"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. rnWhen 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. rn 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. rnThe 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. rn 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. rnBefore 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. rnThe 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.rnI 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. rnDon't Hesitate! Just Do It! It will change your Life! Janet Watkins Florence, Oregon 05/14/08"
