SweetTee

2014

Yeah, lol! I meant by Feb 2014/ 1 yr after VSG! We will have lost half a person! I can't wait!

I will have mine February 27' date=' 2013[/quote']

By Feb 14 2014, we'll be to hot to handle!

I hate soap operas.. **Changes channel**

Happy Being Thankful Day everyone!!! I am personally thankful for everyone on here for being you. The mixture of backgrounds' date=' cultures, and experiences are a great resource of information and fresh ways to think about making this decision.

Good or bad, we need the information. I don't care if it is gift wrapped or slapped on my forehead.[/quote']

I know right. I'm so excited I'm almost getting a tad but nervous. Not about the surgery but the diet! I guess I'm just so use to dieting and failing that's why I'm so not looking forward to it.

I fully believe that it is never too late! So in that spirit I think you deserve just as much praise <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />! Are you pre or post op?

I'm pre op. I'm scheduled for Feb 21 with Dr Garcia on Tj Mexico

Welcome to VST! Hooray to you guys for having the courage to do something about your weight now instead of wishing like me that you had done something earlier.

That's great! I can hardly wait!

Ha?!?!

Really?!?!

Wow. It staggers the mind at your apparent malicious glee over a patient who supposedly had a bad experience with ALM and Dr. Garcia. Any credibility your supposed experience had is shattered IMO by your attitude and your implied satisfaction at reporting "another" bad experience. Which is a shame because this forum is designed to support' date=' share, and inform people who are in the midst of making a life changing decision... Surgery... And out of their comfort zone... Home. I'm not sure of your motives. Gossip? Sabotage? Feeling vindicated that you're "right" about ALM? It doesn't even matter now. Awful that an opportunity to share experiences is turned into at best, gloating and at worst, lies and sabotage.

Amanda Rae

[/quote']

I have been following this post because I to am going to Dr Garcia. I was reading the post you are referring to and I really didn't get the feeling she was trying to gossip, sabotage, or anything in between. It seems as if she was just offering some info about the experience of someone she knows who used ALM. Ultimately whichever company anyone uses is their personal decision. I can say however that I personally am interested in both the good and bad experiences no matter what company it's about. If someone I know asks me about the different companies and dr's I would like to be able to share some info to help them make a choice that's comfortable for them. I had a friend that went to Dr Almanza in Mx and she sang his praises. Some people on here reported different experiences, their comments influenced my decision to go to Dr Garcia. I truly believe that she had a great experience as I'm also pretty sure that the people who had a bad experience with him are also fairly accurate. Please don't think that all info is posted strictly for bashing and bad mouthing. I do agree that sometimes some people on here may have malicious intent sometimes, so I can agree with you somewhat.

I scheduled my surgery the first week of May & started pre-op diet same day.

Immediately made flight arrangements- direct from Charlotte to San Diego @ 5 hrs

Got cashiers check from bank- no deposit required.

Drs wife picked me up from the airport' date=' border crossing took no time.

I stayed 2 nights in the hospital, 3 in the hotel, then flew home.

I went back to work the day after I flew back.

Toughest part: turbulence landing and no drinking anything before surgery[/quote']

You were on the ball! I so wish I had that kind of assertiveness about myself.

I need to get on the good foot! I'm such a procrastinator. I have not started my shopping list. I am however taking notes for later!

I called my insurance and they will cover any complications! They said if it is medically necessary' date=' they will cover it. I just have to meet my deductible.

So I think I will find a bariatric Dr that will agree to see me post op for follow ups <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

This makes me feel a lot better, if complications arise!

[/quote']

My insurance company said the same. I was relieved to hear it.

I had surgery on May 25th in Mexico. I had no complications and am still in regular contact with my doctor and his staff. I had previously had 2 c-sections' date=' a tubal, appendix removal, and gallbladder removal surgery so I had scar tissue as well.[/quote']

We have pretty much the same surgical hx except I had 4 sections! I was worried about scar tissue. Did they use your same sites?

Looking good! Great job! You look so much younger after weight loss.

OMG girl, you look great! You have a beautiful family and I could hardly believe your before and after pics! I bet your hubby is so proud! I see the results of everyone's weight loss, but this still seems like a dream that is unreal to me. After being overweight for so long, I can't imagine the possibility of fitting into smaller clothes. I guess I just look at pictures and hope for the best for myself, but in the back of my mind is the lingering thought that this too might fail. It's journey's like yours that gives me hope and keeps me pushing! I am so happy for you! As Dora says, "You Did It"!

Hello Sam from Las Vegas!

Congrats on your weight loss, you look great! I love seeing everyone's pictures, I can only pray for results like this.

^{Awesome! That's a week before me. Please keep us posted on your experience! Again, congratulations!}

Awesome job!

Does anyone have alma's @ ready 4 change e-mail?

You will reach her faster by telephone. She is fabulous about responding quickly.

So after reading so many great things about Dr Garcia here.. I decided to inquire about having surgery with him' date=' with a lighter me. The co-ordinator told me that Dr Garcia has had some fatalaties the last few months!! And suggested another surgeon. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Thoughts anyone??[/quote']

I've been on this forum for about 6 months now and since being here I've read several stories about how different coordinators have trashed doctors and each other and yes it's pretty disturbing. One hopes that they're getting credible information from the people we are trusting to coordinate our care. Stories like this are disturbing and leaves us presleevers second guessing our decisions. I don't know about the company you're connecting with because I've never spoken with them, but I have spoken with alma from ready for a change. I don't know her and I'm by all means not trying to convience you to change, but just from the months of telephone exchange with her I can say that she is very professional and seems very guineine in her advice. I would give her a call and simply inquire about the validity of the information you're getting. Search, search, and keep searching for info. I have interacted with people from this forum who has ACTUALLY been to not only Dr Garcia but also Dr Almanza and I can safely say that you have to take some of the information you read with a grain of salt. This forum was meant for people to come and hopefully obtain credible info to better prepare us for making life changing decisions, unfortunately sometimes people on here may lose site of that or sign on with other hidden agendas. I know that you're struggling with making a safe and accurate choice for surgery, so am I. I pray that in the end the choices we make are the right ones for us.

Continuing to pray for peace of mind for us all.

SweetTee

Hooray! I'm glad that surgery is over and you're on to recovery. Good luck and congrats on the new you.

Yes. Yes it does!!

Sweet tea' date=' I think I remember some videos of the Marriott and the hospital on YouTube. I plan on looking after the kids go to bed.[/quote']

Madetobeme is her screen name. She had some beautiful pictures of the place

There was another lady on the forum who went and took great pictures of the hotel and shopping plazas. I'm both anxious and nervous.

Aah I can't wait! February seems so far away.

I'll be there on Feb21. Please keep us posted on your experience. I will keep you in prayer.

I am also going in February Dr Garcia

Sorry I just saw your post, I'll be sleeved on Feb 21. When are you going?

Oh SweetTee...its all I think about...I am a 38yr 238 5'3 African American woman....and I am so ready to change my life...I just want to be active and full of energy....not breathing hard and sidelined from playing with kids......God knows this is a blessing for me' date=' because I have tried EVERYTHING...I glad to know you feel me SweetTee..this site has been a great support....[/quote']

I'm 37, 5'1 and 232 lbs. I too want to just go back to enjoying life and living, not just existing. This weight is such a hinderance.