Natasha / Rybinsk, Russia

I began looking for a weight loss option about two years ago when I found Doctor Gonzalez on the internet. I saw Gigi’s video testimonial and I decided to call. Laura answered the phone and then I spoke with doctor V who was very patient with me and answered all my questions. I checked on other sites but reaching a doctor was very hard. I wanted to speak to an actual doctor not a receptionist who would relay questions and answers back and forth. I sent my forms and scheduled my surgery for May 8, 2007.

I flew from Florida to San Diego and was met at the airport by Laura. She is so much prettier in person! I just love her! She was so nice with me; we talked all the way to my hotel in Tijuana. A beautiful hotel located adjacent to doctor Gonzalez’s clinic. I checked in and was then met at the clinic by doctors Gonzalez and Valenzuela. I had consultation and Doctor Gonzalez answered my few questions very clearly. Next I walked to doctor Castañeda’s office next door for consultation, she is the nutritionist. She took measurements and weighed me on a special scale then went over my diet with me. I was then escorted to my hotel by Laura and the next morning was again met by her in the clinic. I was taken to my room and then the pre-op exams were done. The EKG was done by the cardiologist doctor Prado (a very kind and serious man) and blood drawn. I waited for what seemed to be about an hour then a young nurse showed up, Janet, and wheeled me to the OR. There were doctors Gonzalez, Vera, Castañeda (anes t hesiologist) and Valenzuela. I was helped on the table and next thing I knew I was back in my room a little dazed and confused. I felt my tummy and thought “my God, is the band in me already?” Yup, it sure was!

That was a year and a half ago and all you have to do is look at my pictures, I reached my goal weight in 10 months, lost 80 lbs! I have nothing but praise for Doctor Gonzalez, Doctor Valenzuela, Laura and the rest of the staff. They helped make my first step the easiest, by being understanding, comforting and caring. I was made to feel as if I were their only patient every step of the way. I was so pleased with everyone that I went back exactly one year later on May 7th 2008 for my tummy tuck with their cosmetic surgeon.

Most of my friends were skeptical when I told them I was traveling to Mexico; to a doctor I did not know. Some were terrified. I guess I was lucky to find this wonderful group of people who treat their patients as family and have the expertise to do the work they do with very high technical and ethical standards. Since then more than a handful of those skeptical friends have gone to Doctor Gonzalez and his team for their bariatric procedures.