When choosing a surgeon....

[Jesser 295]

I have talked with several people over the years, getting feedback on all the surgeons in Tijuana. Most have really good reviews. Except one. Dr. Almanza. I was communicating with a man the other day who didn't really do any research on his surgeon, so he went with Dr. Almanza...big mistake. His story is so sad and that's why I am on here because he has no clue how to get on here and tell his story... But it's a legit story, you can even look him up on Facebook and ask him. His name is Steve Kaiser. Dr. Almanza made his stomach the size of a spring in a ball point pen. He has went through more surgeries to try and fix this, but his stomach keeps collapsing. He hasn't been able to eat food since August his medications are over $1,000 a month. He just went through another surgery on Friday to convert him to a bypass since he can no longer use his stomach. It took 2 surgeons and 4 hours to fix it. They said his stomach was twisted in half and kinked. What bothers me about this is he has yet to receive a phone call or anything from Dr. Almanza or his facility which is a complete joke. Not a real hospital. It's called a woman and children's clinic which is a complete shithole. Please do not take a chance and go with this doctor. Just google his name and read all the horrific stories out there he has. There are too many surgeons, good surgeons in Tijuana that will do your surgery safely.

[JamieLogical 8,713]

I'm sure you are going to get hate for attacking a specific surgeon here and probably accused of being a coordinator or working for another surgeon, but I have to agree with you. In all of my research, while I read many positive things about many surgeons, I saw FAR more negative stories and complications with reference to Almanza than ANY other TJ surgeon. It's honestly a wonder he gets any new patients with all of the negative stuff I've seen over the past 8-9 months since I started researching Mexican surgeons.

[Jesser 295]

I can promise you that I am not a coordinator. I love people and if I can help someone out by sharing this, it could possibly save their life in the long run. He does 10 surgeries a day! They send you back to a hotel with your drain still in to recover.... It's awful

[Jesser 295]

If anyone doesn't believe me just go message poor Steve Kaiser

[JamieLogical 8,713]

I can promise you that I am not a coordinator. I love people and if I can help someone out by sharing this, it could possibly save their life in the long run. He does 10 surgeries a day! They send you back to a hotel with your drain still in to recover.... It's awful

I still had my drain in when I was sent back to my hotel the day after my surgery. I don't think that's very barbaric. I had it removed 2 days post-op at the same time I had my last leak test.

Edited March 23, 2015 by JamieLogical

[NiecyBelle12 5]

Very sad and scary. I would never go to a Docter with poor reviews. Ijs. Be careful guys and do your research.

[Jesser 295]

No, Rocky I didn't. I am trying to make Steve set him up an account and do it lol

[butterfly56 15]

I am in the greater Phoenix area. My surgeon will be Dr Shawn Stevenson. I am looking for anyone who went thru True Results and used Dr Stevenson. How do I find info on him? Help me if you can.

[Future skinny girl 19]

I agree with you completely! When I first started my research on VSG in Mexico the first company that popped up after I googled was weight loss agents and I found out that their head surgeon is Dr.Almanza so I done more research and looked up YouTube video diaries that some of his patients made and I was completely in aw with all the bad reviews and Horror stories but yet people still book their surgery with him...SMH...

Anyway I finally decided to have my surgery through Dr.Elias Ortiz. I am yet to find a bad review about the company or their surgeons. My big Day is May 18, 2015.

[virgogirl67 27]

I've Googled him and no bad reviews come up, but only a very, very few reviews found at all... But they were good.

@@cmhueto I am in the same boat >sigh<. My daughter and I are scheduled for surgery on June 2nd in Cabo with Dr. Gerardo Garcia Alvarez. My friend's husband had surgery with the same Doctor about 6 months ago and had wonderful things to say, not only about him, but the facility and staff and his experience over all. The reviews I have managed to find are all positive, but as you mentioned, there are not that many. I have another friend that went to Mexico for her VSG surgery (different Dr.) and she had the same experience...great Dr., great care. My PCP here is 110% on board and will do my follow ups here. I am very confident in the decision to go to Mexico and also my Doctor. Best of luck to you!

[cmhueto 167]

@@virgogirl67 thank you, best of luck to you as well!!

[JamieLogical 8,713]

@@virgogirl67 @cmhueto Good luck to both of you! Sounds like you have done your research and feel confident in your choices. @@virgogirl67 it's awesome that your PCP is on board and being so supportive. Mine was too. She pre-booked me for an appointment and bloodwork for 1 month post-op and has been great about my follow up care!

[virgogirl67 27]

@@JamieLogical ...I am so fortunate my PCP is supportive. She's only tried to talk me in to vsg surgery for the past 3 years! My insurance specifically had ALL Bariatric surgery excluded from my policy, so I knew it would be quicker and a whole lot less drama being a 'self pay". The cost is ridiculous here in the States for self payers...it's a shame actually.She suggested that I take a look at "Medical Tourism" which is what got me investigating Mexico...and now waa-la...scheduled for June! She has no problem with me going to Mexico and told me she has several patients that have traveled there for dental and cosmetic surgery. She's a great human, besides being a great Doctor. She cares more about me getting healthy than which Country I decide to have my surgery in! Great lady that I'm lucky to have! I only wish more folks had a physician like her.

[JamieLogical 8,713]

She's a great human, besides being a great Doctor. She cares more about me getting healthy than which Country I decide to have my surgery in! Great lady that I'm lucky to have! I only wish more folks had a physician like her.

That's how I feel about my PCP! So lucky to have her!

[Paulina Green 39]

I'm sure you are going to get hate for attacking a specific surgeon here and probably accused of being a coordinator or working for another surgeon, but I have to agree with you. In all of my research, while I read many positive things about many surgeons, I saw FAR more negative stories and complications with reference to Almanza than ANY other TJ surgeon. It's honestly a wonder he gets any new patients with all of the negative stuff I've seen over the past 8-9 months since I started researching Mexican surgeons.

lol... they crucify you here for sharing and letting others know how it went for you, and trying to help, if I didn't do mine with Almanza or quiñonez, is because I heard awful things about them, and I found other better options, more experience surgeons, Zavalza was on my list, I know he's great, I know people that are his patients and they are very happy with their results, I did mine with j. Lopez, and I will never regret it... best decision ever!!! so, thank you for sharing, I hope others can use this information for good.