Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS

Don't Count out MEXICO! - Tijuana, Mexico

Name: Don't Count out MEXICO! - Tijuana, Mexico
Item: Liza Maria Pompa Gonzalez, MD
Rating: 5
Author: tmcrae

ORIGINAL POST

In 2011, I was a svelt 321.6 pounds, 5 foot 11,...

tmcraeJanuary 24, 2014

WORTH IT$12,950

In 2011, I was a svelt 321.6 pounds, 5 foot 11, and 25 years old. I had a 14 month old son, whose pregnancy and birth was flawless other than some gall bladder problems. I was in perfect health, I was just fat! I had been through every diet known to man, and always lost weight, but just gained it right back. I only even gained 15 lbs with my son. I figured that at 25 if I was that heavy, what would happen when I had a few more kids and was 40. I did my research at the different types of weight loss surgery and decided the VSG was perfect for me. In my province the wait list was rediculous and I could bear the rigamaroe that the health system would put me through to not even be guaranteed a spot on the wait list, so it was obvious, I was on my own. I did some reearch and through a co-worker found a personal testimonial of his friend who had been through it. The only issue - it was in Mexico!!! Certain natural thought popped into my head, but I was told to just do my research and then ake my decision. So I did. Her name was Dr. Liza Pompa and she partnered with a LOCAL, Canadian based company to send referrals to her. She was board certified, trained in the USA, and was a top 10 bariatric surgeon world wide. The company I went through was WLFMedical (formally Weight Loss Forever) and thier program was phenomenal!!!! Its now been 25 months, I am down to 175 lbs and starting to look into plastic surgery for a tummy tuck and breast lift. Id be more than happy to answer any questions on Dr. Pompa or the program :)

tmcrae's provider

Liza Maria Pompa Gonzalez, MD

Bariatric Surgeon

tmcrae rating for Dr. Pompa Gonzalez:

Overall rating

Doctor's bedside manner

Answered my questions

After care follow-up

Time spent with me

Phone or email responsiveness

Staff professionalism & courtesy

Payment process

Wait times

Replies (4)

K_at_RealSelf

January 26, 2014

Hi there, welcome and thanks so much for sharing your journey with us!

Congratulations on your weight loss, you lok awesome and you've obviusly worked really hard at it! How was your recovery after surgery? Did you have much pain and downtime?

tmcrae

January 26, 2014

Recovery was quite simple. It was exactly like having a gallbladder removed. I took 7 days off of work (however I only sit at a desk) and I had a 14 month old to chase after and didn't find it very hard. There was 4 incisions, each only being an 1 or 2 long and only one had stitches. I was sore, but nothing a hot bath didn't help. The hardest part of this whole experience was the mental battles. Re learning to eat and getting used to a shrinking body. I still catch myself looking at plus sized clothes instead of my size 8. I still cook and take way to much food just to throw it away. Old habits die hard. But the biggest pro of everything is not having cravings.... you know when you drive down the street and you can smell the fried chicken restaurant and that's all you crave for days?!?! Yup, that doesn't happen any more! I smell it and it almost makes me nauseous. And the taste of lettuce and celery are phenomenal. My entire sense of taste and smell has been rebuilt for a healthier lifestyle. I still struggle from grazing at night time but 2 years out I haven't regained any weight. I float about a solid 7 pounds depending on the time of the month but overall its fairly steady. Hope that helps!! If in had too, I would pay 10x the amount of money I did knowing it would be this successful!

K_at_RealSelf

January 27, 2014

Thank you, that really does help! I'm only about 4 months and I still portion issues. I put too much on my plate and then have to throw it away because I can't fit it all in. It's hard to retrain yourself out of 30 years (for me) of conditioning, but it gets easier with each passing week. Each week I learn new things about myself and my eating habits, etc.

I don't really crave things, I think the one thing I miss is soda. I used to love diet soda and I haven't had it in about 6 months now, but I do still miss it. However, not to the point where It can't be int he house or I would drink it.

dmar5

June 27, 2016

You look great! Thank you for sharing this; she is a doctor that has just come to my attention so your experience means so much to me!

UPDATED FROM tmcrae

2 years post