and I was alone. First, you will have someone with you at all times. If you email Janese she will get you in touch with others that are going to be there. I made a couple of life long friends! In the hospital you will have nurses taking care of you. They bring you ice, juice, or Gatorade whenever you need it. You will have a nurse for every 4 patients so they are always available. Abraham will take you on outings to a few shops and show you the town. There are dozens of patients at The Marriott and most of them want to talk and compare notes! The hotel has free broth and Popsicles 24/7 and will bring them to your room. If you want to go to Wal Mart it is a safe walk or the hotel will get you a taxi. It's only $3. I am glad I went by myself so I could rest. But I always had ppl to do things with. When Abraham planes his outings there are usually 6 or so ppl on the van. So that's a good time to meet ppl as well. I never felt like I needed somebody. Alighterme takes really good care of you! Now if someone has trouble getting up and down bc of their weight or health issues then you might need somebody.

The first 24hrs is rough. You won't hurt bad but you will be tired and a little sore. By day 3 you will be comfortable moving around. They will remove your drain tube that night and THAT is the best. From then on you will be fine. You can drive whenever you want. Just keep your luggage light bc you can't lift more than 15lbs.

The first 24hrs is rough. You won't hurt bad but you will be tired and a little sore. By day 3 you will be comfortable moving around. They will remove your drain tube that night and THAT is the best. From then on you will be fine. You can drive whenever you want. Just keep your luggage light bc you can't lift more than 15lbs.

They have a safe in your room that you can put everything in.

I went by myself and glad. I did. The nurses will get anything you need and then Abraham and Orlando will take you anywhere. Some ppl prefer to have others around them when they are feeling bad. I don't. You really only feel bad for the first 24hrs. And it's not even that bad. You will do fine. I'm 8 days out and feel 95% back to myself. Absolutely zero side effects or complications.

I did tip at the end of the trip bc he did a great job. I'm doing really well. Adjusting to my sleeve and figuring out how it feels to be hungry, full, etc...

I have breezed through this so far. No side effects or complications. I'm 1 week out and doing fine at work. I forget I had anything done. I'm able to drink my shakes and will move up the ladder to food when it's time! I started the 2 week preop diet at 296lbs. I weighed 264 this morning so that's exciting. Pack light!!!! You can't lift over 15lbs so you don't want a heavy suitcase at the airport. I just carried on a small bag. Bring gas x strips. They melt on your tongue and really help after surgery. Don't bring a lot of cash but I recommend some. Abraham will take you shopping and not everywhere takes visa but most do. You will be close to Wal Mart so you can buy gauze there and GNC is next door. They have good protein drinks in individual sizes in their fridge. If you need anything at all Abraham will get it for you. They have great service. Just keep in mind. The first 24hrs is a little tough but after that it gets much better and you will be moving around and feeling good. Ortiz is a perfectionist and his patients do well. I am still talking to many of them and they are all doing really well. Feel free to ask questions, Bob

I think it is certainly an option. My opinion is that you should give 100% to losing it and then keeping I it off. If you can't succeed then why wait. The sooner you lose the weight the better your health will be. I'm 6' 267 and was sleeved last week. However I was 296 when I decided to do it.

I am going to write a full review of Alighterme tonight when I have more time. However, Dr Ortiz is outstanding! I have zero side effects. Got back from Mexico and worked a full day today. Most everybody at the Marriott in TJ felt the same. Abraham will have activities planned to go shopping and eat some home made cream(which tastes so good after surgery). This gets you up and moving but he also shows you the town. The doctors come to the Marriott and check on you. To top it off, Today, Dr Ortiz sent me a Facebook message asking me how I was doing and if I had any questions. What doctor does that? I highly recommend.

Ortiz is phenomenal. I got back last night and I'm already back at work feeling fine. Plus he sent me a Facebook message asking how I am doing and if I have questions. What Dr does that!?! I saw groups from several Drs and all of them commented on how Alighterme does so much. First class system.

I just returned today from sleeve surgery on 11/12 with Dr Elias Ortiz at Alighterme. My experience was exceptional. Everyone that had the surgery was feeling great. Plus they took us shopping, got us homemade ice cream, and the Drs checked on us 2 times a day at the Marriott.

I just returned from Mexico and if the costs were the same I would still go back to Mexico. Phenomenal care from Alighterme.

It's very common for the gas to move into that area. I had it but not too bad.

I am in TJ right now at the Marriott. I just met a lady that was one day out of surgery with Cabrera. She felt really good and was enjoying laying around the pool. Her only complaint was that she didn't get the full support that we got. So she didn't know as much about aftercare. But she was very happy with him.

I'm eating 3 lean 25 shakes a day. Then drink water in between . So I'm getting 75gr of protein. I like Lean Shakes bc they are watery and go down easier for me.