Patient Testimonials
Support is a critical element throughout this process. Reading about the progress of others can bring comfort during trying times. Read what some of our patients have to say about their experiences.
Jane Foreman
04/20/09
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a Master of Health Administration degree from two of the best universities in the US. When I first tell people I had weight loss surgery in Mexico, they are aghast. They say, “I can’t believe that you, of all people, would take such a risk!”
Then I tell them the extremely thorough research I conducted to check out the Mexicali Bariatric Center and its staff before I scheduled my surgery. I tell them that no amount of money could have bought in the US the competent and caring treatment I received from MBC and the staff at Hospital Almater.
It’s been nearly 10 months since my surgery with Dr. Aceves. I elected to have the gastric sleeve. My goal was to lose 100-110 pounds. I have currently lost 80 pounds and have gone from a size 22-24 to a size 8-10. I’ve had absolutely no problems with nausea, vomiting or tolerating any type of food. I can eat anything I want. The only thing I’ve found I can’t tolerate is drinking beer. I can still take small enough sips to taste it, though! I can truly say my weight loss has been almost effortless and without hunger. The only time I have been the least bit hungry is during the first ten days after surgery when I was on clear liquids only.
I’ve been amazed and delighted that the surgery has had so many unexpected benefits. I’ve been motivated to eat so much healthier. When I started eating solid foods after surgery, things tasted different to me. I no longer crave, or even like, sweets. I used to crave and eat a lot of junk and fast foods (I probably ate at McDonald’s five times a week) and almost never eat these things today. I used to drink huge amounts of liquids with my meals, which is not a good habit for anyone. This is not permitted after surgery. I don’t know if it’s physical or psychological, but now I eat entirely differently than I did before surgery. I’m also exercising almost every day. I truly believe I’ll be able to maintain this lifestyle after I reach my goal.
As many others have said, my only regret is that I didn’t do this years ago (but then the sleeve procedure probably wouldn’t have been available to me and I strongly believe in this procedure).
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by email at janeforeman@comcast.net
Jenni:
I never imagined what life would be like 6 months after having my lap
band surgery. But, here I am. 6 months later and still loving the
journey. If you have time, or if you are interested, grab a glass of
water, sit back, relax, and read. I tend to get a little longwinded
at times so bear with me. I'm really doing this for all the new
people on board so they know about my journey and can, perhaps, learn
something about banded life. If you have kept up with me through my
past posts, you may want to skip this! lol
First of all, I am 43 years old and I have been overweight all my
life. I teach high school and I absolutely LOVE my job. I have two
wonderful sons (15 and almost 14) who create joy in my life on a
daily basis. I am married to a very supportive and encouraging
husband. I typically tell people that I live a basically stress free
life. My life is happy...very little controversy. However, inside,
I was miserable. I was fat. My health was terrible. I looked
awful. I didn't take care of myself. I didn't care about my
appearance. I figured everyone else saw me as this huge, fat person
who was worthless. But, then, I decided that no matter what other
people thought about me, my family loved and valued me so I needed to
stop the quickly moving downward spiral towards death from obesity
that I was on. Without trying to sound morbid, my mother died 2
years ago and I remember sitting in the funeral home taking care of
arrangements. I was holding together pretty well until the funeral
director told us that we would need to purchase an oversize casket
for her due to her size. I was so humiliated for her. I knew right
then and there that I had to do something drastic or that I would die
an early death simply from obesity. There is a book I read one time
called The Affluent Society (John Kenneth Galbraith) and one of the
statements that I remember specifically from that book said
that "More die in the United States of too much food than of too
little." I just had this fear gnawing at me that I wouldn't live
much longer. I was truly scared of dying.
It is amazing what fear can cause a person to do. Honest to God,
fear was the catalyst behind my decision to have this surgery. And,
you know what? I'm not scared anymore! No, there is no guarantee
that I will live for a long, long time but now I know that I won't
die an early death due to obesity! I will NOT die a fat person!!! I
WILL get to hold grandchildren one day. I will get to see my sons
turn into the fine young men that I dream they will become.
You know what else I'm not scared of? I'm not scared that I
won't fit into rides at amusement parks. I'm not scared of trying to
walk through turnstiles wherever those may be. I'm not afraid I
won't fit into a desk in a classroom. I'm not afraid that one of
those plastic lawn chairs will break when I sit down in it. I'm not
afraid that the seat belt on an airplane won't fit around me. I'M
NOT AFRAID anymore!!! I never realized what a HUGE problem fear was
for me before and it is rather sickening that it was all due to the
fact that I was FAT!!!
These 6 months have been the best 6 months of my life. Not only
have I been on a weight loss journey but, and probably more
importantly, I have been on a journey towards total self-acceptance,
complete inner happiness, and a true awakening. I honestly stand
amazed at what my life has already become and what it is becoming
each day. February 23...the date of my lap band...was a complete
rebirth.
The biggest changes I have made, naturally, have been with
food. Food is no longer the driving force behind my day to day
activities. I have actually found myself arranging my schedule each
day to make sure I get to go work out. Me??? Work out??? Oh my,
what an incredible change that has been! I always HATED exercise
with a total passion! Sitting around was much more satisfying!
You've been there, right?? I go to Curves at least 3 times a week
and I walk as often as I can (usually 4 days a week). I am committed
to this because it works! And, because I weigh so much less,
exercise doesn't hurt as much so I don't mind doing it like I used
to. But, back to food...
My favorite foods prior to surgery were hamburgers and French
fries. I haven't had these since. And I don't care. I never even
crave this food. I have had a couple of French fries but they don't
really work well with my band so I don't even want them. The actual
physical restriction has changed my mind and my appetite. Pizza? No
desire for it. In fact, I haven't eaten a piece of bread one single
time. No need for it. Diet Coke (which is all I used to drink)?
Haven't had one. The only drink I have now is water (except for my
Muscle Milk for breakfast). I drink about 3 liters of water per
day. AND I do not drink with my meals. I eat extremely small
portions of foods. I have to watch my reactions when we go out to
eat with friends because when I see the portion sizes that are served
I cannot imagine anyone being able to eat that much food in one
sitting! Then, I think about the fact that I would eat that much at
least 3 times a day and I am floored. I have decided that people are
right....Americans eat WAY TOO MUCH FOOD!!! Anyway...
There have been a few days that I have had to deal with what I
would consider to be extreme hunger. In asking Nina if this meant I
needed another fill, she explained to me (once again) that I needed
more protein. You know what??? She knows what she is talking
about! I added extra protein to my daily food intake and the hunger
subsided. Now, my meals (even though they are pretty dang small)
hold me over until time to eat a snack or another meal. That is the
key...PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN! Make sure you get enough.
I have watched my scale daily since surgery. Yeah, I
know...kind of obsessive and probably not the best idea BUT I can't
seem to stop. But you know what is exciting? The scale continues to
move down! It may not always be a fast as I want it to move but it
moves down! I stepped on the scale the day I decided to have this
surgery and I cried. I was at an all time high weight of 247
pounds. How did I let myself get like that??? The day before
surgery, and after having done the pre-op diet for 3 weeks, I weighed
in at 231. Today, I weigh 164. Six months...67 pounds! 83 if you go
all the way back to my heaviest weight of 247 in January. Who would
have ever thought THAT was possible??? I stand amazed each day.
Inches have fallen off. I always secretly wonder where the hell all
that skin goes!! Mind you, I still have a lot of that hanging around
but lots of it has disappeared! Where does it go??? I have lost 68
inches. I have gone down 6-7 sizes in clothes. I have gone down 3
bra sizes. I have gone down one shoe size! I can't wear my rings
anymore. I had to have some links taken out of my favorite
bracelets. Everything has to be downsized!!! lol
The NSVs are just as exciting as watching the scale go down.
Going shopping is actually fun now since I can go into any store in
the mall and find clothes that fit. GAP, Old Navy, VICTORIA
SECRETS!!! :) And, I even let a friend go with me now that I don't
have to shop in the fat department. It's much more fun to go and try
on clothes with a girlfriend that going alone and sneaking into the
plus size department, praying no one would see you there! Speaking
of clothes, I used to wear only knit pants with the elastic waist
(what I typically call "MOM pants") NO MORE! I wear skirts most
everyday now. My thighs used to rub together way too much to be
comfortable in skirts for long periods of time but I don't even think
about that now! I'm actually very comfortable now in whatever I wear
(Yeah, even in the lingerie I bought from Victoria Secrets!!) So,
clothing is one NSV. There have been several. I remember lying on
the floor one time after my workout at Curves and I was able to feel
my rib cage and it was sticking out further than my stomach for the
first time ever! Now, I can actually feel my hip bones protruding
further than my belly!!! I don't think I have ever felt this!! I
can sit inside a students desk at school now. I can easily walk to
the back of a canoe now and not worry about it tipping over due to my
weight. I can actually wear a smaller sized life jacket (I always
hated those canoe rental places that would color-coordinate the
lifejackets by size...you know, blue for mediums, red for large,
yellow for extra large, and there I was in NEON orange, the color for
XXlarge, glowing all along the river for EVERYONE to see that I had
to have the largest life jacket they carried!!! HUMILIATING!) Last
time I went, I wore a black one....a SMALL!!! Another NSV I've had
was just the other day. At Curves, a woman said something to me that
I have NEVER heard directed towards me! I've heard it because I've
said it a million times about other people but this was a new
experience. We were both working out and she was huffing and puffing
and I wasn't. She kind of smiled and looked at me and commented
about her being worn out and I hadn't even broken a sweat! She
followed this by saying, "All you skinny people kill me! Y'all have
no idea how hard it is for fat people to do this!!!" I wanted to
jump up and give her a huge kiss on the cheek and hug around the
neck! I simply smiled and told her that I understood far more than
she realized! And left it at that. Imagine...someone calling me
skinny! Again, I stand amazed.
I could go on forever. Because of my weight loss journey, my
life is so much better. I have come to realize (although I assumed
this to be true before losing weight but now I know for certain) that
the world is much nicer to smaller people. There are so many ways in
which overweight people are actually discriminated against in our
society that we don't even think about. Who decided that turnstiles
have to be so small that obese people cannot get through them but
have to walk through the gate to the side? Why did the admissions
counselor at one of the finest math and science boarding schools in
our state turn down my student for admissions when she exceeded all
of the entrance requirements? He told her "she just didn't fit the
picture of ASMS students." She weighs almost 400 pounds. Who
decided that life jackets had to be color coordinated by size? Who
decided that larger clothing had to be put in separate departments in
department stores? Who decided that larger size clothing stores have
to have names like Added Dimensions? Nothing like adding to the
already inferior feelings all of us with weight problems have had.
My journey continues. I have 19 more pounds to go. I've had one
fill (1.3ccs) and may not need another one. Every month I think I
need one but, then I look at my weight and I'm still losing. I
secretly hope that I need just one more fill so I can have an excuse
to go back to Mexicali....the place of my rebirth!) Maybe I just
need to take a trip back to say THANKS! Thanks for my new life!
To all who have gone before me, thank you for your words of
wisdom that you constantly post on this site. To all who have had
the band placed recently, I wish you continued success. To all those
scheduled, you won't regret this decision. And finally, to all of you
trying to decide if this is for you, I hope you can come to a
conclusion very soon. If you decide upon the lap band, you have the
greatest journey ahead of you. Be prepared, though, for a much
happier, healthier life ahead! The journey is worth the effort.
So, as I always say, LIFE IS GREAT!
Jenni
DOB 2/23/06 (New photos posted)
231/164/145 (maybe lowered once I get to this goal)
Fill 5/13/06 1.3ccs
lost 68 inches
gained a ton of joy!!
Jenny :
jenny@jennyinjamaica.com
Before surgery and 1 year later.
A brief intro, written in December 2004:I live in Jamaica.I've been looking into WLS for about two years now. I believe it is a viable solution for me to a problem that will only get worse as the years go by. Here are my stats:35 years old---5'9" (175cm)---245 lbs (113k)---37.8 BMII am down to this weight from 260 lbs (118k) and 39.4 BMI.CURRENT STATS (June 06, 2006):150 lbs (68k) --- 22.9 BMI:: 06 June, 2006 ::I've been holding pretty steady at 150 pounds (68 K) for some time now. The other day I noticed that I'd dropped to 148 and it alarmed me. I hadn't been eating enough - I knew that.I do have an appetite, and sometimes I feel very hungry and think I'm about to chow down the way I used to, but once I'm confronted with the food, it becomes obvious that I can not and do not want to eat very much.I can now tolerate nearly any food, but some things seem to affect me weirdly. There are a number of foods that I used to like that I just don't care for any more.I can certainly eat more volume than I could before, but it's still small. I can eat what looks to me like a smallish normal plate of food. I like that, because people don't keep asking me why I'm not eating. I can also tolerate sugar much better now. For some people that's not a good thing. I understand that. Since sugar was never a weight issue for me (I didn't get fat from sweets, I got fat from voluminous amounts of F-O-O-D), I haven't made an effort to keep the dumping thing going for myself. People do that by avoiding sugar at all costs, so that any time they're tempted, they end up with dumping syndrome and are so miserable they (hopefully) won't try it again soon. I have been eating increasingly larger amounts of sugar all along with the hope that I would become more tolerant to it.I know that is opposite of what most people want, but my goal has always been to be "normal." I want to go to a wedding and eat a few bites of cake and not vomit. I want to go to a food-tasting event and not have to ask every vendor whether there's any sugar in anything. I don't drink soda, and I rarely drink juice (even "no sugar added" juice has lots of sugar). I use artificial sweetner in my coffee and tea when I drink it and I don't go crazy at the dessert table. I do have a weakness for chocolate the week before my menses, but I don't dare eat a whole chocolate bar. I have developed a serious lactose intolerance though. Eating more than three spoonfuls of ice cream makes me absolutely miserable.I have joined a yoga studio in Kingston and am going regularly. They offer a variety of types of fitness classes, but I decided to start with yoga. I want to rediscover my long-lost flexibility, and it is definitely strengthening my muscles. I'm hoping that after a couple of months more I'll be up to doing more active classes (like spinning).My boobs look great - absolutly fabulous! Everything looks good on me now and Donnie just keeps ordering dress after dress for me from these super-sexy clothing catalogues.I want to remind anyone reading this though, that although my life is much improved with this weight loss, it didn't make my problems disappear. There are things I struggle with that have nothing to do with weight, and if you think that x, y or z will be better "if only I didn't have this weight on me" you are dead wrong. If you have a drinking problem, you will still have a drinking problem (no, that's not one of my issues). If you fight with your husband/kids/boss/mother, you will after you lose weight too. If you think you are fat and worthless, you need to work on that, because after you lose weight you will look in the mirror and still see a worthless you. There will just be fewer pounds of you!Until next time my friends....Love and care for yourself right now no matter your current weight!:: 05 February, 2006 ::It's been one year since my gastric bypass surgery. I feel so good about myself! I got back the me I thought I'd lost, and I love what I see in the mirror and what I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.Sometimes it's still hard - Occasionally I still throw up, and if I don't chew well enough I get really uncomfortable. Beef is really hard for me to chew well enough, so I can't enjoy a steak anymore. Pizza is way too doughy, so I can't enjoy that like I used to (though I still eat one piece now and then). Carbonated drinks don't sit well at all, and there are even certain foods that don't taste good to me anymore (for example, I used to love tuna, but now I find it absolutely puke-a-riffic). I find that sugar doesn't bother me as much as it does some other people, but too much (say a glass of orange juice or a whole piece of cake) causes dumping syndrome.On the other hand, I find it a beautiful freedom to know that I can go to a restaurant, truly enjoy my food, and yet consume a very small portion. It is an amazing thing to me to go to a pizza place, and barely be able to eat one slice from a small pizza. I love that I go to a party and think about who will be there rather than what food will be there.I am down to 150 pounds and I really, really, really don't want to lose anymore. I am starting to look too skinny.One of the things that has been a struggle is that my partner met me as a fat girl, and loves fat girls. He is really unhappy about how thin I've gotten, and every time we are in an intimate situation, he talks about how nice I was when I was fat. It's hard on my self-esteem. I've told him that it makes me feel bad, but what can I do? He loves me, but desperately misses his fat girl.At 5'9" and 150 pounds, I can find clothes to fit me in any store. I wear some of the most daring outfits you can imagine! I love it! I used to hate going to a formalwear store and having to choose from a couple of drapy pants-suit things. Now I can find gorgeous gowns anywhere I go.My ankle and knee issues have disappeared completely. I sometimes feel tired and rundown, but I suspect that's because I'm not terribly compliant with my vitamin regime.So, one year after surgery, would I do it again? Absolutely and without hesitation. This surgery really gave me back my life and my body.
For more on Jennifer’s Weight loss journey visit www.jennyinjamaica.com
Almost2tired2 in Florida
almost2tired2@bellsouth.net
Gainesville, FL
01/22/06
Personal Comments:
I was born weighing 170, and have tipped the scales at 240 during the past year (and many other times during my lifetime). I have finally gotten down to 199 because my activity levels have increased (no longer confined to bed due to spider-bite open wound for 2 yrs, 9 mos). I know this weight won't go anywhere exept practice the yo-yo effect (sometimes even with blinking lights). I'm at the 'borderline' for lap-band consideration but have many other health issues. About 2-3 years ago a Dr told me that the lap-band surgery was no longer being done because it didn't work (I had been researching it after watching a special on Discovery Channel). I have been turned down by a Gainesville Dr due to the borderline status (only weighed 195 at his office on 11/10, weigh 201 today 11/15) and the meds (morphine) that I am currently taking for a lumbar injury in 1999. I'm interviewing surgeons in Mexico because I 'WILL' have the lap-band surgery - and hopefully before the end of the year. ... Click here to read more
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Dr Aceves is a very caring person. He checked in on me several times every day to make sure that I was doing well and comfortable. He assigned a personal nurse to me that checked on me every hour or two. I don't think this person was a hospital staff person, but employed by Dr Aceves - I'm not sure about that, but I wouldn't doubt it. The patient coordinators were there for me every step of the way. Each person spoke excellent English and was able to translate for me to the hospital staff. The gentleman that picked me up from the San Diego airport was very nice and gave me a little history of the area. On the return trip he even went out of his way to go to a second borderline crossing due to the lengthy line of vehicles waiting at the closest borderline. Dr Aceves asks all his patients to check with him every 10 days after surgery. I haven't kept up with this like I should due to laziness, Christmas holidays, and out of state company. I will have to do better. Before surgery, Dr Aceves himself spent hours with me going over the procedure, answering questions, and assuring that I knew the risks as well as the benefits of the surgery. I was given a complete written (in English) synopsis of everything that we talked about. I was also given a guideline for my diet through the first several months. I would recommend Dr Aceves and the Mexicali Almater Hospital very highly. I went by myself, but, I didn't feel alone. I would rate the entire experience and all of the staff with a 10. At this time I am seriously considering returning to Dr Aceves for my fills. I would like to keep in touch with the people that I met, and I was so comfortable with Dr Aceves that I really don't want to have to interview and go through the process of finding another Dr that I can trust for my fills.
Roxane Weever
Roxane_weever@yahoo.com
I was banded on March 6th and I wanted to let everyone know I had a
great experience. The hospital was very clean and newly renovated.
I remember noticing a plasma screen tv on the wall in the ER waiting
room and also in the OR... pretty high tech, I thought. The other
equipment I saw in the OR looked brand new and spotless.
In my opninion, Dr. Aceves and his staff take excellent care of
their patients. The night before surgery myself and the two other
ladies who were preparing to be banded, recived a pre-op
antibiotic, after surgery we recieved scheduled pain medicine
and we were instructed to use a breathing device (an incentive
spirometer), which helps prevent possible post-op lung probs like
pnuemonia. The day after surgery we did a barium swallow and saw
the band and how the contrast flowed thru it. The night of and the
night after surgery we recieved a sleeping pill, and when we were
discharged we recieved a copy of all our medical documents (x-rays
included)along with a liquid post-op antibiotic to take for 5 days
and liquid tylenol if needed for pain, and lots of other post-op
info. I shared all of that to say this, I am a nurse and based no
my mere two years of experience, the quality of care I recieved from
Dr. Aceves and his staff was second to none. Also everything Dr.
Aceves explained to us right before surgery was the exact same thing
I had watched on the live webcast live.com/brighamandwomens/1372/
that was posted several days ago. Everyone was very professional and
very kind, I was extremely impressed by the entire experience and I
would recommend it to anyone.....AND I AM SO GLAD TO BE BANDED!!!
Dana Jernigan
BLISSFULLY3@AOL.COM
Friendship, TN
11/14/05
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
I was impressed with my e-mail correspondence with Dr. Aceves patient coordinator Nina. She was always prompt, informative, and courteous with her replys. I decided to proceed with Dr. Aceves, but have to admit that I was a little aprehensive because I was going to Mexico, and we have all heard the horror stories. The minute I meet Dr. Aceves and his wonderful staff, I was completely reassured I had made the right decision. He was so down to earth, approachable, informative, competent, ect. I only wish our doctors here in the states had such a great bed sidemanner. He completely made sure I understood every aspect of my surgery from the surgery itself through the aftercare. I have been so impressed that I would definetly use him again and would recommend him to anyone considering lap-band surgery. My only negative would be that if you are hot-natured, you should request a fan before going there, or bring one with you.
Kelli Flores
Atwater, CA
11/06/05
Personal Comments:
I am a graduate student at California State University, Stanislaus...basically in the middle of Californai surrounded by Almond orchards and cows...ha ha. I love it here though, I am not too far from SF, Monterey, Yosemite and SoCal. I am working on my thesis which will look at bariatric surgery and the effects it has on people. I hope to go onto my doctorate but I feel I need to get my health in order before tackling on something that major in life. Hobbies: Well, when I am feeling good and not hurting from all the weight, I love to go to Monterey and just veg out. I love the ocean, going to mountains and spending time with my boyfriend in San Diego. I am an internet resource junkie which comes from 4 years of finding resources for professors. I like to go out with my gal pals when I get the chance, see my great neices and nephews (which I cannot believe my neices already have kids!!!!). I collect Winnie the Pooh. My interests are in Cognitive Psychology, primarily Alzheimer's... Click here to read more
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
My first impression was that this man knows what he is doing simply by looking at his website. There were not wheel and deal prices or cluttered advertisements, Dr. Aceves is first concerned about getting the information out to his patients and potential patients. He has been certified by INAMED which only 8 of 10 doctors in Mx have that, and he has had the same training as the doctors here in the US. What really impressed me was his time as a doctor in bariatrics, especially in the laproscoptic technique which is about 7 years. His patient cooridinator Nina is awesome. She is very quick to answer any questions via email or telephone. We have a forum online and she is there giving advice, answering questions and giving LOTS of support both pre-ops and post-ops. I've heard that the rest of the staff is very professional and that the hospital is very clean and well kept. Dr. Aceves is very caring and he has a strict regiment that he wants his patients to follow so they obtain the maximum weightloss SAFELY!!! He emphasizes that this is a tool, and that diet/exercise is very crucial to the weightloss management as well as how we "Think" about food. I believe you have to keep in regular contact for up to a year, via email/telephone. He offers 1 year free fills for his patients, though many live far away and few are able to make trips back to Mx. However, he does provide information for those that are unable to come to Mx for fills on which doctors in their local area accept his work. From I've heard many of the US doctors are very impressed by his work, once they understand the situation they have a better impression of the work done in Mexico. Dr. Aceves has a very structured pre-op diet for those that need their liver to shrink alittle so it is easier to operate as well as a structure post-op, they even give out information about the type of foods you can have. Since, I have yet to have the surgery (Jan 27, 2006 is the date), I can say that what I have heard from many of his patients that he rates a 9 out of 10...I mean no one is perfect but he is darn close to it. I've heard how polite and courteous he is to the patient and their family and his bedside manner is ACES! As well as addressing risks/complications: it's all on his webiste: www.mexicolapband.com Again, this is based on my research of Dr. Aceves, I will post my own experience as soon as I come home from the surgery. Till then if you have any questions go to www.mexicolapband.com email and you can find out for yourself :)
Susan G
nikki1002@obesityhelp.com
Elwood, IL
08/11/05
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Hi everyone! I would just like to tell you about my wonderful experience while having my lapband surgery. A doctor in Mexico referred him to me. So I did some homework and could only find good results. So off I flew to San Diego on July 25,2005. A driver was there to meet me. Ernesto is his name, a nice man who was like a tour guide through the mountains. Two hours later we arrived at the Almater Hospital were I met Yolanda my coordinator and she saw to it that all my tests were done. After that I was swept off to the Hotel were I spent the rest of the night. A few hours later Yolanda came with a antibiotic and shortly I was off to sleep. The next morning Yolanda came to pick me up to go to the hospital were they started my IV and then I met Dr. Aceves. At this time he told me all the goods and bads about the surgery. Which made me feel real comfortable because it wasn't all sugar coated. Dr. A. speaks perfect English so I completely understood everything that was going to happen. Finally I was taken into surgery and Sergio my head nurse held my hand til I fell asleep. About five hours later I awoke in my hospital room and never once did I have to ask for pain reliever the nurses were always there before I even needed it. Dr. Aceves and Sergio checked on me 3 to 4 times a day. I have never seen that in the states. Always willing to listen and answer questions that I had. The second day while resting in my bed I watched the cleaning lady and she washed he floor outside of my room 6 times that day. I have never seen the cleanliness that was in this hospital. Finally Dr. did the bariatric swallow xray and let me watch how the liquid was going down, so I would know everything was working. After that off to the airport and home. All in all I can not say one bad thing about my experience and can only tell you if you are thinking of having the surgery put your mind a ease if you pick Dr. Aceves.
Nancy Cole
LAPBANDBOOK@YAHOO.COM
Houston, TX
07/27/05
180 lbs
Personal Comments:
New hobbie - cross stitch. Don't know why but I love it.
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Dr. Aceves came across as very professional in our first meeting. His staff was great and they did everything they could to keep me happy. I had some minor complications after surgery and he called me daily (2-3times) until I was better. I have never had a Dr. personally call me to check up on me but he did. I would reccommend him to anyone.
W J
felix002412@cox.net
Escondido, CA
07/14/05
Personal Comments:
*WORK:Teaching - Special Ed Elementary grades 2-5 *COLLECTING - Shells, monkies, turtles, starfish *FAVORITE fLOWERS - Gerbera Daisies, Bird of Paradise, Wildflowers *HOBBIES - Drawing/painting,Sewing, Arts & Crafts, Photography, Garage Sales, Music, Reading, Computers
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
DR.ACEVES WAS A WONDERFUL, CARING SURGEON. HE IS VERY COMPREHENSIVE AND CAUTIOUS IN HIS TREATMENT. HE MADE ME FEEL COMPLETELY AT EASE AND HAS AN OUTSTANDING BEDSIDE MANNER. HIS ENTIRE TEAM IS FIRST RATE AND IS THERE FOR YOU 24/7. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS KIND OF CARE ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND HIM TO ANYONE CONSIDERING WLS SURGERY!!
Patty H
greeneyed_patty@yahoo.com
WA
06/11/05
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
My first impression of Dr. Aceves was that he didn't look like a Dr. in his casual jeans and shirt. But he was very polite and was there to answer any questions I or my husband had. He made me feel comfortable and I was not scared at all. His office staff was good also. Nina the coordinator and Yolanda ( I think that was her name) were exceptional. The rest of the staff did not speak English, or very little,but was still able to get needs met. I think future patients, as far as I am concerned need to know, that the Dr is very professional and knows what he is doing. Because I am from the States, he asked me to contact him every 10 days and let him know how I was doing for a period of time. We can contact him or Nina at any time, and he would be there to answer any questions. I feel his bedside manner and surgical competence was great.
Tracy_In Texas
twilling_99@yahoo.com
Small Town, TX
04/01/05
Personal Comments:
Tracy's Journal Page I have moved my journal to my own web page at
tracyslapband.com Click the picture above to go to MexicoLapBand.Com!
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
I LOVE Dr Aceves! If you haven't met him yet, you will FALL IN LOVE with his kind manor! He is a VERY CARING doctor who only has your best interest at heart. When I went to Mexicali on 3/1/05 to have my surgery, I was nervous and in culture shock. Dr. Aceves and Nina made me feel so welcome. Nina talked to my hubby and I about the culture there in Mexico, as well as how she came to be Dr. Aceves Patient Coordinator. She stayed with me the WHOLE time we waited before my surgery. Afterwards, she was right there making sure I had everything I needed. Nina is an angel in my book. Before surgery I had told the doctor that I was allergic to most pain meds and that I don't always come out of anesthesia well. Dr. Aceves made sure I had some medicine before surgery, and when he saw I was nautious after surgery, he did everything he could to make me feel better. The staff at the hospital was there within seconds of me pushing the call bell and were always there with a smile on their faces. I can't say enough about my experience. PLEASE email me if you need to ask questions or just need to talk. I would be happy to help!
Karen L.
kyb323@aol.com
Athens, GA
02/04/05
Personal Comments:
Preop Weight: 314
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Dr. Aceves, the other physicians, his staff and his family are FABULOUS !!!! My husband and I were in Mexicali for my 12/20/04 Lap RNY/Fobi surgery and we had a very positive experience. He is a very experienced and knowledgeable surgeon. He is also wonderful person, who genuinely cares about his patients and their families. He takes the time out to explain the surgery, procedures, risks, and aftercare not only to me but also to to my husband. He took the time out to check on us several times during the day while we were in the hospital as well as while we were at the hotel. My husband and I have worked in several hospitals in the US we have never experienced a surgeon who has been able to exhibit skill as a medical profession as well as demonstrate such a positive bedside manner. We both felt comfortable and encourged about out out of country experience. We would have other medical procedure performed down there again in a heartbeat !!!!
Melanie Major
MeliKeli1976@aol.com
Atlanta, GA
07/15/04
Personal Comments:
Back a few months ago, my father was watching television and he saw a story about Al Roker. He was so impressed with the weight loss success that he told me I should h! ave the surgery done. He also said that he would pay for it. At first, I said, there is no way I can do this. I would have to give up too much. For the next few months it kept nagging at me. The offer my father made forced me to look into myself. I came to some serious realizations. The biggest one being that I realized I no longer wanted food to be the focus of my life. Suddenly I felt that I wanted to get the surgery more than anything. I started by getting on the internet. My search began by doing a key word search on AOL. The word I used were "weight loss surgery"! At this time! , I did not know that weight loss surgery is formally known as bariatr ic surgery. Once I ran across the word bariatric surgery, I had no trouble getting a lot of information. My search led me to a web site called obesityhelp.com. It was her... Click here to read more
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Luckily I received an email from Dr. Alberto Aceves' assistant Nina. In the email, Nina ! was very nice and very personal. She told me that I could have a lap band placed on my stomach for $8200. This was about a third of the cost in the United States. What was even better is that the lap band could be placed laproscopically. Another advantage is that it can be removed if it had to be so even though it is meant to permanent-if it had to be removed-it could be. It was the second we! ek of October and I knew I was going to have to go back to work soon. I was running out of time and I had to get this done!!! I spoke to my father and told him how bad I wanted to do it. At first he had some reservations with me going to Mexico. I admit I did too-but chances make champions and I have always adopted the mentality that if it is my time to go then it is my time to go. I emailed Nina and asked her when she could schedule my surgery. She emailed me back that same day informing me that my surgery was scheduled for Monday October 20, 2003. At this point, I could hardly believe! that in 2 short weeks my life would be forever changed. For the next 2 weeks I received some positive insight as well as plenty of negativity. here were comments like "Mexico is a dirty third world country." Then this comment-"You can't even drink the water in Mexico but you are going to go have surgery." My sister who is very close to me and whom I love very held the most opposition to me going. She actually got very upset with me a begged me not to go. It wa! s then that I let everybody know that there was absolutely nothing anyone could do to stop me. My mind was made up. On Friday October 17, 2003-California here I come. We landed in San Diego in the morning and did a tour of Pacific Cost Highway to enjoy one last weekend of "food freedom." At 6AM on Monday we departed for Mexico. I was not as nervous ad I thought I would be. I kept thinking if I could just get down to Mexico I know I will be okay. Nina was waiting for me at the McDonalds right on the border. Mind you, at this point I had not spoken to Nina and I did not know what she looke! d like either. She greeted me and then I followed her through the border into Mexicali. surprisingly, Almater Hospital is literally 2 miles from the border-so I did not even really feel like I was in another country. When we arrived at the hospital Dr. Aceves was waiting for us. For some reason, I immediately felt very comfortable around both Nina and Dr. Aceves. . The great thing is that ! everything was done in the same day. They started pre-op around 9 am. I met with the cardiologist, a counselor, and an anastheseologist. The did the blood work and an EKG that same morning. The last thing I did before they started was speak to a counselor by the name of Edith Salazar. I just want to say that I think she is a wonderful person and a wonderful counselor. She completely calmed me and was very soothing to me shortly before I went into the OR. The surgery lasted about 1-2 hours, and I stayed in the recovery room for a few hours . I was back in my hospital room in the early eveni! ng hours. Within an hour of returning to my room-I was up and down goi ng to the bathroom with little or no pain. This continued throughout the night and into the next day. One thing that was very odd is the amount of time spent and attention put on you. I felt like I was the First Lady or somebody very special. I am 27 years old and I can say that as long as I have been alive-no group of medical professional have ever been this kind and caring. I left the ! hospital in the early afternoon of Tuesday 10/21/03 and I returned back to San Diego and caught a flight back to Atlanta the next day. The plane trip back was the worst part because I felt very nauseated and was experiencing a lot of hunger pains. Honestly the first 2 weeks were pretty difficult. It is difficult learning to eat to live instead of living to eat!!!! You are on a very strict diet of liquids and broths. For someone who loves food so much this was the hardest part to go through. You really have to understand that food can no longer be a source of comfort, instead it will become st! rictly a source of nourishment. You cannot be concerned with eating something that tastes good-you can give that up. You will have to eat what you are told to eat because nourishment is one of the basic essentials for life to continue. You must come around to this way of thinking. After about 2 weeks of this you get used to it. Then it is not so bad. Today is 11/29/03, it has been a l! ittle over a month since my surgery. I have lost almost 30 lbs. At Tha nksgiving I was able to eat about 1 bite of everything. But I was okay with that. I did not feel bad at all. In fact, it felt great to still be able to have a little good food and continue to loose the weight. The best part of Thanksgiving this year was the chair I sat in. Oddly enough, every chair in my parents home has arm rests on them. I sat down and something did not feel right. I got up and sat back down again. It was then I realized just after 30lbs of weight loss I can fir in those chairs and they don't hurt me anymor! e. I had to get up and sit down several times to get the full affect. My clothes fit very loosely on me lately and they are feeling much more comfortable. I feel like my life is slowly changing drastically. Friday July 2, 2004 Well I started this way back in November and never finished. I am now up 85lbs total loss in just 8 months. Words cannot express the difference it has made in my life. I am no longer a prisoner to obesity!!! What is even better i! s that my 2 older sisters are both getting their surgery done. I feel that I have motivated and inspired many people-at least that is what they say!!!!! I won't say that I have not been faced with a little "haterism" from some people-but that comes along with it. I am free to do whatever I want to do and know that my weight will not stop me anymore. In April of this year-a few short months ago I went to Six Flags amusement park. It felt great to sit confidently in the seats knowing that I will fit!!! Often times people ask me if I could go back would I still do and tell them "most definitely" the! only thing I would do differently is I would have went to see Dr. Aceves much sooner. It has definitely been an experience for me. If anyone ever needs to talk to someone who has had the surgery please tell them to call me. I would love to help anyone considering taking this journey.
Carolyn Gooding
goodcarol1@yahoo.com
OR
03/05/04
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
I had lap band surgery on Jan 8th of 2004 with Dr. Alberto Aceves. I went to Mexicali, BC for the surgery and I thought that Dr. Aceves was wonderful. He came to my hotel room the night before surgery and showed me around the hospital. I was admitted the next day to the hospital. I had a cardiologist and anestiologist come and talk to me. I then had a CT scan and several other tests performed. The hospital was very clean and everyone has their own private rooms. The hospital staff was very friendly and accomodating during my hospital stay. I was a little scared, but I was fine. I had a small complication after surgery, since I had quit smoking, I was taking Welbutrin and after surgery I had spasms in my esphogaus. Once the Dr. took me off the medicine and I was fine. I was so impressed with Dr. Aceves attentive nature. He came to the hospital at least 2-3 times a day to check on me. Nina was wonderful as well. She helped to translate things, when I was unable to understand something Dr. Aceves said. He speaks english very well, but Nina is there just in case. I searched for a surgeon to perform my surgery, but found that the cost was so high and my insurance would not cover it. Dr. Aceves price includes everything except airfare. I would highly recommend Dr. Aceves to anyone who is interested in having the lap band surgery. His bedside manner and follow up care are excellent.
Cat Thompson
baricat@yahoo.com
FL
07/11/07
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Let's face it. Flying across the country, being driven to another country and being cut open is a huge leap of faith. To elect to go to a foreign country and have gastric bypass surgery is just plain scary. But like everything else in life, there's a path that led me to this place.
After having been told by my health insurance company repeatedly that gastric bypass surgery was a covered expense for me and that I met qualifications, I embarked on required preparations for surgery. This involved having many tests including a 2-day protocol stress test, a psychological evaluation, a respiratory analysis, endless bloodwork, among others. The co-pays, at $30 a pop, came to no small chunk of change when all was said and done.
Then, after two months of testing and waiting, the written "authorization" from the insurance company arrived in the mail. Gastric bypass surgery, even in the face of my debilitating diabetes and other comorbidities, was "excluded." I staggered as I read the message, unable to comprehend what this page was saying.
Although I had been assured by United Health on no fewer than a dozen occasions, and although my surgeon's office had been told on 3 separate occasions that I was covered, what they were saying was clear: "Just KIDDING!!" There would be no payment for me to have this surgery. Sure, I had life-threatening comorbidities, but the message was (my words, not theirs,) "Not our problem." Sure, they clearly told me on multiple occasions that everything would be covered. Again, "Not our problem." I was at first incredulous. Why had not one "Customer Care" representative told me this, instead of the exact opposite??
I remember it all clearly. It was the day before New Year's Eve. I was devastated. I allowed myself the rest of the day to wallow in my grief.
Then, the next day I awoke thinking, "No WAY are these clowns going to tell me I can't have this surgery." I turned my anger to productivity. I knew I could do this all on my own. I would have mortgaged my soul to do it.
But no need for that kind of drama. I knew I'd go to Mexico to have it at an affordable price. After all, I had read on the bulletin board that I frequented, populated by many gastric bypass patients, that foreign countries, Mexico in particular, were the alternative for those shunted aside by US health insurance companies.
I started researching feverishly, and had it narrowed down to two. Both doctors had fans, and both had equivalent competence in the discipline. The reason I decided ultimately on Dr. Aceves was because of ease of travel. One doctor was in Monterrey, and flights from my nearest airport were limited and expensive. With Dr. Aceves, all I had to do was get a flight to San Diego and his driver would pick me up and deliver me to the hospital, where I'd have the tests on arrival day, then have the surgery the next. My surgery date was set for the same date I was to have had the surgery here. Being just 2 weeks away, it took some scrambling, but I made all the arrangements.
It's patent that the adage my mom always said, "All things happen for a reason" is correct. Dr. Aceves is, quite plainly, the best doctor a patient could ever find, from any perspective.
The flight went smoothly, and my husband met me in San Diego (he was away and flew in to accompany me down to Mexicali.) We met Ernesto, Dr. Aceves' affable driver, and we were off with one other couple.
We arrived in Mexicali about an hour and a half later. I was shown to my room on the first floor of Almater Hospital, where I met with Yolanda, Dr. Aceves' in-house facilitator. She went over the papers with me, had me sign, and took my cashier's check (the surgery totaled $12,100 which was a $500 off special price during the month of January.)
The tests were begun, with a nurse drawing blood. After all tests were completed, I had a friendly chat with the nurses at the station across from my room. While we were talking, a man approached from down the hall, whom I immediately recognized from his online pictures as Dr. Aceves.
He seemed amazed that I spoke Spanish. We started to talk about that, and then he transitioned into discussing the surgery and my past medical history with me, putting me at ease. We discussed the risks inherent in this surgery.
He was patient and at no time seemed rushed. This was an impression that never changed during the course of my stay at Almater. He would sit down in a chair in the room, next to the bed, and we'd talk about scuba diving (he's an enthusiast like my husband and me,) travel, his family, and all manner of interests. He even discussed medical lasers with my husband, who engineers them. Then, he'd ask about what was happening to me from a medical standpoint, answer my or my husband's questions, and tell me what came next.
We were told to go out and enjoy a great meal, a phenomenon affectionately referred to by all us gastric bypass patients as "The Last Supper." We went to an Italian restaurant that we could see from the hospital. The meal and service were fabulous.
Then it was time to go back to the hospital for the night. All rooms for Dr. Aceves' patients are private, and include a pull-out sleeping arrangements for the companion of your choice. So they helped get the bed ready for my husband and we slept very well.
The following morning, they arrived at my room at around 9AM and wheeled me into surgery.
That was the first time I met the internist who works in tandem with Dr. Aceves, Dr. Edgar Campos. He's a cordial, soft-spoken young man who has a reassuring way about him. We'd spend a lot of time with him, as it turned out, in the following days. I remember very little of my pre-surgical minutes in the operating room.
When I awoke, I was amazed at how little pain there was. Some discomfort, as would be expected, but I experienced so little pain that I just kept asking to get up and walking. I have no memory of it, but my husband says that a few hours later, I was up and off down the halls.
I did a lot of walking during that stay. My catheter came out later that night and my drain was removed on day 3. There was, however, repeated difficulty on stabilizing my blood sugars. I needed insulin injections for the first time in my life.
So although Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos were willing to release me to a hotel for the remaining 2 days of my stay, I elected to stay at the hospital so that I could be monitored more consistently. Dr. Aceves lets most patients not experiencing any unusual difficulties to spend a couple of days at a hotel where he checks on them twice a day. But he also allows the patient to stay hospitalized if that's how she feels most comfortable.
On day 2 (I believe - memory is a little fuzzy) I was taken to the OR suite, where a vertical X-ray machine is kept to check for leaks. I dutifully swallowed the gross-tasting barium, and was X-rayed to show a leak-free gut. Woo-HOO!
On day 3 my husband and I went out of the hospital and walked around the surrounding area. It was chilly and we returned after about a half hour.
When it was time to go, I said my good-byes with some sadness. I had made friends here, as well as memories that would last a lifetime.
A patient cannot do better than Dr. Aceves. He has called me twice since I came home, and Dr. Campos still calls me, about once a month to six weeks or so. Surgically, Dr. Aceves does an excellent job. My wounds have healed well and are small.
He and Dr. Campos speak English, so there are no worries there. His staff speaks perfect English, including Yolanda, Nina, Gaby, and Monica. They are all exhaustively patient and solicitous. As far as bedside manner, Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos could not possibly be better, because they are genuinely caring individuals and have much empathy for the situation and what the patient endures.
As for aftercare, because I live more than 1000 miles from Mexicali, there could be no actual "structured" aftercare. However, on any occasion I have called (toll free number) or emailed with a question or concern, the office has been consistently responsive in a timely fashion. I was given the final X-ray for reference of my doctors here, and detailed post-op care and eating instructions.
Whereas it has been noted on this website that 100% positive reviews are "suspect" it would be a disservice for me to do anything but give a positive review of this nature. The hospital was immaculately clean, Dr. Aceves is the type of surgeon that should be teaching in the US to convey to the newest crop of surgeons coming out of medical school how to truly give medical CARE. In the US, that operative word seems to be missing all too frequently.
Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos are an unbeatable team from any perspective. We make many choices in the course of undergoing gastric bypass surgery. One could not, however, possibly choose to have a better experience for this life altering surgery than by choosing to have it done by Dr. Aceves.
Dr. Aceves is the most amazing, caring, wonderful doctor that I have ever met! His staff is equally amazing! I had an awesome experience. The hospital is a 10/10! The doctor 10/10 and the staff 10/10!!! Everything was exxplained to me in great detail. I definitely recommend him highly! It's hard to say anything negative but I guess it's that they are checking on you constantly and they don't leave you alone. The drive back to the airport was long.
Dr. Aceves was the best. Very caring, dedicated and knows his stuff. My sleeve sista' and I met with him a month before the surgery, which helped since he is only short of a two hour drive. He talked with us for almost two hours and answered the pages of questions we had. He came in to check up on us three times a day. The whole hospital stay was great with Dr. Aceves and his crew. I would reccommend him highly.!!! Nothing negative to say about that man.
Its hard to do this without sounding like a commercial. Thats probably because this was one of the best, strike that, THE best medical experience I have ever had. The care was ultra professional and more importantly caring and expert. I am now 2 years post band and I can say that the level of care has not dropped at all. I am constanly contacted for updates and any problems are dealt with immediately. I had my daughter banded by the same team a year later. I consider Dr Aceves to be an excellent surgeon and almost as importantly an excellent and caring friend.
I had surgery 14 months ago. I intentionally did not write a testimonial until one year went by after surgery or until I met goal. Turns out, both apply here. I met my own personal goal at 10 months (-103lbs) and my other goal at one year, (-112lbs). I am done. The reason I decided to wait was because I wanted to see if I would be impressed with Dr. Aceves after the fact as well as after surgery. When you have weight loss surgery the easy part is really the surgery. The hard part comes after that. I wanted to know how a doctor in Mexico would treat a US Citizen throughout the weight loss journey, not just at the time of surgery. I am very impressed. My impression of Dr. Aceves 14 months after surgery is more positive than my first impression. When I met him for the first time at the hospital he made a special trip in to meet me as he was not at the hospital that day. But he knew that patients do not care to meet their doctor as they are being wheeled into the OR. So he came in to meet me. He was warm, comforting, and almost fatherly. He explained the band, how it works, what to expect, what the rules are (no carbonation, etc.), and what we needed to do to be successful. He kept reminding me that this is a tool and it will not do it for me but it will help so *I* can succeed. He was right. Everything he said that day (and repeated again the following day and the day after that) proved to be absolutely true. He also stressed the risks of surgery and told me his stats. While I knew there were risks with any surgical procedure I appreciated his honesty and ability to be clear and concise about possible complications, global stats, and his stats. I must admit, I was very impressed with his stats. However, I already knew his stats as I did my research before I scheduled surgery. I am a nurse, I had the opportunity to have surgery done at the place of my employment, Mayo Clinic. The problem is that they only had experience with bypass and not banding. Dr. Aceves had 1400 bands under his belt at the time of my surgery and that was 1400 more bands than the Mayo doctors had. Since this was my last shot at weight loss I wanted every opportunity to do well so I chose Dr. Aceves and I am glad I did. Dr. Aceves' office staff are fantastic! They take your hand and walk you through every step of the way. They show care, concern, and a willingness to step in and play the role of family and especially if you choose to go to Mexico alone. I was extremely impressed. If there is a negative it is that they wouldn't leave me alone. Someone was always coming in to check on me. Dr. Aceves, his asst. Dr. Campos, Sergio the head nurse, Yolanda the hospital coordinator, and then this does not include the hospital staff/nurses. So if I had any complaint it was that people were visiting me all day long. However, if that is the biggest complaint I have, I can live with it. In the US you are virtually ignored. Not so in Mexico. A word of warning to future patients: Dr. Aceves is about as conservative as they come. Two nights in a hospital instead of one night in a clinic and one night in a hotel. Inamed says fills are okay at four weeks, Dr. Aceves won't do them until six weeks. He requires a barium swallow after surgery, the stuff tastes like vanilla flavored chalk. They try to tell you it will taste good, they are not being honest. ;o) I don't know, perhaps his conservative approach explains his "better than average" stats with infection, erosion, and slips. After care was a big issue. Gaby took care of all my aftercare needs. She is the psychologist for Dr. Aceves. She is a gem, I absolutely adore her. She is kind, sweet, has a huge heart, and will do anything she can for anyone. Overall I would give him an A+++++. He did a great job, he took very good care of me while I was in the hospital, he was always around, he came to visit me three times daily. He answered all my questions and provided me with not just a safe surgery, but a successful weight loss over the last 14 months. He has been there for me every step of the way as has his staff. Nina, Monica, Yolanda, Sergio, Karen, Lucy, Dr. Campos, everyone. They are great. They gave me every tool possible to use and there was simply nothing more they could have done for me. They are all very warm and caring people that make you know they care about your health and your emotional state. They understand the frustrations and while they can't take the frustrations away of the weight loss process, they will hold your hand while you do it yourself. You really can't ask more than that from anyone. I would strongly suggest Dr. Aceves for your surgery. He is a good doctor but better yet, he is a good man that cares about his patients.
Great surgeon , gave very good care. Dr.Aceves is very personable and caring, makes a great first impression. Assistant surgeon, Dr. Campos, also very personable and competent. Both doctors were very present in the hospital and available for whatever you needed!!! Hospital coordinators, Karen, Yolanda and Nina were wonderful!! They made the transition for a non spanish speaking patient so much easier!!! As a nurse the only thing I was surprised/disappointed about was the fact that I did not leave the hospital with pain medication stronger than tylenol ES and then the bottle given was too many ounces to carry on the plane so I went 16 hours without any medication trying to get back home. I got some narcotics when I returned home which I crushed and that really took care of the pain. The trip home was a nightmare!!! I think my pain tolerance is lower than most though, I must say!!! Aftercare instructions were adequate but not the best in my opinion. Gabby, aftercare coordinator, has been wonderful answering any questions I have postop. She answers completely and quickly. Overall, would I return to Dr. Aceves again now knowing what I know? Yes, I definitely would but I would take my own narcotics along to get me home without so much pain!!! He is an excellent surgeon and a very compassionate person!!
My experience with Dr. Aceves was definitely positive. Not only was he wonderful but I also had access to an additional 3 doctors in the operating room and those doctors also did follow up with me while I was in the hospital. He was very kind, gentle, thorough and competent. The support staff and the hospital staff were all very lovely and helpful in general. The hospital was absolutely one of the cleanest hospitals I have ever seen - it was pristine. The only drawbacks with going to Mexicali is that I don't speak any Spanish at all (I am Canadian) and so it occasionally was inconvenient. I also am unable to see him in person for follow up - but I feel comfortable that I could contact his team via email and would be assisted with any generic questions. My savings far outweighed any drawbacks. Hope this helps! Jenni
He is a nice man, kinda shy but will talk to you like you are one of his kids. He tells you all about the surgery and that they are there to help you along. Office staff are all wonderful people! Very caring and quick to respond. The hospital he performs at is very clean and has wonderful people there. Fills are free for life. Hotel you stay at the night before is very nice and clean. Any other questions, please ask!
Yardley, PA
12/31/07
I had my LapRNY w/Dr. Aceves on 12/21/06. I was at my all-time highest--225lbs at just 5'4 tall and could barely fit into size 20. December 31, 2007 update. I'm slightly over a year out. As of today, I'm a happy and healthy 122lbs, BMI 20.9, eating like a normal person and wearing sizes 0 and 2 (so i guess it's still the same numbers as size 20, just broken up into individual sizes:) Still working towards my personal goal of 115lbs but, medically speaking I have lost 100% of my extra weight. Thanks Dr.Aceves!!!! I could not ask for better care, more attentive or professional staff, and cleaner or more comfortable accomodations anywhere. Natalie Houston, TX
Hi. I am Billie, Stacie's mother. Stacie started this page a couple years ago but doesn't have anything to do with it now as she sees no hope for surgery. Stacie was denied when she was 15-1/2 for lap-band because our Insurance company says it will only pay for the most effective form of bariatric surgery and they state that it is the Gastric Bypass. And they will only pay for that when Stacie is 18 or older. Stacie will have graduated before she turns 18 and will no longer be covered under my insurance plan. I am more than willing to self pay but do not have the $20,000 - $23,000 I have been quoted by three surgeons in our area. I am looking for a more cost effective location and am willing to travel as long as the surgeon is reputable. Stacie is a beautiful 16 year old who has never had a boyfriend, a best friend, or self esteem. I hate what she is missing out on just because she is overweight. I am extremely worried about her future health as diabetes runs in our family. ... Click here to read more
I did not meet Dr. Aceves until my surgery was already scheduled and I went to Mexico. He was very warm and caring. His staff is very well trained and waits on you hand over fist to make sure you are comfortable and all your needs are met. If I was told anything once, I were told three to four times. They made sure that I was very well informed from beginning to end! I would hear it from a nurse, the surgical nurse, the aftercare nurse, and from the Doctor. If you leave there not knowing something, it is because you wasn't listening. I can't say enough about Dr. Aceves and his staff. They are first class people!
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Dr. Aceves and his team are absolutely WONDERFUL! I had an awesome experience at Mexicali Bariatric Center. I highly recommend Dr. A and his team! The staff is wonderful. Dr. Campos is so funny! Everyone is very nice. The hospital was very clean and very pretty. The nurses were attentive. There is a very structured aftercare program. I will be keeping in touch my e-mail every week for a while, then every month for a year. I have some videos to watch that were e-mailed to me that explain what to expect. Dr. Campos talked to all of us the day prior to surgery so we would know what to expect and what to do. He is funny and had us all very much at ease. Dr. Aceves talked to us the day of surgery. He told us what to expect of him and what he expects from us. There were no surprises. I would rate Mexicali Bariatric Center 10/10. The only problem I had was that the wifi was down. We couldn't get online! Waa. Oh yeah, as far as cell phones: I have Verizon and was in and out of international roaming. I bought a phone card at the airport, but the hospital doesn't accept them. Communication was a little difficult but not impossible. Some of the others had different cell service, and their experiences varied.
Very polite and understanding, compassionate man, more first a humanitarian then a surgeon. Was concerned about my previous co-morbidities ie; 2 back surgeries leaving me using copious amounts of pain medications, concerned about how I could handle continuing with my pain management at least until my weight is gone along with the pain. He was upset that my husband had not eaten in over 12 hours and told him to get out the cafeteria and eat!!! There is ABSOLUTELY noting I can express to the negative about my Doctor, he is an angel from heaven, along with is support staff Lucy, Sergio, Karen, Nina, and Yolanda. Of course, I was not awake during the surgical competence part, but since he has done well over 1000 of these surgeries, I am sure he is quite competent. His bedside manner was stupendeous!! He could truly have been a Latin Lover at one time (but not overly so, so don't worry hubbies!!!lol. I would rate him a 10++++. The only observation I had was that there were no wash cloths either in the Hotel nor the Hospital, is this a cultural thing??? If I need to go back (perhaps stay in a hotel for fills I will surely take my own washcloths)
Was banded 7/28 by Dr Aceves. I was very impressed with him & his staff. He had someone with me from pre-op until surgery the next day. I was also pleased that he does surgery in an actual hospital & not a surgery center. If something went wrong, I knew I would be taken care of. Everything was explained to me in terms that I could understand. His patient cordinators are also very helpful. I had a minor billing issue with the hotel & Dr Aceves sent me a check to resolve the error! I will be going back for my first fill 9//22.
My husband(Daniel) and I are active members of a christian motorcycle group. Together we travel to bike rallies all around the US. Our vision is to get a bible in the hand of every biker. When we are not riding with the group, we ride together. My husband has a 1200 sportster, I have a 750 shadow aero. Yep you guessed it ,I am not a back seat passenger, I definately enjoy shifting my own gears. As far as my personal struggle with obesity goes, I am waiting for the Ins. reply. So anyone who reads this please pray that I am approved.
My surgeon was wonderful.My first impression was that he was very knowledgeable. That impression did not change over time.he is very knowledgeable. His office staff are very compassionate and understanding. They also really know what they are doing.The thing I liked least was that they were so far away from where I live. When you use Mexicali Bariactrics and Dr Aceves you should prepare to be treated like royalty. You will have every need met, from the time you arrive till the time you leave. This was the best experience I could have hoped for. I wouldn't change a thing. For Me traveling to Mexico was the right decision.
Excellent Was there from 7am until he said goodnite at 9:30pm. Was very thorough and explained everything in detail. Office staff were like family. You felt that you were the only one getting surgery. There was nothing I disliked -- it made a terrifying situation quite pleasant. Surgical competence & Bedside manner is 100%
I found Dr. Aceves and his staff very competent and professional. From the first interaction when the driver met me at the airport to the final discharge when the xrays and medical reports were given to me. The night prior to surgery I had a meeting with another Dr. to review the lapband as being a tool. He brought the actual lapband with him so I could see & touch what was going to be implanted the next day. He reviewed diet. Met with Dr. Aceves and he emphasized the idea of the "tool" and the necessity of diet.
Dr Aceves comes across as knowledgeable, patient and kind. His staff was very attentive. Almost all of the staff speaks english. I was very pleased with my Mexico experience and even recommended him to a friend who just had surgery on May 28th.
I had lap band surgery by Dr. Aceves on 5/11/07 and I was so thrilled with the hospital staff and the way that I was well informed of what was going to occur during surgery. I had lots of people say "you're going to Mexico, You're nuts" well it was a great choice. The staff was great! Lucy and Karen were awesome, they were very quick to assist you, and believe it or not majority of the staff spoke very clear english. Overall I had a great experience and would recommend Dr. Aceves to anyone.
Dr. Aceves was wonderful and so was his staff. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Each patient's concerns were addressed and the doctor and his staff met with us repeatedely to make sure we understood everything. I would recommend him to anyone considering surgery.
My first impression of Dr. Aceves and all the doctors and staff was excellent remained so. He and Dr. Cordova made sure I knew what to expect. They stressed how important the post op diet is. Since aftercare is in Mexicali Mexico, aftercare is not always possible, however since I live in Arizona I was encouraged to go back there for my aftercare. Overall, everything went great and I have no regrets whatsoever.
He was absolutely amazing! He was helpful, knowledgable, friendly, informative, and so many other things. Even though i was in Mexico, he spoke wonderful english. He checked in on me many times a day.
The Mexicali Bariatics Center is the most comfortable and cleanest hospital I have ever been in. The doctors there made sure you understood everything that would happen from the begining to the end of your stay. The nurses were very nice and Yolanda and her sister Mary Louisea went the extra mile to help me and my step daughter. I would recommend Dr Aceves to anyone looking for a comfortable and informative environment for lap band surgery.
all i have to say about Dr.Aceves is good.I have lost 62lbs. in 5 mos.I feel better than I have in a long time.Dr. Aceves & his staff are great.They make you feel at ease and they try to make sure that you understand everything they are doing at the time & what to expect in months to come. Anyone who is interested in having wls done,I highly recommend Dr.Aceves. Janice Flinchum Millington,Tn.
I am a registered nurse working at a level two newborn nursery. I love my job am hoping that losing some of my extra weight will give me the stamina I need for 12 hour shifts. My youngest child is 15 and my oldest is 21. My only baby is my pug, Pandora. My husband had weight loss surgery at the same time I did with Dr. Aceves in Mexicali.
Dr. Aceves was much more compasionate that the doctor we originally looked into in the U.S. He makes sure that each patient is seen by himself, Dr. Campos, an internal medicine physician and the anesthesiologist several times before and after surgery. His team strives to make each patient feel cared for, like a family member. He uses therepeutic touch and is a very warm person in general. As a registered nurse, doctors usually annoy me, but not Dr. Aceves. I wish he could be my primary care physician. Also, there were no hidden charges in the billing.
I am a 38 y/o female and I weigh 245. I have pseudo tumor cerebri and my docs say it's not a matter of "if" I go blind it's just a matter of "when" because my spinal pressure is so high related to my weight. I'm just starting the process of getting approved but my policy has a very specific exclusion. Wish me luck. 12/1/02 Well...I've been doing alot of research on the web using this site's links. I really feel much more informed. I've got the name of 3 different surgeons that are on my insurance that I plan to call tomorrow. I love reading the q and a's on this site. Everyday someone asks a question that I was thinking about. I also love to read the different profiles and see all the before and after pictures. It gives me such hope! I haven't started tackling the insurance issue yet. I have an exclusion and it's probably going to be a battle. However...I have a plan B. My husband has UHC insurance and they are having an open enrollment in March. So I have till then to... Click here to read more
Dr. Aceves was very kind and informative. I truely believe he wants everyone to be successful with their weight loss. His staff was friendly and these guys really work hard! He explaned all the risks and benefits. I would give him an A+!
Dr. Aceves explained the surgery in detail and answered all my questions to my satisfaction. His staff is wonderfully warm, caring and communication was not a problem. When I did not understand a word or their accent they were very patient about repeating what was said until I fully understood--and they were proactive about encouraging me to keep asking if I was unsure about the communication. Sergio is fluent in English and was present for before, during and after surgery to interpret for me as well as technicians and caregivers. The hospital is impeccably clean.
Before surgery and 1 year laterIf this is your first time visiting my journal, note that I update to thetop. Each time you return, you'll know right away whether I've updated. To begin at the beginning, scroll down to the bottom and work your way up. Thanks for reading and please email me if you can relate!A brief intro, written in December 2004:I live in Jamaica.I've been looking into WLS for about two years now. I believe it is a viable solution for me to a problem that will only get worse as the years go by. Here are my stats:35 years old---5'9" (175cm)---245 lbs (113k)---37.8 BMII am down to this weight from 260 lbs (118k) and 39.4 BMI.CURRENT STATS (June 06, 2006):150 lbs (68k) --- 22.9 BMI:: 06 June, 2006 ::I've been holding pretty steady at 150 pounds (68 K) for some time now. The other day I noticed that I'd dropped to 148 and it alarmed me. I hadn't been eating enough - I knew that.I do have an appetite, and sometimes I feel v... Click here to read more
My first impression of Dr. Aceves was that he is genuinely interested in helping. I don't often have that feeling with doctors. That impression has stayed with me. I had surgery in February of 2005, and Dr. Aceves continues to be available to me whenever I need him. He has been very good about communicating with my doctors here in Jamaica. He addressed the risks of surgery with me and explained the procedure thoroughly and clearly. His bedside manner is professional, courteous, and warm. I would like to see him develop a more structured after-care program, although I know that's somewhat difficult since most of his patients are from outside of Mexico. I am very proactive about my health and my program, so I have spent a lot of time working on my own long-term after-care plan. I don't think most patients will go to the trouble I have, but neither are most patients willing to be compliant on a long-term basis.***A special kudos goes to Nina, the patient coordinator. She has the patience of a saint, and deals lovingly with nervous patients and their families. She really made the whole experience much easier for me.
I am a 36 year old wife and mother of three. I have battled my weight most of my life and am ready for this step. After much research and thought (and prayer) I believe I see a light at the end of this tunnel. It has been a long time since I was at this site. I have been denied and am no longer able to pursue bariatric surgery. I have lost 53lbs on my own. I was so devistated when my surgery was not approved, but life goes on. I wish the best for all those who are on the road to better health. I am back, after 2 years and I couldn't seem to loose anymore I decided to self-pay. I went with the lap-band and had it done by a wonderful surgeon in Mexico, Dr. Aceves. My cost was $8,000. I am now 2 months post surgery and am going to have my first fill at the end of the month. It's nice to be back.
My pre-surgery interaction was with Nina his assistant so my first opportunity to speak with Dr. Aceves was on the day of my surgery. He was so kind and concerned. He did not treat me like just another procedure, rather like a real person facing some fears and having questions. We started a little late because he was in another surgery. He was performing a mastetomy on a young Mexican girl who had no insurance (he was offering his services for free) Just a little insight into his character. (Nina told me this) My impressions over time have just gotten better. He is truly concerned about me and my health. His assistant, Nina, was so sweet and accomodating. She picked us up from the airport and drove us the 2 hours into Mexico, stayed during the surgery and saw me everyday afterward. She also keeps in touch with me now with e-mails. Because I had this done in Mexico my after care was done with my private physician. But, Dr. Aceves gave me all my chart information including x-rays and the band paperwork. I have gone back to Mexico for my fills. All he asked me to pay was the x-ray room charges. $60.00. I was a little trepedacious about going to Mexico before I went. I am SO glad I did. I have never had better care in my life. I went because I needed to self-pay and it was so much cheaper. Now after everything is said and done, I would rather pay more and go to Dr. Aceves than having my surgery done anywhere else.
Jan 30, 2005 39 more lbs to my goal weight!!! The hardest to lose I know but I am my band's friend and know I can do it! This site has been really helpful, I would like to thank all of you for your continuos support. I know there are times I wouldn't have made it without you! Big Hugs to all !!
Dr. Alberto Aceves has been a very important part of my journey. A year after surgery I am still in contact with him and his staff on a regular basis. They have always been there to answer my questions and boy did I have questions. They are very patient.
I am 55 years old and have been dealing with weight issues since my early teen years. Weighed about 180 when I married my wonderful, loving husband - but that was only after being on Weight Watchers for a year or so. Gained weight during two pregnancies and have never taken it off, just kept gaining through various dieting efforts, and now am at an all-time high of 320#; my BMI is 51.6. I am on medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but really have been pretty healthy otherwise; good sturdy genes, I guess. So, I had just resigned myself to being obese and living with it. Self-esteem hasn't really been an issue; I've been able to have good jobs, have done a lot of "upfront" stuff at church, etc., and for the most part have not felt bad about myself -- though I knew I could look and feel better. Then, last May, I fell on our stairs and broke my ankle. To say this was a challenge is an understatement. I was non-weight-bearing on the broken ankle for about 6 weeks; h... Click here to read more
Absolutely the best! Dr. Aceves is so caring and kind - yet a true professional. He spent a lot of time with me and answered all questions patiently. I can't imagine a better surgeon. His patient coordinator, Nina Eguia, is FABULOUS. She speaks perfect English (the doctor speaks English also, though not quite as fluently) and was the perfect hostess and guide throughout the process. I cannot say enough good things about this great team. The anesthesiologist (Carlos) was excellent, as well; he checked in with me both before and after surgery to make sure all was well. Just to show how caring Dr Aceves is -- I was discharged from the hospital on Thursday evening, stayed overnight at the local hotel that night and Dr A came to the hotel see me in the morning before we checked out to make sure everything was okay. Unbelievable!
I became very interested in bariatric surgery, and started to do my research. After investigating many web sites, and talking to many people, over about a years time. I made contact with Nina, Dr. Aceves's assistant. It didn't take long to come to a decision after talking with her. I knew at that point, after dealing with insurance denials, that as a self pay patient, this was to be the route for me. I just can't say enough about Nina, Dr. Aceves, and the staff at the hospital. The only language barrier was with the nurses, but we were always able to communicate. I think when someone is nauseated, the language is universal. Happily, that didn't last long. It has been 3 months now, and I am down about 45 pounds. This was the best decision that I could have made for myself. My band started out very tight, and continues to remain that way, so I have not felt the need for a fill as yet, But, when I do, I will go back to see these wonderful people.
I am a morbitly obese female (234Lbs) who has attempted for the past two years SERIOUSLY to loose weight, with diet and excercise, with no luck. I have over the years done all the diets known from Atkins to WW and even drugs like Phen/Fen and Meridian. Lat two years I have absteined from all sugar, wheat and flour products while excercising still no weight loss. After long reseach I believe LAP-BAnd is the answer, I pray. Let me start the process -------- 08/24/2004 My insurance company, United Health Care Choice Plus, has a exlcusion for WLS so I will need to be self pay. After endless time spent online reading I decided to fly to see Dr. Aceves in Mexico. The process took only a week and I got my tickets for Sep 14 to fly to see him. I can not wait to start this. DH could not get the time from work and I feel better having my 6 yearl old stay in school so I am flying solo. --------- 09/02/2004 We are bording up for Frances. I can not believe that there is actually somethin... Click here to read more
Dr. Aceves is a warm and friendly person. He is very knowledgable and his english is good. It is obious that you are in a presence of a good man and a skilled surgeon when you meet him. Do not let his casual dress or big smile deceive you he is very skilled and knowledgable. He was clear in explaining to me with visuals, the difference in the bands. He showed me the Inamed band that I was to get, the box still sealed with a serial number. Later I got a card with the serial number on it. This was very nice since some of the mexican doctors have gotten a bad rap as to using the SAGB in stead of the Inamed. I know that my band is the lapband since I got the prof from my doctor, befoe I even knew to ask. His aftercare is great. I follow up every 10 days with my progress trough email, and I will visit him for fills. I think that overall he is a 10. His bedside manners are exceptional, he came and visited me several times for follow up. I also know that his surgical skills are exceptional. I had my band slip immediately following surgery. Had I choosen a less skilled surgeron, I may have lost my band. Dr. Aceves was able to correct the problem with a second surgery and my band was saved. Dr. Aceves is totally awsome, if only he was closer, he could do all my surgeries for the rest of my life. I can recommend Dr. Aceves sincerely and completely. You can not go wrong with him.
WELCOME! BELOW YOU WILL LEARN ABOUT MY STORY OF THE LAPBAND PROCESS AND HOW IT HAS AND WILL CHANGE MY LIFE FOR EVER Welcome to My Journey of Weight Loss ( Starting BMI 48.9) I have finally decided that I want my life back! Being over weight at least 90% of my life and like many, I am sure using every diet in the book only to loss and gain again. I am just now starting this journey and trying to learn what I have to do to get started. My husbands insurance doesn't start for another 2 weeks so at this point no idea if they will even consider the surgery.. Prays they will! Doing my research now for a doctor also, that alone takes some time. I have read so much on this site and I am just overwhelmed at the strenght so many display. Some of your journeys made me cry, but tears of joy for you more then anything. I hope some day to add mine along side the rest. For now, I just want to say Hello from Chester SC :) and would love any help, information an... Click here to read more
All I can say is he is A+++++++++++++++!!! This was one of the greatest experinces in my life! The staff and hospital were excellent. They truely seem to care about your well being. Dr. Aceves, comes in and explains everything to you. Even shows you all kind of different bands, including the one you are getting in a sealed box. He is very concerned about your aftercare and explains all risk to you. His bedside manner is just amazing! Only thing I would like to see improved on is help with speaking to the nurses. Nina his assistant can not be there 24/7, and the nurses speak no english. A card with words on it like, water, towel, hurt, ice, etc would be so nice to have. That way at least you can point to the spanish word to the nurse to get what you need. I am very satisfised with my overall experince with Dr. Aceves and would not change one thing about my whole experince.
July 15/04 BMI 37.2 I am 35 yrs old,..I am 210 lbs, 5'3. I have struggled with weight issues my entire adult life. I have lost weight many times,..but for all the time I have I have been obese more time then I have ever been even close to 155 lbs. I have sleep apnea, I'm certain I have had this all my life. During sleep study I stopped breathing 22 times in one hour. I sleep with a machine at night. I am getting bigger then I have ever been before. I had gestational diabetes with 2 out of 3 pregnancies and I can tell you that I have that same sluggish fall asleep anywhere feeling and I'm concerned about that now. I just want to live,..my life is on hold, I don't go do anything fun now because I allow my weight to keep me from doing it. I don't know what to do anymore though and I find myself at the point of total frustation and loss of hope. I have been on Atkins, I have been on weight watchers, I have walked and worked out diet diet diet,...always on a diet,..I'm so sick of it. I'm a... Click here to read more
I had been in touch with Nina prior to the surgery I had on July 30/04...Nina is a wonderful help,..she's quick at getting back to you and very helpful and just the nicest woman you'd happen to meet. She picked me up at the San dIego airport and we drove 2 hrs to Mexicali,...we talked and had so much fun, her english is fantastic. We got to the hospital at about 3:30pm and Nina got me registered and into my room,...I got one of the nicest rooms in the newer part of the hosiptal. It was very nice. Nina took me around to all the different areas of the hospital I had to go to to have tests done before surgery and she was my translator. I met Dr Aceves for the first time then,..he explained the surgery,..showed me the lap band and he was awesome. Bedside manner is wonderful. He's a gentle warm lovely man. I had all tests done and results back and in the operating room by 5pm and in recovery by 8:15pm. From then on it was just recovery,...you don't have to ask for pain meds,..they cme regularily,..I was never in pain in the hospital. The Altamer Hospital in Mexicali is clean as a whip,..they are constantly cleaning there. The people are so kind,..if Nina is there with you you will never not know what's being said. She left Sat some time...to go back to her family,..after that I didn't know so much about what was being said beause I don't know Spanish,..but Dr Aceves came in now and then,...and in fact,...I couldn't dial out on my cell phone, so I couildn't call home..on Sat night and I instantly began to feel like I was REALLY FAR FROM HOME when I couldn't call. He came in and said how are you,..and I said I can't call home. He just pulled his phone out and told me to go ahead and use his. Can you believe that? No dr would do that here in Canada. It's just unheard of. I had a wonderful experience with them. I am so grateful to them for the care that I was given. They continue to follow up with me, and they are only a phone call or e-mail away. I seem to have some sort of sensitivity to anesthesia, and I told Dr Aceves that. They made sure that I had a different cocktail of sleeping drugs so I would not vomit after surgery. I am also prone to infection afterwards...so he had me on anti biotics prior to my surgery and after. I am recovering just fine. I have lost 13 lbs in just over 4 weeks. I have gone from 210 to 193 on my scale. There scale seemed to be different then mine so I have only really lost about 13 lbs,..BUT...I am happy..I have not been hungry at all since my surgery. They gave me a list of what foods I could have and I started out following that but to be honest with you,...all liquids just made me feel hungry all the time. I did go to cream soups a couple of weeks before I was supposed to but I went slow and I just listened to my own body. I am eating fish and liver now,..I found a book that I have studied that tells what foods give you the absolute most vitamins and minerals and I am eating those while my body continues to heal. If you have anymore questions don't hestitate to write me at cindyhill@rocketmail.com If anyone out there is going to have lap band surgery with Dr Aceves and you're nervous?..I just want you to know that you really are wasting your time with fear. I feel so lucky because for some reason I felt so comfortable writing with Nina before,..and when I met them both,..seen the hospital,..I felt so at peace with everything,...knowing in my heart they were going to do everything they could to make sure I was content and safe,...I was not nervous. I was so peaceful. You should go into it like that too. It's so much nicer then fear. There is no need to fear this surgery or them...it's the start of a new life for you..and I think you've made the right decision in dr's. He is wonderful and I am proud to be a Dr. Aceves Lap Band Doll *giggles*! He looks so much better in person. On the website he looks like Saddam...in person he's handsome and kind and real. He's a very nice man. Stick close to Nina,..she's a fantastic help. I just love them! Can't say enough good stuff about them.
Hi Gang: i am doing great, and feeling fine. an update: my diabetes is under control without any medicine; my lab tests are all within normal range; my heart is good, but still a-fibbing; my weight is down to 300, down from a high of 377; i am losing about a pound and one half a week; i can eat anything i want, but the portions are very small i am adjusting all my meds downward because of the weight loss; my blood pressure is much improved. all is great and i am still glad i did the surgery and got a band instead of the bypass. thanks for your concern. i am fine. donald
It has now been nine weeks since I came to Mexicalli to have my Lap � Band surgery. I want to Thank you and your wonderful staff for the excellent care that I received while in the Hospital .I want you to know what a wonderful decision it was for me to have chosen you for my Doctor! Especially since I found you online! My experience was such a positive one, that I have openly shared it with any one that showed interest. The entire trip from Seattle to Mexicalli was the best decision that I have made in my life ,thus far. I have lost 30 lbs so far and am down from a size 18 pant to a 14. When all is done I think I will be a 6. You can�t imagine how that thrills me! You were accommodating beyond measure, by assisting me to find a plastic surgeon and dentist as well when I was there. You even helped me to stay within my budget constraints! Please feel free to have any one interested in the surgery call me. I will be delighted to share my personal journey with them.
I had surgery with Dr. Aceves in Oct in 2003 I found Dr. Aceves through ObesityHelp.com and found a lot of info about him on here. It listed his Medical and Clinical Exp and I found that so helpful. I am a disabled vet, so I decided to go to Dr. Aceves. His price is very reasonable, where as I found that all other surgeons in Mexico were above 20K. Dr. Aceves was very detailed in my preop care. I am 69 yrs old and he did a thorough consultation with me. We scheduled surgery for the 13th of Oct. The hospital was beautiful. Very clean and very private. They are very friendly and so caring there. I have to say that the surgeon and Hospital are A1. Very well kept and up to date, modern. It was like walking into one of the biggest hospital in the US, although it is a small hospital. I keep in contact with Dr. Aceves every few days about my weight loss. Nina is a very nice person and I would highly recommend Dr. Aceves to anyone. I go for my follow up visit with Dr. Aceves in March.
I am a Doctor, and had already looked into this surgery and knew about it. I had known Dr. Aceves, so I went for a consultation. He advised me to research the surgery as much as possible and to talk to post op patients before making any decisions. Which I did! I had various medical tests performed and overall about 3 consultations with Dr. Aceves. The office and hospital staff was very warm, and very hospitable towards me, and my surgery was complication free. One of the best things was that there was very little discomfort post op. I was up and walking within 24 hours and I drove home after 2 days. My recuperation was very quick. However, the hardest thing was getting used to, and sticking to my new diet.
Lakewood, CA
07/02/03
My husband Bob and I had surgery with Dr. Alberto Aceves.
Joann & Bob Edwards, Southern California "A friend of ours was going to Mexico for plastic surgery, so my husband I accompanied her. Once there, we were speaking with her surgeon about weight loss surgery and he referred us to Dr. Alberto Aceves. We met with Dr. Aceves and were very impressed with him. He was very thorough in his consultation and pre-op examination and testing. As a matter of fact, he provides you with a report of all your pre-op testing and thoroughly goes over them one by one and gives you the report to take with you for your own MD to have when you return to the states.
We both had surgery and could not have asked for a more pleasant surgical experience. The hospital was impeccable; it was a private hospital and one that was very clean. We do not speak Spanish, but there were no communication barriers whatsoever. The hospital staff was friendly and so helpful throughout our hospital stay. You did not have to ring for anything, as there was always someone there to check on you or get you what you wanted.
Dr. Aceves is a very caring and a wonderful Doctor. He would stop by two times a day to check on us, and his wife even stopped by to check on us. Our surgical experience in Mexicali, BC was wonderful. We could not have asked for a better surgical team, we highly recommend him."
Dr. Aceves was a very caring doctor and that was the first thing I felt when I met him. My first impression never changed. He was great. His office staff went out of their way to help you in anyway they could. I checked on Dr. Aceves for a long time before I desided on him as a surgeon. I couldn't find anything bad on him and by the time I left the hospital I knew why. He and his staff were wonderful. I wish I lived closer I would go there for all of my medical needs. I don't think I could say anything bad about him or his staff. I guess if I had to say something it would be the hour and a half ride back to the airport and the driver was great so it wasn't him. Future patients should know not to worry about anything when you are under his care. Even after I came home. They e-mailed me often asking how I was doing and answered any questions that I had. It has been a year now and they still contact me and ask me how I am doing. I don't know if it is a structured aftercare, but he gives you a lot of information and I was told to call anytime I needed to ask anything. I have a computer so I just e-mailed and ask. They got back to me within 24 hours. I could have called and got my answers right away though. He was very insistant that I knew all the risk involved in my surgery. I already had checked those out myself I told him, but he insisted he inform me so I listened carefully. He even told me things I didn't know about the surgery. The only negative thing I would say is that he will not send any pain meds back home with you because you can't take it across the border, but I just took Tylenol until I got home and I was ok after that. On a scale of 1-10 ( 1 being bad and 10 being very good.) I would give Dr. Aceves and 11. His bed side manner was good and his surgical competence even better if that is possible. I only had 1 thing negative to say and that was when he ask me if I was use to being in control and I told him no. He then said, "good because I am in control here." That made me a little nervous at the time, but I soon found out he knew what he was doing and I didn't need to be in control. This is just my personal experence and my opinion with Dr. Aceves and his staff. I don't know what other people have to say, but I know how I was treated there.
WILL BE MEETING HIM SOON. 05/06/08 Finally met my Surgeon The Great Dr. Aceves, Dr Lopez and Dr. Campos. Wow, I can only say great things about theses guys, they really are the best of the best. And the hospital staff all wonderful. I recommend anyone considering this doctor to take a leap of faith, you will not regret it.
here is what i'd like to tell you about dr.Aceves and his staff, i'm convinced from my experience's in mexicali that the dr. and his staff have your well being first in their minds. dr. Aceves, is a very serious man, who takes his job the exact same way. he expects and delivers the same from his staff. they all know what is expected of them and they do it. they are a very thoughtful and caring staff. the staff will do what ever they can to make your experience as comfortable as possible. watch out for dr.Campos though, he doesn't know as much about american football as he thinks he does. when i returned to mexicali for a fill dr.Aceves did give me a stern talking to about how i wasn't keeping up my end of the deal when it comes to my eating habits. and let me tell you, i deserved it. an amazing thing happen after that conversation. i started losing weight. being a professional eater, it didn't take me long to out smart my band. but after a good kick in the butt from the doctor i was on my way. here's what i can tell you about dr. Aceves and his staff. they are hard working group of people who have you and your well being in their minds and hearts. as for going to mexico for wls, my insurance didn't cover it in the states. which in the end was a blessing, because it led me to to dr. Aceves and i ending up saving money on top of it. if anyone has questions you are welcome to email me at 'biglouofkc@aol.com" i wish all of you the best big lou of kc
Very, Very Happy with the whole experience. I believe this doctor and his staff are truly outstanding. I would highly recommend. A++++++ I feel like I am leaving feedback on ebay.lol
Dr. Aceves In Mexicali. The Almate hospital, and the attending staff of Dr. Aceves are truly amazing, wonderful people. The hospital was the cleanest i have ever seen, and all the equipment and facillity were current. Dr. Aceves, has a warm likable personality, and is very knowledgeable in his field. A true professional. I found that to be true about his entire staff as well. I don't have a bad thing to say about my experience there. The only weak point i could point out was the attending Night staff. They spoke very little or NO English, but usually Dr. Campos was on emergency duty at the hospital, and was always available for questions, or concerns if there were any.
Before the procedure I emailed with the Doctor and his staff practically every day. They were awesome to answer all my questions and concerns, no matter how petty i thought they were. I was banded March 7, 2008. That day was the first day of my new life and Dr. Aceves made it possible. I arrived at the hospital, driven there by Ernesto, and I was very impressed. I know everyone hears awful things about the medical care in Mexico, but don't believe it all! I was there with others who were also getting banded. We had a tour of the hospital, given by Sergie (he was a doll) meeting Dr. Aceves, who was very personable, towards the end of the tour. Then we spent a lovely evening at a great motel, many of us enjoying our "last meals." That evening, the anestesiologists met with us, explained the procedure in more detail. Showed us actual lap bands for us to hold and ask questions about. I loved that part, never have I had a meeting with an anestesioligist before any other procedures I've had. They answered all our questions, they were very knowledgeable and thorough. Surgery seemed to go fast. Before I knew it I was waking up in my room. The hospital room was more like a motel room than a hospital. The staff was very attentive and caring. Dr. Aceves checked on me often and had wonderful bedside manner. And the chicken broth was delicious, who could have thought chicken broth could be so good. Several of us got the recipe from the kitchen staff (its made, not canned). After I got home, I had no problems. The staff checked on me frequently after I got home for the first few weeks. I had all the aftercare information I needed. I would recommend Dr. Aceves to anyone. Not only will you save money, but it was the best care I have ever recieved from a medical professional. I have had five other surgeries in my life, this was definitely the best experience.
My Mom and I went to Mexicali, Mexico in Feb. 2008 for lab-band surgery. We were both a little hesitant about getting "banned" in Mexico and especially by a Dr. we have never met. Our first impression of the hospital was great. It was very clean and the nurses who did our pre-op were very friendly! We felt very comfortable from the start. Dr. Aceves and his staff were amazing! I was personally visited by Dr. Aceves at least 4 times during my hospital stay and his assistants were in and out of my room, making sure I was comfortable and I had everything that I needed. I have been in the hospital in the states 6 different times having my babies and I never had the care I received by Dr. Aceves and his staff. I I would recommend Dr. Aceves and his wonderful staff to anyone!! Getting the lap band surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and having it done by Dr. Aceves was another! Thank you so much!
I accompanied my best friend to Mexicali for her surgery with Dr. Aceves. The entire experience was positive that now I am headed south for my own surgery. The "A" team is fantastic and I can't wait to join the losers' bench!
My first impression of Dr. Aceves was that he was a caring individual. He was relaxed, not stuffy, and sweet. The staff is great and I owe them a great deal. I wish I would have known about this site a long time ago, I want to shout to the world what a great doctor Dr. Aceves is and how WLS changes your life and all for the better. I am a nurse and other nurses I worked with all swear that the only Mexican doctor to go to is Dr. Aceves. I wasn't sure about it at first but after researching my options I finally made the plunge and went to Mexico. Best thing I ever did! I was shocked at how many medical professionals there were getting their own surgery. I have referred two other nurses to Dr. Aceves and will continue doing so! I like him so much I started working for him and he will be doing my revision surgery from band to sleeve.
My first impression was good, how did my impression change, for the better. I can't believe I was blessed enough to have such a great dr and his staff are amazing. Always there for me to ask questions, get answers and get a helping hand (or kick in the butt) what ever I needed at that time :) My Dr. in the states that I chose when I thought insurance would pay for lapband had a very strong aftercare program. I was actually considering paying for their aftercare program, even though I went to Mexicali. I just wanted to insure my success. I found that I didn't need any support groups meetings or nutritionist. I just stayed very active on Dr. Aceves' yahoo group and I have gotten all the advice and support I could ever need. Those people are the best and now I like to think I'm helping others that were in my position a year ago, with their journey. I would rate Dr. Aceves a 10 out of 10! He has the bedside manner, the surgial competence, the whole package!!
My first impression of Dr. Aceves was exactly what I had heard about him; gentle, soft-spoken, caring, almost fatherly, c a l m. Everyone at the hospital was friendly and reassuring. The particular weekend I was there, it was busier than usual and I could tell. I was so glad I had brought along "white noise" and ear plugs. I was comletely comfortable in my room. Patients should know that Gas-X is a must, at least it was for me. Having a nurse along, especially one that knows Spanish!! would have been ideal, looking back. The education before, during, and after was amazing. It still is. All of my questions are answered right away, either here on OH, or by email. I even have numbers I can call to access a nurse immediately, from Mexicali. From the day I decided to be banded, I never stopped researching, so I haven't had too many questions YET. Surgical competence is prioroty, but bedside manner really helps. I want to do all my follow-ups and fills with Dr. Aceves. What a great excuse to travel.
my first impression was he was very nice and down to the point all at the same time. My impression has not chnged at all. I would go back to him in a flash.They told me up front about the risks and also helped me to understand any question i had. They were great about anything i needed. I would refer them to anyone.
Dr Aceves and his staff were great. I was very satisfied with my surgery and stay at the hospital. I have had to coordinate my own aftercare as I have not been able to return to Mexico for fills and follow ups. I was provided with the name of a health professional qualified to do my fills, Kelley Fitzpatrick and have been more than happy with the care I receive from her.
I had my LapRNY w/Dr. Aceves on 12/21/06. I was at my all-time highest--225lbs at just 5'4 tall and could barely fit into size 20. December 31, 2007 update. I'm slightly over a year out. As of today, I'm a happy and healthy 122lbs, BMI 20.9, eating like a normal person and wearing sizes 0 and 2 (so i guess it's still the same numbers as size 20, just broken up into individual sizes:) Still working towards my personal goal of 115lbs but, medically speaking I have lost 100% of my extra weight. Thanks Dr.Aceves!!!! I could not ask for better care, more attentive or professional staff, and cleaner or more comfortable accomodations anywhere. Natalie Spector Houston, TX
I have tried many diets over the years, I will lose some and then gain it back plus more. My knees hurt now, I would be so happy with some weight off. I know I would be a much happier person weighing less.
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Dr. Aceves was the kindest, gentlest man, so warm and caring. It just got better as each time he would come to check on you. His staff was just as kind, Dr. Campos, Sergio, Yolanda, Lucy, Ernesto, I hope I didn't forget anyone. All of them are so kind and caring. He emphazizes after care very much, met with us the night before surgery. again twice before we came home, Yolanda came in and talked with us. I would say both surgical competence and bedsided manner are very important and Dr. Aceves has both. I would recomend him to anyone. I was alone in Mexico, a little scared until I got to the hospital and met everyone there. Then I had no worries. If you want a referrence, let me know.
Personal Comments:
1-26-04 I am a 38 year old mother of 5. Four of my children are very young. 6,4,2 and 1 and my oldest is 15. I have been married for 17 1/2 years to a wonderful man who is a great husband and father. My family is my life. I have been going through this approval process for about 6 months now. I want to have the wls but am still a little nervous about it because of the risk of complications. I have too many little kids to be in the hospital all the time or to die and leave them motherless but on the other hand, if I don't do something soon all those things are a big possibility. Except for my last pregnancy and my baby almost dying, this process of getting approved has to be one of the most stressful and depressing things I have gone through. Like the rest of you, I have gone to all the different Dr. visits, the Pshyc evaluations etc.. The worse thing is fighting with the insurance. It can be very depressing when your weight and health and all the bad side effects that cou... Click here to read more
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Dr. Aceves was the best, he was attentive and caring, he took great care of me and my family. He bet us at the door of the hospital, what Dr. does that? His staff was exceptional, the hospital was clean and orderly. He took care of my complications afterwards, insisting I come back so he could take care of me. I have never been treated better by a dr. or hospital before.
Personal Comments:
WooHoo!! 8 weeks post op and I am down by 20 lbs. I am feeling good and trying to get plenty of exercise. Hubby says I am already looking thinner thru my face, and I already notice a difference in how my bad leg feels...just having that small amount less to carry is amazing! God Bless Dr. Aceves and his team! I am setting up my first fill in the next couple weeks as I do seem to be at a plateau. I am now able to walk 2 miles on my lunch hour, and also am doing between 1 and 3 miles a few days a week on my gazelle. I am looking forward to spring already...and here it is just the middle of autumn...I will have 2 young horses to train in the spring, and I am looking forward to being able to ride them MYSELF again, instead of having someone else do it, because I won't be too heavy anymore by then. My current riding horse seems to notice the difference already too...now if hunting season would just be over so I could ride safely in the woods again...
Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Wow, he was so kind and made me feel so comfortable with my decision. He explained the entire procedure, diet needs and expectations, things that "could" go wrong and why. He seems to care much more about his patients than the $$, and didn't ever act rushed or like he needed to hurry off. His staff was wonderful (other than the 1st nurse who tried to do my IV, SHE didn't have a clue!), but he and Sergio, his private nurse came in and got the IV going with no problem at all. He is very specific about aftercare, diet to follow and explained the fill procedure as well. I was only under anesthesia for 40 min, the surgery was only 30, and I woke up feeling pretty darn good. All my incisions healed well and I only had a minor amount of shoulder pain to deal with. He and his staff are awesome, and his skills, I don't feel can be matched.
I started on line with the office staff - and they were great and very helpful. Thankfully the staff was very fluent in english. Everything moved right along and in a remarkably short period of time, like a week! I had a surgery date of Mar 5, 2007. When I flew into San Diego, Ca from Dallas, Tx they had a van waiting at the airport, drove to Mexicali to Almater Hospital where they did our pre-op test (EKG, Chest Xray, Blood work) and then on to the hotel for the night. The van picked us up next morning to take us to the hospital for surgery. Met with Dr. Aceves and his nurse and assistants, they went into great detail about the risks of the procedure and the fact that the band was just a "tool" it would not do the job by itself and that I would need to learn how to use my band to get the weight off. He showed us a real band and explained that we would get the serial no. and final barium xrays and all hospital work to take back home with us. It was also important for me: to know that he is on the American Board of Bariactric Surgeons. His office is in Calexico, CA but he does his surgery right across the border in Mexicali, Mexico. The hospital was extremely clean, beautiful marble bathrooms, a couch that they let my husband stay on the 3 days I was in the hospital. I had to ask them Not to come in my room one time they wanted to clean because the fragrance of the cleaning product bothered my nose and made me cough which was a little painful on my stiches!The day shift nurses spoke very good english. The late night nurses did not speak it as well, but I am sure if I had any problem they would have found someone to help. Dr. Aceves did a great job. No excessively long scar, no infections, came to do check ups regularly. He was professional but very approchable and would take time to talk and laugh with us. Everyone was really very friendly from Ernesto (the van driver) to the staff Nina and Gabby and we even got to meet Dr. Aceves' lovely wife while on an exercise walk. I was extremely nervous about the Mexico thing at first...but I know I got better care than I would have (and have had) in some US hospitals. I am so glad I had the lapband done and would do it all the same way if I had to do it again. I am 1 year 2mths post op, and 150 lbs lighter!!
To All of you who are contemplating bariatric surgery, in particular lap band surgery, I Highly recommend it. It will change your life forever. And, I couldn't recommend Any Doctor more than I would Dr. Alberto Aceves!!! I have been an R.N. for more than 25 years and a surgical patient a number of times, in a number of hospitals. I wrote a testimonial for Dr. Aceves on this site the other day, but now can not find it anywhere, so I will write another, because he is SO Totally Awesome!!! I had my lap band surgery on January 14 of 2008. 4 months ago today. Dr. Aceves and his complete staff and the Dr. that assists him , Dr. Campos are without a doubt in my professional opinion, that of my husbands (an anesthetist) and my opinion as a patient are Truly Wonderful. He is Highly Professional. He is Credentialled up the Wazoo!! Even being credentialled in the U.S. So, his credentials alone should tell you that he is a fine surgeon. But, in addition to that, he, Dr. Campos, the enitre staff, nurses, the hospital itself, etc. are completely and utterly warm, kind, compassionate, friendly, professional, beyond Very Capable and very knowledgeable. When I first started my research Dr. Aceves' website was the first one I read. I wrote down a lot of questions for a friend here in my small town who had had this surgery. She answered all of them. It happened that she had gone to Dr. Aceves 4 months prio,r. I had no idea. What a coincidence! When I first read all of the patient testimonials I thought MMmmm?! How can anyone be that good?! But, Believe me He really is. I can't think of one thing negative to say about him. He is the most kind, caring, compassionate, everyday, down to earth, man that I've ever met as a Doctor. If you decide to have your surgery done by him you will not regret it. You will be in the very best, most capable of hands. His staff makes all of the arrangements for you, keeps you updated on what to do, what to expect, and makes sure you are comfortable, etc. at all times, from beginning to past the end. They still contact me 4 months later to see how I am doing. The hotel you stay in the night before the surgery is wonderful. Clean, beautiful, the staff are So nice, So helpful, So Service oriented. You will think you are the Queen or King of your own Castle. The food is Great. You will have (as Dr. Aceves calls it) Your Last Supper, the night before. Anything and as Much as you want. The hospital where the surgery is done and where you stay postop (This is NOT a Clinic) for a couple of days, is very modern, and so clean you could eat off the floor. Each room is private and has a couch for family or friend to stay with you. The only thing that I could add is what the Dr.'s and nurses will tell you and that this (the lap band) is not a cure, it won't loose the weight for you. It is a tool! It helps you to loose the weight, but you have to make the commitment to work with the lap band to make the weight loss happen. That includes the DIRTY word.....exercise/walking. At first my advice is just walk slowly, even if you're just barely moving.....walk. It will also aide you on your weight loss journey. I have a treadmill and I walk (now for about 60 to 70 minutes) every night in front of the T.V. while we (my husband, the dog and the cat) watch the news, etc. before dinner. I have about (a little more) than half of my goal still to go and I already am SO Happy I had the lap band done and am SO Happy I had it done in Mexicali by Dr. Aceves. I had such a wonderful experience. From beginning to end I felt that Dr. Aceves truly cared about me. Dr. Aceves, nor anyone at the hospital ever made me feel like I was just some fat person. Before I went for my lap band I was pretty heavy (for me), 260 pounds and only 5'1". I think my B.M.I. was 48.1. Now, 4 months to the day I have lost 64 pounds. I am having So Much Fun buying new clothes "off the rack"!!! I know that I still have a little more than half my weight to loose before I'm done to my goal weight, but I do have to have clothes that aren't hanging on me to wear. The only thing that might be slightest bit negative is #1 bring a spanish dictionary, most everyone speaks english really well, but there are a couple of people that this would help in communicating your needs. #2 I had some discomfort after, and Dr. Aceves did give me a sublingual (under the tongue) pain medicine (it dissolves), but, other than that there's only extra strength liquid tylenol that he gives you for pain or discomfort. But, like I said he will give you another pain medicine if you need it. #3 After you get back and when it's time for your first fill, make sure you have lined up someone to do it. It my area (pacific northwest) it seems allot of the Doctors Won't do your fill if you've had your lap band done out of the country. But, never fear, you can always go back down to Mexicali (for a little R & R) and Dr. Aceves will do them for FREE for Life. I want you to know if you're going to have this surgery, you could not have a more positive experience from beginning to end, if you have it done in Mexicali, Mexico by Dr. Aceves, in this wonderful, spotless hospital. Don't Hesitate! Just Do It! It will change your Life! Janet Watkins Florence, Oregon 05/14/08
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Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
My surgeon was very knowlegeable and his team reiterated the things necessary to be succesfful using our tool. The hospital is clean and everyone has been just lovely! I have had virtually no pain at all. We had a pre-procedure intimate session with his assistant Dr Campos and that was very informative. |
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Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Dr. Aceves is Amazing! He is very caring and humble person. He took his time to make me feel at ease and to explain everything to me. His staff is Wonderful! They showed me constant care. Always very nice to me and my mom, who was with me. They all took extra care to make sure we were comfortable and taken care of. The hospital, has got to be one of the cleanest hospital that I have ever been to. My overall experience was AMAZING! It was the best decision I have made in a really long time. I'm so glad that I was able to get to meet these wonderful people who helped me change my life for better! |
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Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
I can't believe I did not know about this site previously! Dr. Aceves did my revision surgery from band to sleeve over a year ago and I am at goal! I have lost over 160# in a year!!!!!!!! I couldn't have done it without Dr. Aceves. I couldn't ask for a better staff! |
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Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
I just got home from my gastric sleeve and I can't say enough nice things about Dr. Aceves and staff. I am still shocked at the care I received while in Mexicali. The city was safe, the hospital was beautiful, the staff were great, and Dr. Aceves was beyond expectations. I could not have asked for more. My room had a flat screen TV, they were cleaning non stop and I'm sure the cleaning people were mopping the floors every four hours! The hospital shines. I had the best of the best medical care. If you are questioning if you should have surgery, question no more. There really isn't any pain, just a fullness from the gas used during surgery. If you question if you should have surgery by Dr. Aceves, question no more. He is a very skilled surgery and a sweet man. |
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Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Dr. Aceves and staff are just wonderful! I had my sleeve surgery done and I couldn't be happier. I received better care in Mexico than I have ever received in the US. I am very pleased with the entire experience! |
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Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
He was the kindest and most caring doctor I've ever day. He was truly a professional who knows his stuff....I couldn't have been in better hands. From the Dr Aceves down to the cleaning staff, I never met a more caring and wonderful people...the surgical nurses, the assistant surgeons, the floor nurses and the cleaners.....I was treated like a queen!!!! There was NOTHING I did not like about the whole experience. You should know that you will be well taken care of and that Dr Aceves only has your best interests at heart. The follow up care you are given in second to none and I'm sure you've never experienced in Canada or the US. The risks of surgery were addressed by both Dr. Aceves and the Anisthesiologist in a private one on one meeting. A structured pre and post operative program was provided with 24 hour access to Dr. Aceves. The entire bariactric program at Almater Hospital is 5 star. Both surgical competence and bedside manner with both exceptional!!!! |
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Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
Absolutely awesome! The best experience I have had in any hospital - either the US or Mexico. |
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Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
I had my gastric sleeve surgery by Dr. Aceves on may 31st. I am very happy with the results so far, I am still in my special pos top diet and am loving the results so far. Now about my surgeon. Dr. Aceves is hands down the BEST doctor I have ever had. The entire experience was positive and I have no hesitations in recommeding him to anyone, even my mom LOL. The hospital is beautiful, not huge but big enough to have everything a full size hospital in the US has. This was very important to me, felling safe, which bring me to Mexicali, a very safe city, right now you cannot be too careful. Everyone from the driver Ernesto to Dr. Campos, Yolanda, Lucy, everyone treated me with such respect, they made me feel special and cared for. I felt like royalty. I had a beautiful beautiful room with a plasma TV, caught up on my emails at the hospital, really a very nice experience as far as medical care is concerned. If you are consideing going to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali do not doubt it for a minute that you will have the best medicalcare posible. |
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Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:
I underwent Lapband surgery on January 6, 2008. Dr. Aceves and his staff could not have been nicer or more helpful. Almater Hospital was very clean, cleaner than some of the hospitals I've encountered in the USA. The hospital staff was friendly and treated me with respect. They also showed appreciation for my having decided to have the surgery at their facility. I was 58 years old at the time of my surgery, and staring the prospect of becoming diabetic in the face. I already take Lipitor for high cholesterol and didn�t relish the prospect of adding insulin as a new medication, nor being in poor health due to my obesity. Through the years I have tried various diets, lost weight, only to gain it back again, plus some additional pounds. By the time a dear friend, Myra, who�d had the surgery, told me about the Lapband I was sick of my size and my inability to take the weight off and keep it off. I did a reality check. In 30 plus years I have been unable to maintain a healthy weight, was I now going to magically attain that goal? Answer, no. Myra was the pioneer. She did all of the research on the Lapband, Dr. Aceves, and Almater hospital. She was e-mailing people who'd had Lapband surgery and getting all of her questions answered. Myra was kind enough to pass this information on to me, and to let me benefit from her personal experience with Dr. Aceves and Almater Hospital. Myra allayed my fears of going to another country for a medical procedure. I trust her judgment implicitly and within a few weeks I had the financing and the surgery appointment. Dr. Campos held a meeting the night before my surgery and thoroughly explained how the Lapband works. The surgical procedure was gone over thoroughly, and then explained again the following morning by, Dr. Aceves. Any nerves I was feeling disappeared. Dr. Aceves wanted to make sure that all of us knew what to expect before, during and after our surgery, as well as the benefits we�d be receiving from the Lapband. One of the benefits of the Lapband is the short amount of time a person is under anesthesia. Being older, I was apprehensive of any surgery because of the risk of stroke. I felt that the short duration of the surgery cut my risk considerably. I have not regretted my decision one little bit! I wish to thank Dr. Aceves for providing the surgery and the care afterwards at an affordable cost, something of which our American doctors and hospitals should take notice. My weight loss has been steady, averaging about 5 pounds per month. The day before the surgery I weighed 224 lbs and I now weigh 195. I am happy with my progress. I made up my mind that this isn�t a race to see how quickly I can loose, it�s my health that counts, and my reward will be a better physical condition. If there is anyone out there who needs to loose weight, can�t afford the surgery, and is afraid to have surgery done in another country, please, please, please reconsider. Dr. Aceves is extremely knowledgeable and an excellent surgeon. As I mentioned earlier, Almater Hospital is very clean, and something I didn�t mention, it�s modern. There are enough people at the hospital who speak English that language will not be an obstacle. Financing is available, check it out, you may find you can afford it after all, and be on your way to better health. |
Dr. Aceves, Dr. Campos, and Dr. Lopez all were wonderful. The hospital was spotless and the staff was continuously cleaning to keep it that way. The nursing staff could not be beat. They were very caring and concerned. They made me laugh and made me feel like I was the most important patient they had ever had. Dr. Campos met with me the night before surgery and discussed the surgery and post op care. He also addressed lifestyle changes that would need to followed to make the band work. I would definitely recommend these doctors and staff.
I thought he seemed like a very nice guy, and my impression did not change. He seemed very professional and caring as well as his staff. I don't think there is anything I don't like about him. I received outstanding care and he, as well as two other doctors, visited me daily. All three doctors emphasized the aftercare and diet. Yes, he has a structured aftercare program with diet and care of the wounds. He addressed all the pros and cons of the surgery. I would rate him as an excellent doctor overall. Both surgical competence and bedside manner are very important and he had both.
Lori D.
Hanover Park, IL
1/28/2012
Because I had my surgery in Mexico, I only "met" Dr, Aceves on these message boards. He is everything everyone has said before....he is kind, gentle, compassionate, friendly and so much more. I believe he is a talented surgeon. I'm not quite 3 weeks post op and my incisions are healing nicely. I have very little pain. I went back to work within a week of my surgery. I had surgery late Wed. afternoon and was back to work the next Wed morning. His staff is as wonderful as he is. Nina, preop, answered all my questions. Ernesto, the driver, was very kind. Yolanda and Blanca were with me every step of the way as was Dr. Campos. I wish they were local so I could see them all more. What a great team. I felt safe and secure the whole time. I believe both his surgical competence and bedside manner are both a 10 out of 10!
Aandasmommy
CA
11/22/2011
I'm a 26 year old mommy of two who traveled solo to Mexico to have VSG by Dr Aceves. I thought I would be really nervous, but I was at ease the entire trip! I was picked up by the driver at the San Diego airport and driven to Mexicali to the hospital. I hate having my blood drawn, and they were able to get my vein the first try! ( I have very small, deep veins) the hospital was VERY clean and the staff was. So friendly! I felt at home! After testing we were driven to a nice hotel a few minutes away. There was a very nice, inexpensive restaurant that I ate at for dinner. It was really good! The hotel room was nice and big! The next morning we were picked up and brought to the hospital for surgery. Dr Aceves came in as well as the other Drs to let me know what would happen and answer any questions. Dr Aceves put all my nerves to rest and I was excited! After surgery my pain was very little! The nurses took great care of me! The Drs all came to check on me several times during my hospital stay! It's now been almost three weeks since surgery and I'm feeling great! My tiny incisions Are almost gone! I would HIGHLY recommend Dr Aceves to Anyone and everyone! He's awesome and his work is impeccable!!!!
amidwife4u
OR
10/3/2011
I can not say enough how wonderful Dr. Aceves and his team were. The hospital was outstanding, The staff were wonderful, and the surgeon was top notch! I am so glad I chose to use Dr. Aceves.
Sweet_56
Saskatchewan, XX
9/24/2011
I thought Dr. Aceves and his entire team were amazing!! I love that they are super involved with the patients, and he honestly cares about your well-being. He has a good aftercare routine and you get a lot of information from him to help you follow it.. It includes dos, donts, ideas, and examples. He was very clear and concise when we were discussing the surgery, risks, possible complications, and the expected aftercare protocol. I think this man is one of the best at what he does and his experience, extremely low complication rates, and variety of surgeries he does shows that. The entire team has excellent bedside manner... I saw Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos EVERYDAY while I was in their care... Even Sunday his day off!!! My Only regret is that he is soo far away or I would be sure to continue all my aftercare with him in Mexicali!!!
CSAL
BC
8/22/2011
Sleeved August 17/11
Excellent care..from the time I was met at the airport to the time I was dropped off. The hospital ( at least the section that Dr Aceves is in) runs like a well oiled machine. I only wish we had care like that in Canada.
I have no complaints....everything was explained in detail and the Dr spent about 45 min talking to me before the surgery about the lifestyle change I was making and how the operation is basically a tool but I am the key to my success.
Actually the care from my 1st contact with Nina and Yolanda was exceptional. And Ernesto is such a gentleman..... Oh and all those Mexican Dr's are yummy to look at too!
Suzanne B.
OR
7/25/2011
It is never too late in life to consider having WLS (Weight Loss Surgery). I was 63 years old when I had the surgery. I never had a weight problem until after having two children. And then I seemed to struggle with being overweight for years. I now know all the reason why, I became less active, and ate more than I should have. I have tried most of the diets that you have tried, some with success and most no success. But, I would always manage to gain the weight back because I NEVER changed my lifestyle. My top weight was 235 lbs and I am 5―3†tall. My body hurt, my back ached and I had a pain in my leg that felt like I had a hot poker burning me most of the time. So I must have had a high tolerance for pain. Because I remained fat for many years.
I worked with a friend and noticed that she had lost weight, so I started asking her questions. Then she told me about going to Dr. Aceves, MD in Mexicali during the summer. She is a nurse and I really trusted what she was telling me. She directed me to his Web Site and then to the Yahoo Support Group site. I researched WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) for about 6 months before I made a choice. I sat and watched the people on the Yahoo Support Group and never said much for quite sometime. I read all their postings and was getting a lot of information. Now I have learned that is pretty normal for newbie―s to sit and watch for awhile. Then I was sure I wanted to have WLS and my choice was VGS â€"referred to as the “Sleeve.†So that is the start of my Weight loss journey.
I just didn―t wake up one morning and say “oh in October 2008 I am going to have WLS.†I went through a process of getting here. I believe you have to have your “head†in the right place for this to be successful. I felt awful, I hated my body, and I wanted to be healthy again. If I walked very long my back and leg would hurt. I knew my head was in the right place, when I put myself ahead of everyone else. So many of us are care takers of everyone else and we come so far down on the list of taking care of ourselves. Be prepared for the opposition that you may face from your own family and friends when you tell them that you want to go to Mexico and have weight loss surgery. I believe that we really need to educate them so that they know exactly what we are doing and how safe it is. But this is about YOU and NO one else. You have to be willing to stand up for yourself; you have earned the right to do this. Believe in yourself enough and want this enough to be successful. You also can go and not tell them what you are doing. This is entirely up to you. You can bring a family member or a friend with you too if you feel you want someone to come along with you. Your room will be big enough for them to stay in it. They have some nice sofa―s that your family member or friend can sleep on. I went alone and was just fine. I also went back in April 2009 with a friend of mine who had Weight Loss Surgery after seeing how I was doing. She is at her goal now too, and is just as happy and thrilled as I am with the results.
About 5 years ago I met and fell in love with the most wonderful man. I had been single for 18 years. He is an amazing man and loved me for just who I wasâ€"overweight. It didn―t matter to him that I was fat. He has been very supportive and encouraging every step of they way. I can―t begin to tell you all the beautiful and wonderful comments that he gave me then and NOW. I had the surgery because I wanted to become healthy and wanted the opportunity to spend the rest of my life with Bob. Bob could have cared less if I had this surgery, it was my choice. Bob and I were married May 29, 2010 in Cannon Beach, Oregon on the beach.
My weight loss journey has been incredible, and I have learned so many things about myself. Food is no longer my driving force. I eat to live not live to eat! When I eat, I actually think about putting good and healthy foods into my (new) 65 yr old body! What a thought. When I am eating I now look for the protein first because I try to make sure I get 70 grams of protein per day and then my veggies and some fruit each day. I started keeping track on line what I was actually putting in my body so I would have some idea of the number of calories I was eating each day. I started an exercise program which was just walking and to this day I do some kind of exercise at least 5 days a week. It is mostly walking. I was the person who HATED to exercise and now I actually look forward to getting up early and go walking with some of my friends. Bob and I are very active people so we are always doing all kinds of walking.
I never imagined what life would be like almost 2 years later. And the new clothes that I have purchased since I am a size 8 or 10 depending on who makes the clothing. I see people who haven―t seen me in sometime almost walk right past me because they don―t recognize me. Then they figure out it is me and want to know how I lost all this weight. I have had them ask me if I have been ill and I always give them a big NO! I am more than happy to educate them about the “Sleeve†weight loss surgery. I am very proud of taking control of my life. There is NO shame in making the choice to have weight loss surgery; it takes more courage to have the surgery than to keep failing at all the diets you have tried. This is not a miracle cure where the weight just melts off you. It takes effort on your part to take this new tool you have been given (a new small stomach that only holds 6 to 8 oz) and eat healthy and exercise, but it is going to work and you will be able to maintain your weight loss because you have changed your lifestyle. I never consider myself on a diet, but that I have made a lifestyle change that is going to add years to my life. I am healthy now for the first time in many years. I am not afraid anymore that I will regain this weight. I know that it will never happen because of my restriction I have with a smaller stomach and my lifestyle change that is so easy to do day in and day out. I NEVER feel deprived when it comes to food. I listen to my head when it “says no more food I am full.†I know that I need to stop eating and it is OK to not clean your plate and it is OK to toss the food out.
There are so many things to be thankful for. The first thing I am so thankful for is Dr. Aceves; there aren―t not enough adjectives to describe this wonderful gifted doctor. Dr. Aceves genuinely cares about each patient he takes care of. Dr. Aceves will answer all your questions until you are comfortable with what he is telling you. Dr. Aceves is such a talented surgeon, and if I lived closer he would be my Primary Care Physician. Dr. Aceves is down to earth, very kind, intelligent, and honest with you. You will receive the most wonderful care from Dr. Aceves and his team of doctors and nurses. Dr. Aceves comes into your room several times a day and checks on you after your surgeryâ€"where in the US will a doctor do this? Most of the staff speaks excellent English. Almater Hospital is the cleanest hospital I have ever been in. They are cleaning 24-7. The hospitals in the US could take some lessons from this private hospital in Mexicali. I would go back to Dr. Aceves in a heartbeat for anything!
I still am shocked when someone calls me skinnyâ€"I thought who me skinnyâ€"no way? But, it was me they were calling skinny. This is something that you have to learn to get used to hearing. People treat you differently when you are thin. This is so unfair. We are just like everyone else when we are fat and the skinny people just don―t get it.
I am so thankful for my great healthy. I only take about ¼ of the medication I used to take when I was fat. That is because I have become so healthy and I make the choice to eat healthy. Now I won―t tell you that I haven―t had and cake, cookies or ice cream since I had Weight Loss Surgery. I have, but in small tiny amounts and not all the time. My body now craves good healthy protein; fresh veggies fixed how you want them, and a small amount of fruit. You need to watch the types of carbs that you are going to eat and keep track of what you are eating when you first start your journey in weight loss. There are quite a few places on the Internet that you can write down and track what you are eating to make sure you are keeping your calories at about 800 per day. The best part of about this weight loss surgery is that I NEVER feel hungry. Your mind tries to play tricks on you. So you have to stop and have a talk with yourself. Do I really need to eat or do I just want to eat because that is part of my old bad habits? In the past I really ate large amounts of food all in one meal. We also are given large plates of food when we go out to eat. NONE of us need to eat this much food and that is why we got fat and stayed fat. Now I eat small amounts of food, and I am satisfied and feel great. When we go out to dinner now Bob and I share one meal. We as a society also eat too fastâ€"I feel like I used to inhale my food and really not enjoy it. I took large amounts of food and shoveled it in my mouth and inhaled it. Now I take small tiny bites and chew it a lot.
Weight Loss Surgery really has changed my entire life and it is all for the better. Weight Loss Surgery is a life changing event. Hold on to your hats because this is going to be the ride of your life. You will NEVER have one regret. You will only wish you would have done this years before. I think it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I am extremely impressed with the entire experience. Dr. Aceves―s patient coordinator Nina has always been very prompt, informative, and courteous with her replies. She is there for any question that you may have. I think this lady works 24 hours a day, because I always received an answer back right away. Nina is awesome and gives you so much support and help before you go and after your surgery too. DO NOT have any fears about going to Mexico, It is VERY safe in Mexicali and they ALL take such great care of you along your Weight Loss journey. I think we all have the wrong idea of what Health Care is like in Mexico, until we go there an experience it ourselves. It is far superior over anything that they have in the United States.
I feel so much better and I would like to say I feel 20 years younger. Life is fabulous, and I did this for ME and NO one else. I know I will never be fat again in my life. I thanked Dr. Aceves for what he did for me and he said “I only gave you the tool to achieve your Weight Loss, give yourself the credit for making it work.†I still want to say Dr. Aceves you are the BEST!
smw_77
NC
6/28/2011
I was sleeved by Dr. Aceves on June 23, 2011. The whole experience was seamless and well coordinated. From the moment I was picked up by Ernesto in San Diego I knew that I was in excellent hands. Ernesto shared his own story of having the VSG and how his quality of life has dramatically improved since losing 100 pounds!
My first impression of Almater hospital was how warm and friendly the staff are AND how clean-clean-clean the hospital is (everywhere!)!!!!! When we arrived at Almater Hospital Lucy was anticipating our arrival and completed our pre-op tests within an hour. Lucy has an excellent sense of humor and goes out of her way to make patients feel comfortable. I forget the anesthesiologists name but he was excellent and informed us of everything we needed to know about the surgery and how he would be supporting us. Everyone on staff is warm and personable. Yolanda (Nina's mother) did our paperwork with us and gave us a much needed pep talk about how we were embarking onto a new chapter of our lives and that we should celebrate this. She also gave us warm and reassuring encouragement to ask for anything we need to make our stay in the hospital more comfortable. We left the hospital to check into the Crowne Plaza for the evening (it's beautiful!!!) and enjoyed a scrumptious last meal and a few golden margaritas;-)
The morning of surgery we were met by Ernesto in the lobby of the hotel and taken to the hospital. After checking into our rooms I met with Dr. Campos (who is so cute:-) and discussed any last minute questions and concerns. Dr. Campos was also sleeved by Dr. Aceves and he is looking good;-) I really appreciate how he took the time to check in on me throughout my stay at the hospital and was very responsive and patient with me. Sergio also came in to introduce himself and show me how to do my breathing exercises. Sergio is so cool and has a great sense of humor! He really put my worries to rest:-)
Meeting Dr. Aceves was nothing short of humbling. He has an exceptional success rate with his patients and when you speak with him you feel his passion, care, and committment to providing the highest quality of care to every patient he encounters. He is very warm and kind and I felt like he was more like a father to me than a surgeon. He checked in on me often (3 times a day) and always demonstrated concern for how I was feeling. A very gentle, caring, humble man.
My surgery went smooth---no complications at all! I was able to get up and walk after surgery, had a bowel movement a day later, and 4 days post op no longer need any gauze to cover my drain because it has closed and is dry. I did have really bad nausea from the anesthesia but I will tell you that this is the first surgery I have ever had (I'm 33) and my mom thinks that I am healing remarkably.
I am so grateful to God, my family, and Dr. Aceves for having this new chance at a healthy life! I am humbled and ready to give it my all! Dr. Aceves strongly encouraged me to keep in touch for at least 5 years---he even told me that I could stay in the hospital for as long as I want to and that I should meet a Mexican husband:-) I would have loved to stay longer and hope to return to Mexicali in 6 months to a year for a post-op visit with Dr. Aceves. I should also note that my mom and I met some really great WLS surgery patients that ended up being like family to us by the time we left. Keela and Shaheed we love you guys!!!!:-) Keep in touch!!!
I have to tell you that even if NCBCBS did cover the sleeve I still would have gone to Dr. Aceves!!!!!!
He is the BEST!!!!!!
Lisa P.
Orange Park, FL
4/27/2011
I was a patient of Dr. Aceves. He was so impressive, as was his staff. Everything was so clean and they nurses were very kind and caring. I felt well taken care of. I am happy I went to him. I know some people freaked when I said I was having this surgery in Mexico but I dont think I would have rather had it anywhere else, except with Dr. Aceves at Almater Hospital. I can't stress how CLEAN it was! And the drs and nurses were sweet and joked around with you. This was a great experience and if I can put anyones mind at ease, please don't hesitate to write me.
lizdietz
4/7/2011
I found Dr. Aceves to be a very caring doctor and very professional. I am 7 months out from my surgery and have not experienced any medical problems at all, my surgery was a success.
Dr.Aceves checked in several times a day. He kept me advised every step of the way pre and post op what had and would transpire. He has an excellent bedside manner. You cannot find a doctor more caring, knowledgeable, attentive, proficient anywhere. Possibly equal but not better.
My experience in Mexicali with Dr. Aceves and his team was 10 out of 10.
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Madero 1119-2, Colonia Nueva | Mexicali, BC 2110, Phone (U.S.): 619-962-8142
U.S. TOLL FREE: 1-888-344-3916 | Fax: 619-923-2600