Weight Loss Testimonials

Costa Rica Medical Tourism Testimonials – Weight Loss/Bariatric Surgery/Laparoscopic Surgery:

Dear MTCR staff,

Starlene has been a wonderful guide and companion through this journey. This hospital is the nicest I have ever seen. The nursing staff is extraordinary. The physicians clearly cared as much about me, a visiting patient, as the best treating physicians I have known in regular life. I could not have asked for better, more caring, more skilled treatment.

All physicians were clearly competent, well equipped, and caring. They treated me with the care and courtesy I would hope to receive from my regular physician or specialist at home. These doctors are breathtakingly capable. Dr. Zafrani did the Lap Band procedure on a Friday. I was out shopping in the open air craft markets of San Jose the following Monday. Dr. Wu Chin was right on top of things when my blood sugar went up after surgery. Both doctors visited, and arranged extra follow up appointments to be certain that I was fully cared for. I do not think medical care gets better than this. From now on, if I need serious medical care, I will come to Costa Rica.

These nurses study 6 years to earn their RN. They are very professional, very competent, and fully bilingual. In addition to their excellent work, I appreciated the pride and professionalism symbolized by their hard earned caps and immaculate uniforms. They are a very comforting sight to a patient who is far from home.

This is the nicest hospital I have ever seen. I have lived in apartments that were smaller than the beautiful hospital room we had. There was a comfortable bed, in a separate space, for my husband. There was room….so much room. The colors of the room were fascinating. The bathroom was very large and very safe. If there is a better hospital out there, I cannot imagine what they must have! This is truly as good as the very best.

We stayed at Adventure Inn, a small hotel. It was immaculate. The rooms were large, tasteful, and well furnished. The staff was very courteous. This small hotel is economical and excellent. It is a good value. They are preparing special meals to meet my post surgical dietary needs.

MTCR, Hospital Clinica Biblica, Starlene, all of the wonderful doctors and nurses, our drivers, and the staff at Adventure Inn exceeded our best expectations.

Glenda Durham,  USA Gastric Sleeve

Hi Starlene.

Got your voice message last night (Friday the 13th!!). I work odd hours and am sorry I wasn’t here to pick up your call. I can’t believe I left for Costa Rica a month ago TODAY!!! A month has passed already!!! I am doing well. Please give my regards to Dr. Zafrani. I am pleased to report that I have lost 22 lbs to date (and I am still 3 days short of a month from my surgery date!!). I feel pretty good; I have not progressed any further than soup with my diet as yet. I am sort of nervous to try “eating” anything; even soft foods. Liquids are doing good plus I have a high protein/low calorie shake every day to keep my protein intake up. You can forward this email to Dr. Zafrani if you like. Again, all is well here in California and I am excited about my weight loss. I already have a pile of clothes that are too big for me!! And I plan to NEVER wear them again!!

G. St Clair,

USA

Gastric Sleeve

Dear Nancy,

I hope all is well with you. I am doing good- it has been 11 weeks since my surgery and I have lost 58 pounds! I am using a personal trainer and I am exercising 4-5 times a week. I feel great!!! I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, but my internet is not working properly. I hope this helps. I have been recommending your program to a lot of people!

I had a great experience with Dr. Zafrani and his staff at Hospital Clinica Biblica. I am an RN in the United States and after 8 years of trying to find an insurance that would cover the gastric bypass surgery, I decided to pay for it myself. While I was researching surgery in Mexico, I came across an article about medical tourism which mentioned that a hospital in Costa Rica is accredited from JCAHO. This was a big deal for me, as this is the same organization that accredits hospitals in the US. I requested information from the website, received a quick response, and everything went smoothly from there. I had a lot of co-workers and friends who tried to talk me out of going to another country, but my mind was made up. I was even more reassured when we arrived at the airport in Costa Rica and our driver, Juan Carlos was waiting for us, although the flight had been delayed. Everyone was wonderful- Juan Carlos, our driver and tour guide was very knowledgeable about Costa Rica. I do not speak Spanish, but I had little trouble communicating in this beautiful country.

At the hotel we met 2 more Americans who were having bariatric surgery as well. I have formed lasting friendships with both of these ladies and their families. It was a special treat to tour the countryside with these fellow Americans.

A huge thank you to Starlene and Bill, who arranged all the details. I was impressed by the layout of the hospital- all the clinics on one side, where I had all the pre-op tests completed and the hospital on the other side, where my surgery was 2 days later. It was an extra special touch when Starlene sat with me before my surgery and calmed my nerves with a prayer. Dr. Zafrani was great, he is a very knowledgeable and skilled surgeon. The nurses and hospital staff were all very friendly and professional. Post-op, after returning to my hotel, a nurse visited me for 3 days to make sure my recovery was going well. Starlene even made the arrangements for our hotel stay at El Rodeo, and everyone there was very helpful. I can not say thank you enough to everyone who made this life changing experience possible. I have recommended this experience to many people and I would do it all over again.

Thank you!

Danell Kistner, RN, Hollister, CA Gastric Bypass

Dear MTCR,

What an amazing experience was my surgery at Hospital Clinica Biblica!

What began as a simple quest for relief from my high blood20pressure, diabetes, and back pain turned into an introduction to a gentleman I now consider to be one of the finest surgeons in the world, Dr. Mario Saenz. Why would I make this statement? Two reasons primarily…one my surgery had zero complications. I remember and felt nothing during my operation. And two the results…I have currently lost 59 pounds with ease (down from 244 to 185) and I feel great.

I am 62. Everyday before my operation, I used to truly believe I was very close to passing away. I felt that bad. Now I feel great, and I believe Dr. Saenz has extended my life for at least another 20 years. Oh yes, and did I mention that the cost of my surgery was half of what it would have been in the U.S. ($15,000 – check it out for yourself.) From my private room with all the modern amenities to my painless operation experience…

First Class all the way and highly recommended!

Roger Hailey,  Doral, Florida Gastric Bypass

Hi Starlene.

Got your voice message last night (Friday the 13th!!). I work odd hours and am sorry I wasn’t here to pick up your call. I can’t believe I left for Costa Rica a month ago TODAY!!! A month has passed already!!! I am doing well. Please give my regards to Dr. Zafrani. I am pleased to report that I have lost 22 lbs to date (and I am still 3 days short of a month from my surgery date!!). I feel pretty good; I have not progressed any further than soup with my diet as yet. I am sort of nervous to try “eating” anything; even soft foods. Liquids are doing good plus I have a high protein/low calorie shake every day to keep my protein intake up. You can forward this email to Dr. Zafrani if you like. Again, all is well here in California and I am excited about my weight loss. I already have a pile of clothes that are too big for me!! And I plan to NEVER wear them again!! Gail

G. St Clair, USA Gastric Sleeve

Hello Ms. Spencer,

Yes, it has been 3 months since I had my procedure at Clinica Biblica. I am very satisfied, almost amazed at my weight loss; close to 60 lbs. My life has changed for the better and I am feeling better about my health and my physique. What few issues I had post-surgery, were quickly answered via e-mail by my surgeon, my internist, and my dietician. I continue to be amazed at the level of service and care that I have received by the medical staff. Having endured 3 surgeries in the past 3 years, including a cancer surgery, I was not expecting the quality of care at Clinica Biblica by the medical staff. The quality is far superior to what I received in the USA. Since I do not have insurance, I plan on returning for any future procedures that might be needed. Best regards,

Steve Carmody,  USA Gastric Sleeve

Dear Medical Tours Costa Rica,

Given the superb quality of your service to your patients and their families, I should doubt that you need additional testimonials. Rather, you need to let people know that the quality of health care in Costa Rica equals or exceeds that available in the US at a fraction of the cost. Everyone we dealt with in the entire process made us feel comfortable and welcome, in spite of our inability to speak Spanish. Your department serving international guests helped remove the fear of being in a “foreign” country. We always felt safe, secure, and well attended.

Our case was probably unusual in that the entire matter needed to be arranged in virtually no time. But the facilitator we used found Hospital Clinica Biblica, and the right surgeon for my wife’s needs. And they did it very quickly.

It was not hard to verify your references. The hospital, doctors, staff, and particularly your International Department, lived up to the advanced billing.

The medical recovery facility we stayed at, Che Tica Ranch, was excellent in all respects. You can recommend them to anyone in complete comfort.

I’m not particularly good at thank you letters, but everyone involved has earned one. Please pass this on to Dr. Jacobo Zafrani, the wonderful nurses, your staff (especially Starlene), and to Ruben and Lorena Martin at Che Tica.

The next time we need medical services, we are likely to return to Costa Rica. Only next time, perhaps we can stay an extra few days and see some more of the country.

Our thanks and gratitude to one and all.

Steven H. Goodman and Edith S. Davis, Kansas City, Kansas Gall bladder Removal & Lap band removal

Dear Medical Tours Costa Rica,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the Clinica Biblica Hospital for the Superior service that I received before, during, and after my Surgery.

My Family Practitioner was amazed at the number of Pre Surgical Tests that were done to insure my safety. Dr Zafrani was the most caring, and dedicated Surgeon that I have ever met. I went into my Surgery with complete confidence.

I daresay that I would ever receive this level of service in Canada. Kudos to Bill and his team, as well as Dr Zafrani for an amazing experience.

I will be coming back!

Judy Vent,  Toronto, Canada Gastric Sleeve

If you are interested in metabolic surgery to reverse type 2 diabetes, please view the video which includes a testimonial by a patient who underwent the procedure.

You can also call 1-866-665-6433 and speak to bariatric surgery consultant who can give you all the information you need about Doctor Jacobo Zafrani and his bariatric surgery team.