• Name: Leslie Dabbs
• Age: 25
• Surgery: Lap Band Revision To Sleeve
• Surgery date: April 7th, 2015
• Testimonial date: April 20th, 2015
• Surgeon: Dr. Almanza

I had surgery on April 7, 2015. I was scared to death to go to Mexico but it was the best decision EVER.

The doctors, nurses, and all other staff take really good care of you the entire time that you are there. I even got to leave a day early to return home.

The first day when I got to San Diego, CA, my mother and I were waiting for the driver to pick us up. Oscar is the driver who picked us up and he is very nice! Let me tell you though... the drivers in California AND in Tijuana are nuts!! So hang on to the seat when you're in the van!!! Hahaha! The first day, the driver (Oscar), took us to HMN hospital for lab work and a check up by a physician (I can't remember his name but he was super nice!). They draw blood and do an EKG and a quick physical assessment. We also signed paperwork for our upcoming surgery. The paperwork was in Spanish but the staff will explain it to you if needed/wanted. That night we stayed in the Hotel Real del Rio which was very nice. I loved the oversized seating in the lobby and the cool breeze that came in. The only thing I didn't like was smelling the restaurant (It smelled SO GOOD) and I wasn't allowed to eat (oh well!). We met the nurses who are at the Hotel, one of which was Heidy who was very sweet (I can't remember the others names but they were all very nice). I know some people are afraid that the staff doesn't speak English and its true that some don't but you can get your point across. There are many who do speak English and that helps too. I had no problems with any of the language barrier.

Day two we are taken from the hotel back to the hospital and given IV's and dressed in gowns and had our legs wrapped up. We then met with Dr. Almanza who was very nice (and handsome, it's true!) and explained the procedure. He starts off warning that his English is not very good but I understood everything that he was telling us. He also had a very nice nurse by his side, her name was Cecilia. She was great.

After that, you get taken back to get started on whoevers surgery was first. Mine was actually the last of our groups but because I have a higher BMI and I was also having a revision surgery. I remember being taken down to the operating room waiting area. I was lying in the bed getting super nervous. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me something and I was out! The next thing I remember was waking up back in the hospital room. I will say that night I had trouble... but only because I am prone to being nauseous anyway. I never really had any pain, only nausea which was to be expected.

The procedure went great. My stitches looked nice.

We stayed in the hospital overnight and the next day went back to the hotel. We were checked on by the nurses in the hotel twice daily (or more if needed) and also another doctor came around to check on us who was very nice.

Two days after the procedure, we had a leak test done. The blue water honestly doesn't taste bad. The clear stuff you drink at the radiology place is TERRIBLE!! Just hold your nose and chug it. After we were finished, we got a copy of our x-rays of our new little stomach.

After we got back to the hotel, the same doctor came around showing us what were looking at on our x-rays (any leaks) and was explaining more of the after care. That night when the nurses came around, they took the drain out which felt...weird... it did not hurt... just... different.

So, all-in-all, I had my surgery on a Tuesday, leak test on Thursday, and I left and flew home on Friday. :)

It was a GREAT experience. I would recommend this to anyone!

• 

* This is an actual testimonial, however, your results may vary. For more information, please read our Testimonial Disclaimer and Risks of Surgery.