José Antonio Castañeda Cruz Bariatric Surgeon M.D., F.A.C.S.

I am a Registered Nurse with many years of Emergency Nursing and over a decade in preventative medicine. I researched Bariatric Surgeries, attended seminars and international Bariatric seminars. I knew that I wanted the DS/BPD surgery because I had just recently been diagnosed with Type Two Diabetes. I had a history of Asthma, GERD, Sleep Apnea, High BP, Urinary Incontinence and morbid obesity. I was ok'd for Roux en Y surgery, but research indicated a lower weight loss statistic as well as a higher chance of weight gain. I had two acquaintances including a physician friend who had Roux en Y surgery and gained back most of their weight. I tried for several years to get ok'd for DS/ BPD. Finally after becoming seriously ill, I retired from nursing and used my retirement money to seek out my own answer to my dilemma. Through Medical Tourism, I found Dr. Casteneda. He is the epitome of a well trained professional. Dr. Casteneda and the staff at Medical Tourism and at the Hospital in Puerta Vallarta were absolute professionals with high standards and exceptional skills. My surgery was in late January 2015. I am down 100 lbs, no Diabetes, normal BP, no Asthma, no sleep Apnea, no incontinence of urine, no GERD. I am ecstatic. I cannot thank Dr. Casteneda and the hospital staff for their care and consideration as well as their expertise.

The Doctor and staff were excellent. I took my laptop and kept it on the table beside my bed because some of the overnight staff in the small 14 bed hospital had broken English. I would write my request on the translator and all was well. The Doctor was patient and kind. He brought me roses after the surgery. I am over 3 years out from the surgery; all weight gone: health perfect and had no issues from that day forward except learning what, when and how to eat again. Today I make the food I eat count. Lots of healthy foods. It has been an adventure. I would recommend this Doctor and his staff to anyone.

Surgery date: January 18, 2012. My name is Laura and I had a very complex surgery with Dr. Canstaneda. I had 4 procedures done during one surgery. I had my lapband removed, gallbladder removed, the vertical sleeve, and duodenal switch. I am a RN in Texas and had a great experience in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. To be honest, this was my second surgery in Mexico, my first being in Dec. 2007 in Juarez where I had the lap band placed. Bariatric surgery was not covered under my current or previous insurances so I decided to empty a couple of retirement accounts and go for it. From the inital decision to have a revision I was confident that this is something I had to do for my own health and well being, not vanity. I had success with the band but maxed out at 80 lbs of loss. I work full time, go to college part time, and have 2 very active children. I spent 2 1/2 months interviewing surgeons and am very happy that I chose this surgeon. He answered all of my questions......and boy were there alot of those. I used Medical Tourism Corporation for all of the arrangements. Regene, my caseworker, was very compassionate and quick with responses to and from my surgeon. Dr. Canstaneda's staff were very professional and considerate of my every need. I have been in healthcare myself for nearly 20 years and I must say that I was treated like a VIP. I trust Dr. Canstaneda and his experience. It has been 2 months and I have lost 41 lbs so far. I adhere to my vitamin and protein regimen and feel so much better. The main problem that I found back in the U.S. was that only 3 Bariatric surgeons in the DFW area have experience with the switch procedure. All three refused to follow me upon my return. That did bother me at first but I have a Gastroenterologist and PCP that is tracking my progress and will make necessary referrals if needed in the future for any issues that may arise. Dr. Canstaneda is a kind person with a great bedside manner. He listens to your concerns and advises you based on his experience. The nurses were great at the hospital. I never had to wait more than 5 minutes for any request. Even the ER physician and my scrub nurses came up to check on me daily. We took our laptop and used the Spanish translator any time we needed clarification. All of the physicians at the hospital are fluent in English and treated my husband and I with the utmost respect. The Premier Hospital is a small private hospital and VERY clean. Prior to leaving for my trip, I scanned and emailed the last year's worth of lab reports, and other records to him for review. We discussed my preop diet and what to expect after the surgery. I was very weak and had alot of diarrhea for about 2 weeks after surgery due to my liquid diet and transition phase back onto regular foods. I maintained 8-12 bottles of water for hydration during this time and gained my strength in no time. I am taking 2 chewable multivitamins per day, 1 chewable Probiotic, 1 chewable Iron, 1 chewable calcium citrate. These maintance supplements will be life long due to the switch. Chewable vitamins can be found at Bariatric Advantage's website. My husband and I spent 3 days prior to surgery at a hotel and seeing the sites. The 4 hour whale watch and Rhythms of the night performance was GREAT! This is a very beautiful place to visit. There was no danger and we felt completely safe walking after dark and even rode the bus and took a taxi a few times. My husband and I both stayed at the hospital for 4 days. The room was very large and comfortable. There is a Wal-Mart within walking distance from the hospital. I would definitely do this all over again! I know I recieved better care then I would have here at home. Thank you to everyone at Premier Hospital that made us feel comfortable and in good hands. Laura
Update: 06/21/12. I have lost a total of 69 lbs today. Weight of 171 today. I drink mostly water all week. Occassional glass of tea with spenda, or juice. My protein count is averaging from 60 to 70gms of protein per day. Occassional dumping if I eat something with sugar for a treat. I try to eat small meals 5 or 6 times per day to keep the metabolism rate up. I have taken half of my closet to goodwill and purchased a few summer dresses for work. Down from size 18-20 to a loose size 14. The weight loss is slow now but that is okay with me. Gives the skin time to tighten up. Losing more inches than weight in the past 2 months. More energy and less pain. The best part is I am not vomiting 20-25 times per week, like when I had the lap band. I get compliments daily at work and have enouraged others to change their diet too. Gotta run for now. Will post pictures soon. Laura

It has been 7 months now and I have lost 55 lbs. It really has been very easy and if I would eat better then I would be able to lose the last 15 lbs that i would like to. I am now wearing a size 8 and love it. I would recommend Dr. Jose Castaneda to anyone. I am going to go to PVR with 3 of my friends who want to have it done.

I have just returned from PVR. I had lap-band done by Dr. Casdenda on Oct 15, 2011. He is the best! I would recommend Dr. Casdenda & CMQ Premier Hospital to any one. Cecelia met us at the airport and took us thru EVERY thing. Dr. Casdenda met my husband & I at the hospital and answered any and all the questions we had. He treated us with great respect and professionalisim. The hospital & staff were great. The facility is wonderful and very well kept. The staff took great care of us. Can't wait to go back to PVR! A wonderful and safe place to visit.

Every step of the way was easy and everyone was kind and caring. We had fun with our concierge and the language barrier was quickly lessened with the humor, she was great. I took my laptop with me and sat it up by my bed in the hospital in the event there were any language barriers and used the translator on the internet. This worked great and only necessary at night. The hospital was much cleaner than ours in the US. The people worked long and hard to keep the rooms spotless. The doctor was kind and caring and always there. He found some extra trouble in my bowels and repaired the blotched work one of the doctors in the US had left for me. I cannot say enough about
Dr. Jose Castaneda and his team. Kind, considerate, professional, knowledgeable. Sure wish there were more of him. I lost all the weight I wanted to and feel fantastic. Next month makes one year and I am healthy, happy and excited about my new life.

I am very fortunate to say that I am Dr. Castaneda Cruz's patient.
I traveled from Atlanta, Georgia to Puerto Vallarta last March, (all 380 Lbs. of me).
Dr. Castaneda explained every step of the process and was at my service every step of the way.
His post op care was beyond excellent, in fact he went to see me at my hotel room before I traveled back to the states, just to make sure that everything was ok before I traveled.
I have lost over 180 lbs. and look thinner than I looked in High School!
Dr. Castaneda is the only Bariatric Surgeon that I would recommend to my friends and family.

Juan Jose Garcia, Atlanta, Georgia USA

Almost a year after being referred by my family physician (at my request & with her support) for weight loss surgery here in Canada, I started to research other options available to me as the wait here is excessive. I was relatively healthy with no co-morbidities and was anxious to deal with my excess weight before I developed health problems. My search led me to Mexico where I found a multitude of options. I was specific about where I was willing to go in Mexico when I discovered Medical Tourism Corporation and Dr. Jose Casteneda. It helped when I found another RN from Canada who had gone this route and recommended this company.

From my first contact, everything has been dealt with efficiently. Bianca answered all my questions immediately by e-mail or by phone. When she was not there, Hazel would let me know when I could expect to hear from her.

In Puerto Vallarta, things continued to go smoothly. Cecilia was my coordinator person at the hospital and made sure things were in order. Dr. Casteneda and his team are exceptional...I was treated as a person, not as a number or a procedure. It was not an issue when I changed my mind at the last minute about the type of surgery I would have. I originally chose RNY because that seems to be the standard in Canada. After more research, I chose VSG which seemed to be less invasive. Dr. Casteneda supported this choice, and called me at the hotel the evening prior to surgery to confirm my choice, and to provide reassurance. The surgical/treatment team found a unique way to combine professionalism with a warm personal touch. The nursing staff were wonderful and even though they did not speak much English, I was able to communicate with them and they were very attentive. After my discharge from hospital, Dr. Casteneda called me at the resort each evening to check on my progress...I had his cell phone number and e-mail address if I needed to contact him. My husband Jeff was kept in the loop and as well was very impressed by our treatment there.

I would highly recommend Dr. Jose Antonio Casteneda Cruz and his team to anyone considering weight loss surgery.
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Sincere thanks to Dr. Casteneda....I wish I had made this choice years ago.

Doreen Watts (surgery date 08/01/11)
Ottawa, Canada

Almost a year after being referred by my family physician (at my request & with her support) for weight loss surgery here in Canada, I started to research other options available to me as the wait here is excessive. I was relatively healthy with no co-morbidities and was anxious to deal with my excess weight before I developed health problems. My search led me to Mexico where I found a multitude of options. I was specific about where I was willing to go in Mexico when I discovered Medical Tourism Corporation and Dr. Jose Casteneda. It helped when I found another RN from Canada who had gone this route and recommended this company.

From my first contact, everything has been dealt with efficiently. Bianca answered all my questions immediately by e-mail or by phone. When she was not there, Hazel would let me know when I could expect to hear from her.

In Puerto Vallarta, things continued to go smoothly. Cecilia was my coordinator person at the hospital and made sure things were in order. Dr. Casteneda and his team are exceptional...I was treated as a person, not as a number or a procedure. It was not an issue when I changed my mind at the last minute about the type of surgery I would have. I originally chose RNY because that seems to be the standard in Canada. After more research, I chose VSG which seemed to be less invasive. The surgical/treatment team found a unique way to combine professionalism with a warm personal touch. The nursing staff were wonderful and even though they did not speak much English, I was able to communicate with them and they were very attentive. After my discharge from hospital, Dr. Casteneda called me at the resort each evening to check on my progress...I had his cell phone number and e-mail address if I needed to contact him. My husband Jeff was kept in the loop and as well was very impressed by our treatment there.

I would highly recommend Dr. Jose Antonio Casteneda Cruz and his team to anyone considering weight loss surgery.

Dr. Jose Antonio Castaneda-Cruz
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Puerto Vallarta, JAL.,Mexico
Through: www.MedicalTourismCo.com

Dr. Website is:http://www.obesurg.org/ or www.surgeryofweight.com

YouTube Interview w/Dr. Castañeda-Cruz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHVNAOx4eqg

YouTube of his Surgery: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1knHqBU0QA
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Pre Surgery Impressions:
Even prior to surgery, Dr. Castañeda-Cruz was fabulous in answering every question, very willing to fill out all the paperwork required, and has provided clear written instructions for pre and post opp care/eating, as well as for possible risks.

His specialty is not just weight loss, but all digestive tract and surgery for diabetes. As such, he is quite able to handle any hernias or other anomalies he may find. I also like that he only does 2 or 3 surgeries per day, thus not going into any surgery over tired. Plus, he has a nutritionist and psychologist on site. Further, surgery takes place at a hospital, not a clinic. He has 200+ surgeries, with NO mortalities, and less than a 1/2% complication rate for the VSG. FYI: Size used in 32; drainage tube used, but removed prior to hospital discharge.

Post Surgery Impressions:
Dr. Castañeda-Cruz and his staff were sensitive to my physical needs as a large person, as well as my emotional needs. While I was afraid, it was not of his skill, but of the impending changes. He and his staff where very sympathetic to my fears. Also, it was amazing to have a surgeon who remained available during the entire hospital stay. This is unheard of in the USA. The only downside is that not all the hospitals nurses spoke alot of English. while this made communication a challenge, it really didn't cause any problems. Therefore, for both his skill as a surgeon and his compassion for others I have no reservations in referring Dr. Castañeda-Cruz and his team to anyone who is considering bariatric surgery.