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Clinic: DIGECLINIC
Sixtino Building | 6th Avenue 6-63 | Office #407 | Zone 10 | Guatemala City
Sixtino is six blocks east of La Reforma at the entrance to UFM
Sixtino is six blocks east of La Reforma at the entrance to UFM
Clinic Phone : Receptionist in Spanish: 502-2316-4228
Whatsapp: +502 4388 8610
Dr. Michael Vitale is a general and laparoscopic surgeon who evaluates and corrects disorders and diseases throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Digeclinic is an out-patient surgery and advanced endoscopy clinic founded by Dr. Vitale in 2008, to detect and treat diseases of the digestive system and associated organs.
With modern technology and a team of dedicated specialists, Dr. Vitale can meet the medical needs of his patients to the high-quality global standards that they expect. Beyond his diagnostic insight, it is the whole-body comprehensive care, accurate communication, and genuinely warm attention that assure the best possible outcome for his patients from Guatemala, the United States, and around the world.
Most frequently, Dr. Vitale performs procedures regarding treatment of the gall bladder, including stones, tumors, cysts and cholecystitis, or inflammation. Stones can usually be detected and diagnosed by ultrasound, but with chronic cholecystitis, the gall bladder may be laparoscopically removed. Dr. Vitale says, “When gall stones move to the ducts, we perform ERCP to endoscopically view and treat the obstructions. It’s done every day here in my clinic. Sometimes stents are used to help the passing of the stones.” Dr. Vitale has performed over 3000 ERCP, or endoscopic gall bladder procedures.
If you experience gastric reflux, burning sensation, stomach pain or abdominal cramps, these could be symptoms that need closer attention by a gastrointestinal specialist, to stop the irritation and give you relief. Upper G.I. endoscopy or colonoscopy are methods of viewing your organs up close, to clearly inspect the problem, and determine the correct treatment plan.
Dr. Vitale takes a special interest in treatment of obesity, by studying the latest advances in intra-gastric balloon procedures, to improve the over-all health and well-being of overweight patients to bring their weight under control for a more active and satisfying lifestyle.
Dr. Vitale recommends that everyone should get regular screenings for early diagnosis and prompt, effective treatment. After a problem has lingered, it could become more complex and difficult. Patients over 60 should follow their doctor’s advice and get a G.I. check-up every 3-5 years.
The doctor says, “The ultimate goal is to maintain overall good health through early detection of pathologies and general prevention of gastric disease. Prevention brings well-being and peace of mind.”
I had strong stomach pains, almost unbearable, so my friend took me to see Dr. Michael Vitale in Guatemala City. He told me I had suffered a tear in my bile duct or gall bladder, called biliary peritonitis. I was first in intensive care, then Dr. Vitale operated on me to eliminate residues of bile and lots of excess drainage.
Thanks to the professionalism of Dr. Vitale and to the hand of God I was feeling better every day, even though I had pneumonia, which was also being treated. Thanks to his medical skills, ethics, and above all his sincere humanity, he carried out the appropriate treatment that allowed me to continue improving and to live another day.
I can continue my treatment at the hospital in Panajachel because Dr. Vitale continues to support me and to give his medical advice. I do not hesitate to recommend Dr. Vitale as a doctor who takes an interest in the long-term health of his patients.
Ruth Orellana, Panajachel, GuatemalaAfter what has been quite an interesting couple of days, I need to thank Dr. Michael Vitale and Lori Shea of Guatemala Medical Travel for literally saving my life! At 5:30 on Sunday morning I woke with pain like I’ve never felt before. If that’s a Zacapa hangover, then nobody would ever drink Zacapa again! Turned out to be an acute gall bladder attack.
Lucky to have Lori there in a few minutes to call Dr. Vitale and coordinate everything. The ambulance rushed me, moaning and screaming, all the way to Guatemala City where the doctor met us at the Emergency Dept. I was poked, scanned, prodded, and ultimately operated on in a few hours, revealing a whole handful of gallstones, one of which is as big as a walnut.
After two days of wonderful care, I am home now, resting, and contemplating a life without fatty food. I am very thankful for Dr. Vitale and the support of all my friends…love you and don’t know what I’d do without you. The photos are of my medical team with me on the table, and the “celebrity gallstone”. Dr. Vitale took the photos and put them on his own Facebook page, and hospital resident docs were stopping by to have a peek. Damn that hurt!!!! Glad to be alive.
Anne Gerhardt, La Antigua, GuatemalaI’m honored to put in a good word for Dr. Michael Vitale. He’s such a great doctor – not only amazing medically, but he had a wonderful bedside manner. I’ve never had a better doctor.
I was sitting with some folks at a fundraiser in Antigua recently when the conversation turned to medical care in Guatemala. I told them I had absolutely zero doubts about having my complex gallbladder surgery done here with Dr. Vitale. Overall, it was a much better experience than the hysterectomy I had in the U.S. I told them to consider having medical procedures in Guatemala and to call Lori at Guatemala Medical Travel as an advocate/ personal assistant.
I appreciated him so much, and although I hope I never need another surgery, I would trust Dr. Vitale 100% and recommend him to my family or friends.
Wendy Faircloth, La Antigua, Guatemala 2022
