Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I decided that I would be more comfortable in the hospital, so I switched from Almanza and am going with Lopez (who I believe works with Garcia). Anyone have surgery with him? I haven't seen any reports one way or the other.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery w/ Dr Lopez on 6/11. What would you like to know?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks missmachine. I actually had my surgery with him on the 13th. We probably crossed paths. I'm struggling with my intake a little now as I get so nauseated by broth and I can't stomach tea.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Literally! Yeah I spent 3 days in the hospital because I had a fever. Went back to the hotel on Thursday and back home on Friday. How did your surgery go? I really liked the Dr.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Literally! Yeah I spent 3 days in the hospital because I had a fever. Went back to the hotel on Thursday and back home on Friday. How did your surgery go? I really liked the Dr.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Both of you!! Please tell me about how everything went! I am having a really hard time finding info on this Dr. And I just can't ignore his low price for vsg! I am sooo curious about how others recoveries are going. What did the hospital look like? How are u feeling now post op? Any complications during or after?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Btw miss.... Sorry for the quote, my cell has mind of its own :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had a really good experience overall. I really liked the Dr Lopez, his wife (also a surgeon who assists him in the op room), and the rest of his staff. Here is some info about my experience:

We arrived at the San Diego airport and was picked up by a driver named Samuel. He was very friendly and loaded our bags for us and drove us to the Marriott about 15-20 mins away in Tijuana.

When we arrived at the hotel everyone greeted us, knew English, and they had our reservation booked already. The hotel was VERY nice! I was given a welcome packet and inside there was a letter from the clinic which stated I would get 3 free cups of broth, 2 free popsicles, and 2 free bottles of Water per day. Then we went to our room and took a long nap.

Someone named Jasmine who worked with the Dr stopped by and explained that we would be picked up the next morning at 7am with a group of other patients (who were also getting surgery done by Dr Lopez) by Samuel and brought to INT Hospital.

The next morning he was there 7am sharp and I got to meet and talk to the other patients on the way. We arrived at the hospital and it was very nice and clean. We were all put in our own rooms after just a couple minutes of arrival. I changed into a gown and did pre op testing, had an IV placed, and was told i would have surgery at 3 or 4 pm. The nurses at the hospital did not speak very good English, so it is helpful if you know a little bit of Spanish so you can communicate some of your basic needs easier. Still though, they were all very helpful and sweet. Dr Lopez came in and talked to me, asked if I had any questions, etc. Then they came early, at 12 pm they came to get me for surgery. I was put to sleep very quickly. I woke up from recovery after 4 hours. I have never had surgery, I woke up in a panic because I was extremely short of breath. After that I was brought to my room, given really good pain meds and a breathing treatment, and went back to sleep.

The next day I was taken for a leak test and X-ray. I got to see my sleeve but it was sort of hard to tell how big it was. I had no leaks.

I ended up getting a fever and I seemed to be in more pain than anyone else I came in with. They all left the hospital fairly soon but I stayed 3 nights. I also have asthma and was having a really hard time breathing. Dr Lopez checked on me every morning and sometimes in the evening to see how I was doing.

Btw, I never once felt unsafe being in Tijuana.< /p>

I suppose since I'm still recovering (only 10 days out) something could still go wrong with the sleeve but it's probably unlikely. I'm grateful I have no leaks and the sleeve seems to be doing its job. I am still having some breathing issues, and one of my incisions is taking forever to heal. It's the biggest one and right in the middle. They told me since there is more fat right there it is taking longer.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry, I didn't mean to press send yet.

Anyway, I was brought back to the hotel after my 3 day/ 3 night stay at the hospital. One of Dr Lopez surgical assistants came to my room that evening to remove my drain. That was painful! The next morning we were picked up by Samuel to go back to the airport.

Like I said the others that had their surgery by Dr Lopez seemed to be doing very well. One woman had DS surgery and went home the next day... Not even to the hotel - home! One woman did come in for a revision from the band to RnY, but she had too much scar tissue and erosion, the Dr could not do her surgery yet so she will be coming back at a later time.

All in all I would do it again. Probably going to go back to MX for new boobs and Tummy Tuck when I'm done. :-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My experience wasn't too bad with Dr. Lopez. I met him in the hallway when I was paying, he shook my hand when Jasmine introduced us, and then I never heard from him again. I was pulled from our group that morning before anyone else (around 7:30a) and told I would be having my surgery second (someone was having some other kind of surgery). They took me back to the pre-op area, gowned me up, put in my IV, etc. While I was waiting there all of the nurses came running in in a panic and started grabbing supplies. After all the commotion died down, a doctor came in and told me that they had done a leak test on someone from the day earlier and discovered one so they had to do an emergency repair. From what I understand, everything turned out alright.

I had another doctor who spoke perfect English and the anesthesiologist who spoke great English as well visit me. They gave me a little something to relax until they were ready.

The actual surgery went great, no leaks. Nurses were great - but bring your phone and use Google Translator so you can tell them what you need. That worked great for us.

The only issue we had with aftercare seemed to be that I was getting too much pain meds. I had no pain so I finally told them to stop so I could wake up a little bit. After that I had no trouble. Moved over to the hotel with no trouble.

All in all, not a bad experience.

Doing great now.

Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you both for sharing! Do either of you mind telling me how you booked your surgery?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I used alighterme.com

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ooooh I saw a video about that on YouTube, I didn't think they had it available

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×