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.
   
     

Tracy 

Personal Comments:

Jan 16 2005 I am 34 years old. I weigh 277 as of today. I was overweight as a child and was unhappy. When I got into high school, I lost weight and was thin for most of the 4 years. When I was 19, I joined the Navy. I was very physically fit during that time and even taught the base's aerobics classes. Then I got pregnant and everything I had learned, all the self discipline I had, went out the window. I "ate for my child" and was 75lbs heavier by the time I had him. 2 years later, and still at the same weight, I had my second

child and gained even more. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after my second child. I have been overweight ever since, and that was 13 years ago. I have tried every diet under the sun, from medically supervised shake diets, herb life, slim fast, Atkins, you name it, I tried it. I would lose, and gain it back. I am sure it is the same for most obese people out there. The most success I had was on Atkins. I maintained my weight loss for 2 years until a new doctor ......Click here to read more!

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 nauseous 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! My web link is www.tracyslapband.com

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"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; hopping around on my 'good' leg was agony; showering only with assistance; trying to use crutches to haul this weight around; finding out about being dependent on others and how inaccessible some places are. With our bedrooms being on the 2nd floor, I had to literally crawl upstairs at night and slide down on my rear. It was not pretty!!

That ordeal made me think more seriously about the future: would I become so fat that I'd have to have my husband (or who?) move me around in a wheelchair? Would I be incapacitated by my own indulgence? Thinking about any kind of life in retirement - the things we said we wanted to be able do - became clouded by what I imagined I might be like by that time.

I never thought WLS was an option for me because of the cost. I have Kaiser insurance, which is good in most circumstances, but I knew from a friend's experience that they basically have a lengthy and difficult program that does more to discourage than encourage bariatric surgery -- and they only offer gastric bypass. When I happened onto this website, and others, I found the lapband procedure more to my liking. AND I discovered that surgery could be done in Mexico for a whole lot less money by doctors with lots of experience in the procedure. Suddenly, the light came on in my head and I found myself thinking it might just be possible.

I opened up to my husband and he was immediately supportive. Now we've done some refinancing of our house to get the necessary cash. I have chosen Dr. Aceves in Mexicali for my surgery and the date is set for January 19, 2005! Am so anxious to get on with it and be among the losers! Another exciting thing is that a very dear friend (actually, my cousin-in-law) has decided to join me and we'll be having surgery the same day. We are pumped and ready for the journey...Click here to continue

Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:

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!

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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.

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FYI, My Starting BMI was 41.9... (there should be place to put Starting BMI & Current BMI on here!!) (Pre-Op 6 Months) 02-2004 I am 40 years old, over 250 lbs, and I have carried weight all my life. After I turned 40 and realized how miserable I was and how poor the quality of life had become, since I could no longer even participate in things I love, like tennis, running, roller blading, bike riding, hanging out with my nephews

and nieces, I started researching gastric surgery and got pretty far in the process, the testing and pre-qualification.

However, I was denied by our insurance immediately (United HealthCare EPO) PLUS put on "hold" by psych evaluation (Stephen Ritz), even though my Primary Care Physician, Dr. Bram Weiskopf, was all for it. The weight loss surgery doctors I researched and met with were Dr. Champion, and Dr. Daly both in the Atlanta area, and Dr. S... Click here to read more

Dr. Aceves is wonderful, as is his staff. The Almater Hospital is clean, efficient, and the staff VERY ATTENTIVE. The language barrier was NOT a problem, as Dr. Aceves speaks English, as does Nina, his coordinator, and most the staff have enough to help you... I have had very little pain or discomfort. I think what hurt the most was the IV going in! ha.

I would recommend ANYONE that has to pay for the surgery themselves to consider Dr. Aceves as an option. He is very personable & caring, I am still in touch with him and his staff almost 3 months after my surgery, they do NOT let you just slink away. There is a group on Yahoo for Aceves' patients that has proved most valuable to me and others going through the same process.

I am really glad I did the lap band, too, as the whole cutting up and rearranging organs was sounding risky & scary to my husband. I had plenty of weight to lose (at least 100 pounds), but we worried RNY would be too drastic. I like that I can have it removed quite easily if I ever needed to. You can go to www.mexicolapband.com to check out Dr. Aceves' website.

I had my Lap Band surgery on August 12th, I went to Mexico because I had to pay out-of-pocket. Anyone getting frustrated/ turned down with insurance, invest the approximately $9,000 in yourself and get down there and get it done.

K

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If this is your first time visiting my journal, note that I update to the top. 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---5'8" (173cm)---245 lbs (113k)---37.8 BMI I am down to this weight from 260 lbs (118k) and 39.4 BMI. CURRENT STATS:206 lbs (93.4k)---31.3 BMI. Click here to read more.

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 satisfied with my overall experience with Dr. Aceves and would not change one thing about my whole experience.

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Comments About Dr. Alberto Aceves M.D.:

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 hesitate 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.
 
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Personal Comments:

 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 bariatric 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.:

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 "hetaerism" 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.
  
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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."

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.

Coming Soon!