d7layman

Happy 53rd Birthday d7layman!

Happy 52nd Birthday d7layman!

HI there, I am from Canada and I am going to have my surgery in Mexico from Dr.Almonza. Thank you for all the work and research you have done about this. It makes me feel a bit better about going. How are you doing now? I would love an update.

I realy appreciate your comments that I have read. I am still trying to figure out how to do and get around in the site. I realy think that I will be going through Dr. Almanza. I am weighting on gettin a settlement before I can afford to go.

Hi, thanks for the freindship request. I had surgery a year ago with Dr. Almanza. I really hate all the bad stuff people have posted about this wonderful man! I would be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding the surgery. Look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Sorry it has taken me awhile to get back to you. I hope you have gone forward and had your surgery. I too was really scared at all the poison that people have posted on here with the horror stories. I can tell you honestly that as soon as I met the team down in San Diego in January when I had my surgery. These strangers instantly became family in the way they treated me and anticipated my ever need or want during the surgery experience. I am so glad that I did this! Here I am, 8 months post op, still at all of my goal, I haven't gained any of the weight back, I'm still off all the insulin and diabeties medications and I still am feeling great! I could stand to lose some more weight but am happy to be a size 12/14 instead of a 3X. I can do all the stuff that I want to do, plus have the energy that I need. I have no regrets... only wish I had done this sooner.

Hi I am scheduled to go in on Friday at Emmanuel, can you please contact me fishmalty@yahoo.com I'd really like to talk to you. Thanks

Hi "d7layman" I read your thread and found your posting to be honest and sincere. I am considering going to Mexico for the surgery. To put it bluntly, I am scared. I keep reading these horror stories. Can you tell me about your journey? Thanks

Hi! Are you still as satisfied with the doctor & the hospital,

long story: I was banded in 2004....lost over 130 lbs had 1 successful pregnancies post band & several miscarriages (except morning sickness). second pregnancy....almost killed me.....band slipped due to horrible morning sickness.... had to have it removed...after 27 days in hospital.....ironically the same day you got sleeve ....my son was then born about 3 hours later....33 weeker.

we are both doing great......but I can not get my band back and weight is going back on....

and i was around for the original controversy.....it has been going on for years.....always the same....sorry they are not helpful still

Short story..... I want a sleeve and Sandy was my coordinator in 04.....so I am going back to her.

Thanks

jane

I'm really glad I didn't listen to all the crap too... it really didn't make any sense to me! Every doctor has complications... I think there is something wrong with those people... like I think they have their own agenda or something... like maybe they were mad because Dr. Betancourt (who is single and gorgeous) didn't want to date them or something... whatever! I went there for the life saving surgery that my insurance here in the US wouldn't give me without making me jump through the hoops for years. Plus, my insurance would only pay for an open gastric bypass. I didn't want open surgery and I didn't want the gastric bypass. I love my sleeve! It is great! I'm not hungry and the weight is just falling off!

I put the entire cost of the trip on my credit card (kinda a protection for me in case there was a problem). I don't know Spanish very well but believe me, it isn't a problem. The only one there that doesn't speak very good English is the day nurse and for that, there are plenty of translators. I went totally by myself (I'm a very independent person besides, my grown kids all work full time and go to school full time and couldn't take the time off)

Kimberly,

Everything went great for me! I had the gastric sleeve. As a nurse, I felt it was safer than the lap band and I desperately needed a permanent fix for my diabetes, high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia.

I found Emmanuel Medical, Dr. Almanza (who is as talented as he is cute) and Dr. Betancourt (who is the wonderful administrator/owner of Emmanuel Medical) to be wonderful!

The entire cost of my surgery was $8,500 plus my plane ticket to San Diego. This cost covered everything! My ride from the airport to the hospital, pre op labs, my surgery, post surgical, all medications post surgical labs and my hotel stay. The facility is super clean and new. They have 6 rooms (so it is pretty small), with a really nice operating room. I had a private nurse during the day and a private doctor (who was totally awesome) at night.