fletcherette

March 11th marked my 1 yr anniversary. I haven't been active on these boards For awhile but wanted to come back and share my story and success because I know when I was preparing for my surgery reading about other peoples experience was a comfort. I had my surgery with dr. Garcia through ready4achange at mi doctor. (I believe if you look through my old posts you can find a. More detailed posting of my experience) I have lost 75lbs, which is ALL the weight I wanted to lose ( yes I was a "lightweight"). at about 8 months out I had reached my weight loss goal and have been easily maintaining my weight since. Never once have I regretted this surgery, in fact I have made many, many positive changes in my life since (from career changes to relationships) and feel that my weight loss was a positive catalyst to me living a better life! I actually have fond memories of my trip to Mexico, albeit there was some difficulties while there (some last minute confusion. With the coordinators and mi doctor was pretty bad, but heard dr Garcia has since moved hospitals. Aside from that the marriot was awesome and so was dr Garcia and his team). but overall it was actually a fun experience, yes I said fun I truly enjoyed being there, everyone was so nice and accommodating (plus I went with my mom so it was nice to have a mini vacation with her). I honestly wish i was having my surgery again so I could go back for another trip! Lol I hope to some day go back for an actual vacation. I am attaching a picture of my before (which was taken in the hospital immediately after surgery) and after. To anyone having the surgery I say take a lot of before pics, I unfortunately didn't take many pics of myself at my highest weight and wish I had because when I look at the few before pics I have I can't believe I was the size I was. Always nice to have those visual reminders. Here's to living a better life!

Doing great! Only have to lose 7 more lbs to have a healthy BMi (although iwant to lose atleast another 17) Sw 197 Cw 147 Gw 130 Down 50 lbs

Just looking at some pre op photos and I can't even believe that was me. The before pic is from my passport (had surgery in mx) and the after was taken two months ago (my face is even thinner now) wonder if ill ever get over the shock of seeing before pics compared to current pics of myself

You've probably already had it removed by now but yes I felt loads better once it was out

I went with my mom and he knew she was with me (she met him way before I did and talked to him quite a bit while I was in the hospital) and he still came with Rosie. I always assumed he came with someone. He really shouldn't have gone alone at all to anyone's room.

I may be wrong but I think they fill the removed part up with air to check for leaks ( if there's a leak on the removed part then there could be a leak on the remaining stomach)

For anyone interested dr. Garcia posted a response to the dr. Luna question on his Facebook. It is out there in public for anyone willing to seek it out.

Agreed, I'm not surprised. While I feel for dr. Luna, I believe he is smart enough to know that this would catch up to him eventually. Hopefully this is a wake up call for him to really think about his actions. And for those going to dr. Garcia in the future your experience will be amazing, the other dr who assists Garcia is dr. Velazco, who I think should be receiving more praise on this board than she gets she was the one who i interacted with the most during my surgery and couldn't have asked for a more understanding dr. She had the bypass (done by dr. Garcia) and really understands patients

Thanks for the response. This is frustrating, I wish there was a definite answer on this. When surgeons all have different advice it makes me think they are just going by opinions and not fact.

I am four months post op and was wondering if anyone has tried this fruit drink that is "lightly carbonated"? What's everyone's experience with carbonation? Wat was your doctors time frame for it?

Ah well you didn't really miss anything

Thanks all my hope is that in posting this in the wake of the Dr. Luna scandal people who are scheduled with Dr. Garcia will feel confident in their decision. I'd hate for the recent drama to stop people from making the step to do something that can be a positive life change.