Plication Sleeve

quints · February 12, 2011

I'm 54, female, 66", bmi 42. I scheduled my surgery for the first week in April with Dr. Mario Almanza for the plication sleeve, Jerusalem hospital in Tijuana. I am waiting on my passport or else I would of made the appointment sooner. My first question is obvious, anyone have this done at this place and with this doctor? Does anyone have any tips, do's and don'ts? I will be bringing my 30 year old daughter with me and I'd like some advice on what she'll be expected to do and where she'll be while I'm at the hospital? She will be going to the recovery house with me, is this a private house or a group place with other patients sharing? Is there food for everyone or just liquid food for me? Where does the driver take you when you want to get out and do you need to reserve the driver for a specific time? What is a good tip for the driver at the end of your stay? When staying in San Diego, where's the best hotel to stay under $150.00 a night bay/beach or town? I'm literally coming from coast to coast, so I'm very excited to see as much of California and Mexico that I can. My kids are having reservations about me having surgery in another country, I am too, but also very excited. Thanks for all your help.

vickie6866 · February 14, 2011

I had the sleeve with Dr. Almanza on 01/10/2011 and I am doing great. Don't know anyone who's had the plication with him, there was a patient who was scheduled for one the day after my surgery but after meeting with the doctor he changed over to the sleeve and did great afterward too. The clinic you will be in the first 24 hours after surgery is very small and in a strip mall setting, and I would think you daughter would have too hangout in the upstairs lobby where there are couches if she stays becasue there did look to be any extra space other than patient beds. I was in a room with another patient and we had a small walking path between the beds and a recliner at foot of bed so she could crash there. If the recovery house isn't full she would be very comfortable there if you are okay without her for that one night. She coud stay unitl you wakeup from surgery and then the driver would take her to the house and you would join her the following morning. The recovery house is a small condo/house in a gated community that has a total of ten beds in four bed rooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area, and small sitting area, outside there is a small uphill street with a small patio off side of house. The beds are for patients first and if there is room the family members get one, if it were a busy week she might not even have a bed but a place on a couch, there are two small ones in the sitting area and another in the four bed suite. Everyone was like a big happy family when I was there, and the housekeeper/cook fixes big meals and will fix anything you like if you send out to buy things you like by one of the employees. The only time I was out in the car was when I went to have my leak test xrays done, we were scheduled to go out later that evening to shop but plans fell through, the drivers are very busy shuffling patients to and from San Diego and to and from the clinic and test. I only tipped the driver who returned me to the airport for an early departure, he picked me up at 4:30am. Either location of the hampton inn is great because they offer the most hours of free shuttle service to and from the airport at around $90 night. Everyone associated with Dr. Almanza was great, very friendly with huge smiles, and everyone works very hard for the job they each have. Hope this helps, if you have more questions feel free to send me a private message. Good Luck.

I'm 54, female, 66", bmi 42. I scheduled my surgery for the first week in April with Dr. Mario Almanza for the plication sleeve, Jerusalem hospital in Tijuana. I am waiting on my passport or else I would of made the appointment sooner. My first question is obvious, anyone have this done at this place and with this doctor? Does anyone have any tips, do's and don'ts? I will be bringing my 30 year old daughter with me and I'd like some advice on what she'll be expected to do and where she'll be while I'm at the hospital? She will be going to the recovery house with me, is this a private house or a group place with other patients sharing? Is there food for everyone or just liquid food for me? Where does the driver take you when you want to get out and do you need to reserve the driver for a specific time? What is a good tip for the driver at the end of your stay? When staying in San Diego, where's the best hotel to stay under $150.00 a night bay/beach or town? I'm literally coming from coast to coast, so I'm very excited to see as much of California and Mexico that I can. My kids are having reservations about me having surgery in another country, I am too, but also very excited. Thanks for all your help.

quints · February 14, 2011

I had the sleeve with Dr. Almanza on 01/10/2011 and I am doing great. Don't know anyone who's had the plication with him, there was a patient who was scheduled for one the day after my surgery but after meeting with the doctor he changed over to the sleeve and did great afterward too. The clinic you will be in the first 24 hours after surgery is very small and in a strip mall setting, and I would think you daughter would have too hangout in the upstairs lobby where there are couches if she stays becasue there did look to be any extra space other than patient beds. I was in a room with another patient and we had a small walking path between the beds and a recliner at foot of bed so she could crash there. If the recovery house isn't full she would be very comfortable there if you are okay without her for that one night. She coud stay unitl you wakeup from surgery and then the driver would take her to the house and you would join her the following morning. The recovery house is a small condo/house in a gated community that has a total of ten beds in four bed rooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area, and small sitting area, outside there is a small uphill street with a small patio off side of house. The beds are for patients first and if there is room the family members get one, if it were a busy week she might not even have a bed but a place on a couch, there are two small ones in the sitting area and another in the four bed suite. Everyone was like a big happy family when I was there, and the housekeeper/cook fixes big meals and will fix anything you like if you send out to buy things you like by one of the employees. The only time I was out in the car was when I went to have my leak test xrays done, we were scheduled to go out later that evening to shop but plans fell through, the drivers are very busy shuffling patients to and from San Diego and to and from the clinic and test. I only tipped the driver who returned me to the airport for an early departure, he picked me up at 4:30am. Either location of the hampton inn is great because they offer the most hours of free shuttle service to and from the airport at around $90 night. Everyone associated with Dr. Almanza was great, very friendly with huge smiles, and everyone works very hard for the job they each have. Hope this helps, if you have more questions feel free to send me a private message. Good Luck.

quints · February 14, 2011

Thank you so much for all the information. You've answered some of my concerns. Thanks for your input about the doctor as well as the staff of the hospital and it's location. At least now I can prepare myself as well as my daughter about the location of the hospital. That would be a bit of surprise to drive up and see coming from the States, like a take out restaurant. lol.. I wish you luck and success in your weight loss. Thanks again.