Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace, a well experienced Bariatric Surgeon in Mexico, performs a variety of obesity weight loss surgery to aid long-term weight loss treatments. He studied medicine at the "Universidad La Salle," in the city of Mexico D.F. Soon afterwards, he did a specialty at the General Hospital of the Secretaria de Salud (Secretary of Health), and became a general surgeon in the year 1983.

Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace always performs the Bariatric Surgery with stomach separation. Currently he continues to pratice the same technique with some small differences that improve surgical time, and with better and prolonged weight loss results in the long term.

He practiced at the Sharp Cabrillo Hospital, in San Diego, California USA, under the education of Dr. Richard Catlin, and specialized in bariatric surgery.

Cardiomed Hospital in Ensenada
The hospital has all the necessary equipment and the most friendly experienced personnel. When you arrive at the Hospital for your surgery you will meet with the hospital's experienced personnel who will take care of you, they are:

• Fernando Villegas - Anesthesiologist
• Guadalupe Salazar - Instrumentist
• Dr. Guillermo Estrella - Medical Assistant
• Rosella Aguirre - Services and Management

The surgery lasts from 1.1/2 to 2.1/2 hours. We get you up and about and the pulmonary therapy starts 12 to 24 hours after the surgery. The hospital stay is 2 to 3 days long.

Once you are released from the hospital, doctor Aguirre's staff will provide you with written post op information as well as contact phone numbers.

If any complications occur; doctor Aguirre will provide his services at no cost, although hospital fees will apply.

If your city of residence is 250 miles or less from Ensenada, you will be able to leave and return 8 days after the surgery. After the 8th day, you are discharged and checked again the 30th day after the surgery for new indications of vitamins, type of diet, exercises, etc.

It is important to be in communication with the doctor at least every thirty days, specially during the first six months after the surgery.

Bariatric Surgery, the definitive solution for the overweight
Obesity is one of the major health problems confronting the United States. It is estimated that approximately 30% of the population is overweight and over five million Americans are more than 100 lbs. over their ideal weight. Most obese individuals have struggled unsuccessfully with their weight for many years.

The numerous diets, commercial slimming clubs, and weight loss centers offering treatments such as hypnosis, pituitary hormones, appetite suppression drugs, and behavioral therapy attest to the great difficulty many overweight people have in losing weight and keeping it off.
 
Some of these weight loss strategies may be successful in people with mild obesity, but nearly all fail in individuals 100 pounds or more over their ideal body weight. At present, surgery is the only proven, effective therapy for severe obesity or morbid obesity.

NEW PRICING STRUCTURE OFFERED FOR LIMITED TIME!
Please see details under Treatment Section.
We are offering a discounted pricing package which includes round trip transportation services from the San Diego airport, a condo for one week and the medical and hospital fee.

Please Click here to request more information from Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace.

Center Details

Bariatric Surgery, the definitive solution to the overweight
Obesity is one of the major health problems confronting the United States. It is estimated that approximately 30% of the population is overweight and over five million Americans are more than 100 lbs. over their ideal weight. Most obese individuals have struggled unsuccessfully with their weight for many years.

The numerous diets, commercial slimming clubs, and weight loss centers offering treatments such as hypnosis, pituitary hormones, appetite suppression drugs, and behavioral therapy attest to the great difficulty many overweight people have in losing weight and keeping it off.

Some of these weight loss strategies may be successful in people with mild obesity, but nearly all fail in individuals 100 pounds or more over their ideal body weight. At present, surgery is the only proven, effective therapy for severe obesity or morbid obesity.

Cardiomed Hospital
Dr. Aguirre performs all his surgeries at Cardiomed Hospital in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, that has all the necessary equipment and the friendliest experienced personnel.

When you arrive at the Hospital for your surgery you will meet with the hospital's experienced personnel who will take care of you, they are:
1. Fernando Villegas - Anesthesiologist
2. Guadalupe Salazar - Instrumentist
3. Dr. Guillermo Estrella - Medical Assistant
4. Rosella Aguirre - Services and Management

The surgery lasts from 1.1/2 to 2.1/2 hours. We get you up and about and the pulmonary therapy starts 12 to 24 hours after the surgery. The hospital stay is 2 to 3 days long.

Once you are released from the hospital, doctor Aguirre's staff will provide you with written post op information as well as contact phone numbers.

If any complications occur; doctor Aguirre will provide his services at no cost, although hospital fees will apply.

If your city of residence is 250 miles or less from Ensenada, you will be able to leave and return 8 days after the surgery. After the 8th day, you are discharged and checked again the 30th day after the surgery for new indications of vitamins, type of diet, exercises, etc.

It is important to be in communication with the doctor at least every thirty days, especially during the first six months after the surgery.

To learn more about Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace services, please click Request Info.

Treatments & Prices

Presurgery Preparation 
 
Who qualifies for Gastric Bypass surgery?
Although there are exceptions, these are the criteria that are generally used to decide who qualifies for the gastric reduction surgery

• Previous efforts to lose weight with balanced diets have failed.
• Absence of serious medical problems that make the surgery too dangerous.
• If you are at least 65 lbs overweight, or have a 35-40 or more BMI (body mass index.)
• Individuals who have a 35-40 BMI, and must lose weight in order to take care of their other medical problems.
• Pediatric patients or patients with previous bariatric surgeries, require different specifications, please ask us about this.

Certain medical conditions like Diabetes Mellitus, Arterial Hypertension, Aterosclerosis, Osteoporosis, Infarct to the Myocardium, Tiroidea Disease, etc., are originated or aggravated by obesity, and are reasons for this class of weight loss surgery. Serious psychiatric problems are a contraindication for the surgery, unless a psychiatrist certifies that the disease is controlled and improving. When these diseases are not controlled, they can worsen with the surgery.
 
Studies have demonstrated that people who suffer from morbid obesity do not generally have a higher index of psychiatric illnesses than the general public. Those sensations of incapacity, lack of security, frustration, obsession with foods, anxieties and depressions are common problems in patients who suffer morbid obesity, but are not psychiatric diseases. These symptoms almost always improve after gastric weight reduction.

Prerequisites for surgery:

• Clinical history (Medical Questionnaire) to know you better as a patient and as a person.
• Control of associated diseases.
• Lab exams.
• Cardiological evaluation.

Recommendations:

• No smoking
• Respiratory Exercises
• To earn your trust 

Hospital Stay  
Cardiomed Hospital in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, has all the necessary equipment and the most friendly experienced personnel.

When you arrive at the Hospital for your surgery you will meet with the hospital's experienced personnel who will take care of you, they are:

• Fernando Villegas - Anesthesiologist
• Guadalupe Salazar - Instrumentist
• Dr. Guillermo Estrella - Medical Assistant
• Rosella Aguirre - Services and Management

The surgery lasts from 1.1/2 to 2.1/2 hours. We get you up and about and the pulmonary therapy starts 12 to 24 hours after the surgery. The hospital stay is 2 to 3 days long.

Once you are released from the hospital, doctor Aguirre's staff will provide you with written post op information as well as contact phone numbers.

If any complications occur; doctor Aguirre will provide his services at no cost, although hospital fees will apply.

If your city of residence is 250 miles or less from Ensenada, you will be able to leave and return 8 days after the surgery. After the 8th day, you are discharged and checked again the 30th day after the surgery for new indications of vitamins, type of diet, exercises, etc.

It is important to be in communication with the doctor at least every thirty days, specially during the first six months after the surgery.

Gastric (Bypass Surgery)  
The Gastric Bypass consists of stomach separation in two parts, a small one ( 7-8%) that's the one in charge to receive the food. The larger one remains in your body producing its necessary digestive substances, but will no longer bypass your food.

This way the amount of food is reduced causing an immediate filling (full) sensation and satisfaction. One more mouthful and the sensation is no longer pleasant, maybe reaching the point of vomiting, because there is no more space in the reduced stomach.

In order for the food to follow its natural course, the small stomach is connected to the small intestine immediately in front of the inferior (large) stomach, whereas the food coming from the small stomach, and the substances coming form the large stomach, will be mixed.

This change of anatomy in your body will not cause strange or annoying sensations to you; on the contrary, hiatal hernia can be corrected, and also gall bladder disease can be treated and removed.

What are the risks?
All surgeries imply a certain risk and the Gastric Bypass is no exception. Specific complications like leaks or obstructions are extremely rare, and when they appear, they require a second immediate intervention. Like any other surgery, mortality also is a possibility, although equally rare.

It is impossible to guarantee an optimal result, but it is possible to offer the best care and attention.
 
Postsurgery Period 
Evolution
How fast you lose weight will sometimes depend on how much you weighed before surgery, generally the higher your BMI the faster you will lose.

Example:

• Height: 5ft - Weight: 320 lbs will lose 26 to 30 lbs in the first month. The second month will lose 15 to 20 lbs.
• I want to tell you that the surgery is not magic.
• If you want to obtain the desired weight loss, you must put some of your effort and will power.

Always follow these recommendations:

• Always eat at your meal time.
• Exercise, aerobics recommended.
• Take vitamins.

Welcome to your change!

NEW PRICING STRUCTURE:
We are offering a discounted pricing package which includes round trip transportation services from the San Diego airport, a condo for one week and the medical and hospital fee.
Previously offered at a cost of $13,000 USD -$15,000 USD, this package is now available for $7500 USD-$9500 USD. 
Please click below to request detailed information and to contact Dr. Aguirre directly.

To learn more about Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace services, please click Request Info.

Qualifications, Accreditations & Certifications

Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace was born in 1954 in the city of San Diego, California, USA. He studied medicine at the "Universidad La Salle," in the city of Mexico D.F. Soon afterwards, he did a specialty at the General Hospital of the Secretaria de Salud (Secretary of Health), and became a general surgeon in the year 1983.

He practiced at the Sharp Cabrillo Hospital, in San Diego, California USA, under the education of Dr. Richard Catlin, and specialized in bariatric surgery.

Dr. Aguirre always performs the Bariatric Surgery with stomach separation. Currently he continues to pratice the same technique with some small differences that improve surgical time, and with better and prolonged weight loss results in the long term.

At the present moment, he's a member and founder of the Mexican Society of the Surgery of Obesity and a member of the International Federation for Obesity Surgery

To learn more about Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace services, please click Request Info.

Testimonials

01/03
I had my surgery on 12-16-04 and am doing awesome!!! I often think of Ensenada, Mexico and Dr Aguirre and all-in-all it was a Fabulous experience. Granted, I was LOOKING for the positive, had a great attitude and had my crazy, fun mom with me to keep me entertained. It really was a pilgrimage of sorts and I'll never forget it. There were times during my trip I was scared. I could have died! But to tell you the truth, my tummy tuck done here in the US close to my home freaked me out more than my wls w/Dr. A! If you have questions...ask them! If you feel desperate to do something about your health and have the $ and a little bit of faith...DO IT! You'll do great. Just look for the positive and you're sure to find it.   
Molly H.

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He was very nice and friendly. Answered my questions and was very descriptive on the surgery itself. I never met any of the office staff. Great bedside manner. Would recommend to all who inquired.

Shauna E.
Wendell, ID  

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Dr. Aguirre is the most helpful, talented and kind surgeon I have ever met, and that is from a nurse of over 20 years! My insurance would not cover weight loss surgery and I needed a revision of a vertical banded gastroplasty. Dr. Aguirre explained everything to me in detail. He accompanied me while I got my preop tests and was there for every question I asked. As a retired nurse I knew what I was getting into, but I learned things from him about what he was going to do. The hospital (CardioMed) was small but excellent. The staff was plentiful and knowledgable. They knew what to do and did it. I stayed in the hospital 2 nights and then went to a provided condo for 5 nights. Dr. Aguirre actually made a HOUSE CALL! He gave me specific post op instructions and talked about...
Jane H.

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I liked him very much he was very kind and gentle a seemed genuinly concerend for his patitnts. It didn't he is a very kind and caring person. The staff there are great and very frindly also very caring and patient people. I can't say that I disliked anything abou him. That Dr. Crossin and the entire staff are great people they take very good care of you. After care is very important to them. Yes you have a lot more visits to go to and they are avalible anytime you need them. It was explained in every detail by the surgon and the entire staff I had to go to an all day class to prepare for this surgury. A 10+++. Both are exceptional.
Susan L.
Terre Haute, IN

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I can not say enough wonderful things about Dr. Aguirre. It is sad Annie died. She died 7 days after surgery. If that is the case she left Dr. Aguirre's care before she was instructed to do so. As far as not being given any pain meds, you are instructed to go to the pharmacy and pick them up. Did they not do that? I actually am still here in Ensenada and am 6 days post-op and am doing wonderfully. I have had wonderful care. When going into this surgery or any surgery, we must all realize death is something that may occur. You must be at peace with yourself, your life and your creator before you do this. This surgery or any surgery is not one to be taken lightly. I am truely sorry for Annie's passing but I hate to see someone blame her death on Dr. Aguirre and his staff. It is sad...
Neisha
Shawnee, OK

To learn more about Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace services, please click Request Info.

Awards & Media Coverage

Local Attractions

Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, is located 70 miles south of San Diego California, (90 minutes driving distance). It is a beautiful trip, with a view of the Pacific ocean almost all the way.

The main attractions in Ensenada are vineyards, museums, whale watching, La Bufadora (the blowhole) and beautiful beaches. It is also one of the most important ports on the Pacific Rim.

The Ensenada area has several celebrated surfing spots, such as San Miguel Beach and Todos Santos Island. Further south in the municipality are spots famous for their excellent windsurfing.

The world-renowned Baja 1000 off-road race is held in Ensenada every year in late November, while the Baja 500 race is held in early June. Off-road enthusiasts use Ensenada year-round as a starting point to explore Baja California.

Ensenada offers all of the services you would expect in a big town. Supermarkets, hospitals, plenty of shopping, and much more. The large harbor is the third largest seaport in Baja, and fishing is a big industry here.

We can arrange your visit to all these places with a personal driver for a nominal fee. We can also give you a full and complete tour at a great price. We are here to guide and make yourself comfortable while you stay in Ensenada.

LA BUFADORA (The blowhole)
La Bufadora, a natural blowhole on the coast, is a short drive south of the city. The drive itself is reason enough to go, the scenery in this part of the world is second to none in it's beauty. The area itself is usually crawling with tourists but it's still a beautiful and impressive site. La Bufadora is about thirty minutes south of Ensenada in a seemingly remote section of Pacific coastline. There are several shops & restaurants. You will also find three observation decks, and plenty of steps and short walls to sit on to keep you safe from the Pacific Ocean 'spray'.

If you like to get into the thick of things, go to the middle observation deck and hang over the wall with everyone else. From there, you can look down about 45 feet into what looks like a rock crevice about 10 feet wide. The crevice, however, is actually the mouth of a cave, and as the waves recede from the cave it fills with air. When the waves come back in, the water entering the cave compresses the air until it explodes, blowing the water as high as 90 feet into the air. Granted, that isn't a terribly scientific explanation, but it gives you some idea, and it depends on the tide conditions as to how far the water will actually shoot up in the air. You might have to wait five or six minutes between swells, and if you're impatient you might give up and walk away just before the show starts, so stick around a while:-)

ENSENADA SHOPPING
Bargain hunting in Ensenada is easy. Ensenada is bustling with wide Avenues crammed with shoppers scrambling for Baja's famous bargains. Everybody has them. Just take a look at the shops along First Street. It's a colorful slice of Mexican curio life.

For items a cut above the curio class, take a meander down Avenida Ruiz. You'll find dazzling quality gifts for every description. Sidewalk cafes vie for your patronage... and there is nothing quite like a late afternoon lunch with a refreshing glass of wine or an icy cold beer at one of these establishments. The gentle sea breezes rustling through the leaves of the boulevard while you dine is an unforgettable experience. When you finish your shopping, take time out for a cool one at the famous Hussong's cantina (founded in 1892.) It's a raucous place but lots of fun, a trip to Ensenada is not complete without a visit to Hussong's cantina.

To learn more about Dr. Alejandro Aguirre Wallace services, please click Request Info.