Diamondeyed

They assured me it gets better and they were telling the truth! Thanks vets!

As far as Dr Garcia, I know he said that he does the most difficult cases first. Which could explain the long wait. If the person before you had several issues to arise in the OR then you could run into a long wait. As far as I was concerned, I didn't wait extremely long and they did come and tell me that I would be going second and in less than 5 min they were there to take me. As for the nursing staff. They were pretty good to me, one poster commented on how her fluids ran out once, so did mine and as the next nurse came in and noticed she was right there to quickly hang another. The medical staff of "Dr Garcia" was great. His team was always available and attentive. I was experiencing bad nausea and the Zofran was not cutting it. The dr came in the middle of the night to order me something else for both pain and nausea. Try getting that in the US ("I'm a nurse and trust me I know"). I never had to ask for pain meds though. They were right in and as soon as they heard me gag they were in there. I'm not sure if they were more attentive because I was a nurse or because I was alone. Whatever the case I felt they were knowledgable and competent. I did not like the fact that they didn't have a call bell. I was however able to tell "NURSE" and they came right in. And I did do that when I dropped my remote, my cell phone, and my emesis basin which they had no trouble cleaning up and refilling it with tissue for my next use. I would not have just kept quiet and accepted substandard care. I definitely don't mind being vocal when needed. Was it a cake walk, heck no! Was my needs taken care of, heck yes! Would I do it again, without a doubt! Is the hosp different from in the states, most definitely!

Good healing to you Amy!

I finally made it home to Louisiana safe and sound. Thanks to all my VST family for all the prayers and well wishes. For those of you that are traveling to Mi hospital and following in my steps, Dr Garcia and his staff will take excellent care of you. Trust in God and press on. If he brings you to it, he will bring you through it!

I'll be having surgery on Feb. 21st...most of you will already be back home.
Thanks for the packing list, Diamondeyed.. don't forget a heating pad and gas-x strips!

Tomorrow is my 8 month "surgiversary". I am at my goal and have lost a total of 73 pounds. Dr. Fernando Garcia was my surgeon. I went from a 16-18 size jeans to a size 6.......yes, a size 6. I am smaller now than I was in college.
This journey has not been easy. I will not lie. I only regretted it one time and that was probably about 6 weeks post op and I was staying nauseated. But before I knew it, nausea was gone, I had finally turned a corner and I could drink Water without being nauseated. Could not drink much of it, so don't worry if you can't now, you will most definitely be able to in the coming months post op.
I feel life is somewhat normal again. By that I mean, I can eat anything I want. I do not feel deprived. I am not really ever very hungry. Going out to dinner was a big challenge for the first 4 or 5 months. What was the point on spending $15 or $20 on an entree I was only going to eat 1/4 of and box up and bring home and probably not eat because I don't do leftovers well? Eating out with my family seems somewhat normal now.
My favorite snack of choice is 2 slices of the Monterey Jack Land o lakes cheese. 2 of those and I am good for several hours.
I am very happy with my choice and my decision to go to Mexico and using Dr. Garcia. I have had no major problems and all my labs have been good post op. Slightly anemic, but everything else checks out fine. Be prepared to be in one size one week and a lesser size in another week. That has been frustrating. Trying to not buy too many clothes because I knew I would keep losing. I happily donated my dressy clothes to a woman who was about to have to go back to work after being a stay at home mom and was getting divorced and needed nice work clothes.
I do seem to stay colder, but with all the fat gone, I guess that is to be expected.
Good luck to you all who are thinking about VSG or have just had VSG or are just a few months post op. Your life will return to normal. Be patient with yourself and don't stress over water amounts and Protein amounts. I have struggled with both and am still alive and well. I did experience some Hair loss, but nothing major. I take Biotin for that. I did not have the infamous stall at 6 weeks or 3 months. My stall happened at 6 months and I just reached goal this week. So, it took me 2 months to lose 7 pounds but that was with limited physical activity also and holidays. (There was a point I thought I might not stop losing)
Feel free to message me if you have any questions or concerns.
Chow for now.......

No I'm at the hotel. Can't wait for you guys to come. I just slept off and on yesterday.

We did it!

Surgery done I am doing gr8

Tell me this get better, will I be able to drink in more than sips, will my sleeve relax a little?

I had surgery with Dr. Garcia on February 21st. Dr. Garcia had four surgery patients that day: an RNY revision; a band removal with revision to a sleeve; a sleeve plus gall bladder removal; and my sleeve surgery. I got to know the three other patients and we spent time together at the Marriott...we all recovered quickly and had minor discomfort (but no pain) after being discharged from the hospital.
For me, it was noteworthy that Dr. Garcia leads a team of doctors who care for you. He is the surgeon (an exceptional one, in my opinion!); the other doctors on his team handle your hospital and post-op care. I felt very well cared for by all of them. I am home now and I feel great! I highly, highly recommend Dr. Garcia and his entire team.

I am. Here now

On my way to the airport. All my prayer warriors lift me up in prayer!

Oh Diamond! I've been wanting to post just this for two weeks now. Some time yesterday, 25 days out, I feel like I really started to turn the corner to something that looks/feels like myself again. My patient support person posts about the 10 day phenomenon, that at about 10 days out the hormones and frustration just come home to roost... you're right on time as was I!
As so many will tell you, you're normal, it's a process and you'll find your new normal soon. That said... it sucks for the time being and it's okay.
I'll tell you what... indulge in the buyer's remorse for today. Sometimes we need to do that for our hearts. We had VSG, not a lobotomy, our heads have to catch up.

Yes, once the swelling goes down, you will be able to take normal swallows of liquids. But don't rush it, take small sips until you know how much your new stomach can hold. I found out the hard way - you ain't gonna like it.
Congrats on making it this far.

Tessie I can't wait to meet you, I am praying for you and I both. I believe God ordered these steps and we are abiding by his plan. Let his will be done.
Heavenly Father, watch over us in our time of need. Protect us as we travel and guide our surgeons hands as he performs each and every operation. Bring peace to our hearts and deliver us from all hurt, harm, or danger. Father we stand on your word as we make this trip across country. We pray for healing and good health, strength and prosperity. All of these blessings we ask in Jesus name.
Amen.
When it's anointed by God, consider it well done.

Good luck. I will be there tomorrow.

In my room at the Marriott. Not scary here at all. Samuel is super nice and talkative, speaks perfect English. I'm waiting on the on site coordinator to get here, she had a meeting. Surgery is tomorrow. I'm so excited and nervous. I'll keep you guys posted.

I'm settled in at the Marriott. Got here about 2pm...had a nice nap and a wonderful shower. Got together with 3 other sleevers for broth and popsicles in the dining room. Feeling tired but otherwise it is hard to believe that my surgery was only 50 hours ago! As of right now, I'm not taking any pain meds and am feeling fine. Still getting some gas rumblings but they are minor.
Amazing...no hunger or interest in food at all. Care at hospital was very good...will give more details later. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. I am sleeved and doing great!

Yes he does.

Clear Liquids day 1-3
Full liquids thereafter
Day 17 pureed until day 30
Then full foods, 50-70 grams of protien per day. 64oz. of fluids, protien drinks and broth included...