Testimoniales

       

Bariatric Surgery
"I'm someone else, with force of will, the will to fight and move forward ..."

My name is Adriana, I'm 33 years and am a physician. Throughout my life I have had weight problems, I remember my first appointment with a nutritionist was in fourth grade. Always lost weight and returned to win more. I tried all the diets but always gained more. Then I had 2 pregnancies and with them, increased much more weight. I reached a point where I was depressed, I had no energy, and the word exercise was torture. I was with pre-diabetes and pre-hypertension, and it really scared me thinking about when I get older. I reach the weight of 228 pounds, and I really felt bad, with low self esteem, and sought refuge in eating, and I consider myself a person that eats by emotions. Several doctors mentioned to me the option to have the surgery, so one day I talked with Dr. Ariel Rivera Aguerri and decided to do it.

After the surgery, it's amazing the change and improvement I've had in all aspects of my life. I have energy, I go to the gym 3 to 4 times per week, and even I can run without getting sore joints. I play with my daughters, I can wear a swimsuit. My health condition has improved substantially, my blood pressure returned to normal, my blood tests are normal. The power to buy clothes without frustration or without the looks from people, and the perception of others towards one is completely different. As a chubby person you are always discriminated, people make comments, jokes, make you feel bad. Many local people have told me that I'm 10 years younger, I look like a little girl, and others do not even recognize me on the street.

Today, 7 months after losing 85 pounds, I'm a different person, with willpower, the will to fight and succeed, and willing to try new things, that because my weight, I never imagined to do. I exercise, and if I don’t, I feel bad. I have a better self-esteem and feel that life has changed for me. I returned to live, and I don’t cravefor food.

Before After
Video-Experience:
“From the first contact, the experience exceeded my expectations”

Tamara: riol_41@yahoo.com(Islas Caiman)

I’m grateful for the new life in front of me and an opportunity to enjoy the next 30-40 years

I’m 61 years young, American and have visited Costa Rica many times since 1998 with my husband. Like others whose stories appear here, I had had a weight problem for half of my life. An auto accident, however, 5 years ago injured a disc in my neck, making activity more difficult and causing chronic pain; I gained more weight and it became a “Catch 22.”

I had my sleeve gastrectomy done on July 28th, 2010 by Dr. Ariel Rivera- Aguerri at CIMA Hospital; 23 days later I’ve lost 25 pounds so far. Thrilled; my energy is better than it’s been in, well, at least 5 years.

Prior to coming to Costa Rica for this surgery, I had been evaluated (and turned down) for gastric bypass surgery by several well known SE bariatric centers because of my age, previous abdominal surgeries, and the lack of time I could commit to lengthy pre and post surgical psychological and diet/nutritional counseling programs, etc. Like so many Americans, even though my self-employed husband and I paid ~$25K per year in health insurance premiums, United Healthcare turned me down on coverage of surgery (even though I’m diabetic whose morbid obesity and BMI met all of the requirements).

Iresearched every major private hospital in San Jose where this surgery is performed; it was during this due diligence period that I saw a well known CR neurologist at one of the San Jose private hospitals; that’s when the seriousness of my weight situation as it related to my cervical disc injury finally “sunk in.”He told me that nobody would risk disc surgery for me because of the complications my weight added to those inherent in disc surgery. It was suddenly very “real” to me. Having just seen my mother undergo disc surgery in 2009, I was shocked into action by the prospects that I was too overweight to undergo disc surgery if I had to have it.Mom had safely had surgery at 20+ years my senior (and weighing 100+ lbs less than me). When the San Jose neurologist said that I wouldn’t likely recover mobility following disc surgery because of my weight and/or would have risks of complications from pneumonia, circulatory issues, etc., it led me to lose almost 30 lbs prior to seeing Dr. Ariel Rivera- Aguerri. By eating local fruits and veggies and cutting portion sizes of meats and carbs, I wanted to increase my likelihood of being 'accepted' as a candidate.

It was Dr. Ariel Rivera’s team approach (multi-disciplinary) to gastric surgery, an approach I’d experienced at US teaching hospitals where I had received good care in the past, that led me to choose the Laparoscopic SurgicalCenter at CIMA and Dr. Rivera-Aguerri, in particular. I also liked the fact that he had int’l experience in Spain and France, as well as at Baylor. Mine was not a decision made solely on credentials. I feel that Dr Rivera-Aguerri is a caring surgeon who gave me safe options when doctors in the US had turned me away; he followed my progress before and after the surgery.

What does it say about the chief of surgery who visited me at 11pm and 1:30am after surgery, then one or more times a day in the hospital, and daily at the hotel to which we moved after 3 days? In other words, I’ve had exceptional care at some excellent US hospitals and affiliated physician practices; I believe I recognize quality care wherever I find it. I was lucky enough to find it at CIMA in Dr Rivera-Aguerri, and team members like his internist, Dr Vanegas. Dr Rivera-Aguerri performed my surgery and I couldn’t be happier.

My daughter hadinspired me to try again after US practices’ doors were closed to me. She’s much younger, of course, and not yet diabetic; but had I known in time to have influenced her decision, I would have preferred her doctors not have gone the mal-absorptive route for her. Dr Rivera-Aguerri said that in general he believes the sleeve gastrectomy (non mal-absorptive) approach is better for people like me who are non-insulin dependent with no major systems illnesses. That was another of his opinions that resonated with me; why would anyone who doesn’t have to do it incur the additional risks of a full gastric bypass?

I had received assurances that an English-speaking caregiver would be on the floor at all times; that was true every day and night until Friday night of the long religious holiday, when Heidi from Maternity came over to translate for me in the middle of the night. I also felt comforted by the fact that my husband was allowed to stay in my room with me every minute we wanted; he was comfortable on an extra long bed made up for him every night and I loved having him there. Then having 2 Marriott hotels on the CIMA property and across the street, where the surgeon visited – well that just doesn’t happen in the US.

The last thing I want to say is that Dr. Rivera-Aguerri gave us a quote for his fee which, when we went to checkout, was identical to the final fee. Never, however, did I feel that costs were paramount, though they were lower than I had been quoted in the US. I got what I was looking for – a personalized approach to my needs, not a "surgical mill" and a 20-30% difference between theUS and CR wasn’t the deciding factor for me - it was the surgeon, the team, the “safety first" feeling I had from every conversation and saw in every action and decision.

Why am I writing? Because I’m grateful for the new life in front of me and an opportunity to enjoy the next 30-40 years without the burden of carrying 150 extra pounds. If I can answer questions and help another person considering this surgery, Dr. Ariel Rivera-Aguerri and CIMA, I will be happy to share my experiences with you.

ShirleyOsman

Martha:  "My Experience with Gastric Bypass"

My name is Martha: I used to weigh 146 kilos.  I had gone through an infinite number of diets without results; I was type II diabetic, I used to get injections of 60 units of insulin in the morning and at night (it did not fit in the syringe), I used to take daily pills for diabetes, one for high blood pressure, another one for the kidneys; in other words, there were lots of products derived from my obesity, from my disease.  Additionally I am asymptomatic; I do not have symptoms for my diseases.

In my last visit to the endocrinologist since I had blood glucose of 250 and high blood pressure upon waking up in the morning  he told me that he could not give me any more drugs because they were not going to have any effect because I was saturated.  He told me “you are a bomb that can explode at any moment; you better invest in a quick solution which is Gastric Bypass, so that you can gain some years of life”

I left the office to analyze the possibilities of undergoing the surgery.  I went to a conference dictated by Dr. Ariel Rivera Aguerri and asked him everything I needed to know.  He explained to me all I asked and I decided to undergone the surgery.  Since I am a decided person, I did all the analyses and told Dr. Rivera the date for the operation.  I am sure it was the best decision in my life because I have had excellent and quick results such as:

loosing 60 kilos in 10 months now I weigh 85 kilos insulin was totally eliminated by the fourth month after surgery, I only take one pill for diabetes while I finish the process of possible Diabetes cure, I do not take pills for hypertension or any thing, I feel very active, actually electric, I am tireless.

It is as if I had been born again and living a new life; people are amazed when they see me most of them do not recognize me.  My ego is very high; there are no words to express the accomplishments reached with this surgery; it is an opportunity to live, be healthy and be a normal person.
"My New Me"

February 2008

My name is Gainer and I am a chemical engineer.  I am 31 years old and had been heavy all my life.  One does not realize that, one just buys bigger clothes every Christmas or birthday and starts taking out the “old clothes” because it does not fit us.  That is how I got to weigh 360 lb (164 kg), I was size 50 in pants and 3XL in shirt.  I had several diseases due to my obesity, including hypertension, fatty liver, sleep apnea and knee problems.

I did not let my personality drop due to my obesity, I always put a good face to live, but, of course, I missed many things and activities because they were not for overweight people.  However, I got to a point where I accepted by obesity and myself in order not to fall into depression.

In Christmas 2007, my sister urged me to visit a doctor and ask for the operation and what it was about.  I was not very convinced; I never thought the operation was for me.  Yet, this is how I came to Dr. Ariel Rivera from the Bariatric Center and learned what I needed to know.  In my case, I needed a gastric by-pass.  I asked my family for their support and their opinion, and set a date for the surgery.

Deciember 2008

I decided to take one month to get prepared dieting a little and taking good care of myself, but the main objective was to get psychologically prepared to accept the change I was going to do and the improvements in my quality of life.  I had the surgery in March, 2008, and nine months later I can only talk about the wonders I have lived.  I have lost 62 kg, my pants are size 36 and my shirts are L.  I have discovered a whole world of activities that were out of reach due to my obesity; I have even discovered the veins in my arms and my self-esteem is better than ever before.

After 22 days from the surgery, I was not hypertensive any more, my blood tests were normal, I sleep like a small child and my knee problems are minimal.  This surgery is a success!  But one has to be convinced that it is the solution to the problem.  It is very important to make a mental change, learn to eat well, include an exercise routine in the daily life it does not have to be too much, but it should be regular.  Bariatric surgery has changed my life and in an incredibly short period of time.

"My New Me in 2009"
"I feel better every day"

Near three months ago I had the Sleeve Gastrectomy Surgery My weight was 150 kilos (331 pounds). ? At that time, I had many problems with high blood pressure and had morbid obesity level 4. I've lost almost 30 kilos (66 pounds), and now I feel like doing all sorts of things including exercise. I eat small amounts of food and I feel rapidly full. I eat almost everything, yet I avoid fat and sugar, I got used easily. The most difficult part of the surgery is some discomfort which they say are like the ones pregnant women have, yet now days they have almost disappeared. Since the surgery, I have no pain, in fact I did not had stitches, doctors put me a special rubber, the wounds are almost invisible. For the first 7 days, you have to use a tube through which blood is evacuated, this was a bit awkward, later the doctor removes it, and this is painless. Now I go to the gym every day with the hope that my skins will accommodate, and I wont have to make plastic surgery to trim the excess skin, my blood pressure is stabilized. And I feel better every day. Alvaro Sandoval.

Gall Bladder Surgery
"The attention received by the Laparoscopic Surgical Center was always fast and friendly"

My name is Milena Picado O. I am a lawyer. Early May 2010, Dr. Rivera removed surgically my gallbladder, because a month ago by X-rays they detected some stones. I had good references from the doctor since he assisted several people I know, with satisfactory results.

Almost two weeks after the surgery, I have almost recovered completely and the pain was occasional. The attention received by the Laparoscopic Surgical Center was always fast and friendly. I am very greatful for the services rendered by Dr. Rivera Aguerri, as this surgery prevented further trouble on my health. Greetings and thanks for everything, Milena.

Hernia Surgery
"My Inguinal Hernia Surgery- The care I received was excellent"

My name is Paul Soto.  On December 8, 2009 I was operated for inguinal hernia by Ariel Rivera Aguerri, MD at the Laparoscopic Surgical Center. The care I received was excellent.  They took care of the health insurance arrangements.  I just presented myself at the CIMA Hospital at 7:00 am, and then waited for surgery and at approximately 1:30 pm I was ready to go home. I had no reaction to anesthesia.  I woke up relaxed, without pain and could walk without any problems. For the next two days I had some discomfort associated to the surgery, but Dr. Ariel Rivera was always available to answer my questions and this gave me peace and confidence. On the third day, the discomfort faded, and I felt perfect, it was important that I rested for three weeks, just as Dr. Ariel Rivera recommended me. After one month and a half, I can ensure that the surgery was a complete success; I feel very good and am very grateful to the Laparoscopic Surgical Center and particularly with Dr. Ariel Rivera.

"Thanks for a most satisfying experience"

My name is Mark Rathe and I am a pharmacist. Recently I availed myself of the services of the Laparoscopic Surgical Center and Dr Rivera concerning my inguinal hernia. My experience exceeded my expectations. Because I did not have blood tests or X-rays prior to arriving, Dr Rivera's office arranged for them the day prior to the surgery. As instructed I arrived at the hospital about a half hour before the first appointment. There waiting for me was Nora, a secretary for Dr Rivera. She was extremely helpful in guiding me through the process. I have little knowledge of Spanish but Nora spoke excellent English, which was helpful when questions arose. In less than 90 minutes I was finished and on my way back to the nearby hotel. By the time of my appointments with an internist and Dr Rivera in the afternoon the tests results were available, including having the x-rays examined by a radiologist. With both appointments I was not kept waiting and actually saw the doctors early. The next day I was escorted to steer me to the admitting area for my surgery. There the staff was very accommodating and again-no waiting. In what seemed no time at all I was back from surgery and my wife joined me, having been briefed early by Dr Rivera on the success of the surgery. While I was recovering Dr Rivera arrived to answer any questions of either of us. Shortly I was released to the waiting vehicle that had been arranged to take me back my hotel. Dr Rivera came my hotel room the next day to check up on me and to answer my questions.

After another day I returned home to Florida. My e-mail questions are answered promptly, even on a Sunday. I give my highest recommendations to Dr Rivera and his Laparoscopic Surgical Center and to CIMA Hospital. All are of the highest quality and professionalism. The process was streamlined and I was always treated with respect. Because I was paying for this out-of-pocket I found the prices to be far less expensive that I would have paid at home. Thanks for a most satisfying experience.

Surgery: Laparotomy
"I could return back to my life"

My contact was a year ago when I had a very severe lower digestive bleeding caused by diverticulitis. Thanks to God and doctor Ariel Rivera, could get out of the emergency condition and could return gradually after a long period of ups and downs back to my life.

My enormous and eternal gratitude to Dr. Ariel Rivera. My recognition upon his tenacity and capacity as a physician and surgeon. As the doctor concerned about his patient. Many thanks,
Sincerely,

Dr. Nicholas Meza Paez.
CMC Code 522