BariatricPal is no longer affiliated or recommending Dr. Mario Almanza

[Alex Brecher 10,501]

At BariatricPal, we are committed that our patients receive the most comprehensive and complete care for Pre-op and Post-Op follow-Up care.

All of our Bariatric surgeon partners have to follow BariatricPal's strict patient care and follow-up guidelines. We have these guidelines in place to ensure your safe and professional medical care.

It is our guarantee that you will receive personal care from your surgeon as well as all medical protocols required to assure your weight loss surgery and recovery before you return to the US or Canada.

Upon reinspection of the facilities and medical protocols with Dr. Mario Almanza and Hospital de La Mujer y el Nino we are not able to continue our Relationship with Dr Mario Almanza.

[JamieLogical 8,684]

I wasn't aware that there was any official relationship between BariatricPal and Dr. Almanza, but I am glad of this change. I know there are many patients of Dr. Almanza on these forums who have had good experiences and been very successful with their surgeries, but the percentages of complications and negative stories have been concerning.

[Alex Brecher 10,501]

I certainly hope you would inspect any facilities or surgeon before you recommend them.

We absolutely inspect every facility we use prior to sending our members there. Dr. Almanza and his staff made promises to make some major but very necessary changes and he didn't keep up to his end of the bargain. If we can't trust a surgeon to keep their word, we most definitely can't trust him with our members lives!

[LadyPullings 94]

What about Dr. Sergio Quinones? Why don't you guys support him?

[JamieLogical 8,684]

What about Dr. Sergio Quinones? Why don't you guys support him?

I don't think it's that BariatricPal doesn't "support" him, just that they haven't partnered up to offer special pricing to BariatricPal members. Not all surgeons are going to pursue those sorts of partnerships.

[LadyPullings 94]

Got it!

[sh1211 38]

I have not been contacted about this development. I am scheduled with him next month. I'm trying to remain calm and not fly off the handle here … uhhhh but I'm freaking out right now.

[scr161990 10]

I Sh 1211

I have just sent you a private message, my apologies for not contacting you sooner

David

How do I go about getting an upgrade ? Will I still have the surgery done on the same day I scheduled it for with Dr Almanza?

[sh1211 38]

I just wanted to let everyone know David has taken care of this and I have chosen a new doctor, Dr Francisco Zavalza. I feel good about the change and have no complaints.

[JamieLogical 8,684]

I just wanted to let everyone know David has taken care of this and I have chosen a new doctor, Dr Francisco Zavalza. I feel good about the change and have no complaints.

Glad to hear everything is working out. It must be scary to have chosen a surgeon and then not have things go according to plan. Hopefully it's all for the best, though, and your surgery and care will go very well!

[sh1211 38]

@@JamieLogical

Thank you!!!

[scr161990 10]

I did not go through bariatricpal and I already paid for the surgery and flight in full. I'm highly upset and disappointed at the reviews I've been reading on dr almanza. What do I do at this point? My surgery is scheduled for May 28.

[JamieLogical 8,684]

I did not go through bariatricpal and I already paid for the surgery and flight in full. I'm highly upset and disappointed at the reviews I've been reading on dr Almanza. What do I do at this point? My surgery is scheduled for May 28.

I'm surprised you already paid for the surgery in full... most surgeons only charge a deposit prior to surgery. You could contact the Almanza's office and find out if there is any chance of a refund or partial refund. If you put the amount on a credit card, you could talk to your credit card company about disputing the charges. May 28 is still far enough out that you might be able to schedule with a different surgeon that same day and not have to change your flight plans. I'm sure you could work with the people here on BariatricPal and see if any of their surgeons have openings for that date. Or you could contact some of the other reputable surgeon's offices to see if they have availability.

[izabo 6]

For those of you who are being switched to Dr. Zavalza, rest assured, he is one of the most kind, considerate and very experienced, bariatric surgeons on here. You will be in excellent hands!

Brooke L.

VSG Dr. Zavalza 4/16/15

[dabbadoo00 14]

i understand if a company doesnt want to work w him but i had no problems and i understood everything he told us in English.... and im a nurse ????