Read REAL testimonials of former patients

All testimonials you read on this page are real and are in the own words of former patients who had their medical procedure done with us here in Mexico. Please read on and see what they have to say...unbiased and unedited...the real story.

Get connected

We encourage you to get in contact with our former patients. Just like you today, they too had questions and concerns about their medical treatment in Mexico and now they will be able and happy to share their experience with you. What better way to find out what to expect then from Americans and Canadians just like you who have been there before you.

If you are a former patient and would like to see your testimonial here, please send us an email with photo and we will post

Name: Rana Sue
Procedure: Gastric Bypass
Date: December 2009
Testimonial: Dear Sheri,Dr.V & team

An update to let you all know that I am doing great.

Have just come from a monthly check up and am very proud to report that I have lost a total...(Drum Roll Please ),50 pounds. Weighing in at 302, down from 352 and feeling really good.
Can tell a big difference in my knees and breathing. And Yes Dr. V, I am walking more.
Is't always easy but I do it.

Was very glad to hear the up-date on Benny, althought I didn't get to meet him, I am very happy for him.

Will try to send pics the next time I go for a check up, which is March 23, Please keep me up to date on everyone as you get them.

Thank You All so much for the knowledge and practice of your craft, and the Caring of Your Hearts to help people like me that have this one chance in life left.

Thank You All So Much............Rana Sue granaranasue@yahoo.com

Name: Tim Newman
Procedure: Gastric Bypass
Date: November 2009
Testimonial: Hello ya'll, it is Tim Newman from Texas.

Went for weigh in today and now at 55 lbs lost and still driving it
down!!!!! YEAH YEAH!!!!

Thank you.

Tim
ebntdn724@cebridge.net

Name: Lisa
Procedure: Gastric Bypass
Date: November 2009
Testimonial: Hey Sheri,

How are you? I hope you and your family had a fabulous Christmas in Canada. I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. I'm doing really well. I've lost 50 pounds... Can you believe it? I'm hoping to have 100 pounds off by this summer. I'm going to spend New Year's Eve in Seattle. I hope you have a really fun New Year's Eve. I'll talk to you soon!!!

Lisa
xoxo
lmgblonde@yahoo.com

Name: Kathy
Procedure: Mini Gastric Bypass
Date:September 18th 2009
Testimonial: Hello Sheri

Sorry about not e-mailing sooner, but many things are happening around home. This week I got to have some mashed potatoes. Even though they were instant, they tasted heavenly! Everything is going very well except for a few cases of nausea.

I had been enrolled in the bariatric program through my health care for two years. I felt that I was slipping through the cracks while others were moving on towards surgery. I had been looking on line about going to Mexico to have the surgery done. A couple of my friends had their procedures done in Tijuana. In my mind, I thought of Tijuana from the movies. Dirty, dusty roads, gunfights... not a place that I wanted to go.

Then I found a website that featured someone with a sincere and caring voice telling about weight loss surgery in Cancun. The pictures of the facility blew me away. Nice clean hospital, with caretakers who looked very professional. I was thinking that these were "promo" shots, Not the real thing. I took my chances and e-mailed Sheri. That was the best thing that I had done for myself in a very long time.

Sheri was with me from the very beginning. She would answer questions, (no matter how silly or mundane) and constantly giving encouragement. That helped so much. From picking us up at the airport, being admitted into the hospital. Sheri handled all the paper work. When I was getting prepped, she would pop in to make sure I was ok, or had any questions.

The staff was very courteous and professional. Don't worry if you don't speak spanish. The process of trying to figure out certain words lighten things up a bit. Besides, we always had Sheri to help us out. I need to mention that the housekeepers did an excellent job keeping the rooms clean. It wasn't a once a day swipe and go. The floors are made of marble and boy did they shine. There were no dust bunnies in the corners and the bathrooms were cleaned several times each day.

Dr. Verbooden was my surgeon. What a polite, knowledgeable and caring man. I felt so at ease with him. He definitely is not the mystery man who comes into your room, asks how you're doing and leave. He came into my room and gave me my discharge instructions and answered any questions. To top it off he "smiled" when he left the room.

I have only touched the surface of my positive experience with Sheri, Dr Verbooden and the professional workers at the Galenia Hospital. Please, do yourself a favor and e-mail Sheri, and let her tell you about the facility and what she has to offer.

Since having my mini gastric bypass and looking back on my experience, do I have any regrets? Absolutely not.

Best wishes,

Kathy
selah1971@msn.com

Name: Benjamin Yedid (UPDATE)
Procedure: Mini Gastric Bypass
Date: October 23rd 2009
Testimonial: Hi Shery, Dr. Verboonen and Operation Friends:

This is an update of how I am doing and how is my life now:

I have lost 60 Pounds in total, and these are the most important things to share I think.

Now I:

Exercise, just 30 min a day
I have snacks sometimes a little
I have chocolates sometimes also but they are not to good on me now
I don't have carbonated drinks, cause they make me feel inflated, and I do not like how I feel
I drink a lot of tea or water
I prefer fish over everything, but I have beef, chicken, lamb, prefer fish
Now I drink water with clorofila (GNC) it is a fresh mint flavor for the water, and I love it
I have no problem with rice, but I prefer it to be crunchy or toast the rice
I don't let more than 3 hours go by, without having something to eat

I am sending a before picture of me before, and a now picture of me

Thank you for Everything
Benjamin Yedid
benny@lanco.com.mx

Debra Smith and her sister
Name: Benjamin Yedid (UPDATE)
Procedure: Mini Gastric Bypass
Date: October 23rd 2009
Testimonial: Hello Debbie, Ruda, Sheri and Dr. V:

How are you, First let me tell you that I miss all of you. I want to share how is everything with me:

I feel great, I'm loosing weight and feeling great, I started to do exercise with a PT and in 2 weeks I'm going to NEW YORK to buy my whole new clothes because NOTHING fits
anymore!!!!!!!!!!!
And I will take advantage of the thanksgiving weekend!!!!!!!!
I promise a Picture, so here it is, tonight I will send a BEFORE picture, and tomorrow morning before I go to work, I will send the TODAY picture, and I will love to hear comments!!!!!!

Please tell me how all of you are doing, Sheri, how are you, and my good friend Dr. V. how are you and how everything is going!!! ok, talk to you tomorrow,

Benny

PS, Ruda and Debbie, please send me your Phone number so I can Call!!!!!!!

Name: Benjamin Yedid
Procedure: Mini Gastric Bypass
Date: October 23rd 2009
Testimonial: Hi Sheri,

How are U!!!!!!!

Last week it was a roller coaster, but from Friday I feel like nothing was done, except for the amount of food I can intake, but the rest is fantastic, I loose some sizes now, my back feels funny, I can use my wedding ring, smaller clothes, anyway, I start to do regular life again, yesterday I took my family to lunch in a restaurant, and I managed pretty well having my soup. I do not want to miss this opportunity to thank you for everything, supporting me, helping me, guiding me, and being there for anything I need, you are my angel!!!!!!!!

Next week I am sending you pictures of me!!!!!!

Thanks for everything,
Benny Yedid

Debra Smith and her sister
Name: Debra Smith (UPDATE)
Procedure: Lap Band
Date: October 2th 2009
Email: msozark@aol.com
Testimonial: Dear Sheri, Dr. Verboonen and staff

Thank you so much for giving me the chance to start my life over. And have a healthy life . to be able to know that soon i will be able to play with and enjoy my 11 grandchildren. without your help this would never have happen.I have been trying to have lap band done for the past 3 years. And have been turned down by my insurance each time. (united health care) i have been blessed now that i have found you on the internet. My family was so worried that i was going out of our country to have my lap band done. but with my prayers i felt at ease... never once did i have any doubt in the doctors... (i was nervous about getting on

> the plane since i had never flown) since my husband could not travel with me i took my sister. We were met @ the airport by a sweet / loving lady named sheri ... and taken to our first hotel to stay the night ... its the one she sets everyone up in ... i cant remember the name ... its near the hospital... it is a simple but very clean hotel... { only down fall is they dont have an ice machine or wash cloths ... take your own this is something they dont have in the hotels } but it has a nice pool and the rooms are very clean and nice.. the next morning ms sheri picked us up and took us to the galenia hospital.... fantastic hospital!!!! the best i have been in...i was only there 24 hours and they cleaned my room twice...it was spotless!!! it has 1 bed a nice big recliner and a nice sofa/ bed. My sister stayed the night with me..and she was treated like a guest.. the nurses were all very sweet..(down fall... not to many speak english ...) i only had to ask for a pain shot once ...that was my first one from there after they were in there every 4 hours with a shot.. i never once had to push my call button...they just check up on you alot...

Before my surgery dr v and his staff all came in to meet me ... super great team!!! they spoke english very well.. i was not worried at all .. everyone was very nice and treated me great. I suggest that anyone who goes down to mexico for surgery to ... make flash cards in spanish with simple request like... i need a cup of ice please /// i need a pain shot/// i need to use the bathroom /// this will help you alot i promise. Sheri stayed with us and helped us fill out all of our paper work . There were 4 of us having surgery done that day... she stayed with us all until we all had surgery and checked up on us afterwards...... you are not left on your own like some others brought down there... she took us to our hotel the day after our surgery... and when you are ready to go back to the airport she takes you there... my sister and i up graded our hotel to the gran melia !!! * * * * * 5 star it is wonderful... then we up graded our room to the royal service... it was very nice ... we stayed 2 extra days... would i do it again ???? in a heart beat!!!!

My daughter wants to have lap band done... and yes i would recommend her and any of my friends to go to cancun, and to have Dr. Verboonen and his staff ...

I had my band done on oct 2 2009 today is oct 20 2009 i have not had my first fill done yet...and i have lost 28 1/2 pounds so far... i was in size 26 jeans now i am in 20 's ... i feel great... and i cant wait to start my fills and keep dropping pounds!!!

My surgery recovery was a breeze... i had no problems at all... i want to thank you all for all of your help.

Debra Smith

Kansas city Mo

Name: Debra Smith
Procedure: Lap Band
Date: October 2th 2009
Email: msozark@aol.com
Testimonial: Sheri
Well today is my first day back to work since my lap band... i feel great...the only thing that bothered me was the gas that was up in my shoulder and went up into my neck . October 11 sunday was my first day not to have the gas pains...

I had my surgery on friday 2 and as of this morning i have lost 11 pounds !!! and then i had lost 15 before i went to cancun so that is 26 pounds so far!!! thank you so much for all of your help and for setting me up with such a great surgery team..and hospital. I would do it again in a heart beat!!! the only thing i suggest is anyone who goes down there to have surgery is to make up " flash cards " in spanish for simple things like ... a cup of ice please, i need a pain shot, i need to use the bathroom etc!!!

All of the hospital staff were very kind.. but only 2 that i met knew any english... i will write on your blog soon...
i need to get some work done.

Your friend always Debra Smith
from KC MO
ps ... Please forward my testimonial to others !!!

Name: Kathy's sister, Carol
Procedure: Mini gastric Bypass
Date: September 18th 2009
Email: thorty@copper.net
Testimonial:Hello Sheri,

Accompanying my sister Kathy to Cancun was a given as she is so very special to me. Her decision to take this scary step into the unknown was a natural concern. MEXICO for SURGERY! OMG!

Kathy would forward the web site, I read every word looking for something that felt wrong. Greeted by this darling Blondie (Sheri) sure this can't be real!
I envisioned being met by an unkempt Rosita, transported to a hospital that had seen better days, with antiquated equipment and equally rough looking staff. We would be lucky if we even seen the doctor. Surgery would be preformed, we would be transferred to a second rate hotel and hope the beds were clean.

HOW WRONG I WAS.

From the time we arrived at the airport to our return trip there we were treated like special guests. The Galenia Hospital has the appearance of opulence and cleanliness. Something the US hospitals could take note of. The nurses, technicians and surgeon (in their perfectly starched whites) expressed genuine concern for her safety, comfort and well being. Sheri was there checking on everything and always a call away if needed. The housekeeping staff were constantly cleaning Cleaning What? There wasn't a speck of dirt or dust bunny to be found. I even checked under the bed for grease, nothing there!

The entire experience was beyond belief. A successful surgery, I couldn't have wished for better care for my sister Kathy. I love her very much, she made a good choice.

Kathy's sister, Carol

Name: Kathy
Procedure: Mini gastric Bypass
Date: September 18th 2009
Email: selah1971@hotmail.com
Testimonial: Hello Sheri, Sorry about not e-mailing sooner, but many things are happening around home. At least I'm so busy that I don't have much time to dwell on the boring diet after having my surgery. This week I got to have some mashed potatoes. Even though they were instant, they tasted heavenly! Everything is going very well except for a few cases of nausea.

I had been enrolled in the bariatric program through my health care for two years. I felt that I was slipping through the cracks while others were moving on towards surgery. I had been looking on line about going to Mexico to have the surgery done. A couple of my friends had their procedures done in Tijuana. In my mind, I thought of Tijuana from the movies. Dirty, dusty roads, gunfights... not a place that I wanted to go.

Then I found a website that featured someone with a sincere and caring voice telling about weight loss surgery in Cancun. The pictures of the facility blew me away. Nice clean hospital, with caretakers who looked very professional. I was thinking that these were "promo" shots, Not the real thing. I took my chances and e-mailed Sheri. That was the best thing that I had done for myself in a very long time.

Sheri was with me from the very beginning. She would answer questions, (no matter how silly or mundane) and constantly giving encouragement. That helped so much. From picking us up at the airport, being admitted into the hospital. Sheri handled all the paper work. When I was getting prepped, she would pop in to make sure I was ok, or had any questions.

The staff was very courteous and professional. Don't worry if you don't speak spanish. The process of trying to figure out certain words lighten things up a bit. Besides, we always had Sheri to help us out. I need to mention that the housekeepers did an excellent job keeping the rooms clean. It wasn't a once a day swipe and go. The floors are made of marble and boy did they shine. There were no dust bunnies in the corners and the bathrooms were cleaned several times each day.

Dr. Verbooden was my surgeon. What a polite, knowledgeable and caring man. I felt so at ease with him. He definitely is not the mystery man who comes into your room, asks how you're doing and leave. He came into my room and gave me my discharge instructions and answered any questions. To top it off he "smiled" when he left the room.

I have only touched the surface of my positive experience with Sheri, Dr Verbooden and the professional workers at the Galenia Hospital. Please, do yourself a favor and e-mail Sheri, and let her tell you about the facility and what she has to offer.

Since having my mini gastric bypass and looking back on my experience, do I have any regrets? Absolutely not.

Best wishes,

Name: Enilda Rodriguez
Procedure: Gastric Sleeve
Date: September 4th 2009
Email: zena7700@hotmail
Testimonial: Sheri, it was wonderful meeting such a dynamic, smart and warm person like yourself. It was the best thing about going to Cancun for my sleeve. You have a gift and you are making it into an art. A good heart is hard to find these days so please don't change a thing...you are truly a angel.

Name: Jonathan Uria
Procedure: Lap Band
Date: August 7th 2009
Email: andystruck10@aol.com
Testimonial: Hi, Sheri. I'm doing great and lost 30 pounds in my first 3 weeks. I feel great. Thank you for all you support and help. I hope my mom can have her surgery too as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Name: Cyndi
Procedure: Gastric Sleeve
Date: July 12th 2009
Email: cindy@cayecaulkerforsale.com
Testimonial: Hi Everyone,

Well here we are at 4 months already! Here are my current Monthly Stats:

Month 1 26.1 lbs lost - 5.25 inches lost - BMI down 3.1
Month 2 8.6 lbs lost - 17.5 inches lost - BMI down 1.2
Month 3 9.0 lbs lost - 5.00 inches lost - BMI down 1.2
Month 4 8.6 lbs lost - 4.25 inches lost - BMI down 1.2

It is now four months since my surgery. I am now a normal BMI, when I hit it I was still over 180 lbs and I had a very hard time getting my head around that. I had no idea my normal BMI was such a high weight. I was accused, by some on the forum, of having self esteem and body image problems. Whatever!! Thanks to everyone that understood my surprise...

For the majority of the month I continued to try to eat like a 'normal person' from all 4 food groups. However, my natural Type A personality took over and I am now doing a 30 Day Personal Challenge and in the 4 days since it started I have lost each and every day. I am having a great time. I cut out some of my favourite protiens like peanut butter and peanuts as I felt they were affecting my weight loss. I will add them back in at a later date...

Current Stats:

- Weight: 177.6 down 52.4 lbs in four months (Normal BMI)
- Total inches lost in 8 places: 31.75 inches in four months
- BMI : 24.1 down 6.7 in four months

I LOVE having my new Tanita scales and weighing whenever I feel like it. They are great!! I am starting to really feel good! I like my shadow now, cool... I like certain areas of my body and see that they are slim and trim, hands, wrists, feet, ankles, neck, face, shoulders and collar bones area, waist... I'm getting there...

Thanks to everyone for all the support and advice, you are making this journey more fun and much easier for me!

Cindy

Name: Larry Hall
Procedure: Mini gastric Bypass
Date: July 2th 2009
Email: trollorbust@yahoo.com
Testimonial: I just wanted to let you know that my bmi is down to 33. and i can fit in to a size 13! I was up to a 20!! wow ! I really was hoping that the weight would come off of my abs. 1st but for the first time in years i only have one chin so I'm not complaining. Mom is doing good to. we are so happy to have gotten this done i wish i had done it years ago.

Rosalee and her full gastric bypass
Name: Rosalee Henley
Procedure: Full Gastric Bypass
Date: May 22, 2009
Email: rlw_76462@yahoo.com
Testimonial: My name is Rosalee Henley and I had a full Gastric Bypass on May 22,2009. I have lost 50 lbs to date 9-15-2009 I could not be happier with my decision, My husband and I love Mexico and vacation in either Cozumel or Cancun at least twice a year,so I felt comfortable coming to Cancun for my surgery. Sheri was so helpful during the entire process and before I even arrived I felt like I had known and trusted her for years. The Doctors,Nurses and Surgical team were extremly kind and caring.

Thank you Sheri and Dr Verboonen for giving me my life back.

Name: Donna Howell
Procedure: Gastric Sleeve
Date: April 27th 2009
Email: dhowell13@cogeco.ca
Testimonial: Hi Sheri

Sorry it took awhile to reply. I can't see where to send update on the link but will send to you.

Had sleeve done by Dr. Verboonen and Ponce de Leon April 27th 2009 in TJ. After going through a lot of sites and listening to people good and bad I contacted individuals myself and felt very good about my decision when I left Canada for TJ. It has been the best decision I have ever made in my life! I did have a rough couple of months getting used to it all but so do many it seems. Well now I am doing awesome and haven't felt this good since I was 20. The TJ experience was terrific and staying at Lana's recovery house was something that helped in my decision also which was incredible compared to a hotel room. She is wonderful and I am so glad to have met her. I have now lost 81 lbs and weighing at 132lbs. My goal was 125 but I don't really care if I get there as I am comfortable now and just need to tone now. I have a new gym membership and starting yoga and squash and water aerobics. I can't say enough about the TJ experience and have a couple friends looking into it since they have seen my progress. My at home doctor has been unbelievably supportive to me and I thank the OBGB group for everything including the availability of contact in my aftercare for any concerns. I am very appreciative and loved all the hospital staff and Dr. V's group. Thank you, Thank you , Thank you!
Pics attached are day before surgury, 1mth post op and 5 mths post op. You can post on your site Sheri.

Thank you

Donna Howell
Brockville, Ontario Canada

Name: Heather Hall
Procedure: Mini Bypass
Date: March 2009
Email: trollorbusy@yahoo.com
Testimonial: I just wanted to let you know that my bmi is down to 33. and i can fit in to a size 13! I was up to a 20!! wow ! I really was hoping that the weight would come off of my abs. 1st but for the first time in years i only have one chin so I'm not complaining. Mom is doing good to. we are so happy to have gotten this done i wish i had done it years ago.

Name: Valerie Hollowell
Procedure: Gastric Sleeve
Date: March 14th 2009
Email: vhollowell@yahoo.com
Testimonial: I just wanted to send out a note because I am so happy! I had my gastric sleeve surgery with Dr Verboonen in Cancun on March 14, 2009 and I could not be happier! For those of you considering weight loss surgery in Mexico I cannot express how overly pleased I am with my patient facilitator, surgeon, hospital and overall experience!! Cancun is such a great place! It's very commercialized and very American-ized, which made me feel at home right away!.

My patient facilitator was Sheri and she was probably the 12 PF I'd talked to about a surgery in Mexico. As soon as I heard her voice I was sold. Her upbeat personality and positive energy came through the phone and I immediately knew where I should go! I booked my plane tickets that night!! And I have never looked back!.

The hospital was immaculate and practically brand new! The rooms were very nice and looked like rooms in an American hospital! They were all single rooms with marble floors and a couch and recliner for my friend who went with me! The nurses were very nice and accommodating! And the surgery team was amazing! They all came in to meet with me before the surgery and made me feel comfortable. The next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery! That night around midnight I was feeling a little discomfort (gas and bloating)and Dr. Verboonen himself called me to see how I was doing! I wonder how many US doctors would do the same?
Anyway before I knew it, I was back home again in Indiana! My only slight complication was an allergic reaction to the adhesive used on my bandages. Now, the only reason I mention this is because even when I was back in the states, my two head surgeons Dr. Verboonon and Dr. Perez emailed, text and called me to see how I was doing!! Talk about going above and beyond the call of duty. They didn't have a nurse call or my patient facilitator they both contacted me multiple times!.

My rash may be gone but my positive feelings about my surgeons, my patient facilitator and my experience in Cancun will always live on! If anyone out there is considering a surgery in Mexico I would be happy to give you all the ins and outs of my time in Cancun. I urge everyone to do their research but for me, there was only one place and that was in Cancun with Dr. Verboonen.

Name: Wendy
Procedure: Lap Band
Date:
Testimonial: I made my decision pretty quick to go down to Mexico to get the surgery and yes all my friends and family were just paranoid and just thought I was being risky and unsafe. I have been to Cancun 2 other times for vacation and its wonderland so it just sounded perfect for me but what really helped me to have confidence to make this big decision was Sheri.....she is who she says she is.....she cares about her clients and will respond and answer honestly to whatever you need to know. Trust her....she is so caring and will make this as easy as possible for you. She wants you to make the right decision.

I originally planned on getting the lap band basically because its reversible but the more I heard about the sleeve I thought it was more appropriate for me. 10 mins before I had gone in to get ready for the blood work and EKG...my friend said Wendy just do the sleeve so you dont have to deal with the fills.

I made this change about 30 mins before going into the operating room. Dr. V and Sheri came in together to make sure that I was comfortable with my decision and also to show me the actual Lap Band that he was going to give me....and all the sudden I said is it too late to get the Sleeve and Sheri and the Dr both were excited for me.

So I have to tell you I am so thrilled with how everything went....it was just perfect. As I said, Sheri does everything for you. I promise you will end up friends. Dr V is very kind....neither of them are pushy.
You can tell they both love what they do :) As for the hospital....Ive never seen such a well staffed hospital in my life. Every single nurse and doctor that I dealt with was truly the kindest. If you need something its like they are at your door waiting to assist. As far as cleanliness....I was in the room for 2 days and the maintenance people came in 4 times to clean....now how could I make any messes being that I hadnt eaten for two days....lol.

So bless you both and all I have is my words here but I can not say anything negative about this program. Please write back if you have anything else of concern.