CONGRATULATIONS AND WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I will be so glad when my scale gets off 200! I keep expecting it but so far it's 200.0 to 200.4 this week! It will happen though and then you will hear me!!! LOL!! I am 48 years old and the least I remember weighing is 201! That was in the beginning of junior high. AGAIN... CONGRATULATIONS!! You too VS-Fat-To-Fit-Girl!!
Hi everyone. I've been hanging around for awhile and I thought that I would finally join. I just saw my surgeon on Monday and I am starting the process to have my band removed and convert to a sleeve but I'm so scared. I have had my band since November 2011. I actually weigh almost 10 lbs more than the day of my surgery. We have never been able to get my band adjusted. I'm just really scared of the surgery.
Thanks for listening
I was sleeved by Dr Garcia on May 11th and here is my adventure: Firstly I was going to have my surgery in NZ for $17000 ... then I heard how all the North Americans head down to Mexico and have great results for 1/3 the cost. I also believe that the Drs like Garcia, do as many surgery's in a month as a Dr in NZ would do in a year. I felt like I was in very good hands and had made the best decision (I was right by the way) So I left for LA on Wednesday 8th and had 2.5 days seeing all the beautiful sights of Los Angeles, shopping and eating - I was on no carbs no fats for 5 days pre op (low BMI) I kept waiting for the nerves to kick in for the upcoming surgery ... I was sure once I got on the plane for LA to San Diego they would .. but they didn't. Samuel picked me up as scheduled and took me directly to the hospital for our tests -xray, EKG & blood work. you meet Anna there and she is LOVELY shes there to answer any questions and tell you what the plan is. there was heavy traffic that night so was waiting around for about 3 hours... however, I got to meet Dr Luna so that helped pass the time (you ladies will know what I mean) when I arrived at the Marriott I was very pleasantly surprised. As I can be a bit of a 'princess' I had plans to upgrade my room to the nicest they had - but there was no need. the room was spacious w a nice bathroom and bedding ... I could totally see myself recuperating here after surgery. (this is where you'll meet Irene - lovely lady) I went down and met the girls I knew (from our Facebook group - highly recommend doing that) we had broth and a laugh as everyone was in great spirits. SATURDAY morning we all met down in the lobby around 730am for the shuttle to pick us up to take us to Florence Hospital (still not nervous) its about a 25 min drive, and right down by the ocean. I went in to see another lady from my group who was the day before and before I knew it they were calling to get changed into the robe (commando BTW) and swallow a little white pill to help me relax (didn't even feel like I needed it) I was calm as a cucumber still!. Dr Garcia came in and introduced himself and ask if I had any questions - I didn't as id done so much research on here. Then off I went being wheeled into the OR. I remember the last thing I said was 'I was hoping to be out by this point' as they were taking my gown off me (dr Luna was right beside me) and I was totally starker's with a BIG unflattering spot light on me! Then I was out! I woke up with a nebulizer mask on my face as I had asthma but was so out of it I wasn't worried. I should note here I had the single incision for an extra 1000, you can hardly see the 3 week old scar in my belly button! for the next 2 days in the hospital it was pretty much ; sleep, walk, shower and sleep some more! I had rented a few movies on my ipad to watch and never watched any because I was so sleepy. Dr Luna came to check on me often (perks of the day) and the nurses were in felt like every hour giving me Iv pain and nausea meds, checked my blood pressure 5 x a day and I had a further 3 nebulizers even tho I didn't want them. BTW you can ask for them to take a photo of your stomach when its out - great photo to show people after and gross them out! MONDAY morning I was up and showered and we headed off back to the hotel - it was around midday and they had a room for us. I think I watched TV and slept the rest of the day- I was very lucky I had NO pain or nausea at all. TUESDAY I hit the ground running! I was up and off to lay by the pool in the sun. then I went down the street to the little mall. pleasantly surprised there too! Girls and Guys there is the most beautiful boot shop upstairs by the movie theatre - a must see. I figured I couldnt really buy clothes on the trip but my feet will be the same size! $700 later and I was a happy girl (bought 2 pairs) there's also a place called Iron WOK that does the yummiest won ton Soup ... the broth of it, will be the best you've tasted after 3 days of noting much in your mouth. I sat in the sun on the balcony and had a few spoons, they let me take the rest home to share w the other girls. There's a GNC there for ready made drinks, and an Applebees does a broccoli & cheese soup - I added Water and it went down fine (keep in mind Dr Luna says I am his worst patient ever as I miss behaved) there's also the famous WALLMART where you can waste away a few hours if your bored...I was at the mall for about 3 hours - walking is GOOD! took a cab back to the hotel (too many shopping bags) its about 5 bucks. Caught up with the girls and went back to laying in the sun. WEDNESDAY (i stayed an extra night as I was from so far away) I headed back to the mall again, I had a hair appointment to have my hair blow dried cost $11. did some more shopping around and stalked up on crest toothpaste (I was born in Toronto) and tried some frozen yogurt -yum. for dinner I went into Revolution st to a place called Caesars for chicken and spinach broth ... this restaurant is beautiful and will def have to go back there when I can eat properly - its where Caesar salad was invented...it smelled AMAZING! I also bought some little gifts while there - lots of little souvenir shops on the road - and I felt very safe. THURSDAY got up early and headed back to the hospital on our way to the airport. I needed blood thinning shots as I was on a 12 hr flight home. I remember getting an email from Dr Luna a few weeks before telling me I would be getting them. I liked that I was an individual case to them and not a number, they took the time to reassure me that they wanted me to be safe and took extra care. The boarder crossing took 10 min and we were so early Samuel gave me a little tour around San Diego ...it was very sweet of him. I was still 3 hours early so I checked my luggage through and took a cab to the water front. IT IS BEAUTIUL if you have some spare time head over- its 5/10 min away. There's a bunch of nice restaurants on the water and most places have soup. I took a little tuk tuk ride around and saw all the war attractions and learned some history. I had cream of Tomato Soup (again naughty I know) but It was fine and got me through till I landed back in LA. Spent the whole next day shopping around Manhatten beach (6 hours walking) and boarded the plane at 10 pm. I arrived safe and sound in NZ and since then I have been telling everyone what a fabulous holiday I had with a little bit if surgery. I realise this isnt as easy for everyone but I cannot express enough how much I loved my experience with Ready4Achange and the whole team - Dr Garcia, Dr Luna, Anna (coordinator at Florence) Irene (coordinator at the Marriott) Samuel the driver. I have even referred a friend who lives in OZ for her to go see the team as Im that confident to refer people. side note: one of the ladies in my group had complications (not to do with the surgery) and she was so happy with the care she received and felt very safe in they knew what they were doing. she had to be taken to SD hospital and spend a few days in ICU. she still raves about the Drs and care she received while there. So to end this very long note - if you are still researching who to go to the i can say without a doubt you wont be disappointed in Dr Garcia and the whole team. They are amazing and I cant sing their praises enough ... if this review gets someone to choose them, then I fell like I've made a dent in repaying them for everything they've done for me ... much love x
I just had to comment! I had surgery with dr garcia 3 mos ago and could not be happier!!!!! Love love love him! I was at Mi hospital but I'm sure the staff is just as good as Florence! (Jealous cause florence looks amazing and I didn't have that option back then)
Good luck!!!
I'm 3mos post op. I definitely overbought pre op! I did buy tons of different broths but generally stick with the same ones. I had my sister make me some homemade butternut squash Soup and freeze it in ice cube trays. They were the perfect portion sizes. I would take one or two out and pop them in the microwave.
My tastes buds definitely changed after surgery. I'm not a big sweets person, so anything like that was overly sweet. And some savory were to intense for my new stomach. Broccoli was a little too much so early, causing gas pains. But that brand has a potato leek one that was good! Plus since you cant use those containers so quick I would for sure freeze them in portion sizes so your not stuck eating the same thing all day for day so that you don't waste it. I feel like I wasted so much in the beginning. I probably ate 4 sugar free Popsicles and fudge pops everyday.
Once I got to the purée stage I did a lot of guacamole and hummus right off the spoon.
It really is trial and error though with the way your tastes change. Good luck!!!!!
I just had to comment! I had surgery with dr garcia 3 mos ago and could not be happier!!!!! Love love love him! I was at Mi hospital but I'm sure the staff is just as good as Florence! (Jealous cause florence looks amazing and I didn't have that option back then)
Good luck!!!
I was in the same situation, having to ask my dad for the money and also telling him I was going to Mexico. I did the money thing first, lol!
I was fully prepared with the info, website for the hospital facility, dr credentials, coordinator website, YouTube videos of patients and the doctors. Also it was helpful that I had a friend traveling with me that was reassuring to him. Since I chose Tijuana, it was a 10 min trip back into the states. Good luck!
This is the best thing I could have ever done for myself, my kids and my husband. My 8 yo daughter wrote me a poem that said she was proud of me for being a "dare devil"
for doing my surgery. Lol, so sweet. Happy Moms Day to all the other brave Sleever moms out there! And even if you are not a mom, you are still brave superstar Sleever in my book. Enjoy this beautiful day!
After following my wife on her journey, I have decided to become a sleever myself! July 23rd, dr Garcia at florence. I am really excited. My wife has done so well and I am looking at it As a lifestyle change for both of us! Now we can both eat the same the rest of our lives! Not to mention being so much healthier and not overweight! July can't come soon enough!
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