Dr. Alejandro Lopez-Ortega Bariatric Surgeon MD

It has only been little over two months since I had my Gastric Sleeve Surgery and I'm feeling so good! I've done so well with the recovery process; I'm very slowly moving forward to solid food now and I'm amazed that I've been successful at sticking to a diet; I thought I'd quit by now! And it's all thanks to my amazing surgeon Dr. Alejandro Lopez; he's so professional and incredibly talented! made me feel very comfortable; very at ease; he is such a gentleman with great bed side manners! I had no complication whatsoever, felt a bit nausea post surgery but nothing else.
It is true, the work speaks for itself; Dr. Lopez is a highly trained surgeon; I have not experienced any pain and I'm losing so much weight; which is an unusual sensation for me; I had never experienced such weight loss especially in so little time. I'm very happy.
Outstanding service, facilities and care, couldn't ask for better results.

I had my Gastric Sleeve Surgery almost 3 months ago and I think I've done extremely well. Still losing weight; so far no major issues with diet nor hunger (biggest concern). Hands down best decision ever. I've been gradually getting rid of constant back and knee pain that used to drive me nuts. I'm so thankful I found a great doctor! I had no complications after surgery, came back home and if I had any doubts all I needed to do was pick up the phone and support was available.
Dr. Alejandro Lopez is very nice, polite and talented. After a lot of research and recommendations I decided on him performing my surgery because I was assured he's a specialist.
Traveling to Tijuana was actually very pleasant, they definitely have a handle on things. Very comfortable accommodations, the hospital is very high end, spotless to say the least and the care you receive from everyone is simply the best. Thank you Dr. Lopez, keep the hard work!

I'm not going to lie, I was very uneasy about traveling to Tijuana, Mexico alone for surgery. Even though I had done plenty of research and talked to everyone involved in the process. I got on a plane to San Diego and hoped for the best. Let me tell you, I am so glad I chose Dr. Alejandro Lopez and his team at ALO Bariatrics, outstanding professionals, their commitment to their jobs, proficiency and people skills are just beyond reproach. I felt such warmth from the patient coordinator, the nurses, doctor's assistants, anesthesiologist, everyone was so kind and friendly; I never felt neglected nor alone. My pre-op testing went smoothly and surgery as well, I have not experienced any major complication; I did however, experience nausea in the hours right after surgery; and I was very thirsty; other than that, only a little discomfort which I was told it was to be expected.
Dr. Lopez is very nice, attentive and in my experience an amazing doctor.

Dr. Alejandro came highly recommended by a relative who had her surgery done in Puerto Vallarta; I was so confident about his skills having seen the results firs hand; however had to overcome a lot of personal fears and make the trip on my own which was scary at first. Let me tell you, once you’re greeted by Dr. Lopez’s staff all is good. I felt just like when I visit a relative; everybody is so friendly and attentive. Such professionals. Dr. Alejandro was so thorough, he came and talked to me before surgery, and a couple more times after to check on me; we chatted a bit, very respectful and knowledgeable. I will be forever grateful.

After surgery I had minor discomfort and felt a bit dizzy; however, never had any pain nor any complications. I just wished I could have stayed a bit more on vacation; Puerto Vallarta is beautiful.

Having the courage to change my life and improve my overall health was difficult; following the Doctors orders has almost been a breeze just by experiencing such positive results; it feels great to go down dress sizes! One does get a new take on life; I’m so motivated to achieve my desired weight goals and keeping the weight off.

I had such wonderful experience traveling to Tijuana all the way from Vancouver for my Gastric Sleeve Surgery with Dr. Alejandro Lopez-Ortega; I'm currently two weeks post op; ready to go back to work and feeling great.

I was very nervous about the whole journey; starting with traveling abroad, not knowing how to speak Spanish, surgery, etc.
I am just awestruck with the quality of services provided and the level of professionalism from everyone on the staff to the medical team and of course, the surgeons. I felt pampered and cared for at all times; such warmth and friendly team.

I'm very grateful for how committed everyone is with their jobs, I had no complications nor pain after surgery; I've been experiencing the results so far and couldn't be happier. Dr. Alejandro Lopez is such a professional, very experienced and so patient. Best Dr. ever!

Hello all! Just want to share my Amazing experience with Dr. Alejandro Lopez. I traveled to Tijuana in May last year for revision surgery. I didn't lose as much weight as expected and followed all instructions from my previous surgeon. I was feeling very discouraged and helpless until I talked to Dr. Lopez and their staff.
From day one, they were very attentive and on top of things. All was clearly explained and if I had any doubt all I had to do was pick up the phone and someone would assist me. To be honest, I was a bit nervous about traveling by myself to Mexico; however their patient coordinator was very reassuring and once I got there everything went as planned; the airport pick up; testing and recovery. I'm very thankful to all the nurses that cared for me at the hospital; by the way is very upscale, pristine and comfortable. Dr. Lopez is so attentive and respectful. He is the best surgeon out there! I'm telling you, having an awful first wls this time around was completely different. I have nothing but praises for Dr. Lopez and his entire team.

Dr Lopez is an amazing, compassionate extremely caring doctor that knows exactly what he is doing to quote someone else "an expert in his field"! When i decided to have a sleeve done i researched over and over for many months and every time Dr Lopez was the top name that would come up...I chose Tijuana(Vida) and never regretted my choice.Dr Lopez has an amazing team there that make you feel very safe and they are very dedicated to the patient.Having traveled from Nova Scotia(over 14 hrs travelling) i can say it actually wasn't bad at all to the point i drove 3 hrs after landing at the airport to my home and i still felt fine!Highly recommend Dr Lopez and his team!Anyone having questions can contact me as i would be more than happy to answer questions for you...Oh and by the way my surgery was Dec 3,2014 and as of today(Nov 19,2015) i have lost 146 lbs (I am 5 lbs to my goal)

Absolutely a wonderful, caring surgeon. Expert in his field!!! He revised me from a failed sleeve, to a successful DS patient. He is affordable!!! He is available at any time, answers questions quickly, is informative...a 5 star surgeon all the way!!!
The hospital was exceptional. Clean, new facility, spa like atmosphere. The hotel accommodations were impeccable as well. All the nurses and surgery staff spoke excellent english, so there were no communication issues.
We were even treated to a tour of the city, a shopping trip and a trip to the beach.
Absolutely, highly recommend Dr Alejandro Lopez and his team.

Dr. Lopez did my sleeve surgery on Dec 11, 2014 in Nuevo Vallarta. Everything about my experience with ALO BARIATRICS was exceptional, from working with the coordinators to plan and book, to being met and greeted at the airport. The hospital was nicer than anything I have been in in Canada and Dr, Lopez and his team are great. They came to see me before surgery to discuss my procedure and they visited with me afterwards. Once I returned home, I was able to communicate with him by text and on the patients page. It is often talked about how hands on he is by all of his patients...that is something that never happens here at home. We have support of a nutritionist a well...you are not forgotten about when you leave.
Dr. Lopez is the right choice. ALO BARIATRICS.COM

Read if you REALLY want to know what goes on for your weight loss surgery in Tijuana

I went to Tijuana to see Dr. Alejandro Lopez for my surgery revision gastric bypass on April 6th. I did know I was in the risk of having to have another open surgery again, since my original one was done open.
I went alone which probably my first mistake. I was picked up at the airport in San Diego and travel to TJ. When I got to the Marriott, my room was suppose to have Ben pre arranged by the coordinator Sandra Castañeda. Apparently not, the hotel looked and looked, no reservation. They did finally get a room. Later I found out another patient that arrived later had to stay at another hotel.

I did get a call shortly from Sandra Castañeda, telling me she will be up to greet me later in the afternoon. She never gives you her number, just says that someone at the desk can always reach her. I felt a bit odd since I am in another country as her patient.
Sandra does show for a brief visit to let me know a person will come to the room to take blood for blood work ups. He did show as said.

The next morning all the patients met down in the hotel lobby and we checked out of our rooms. We were shuttled to a small store front where a doctor met us there to do an EKG and take our weight. I then realized I had forgotten to take my cashiers check to pay for balance. I told Sandra about the situation. Told her I could have daughter overnight the check, even take a picture to prove I had the check. But she said no. I then had to rewire the funds using my IPad. Glad I had the money to cover it. Sandra was very unsure how much I owed as a balance. I had to show her an email I had received from a Gerald person who I booked my surgery from. I had paid a $750 deposit. I later wondered if was my first sign to not go through with the surgery.

After we left there, we were taken to the clinic. It's not really a hospital just a large clinic with a few beds. There it seemed very sterile and cold. No one really around just one person at the front desk. We went to the second floor where we were seen by the person who took the money. The patients that had a companion was told they could not go to the 4th floor with us. We were taken back one by one and placed in gowns.

We gathered in a room with recliners to await the iv to prepare for surgery. I was the first person since my surgery was a revision. Dr. Lopez and his staff came in introduced himself to us and left. He seemed very nice.

The nurse came and got me to escort me to the operation room. Weird, they had a aprox 2 foot tall board at the entry you literally had to step over to go into the room. The nurses prepared me and I was out.

I woke up in the most excruciating pain nurses trying to take me to the bathroom. I was so out of it. I found out from another patient that my surgery took over 7 hours! My daughter called me frantic!!! She kept calling trying to get in touch with Sandra and no luck. The clinic told my daughter someone would call her and NO on did till after the surgery was done. By that time, she was sick!!! She had no clue what had happened. Dr. Lopez came in later that afternoon and I thought it was still Monday and it was Tuesday. I had lost a whole day lol. He explain I had a lot of scar tissue that prevented them from doing the surgery Lipo. They had to open me up. All in all I have no issue at all with Dr. Lopez. He came to see me and ask if I had questions etc.

2 days upstairs where I was watched and then I was taken to the 3rd floor to the very nice rooms. That area looked like a spa, very soothing. There I was met by other recovering patients.

Later in the afternoon I was greeted by Sandra Castañeda. She came in to see me and to say I owed her another $350 cause my bmi was 50 and if bmi is 50 or over I owe $350. I told her she knew my bmi the day we did the EKG. I had ask her if there was anymore I would have to pay, she said no. I questioned her cause I was signing paperwork that confused me on extra money owed. I reminded her of that conversation, she said it was her fault for not collecting it etc. She also told me she had to buy a band to go around my waste and it was $40.00. She claimed she bought from her own money. I told her I would pay that. She continued to argue with me and I stood fast on my decision. She also said, that there looked to be no other charges due to my lengthy surgery. I said thank you!!

As she was leaving, she said to be ready to be picked up at 10am sharp the next morning. I got up that morning and decided to wire the $350 she had ask for. I decided it wasn't worth the headache. I was up ready, packed and waiting with other awaiting patients to leave at 10 am. But no Sandra at 10am. The staff tried to call her and no answer, would just go to vm. Finally about noon? She showed up. Told all but me to go to the van. She was taking them to have a leak test done. I thought why now would they do a leak test? This was the first thing they did when I had mine first gastric by pass done in 2001. What if there was a leak and you're going home the very next day??? Make zero sense to me!! So I was told by Sandra that she would be back in 40 mins to get me. I sat and waited 2 hours for her to come back. I was very uncomfortable during that time. There were no other patients but me left. Finally the driver came in and said he was waiting for Sandra. She was up on the 4th floor and we would leave when she got back. I told the driver to please get her, I was tired of waiting and deserved better treatment then this. Finally Sandra came in and now she had a piece of paper indicating I now owed an added $1,000.!!! I am like I just paid you the $350 and gave her the $40 for the stretch band. She said ohh yes thank you. But now I have to collect $1,000 more. I am like forget getting anything more from me!!! She argued and argued. Told me I couldn't leave!! Told her watch me call a taxi take me right back to San Diego and I will put myself in a hotel till my flight out. She still claimed I couldn't go. I simply told her watch me and I was not going to be held hostage here!!!!! I ask why I was left behind????? She claimed no room, a lie!! There was plenty of room in the van. They also had my luggage with them and I had my pjs on. She left a few minutes and returned and said let's go. I was then taken to this very very grungy place for my leak test. I was taken back and stood in front of this ray machine where I drank this stuff. I could see my throat swallow and was pretty interesting. What I also noticed is how dirty the place was. While standing there I saw an area straight ahead that was a junk table. On the table was a paint can!!! I was like that is real clean lol.

After I left there I was taken back to the Marriott hotel. Again no room reservation lol. I stayed there till later Sandra called to say what time I was being pickup for for airport. I was never given any discharge papers or nothing. I have not had one single follow up call. I ended up in the hospital when I came home. My surgery site was getting infected and very dehydrated. I was checked out and all is good now. I am under Bariactric doctors care.

Here is what I will say to sum up, do not by any circumstance go alone. Don't do revision surgery in Mexico I feel to risky. And go other location then Tijuana. Place seems very unsafe.

Most people go for sleeve and get 3 or 4 stitches. So risk is minimal.

All in all I am lucky when I refused to pay more that I came home safe.
Sorry so long but this is the entire story so you can make a very informed decision to go or not go.