MizzouGirl

I HATED the pre-op liquid diet ---- so hard (at least for me). It's much easier after the surgery as there are so many other distractions and you really don't feel like eating (or drinking). Best wishes to you --- I'm 5.5 weeks out and feel great now!

I guess I'm still uncomfortable with pictures of myself, wanted to change it up a little. It's gotten me some interesting comments!

So im 9monhs post-op had my surgery Oct-9.2012. ive lost a total of 113lbs...feels great....but I found out today that I'M PREGNANT! I thought this would never happen to me due to fertility problems....I know its been only 9months but this surgery has made one of my DREAMS come true and im so happy to start my own family with my husband!

Hi Pat - I also live in St. Peters and had my surgery with Dr. Scott on 5/31/2013. He has been fantastic and I've had no issues. I think he is one of the best in the STL area. Best wishes to you and if you decide to do the support groups at Des Peres, I should be there.

Hello and best wishes from St. Louis, MO! I was sleeved on 5/31 and have no regrets!!! (The pre-op and first week or so post-op were rough, I'm not gonna lie but it gets a ton better pretty quickly and I'm pretty much feeling normal now).

You're about one post away from being permanently banned. If you have any issues with our rules, please take it up privately with Susan or myself.
I've personally been in touch with Dr. Garcia's team.
Dr. Luna is no longer part of the team.
Let's move on now.

... and btw ive lost 97lbs

How different can a vacation look year to year? My pre-op and recent op friends, you have no idea.
Last year and this year in July we took my nephews (9 and 10 this year) to Myrtle Beach. Here are a few differences.

Last year I was about 400 and this year 245.

My swim trunks were 6x last year and 1x this year.

Last year I went in the ocean with my nephews and was scared to death I wouldn't be able to keep my balance and get out of the Water - much less be a good guardian for them. This year, I was having the best time in the water ever. I'm planning to resume SCUBA in a few months, so this was confirmation that I'm on track.

Last year when my nephews wanted to go to the water park, I had to say no and face their dissapointment. This year *I* got on the slides. I'd say they were more excited than I was, but that would not be true. I was grinning ear to ear and behaving 20 years younger than I did last year.
I was having food funerals this time last year. This year I stuck to my guns and did a pretty darn good job staying on track with my diet - and I really didn't feel more than a twinge of desire for anything not on my plan.

Last year, I had a hard time with any exertion and planned low key activities. This year I had energy to spare. One day I was walking to the car in a mall parking lot with the nephews and decided to just take off running to the car. Behind me I heard "He can run again!" and laughter. How nice to be able to have fun. Here's a kick, my wife and I took a helicopter ride. I went to Hawaii a few years ago and really wanted to but I was too heavy and over the weight limit.

Rather than hang out at the hotel during downtime like I did last year, I decided to go for a walk at the Tanger outlet. Last year I wouldn't have thought about trying to find good deals on clothing in the big and tall range I wore. 4x and 5x aren't compelling buys most of the time...this year, I was buying medium shirts. I can wear some and will be able to wear the rest within the next few months. I haven't worn a medium shirt since high school. This 50 year old was shopping like a kid in a candy shop. Even took my dear wife back to the mall and let her have fun picking some things out for me too. No more big and tall shops for me.

I can barely concieve of what next year holds. VSG gave me back my hope, health, and fun. I hope all of you can experience such a dramatic change next year.

If this is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, I do think the other threads need to be removed to avoid any confusion or bad information for future readers. Not cool to mess with somebody's reputation. Just bewildered right now.

Ok so i'm just about to 7 months post op, surgery date was December 10, 2012 preop weight of 379 lbs, pants size a tight 54 waist, Shirt size was a 3 to 4 xL. Todays weight is 243.6 lbs, pants size is down to a 40 but it is loose and could probably go to a 38. Shirt size is a Large in most shirts, with some XL just because I still have them and their not that loose yet, lol. My daily intake numbers are less then 900 calories a day, less then 40 grams of carbs a day, more then 70 grams of Protein, and a minimum of 120 oz hydration. Now for the pictures.

We don't pull them off because members have a right to be informed. However, we are putting a stop to all the arguing going on, as mentioned in my previous post. Anyone who feels the need to continue to argue should take it to pm.

Heybaby, really, you went back and dug up a month old thread just so you can further instigate a topic that has already been argued to death and caused a great deal of dissension on the forums? Please people, the arguing, name calling, etc. has gone on long enough. Lets get back to what our website is here for, and be supportive of one another instead of jumping from thread to thread to see what new, ridiculous fighting can be brought up with regards to this subject. If you want to keep it up, I will be more than happy to start issuing bans if that is what it takes to bring peace back here.

I have said a few times here (and even reached out to a few people privately) that I do understand the conflict people have based on their positive experience with him. I had a very positive experience with him as my doctor. And obviously the retraction makes a lot of this hard to swallow for everyone, but especially those that care for and had positive experiences with him. But I do hope people can see that the retraction doesn't even make sense. It's definitely not something to cast aside and ignore, but when looked at in context, is hard to take at face value (even without inside knowledge or proof).
And Laura said that she wondered if everyone seeing the evidence would put the issue to rest, and I thought the same thing... I've thought about it a LOT actually, being one of the few people that actually has it in their possession. However, after thinking about it a lot, I came to the same conclusion as Laura did. First, posting the evidence I have would be breaking my own moral code based on promises I made and plan to keep unless it's needed in my own defense (legally or what not), or unless it is specifically requested by the authorities at his company. And second, no matter the evidence, people have gotten so heated here that I know the arguments would continue. Especially since a lot of the arguments don't seem to be mainly focused on whether the story is true or not anymore, but rather, if the punishment fits the crime.
So, yes, I understand the hesitation based on personal experience. I actually do. But as people have pointed out, even sexual predators and serial murders can have seemingly normal lives with interactions and relationships that make people doubt their guilt. Is it so hard to believe that a medically qualified and competent doctor could personally be a bit of a cad who let his personal ways bleed into his professional life this once or even from time to time, while still maintaining perfectly appropriate relationships with the majority of patients?!

When you write "u" I'm assuming you mean "you" in which this case I think you mean me?
No I am not a patient.. Which is why I have not given any personal recommendations about him (Garcia)
But I am not trying to harm his practice either.
Which is what I think all the unnecessary verbal attacks are doing.

I must say I am not a hater or supporter of Mr. Luna. I wonder (as was discussed behind the scenes) if putting the proof out here for all to see would appease everyone who has an "opinion" against the young woman? Personally, I think not.. I'm deeply saddened by this whole situation.
I do not understand why it has come to this.

The **** shaming is by far the most disturbing part of this whole discussion.
I've read plenty of disgusting judgmental posts claiming, "she should have kept her legs closed" or "what did she think would happen having sex with a guy 4 days after she met him"... All implying she deserved to used because she was so willing to put out!
Where are all these high and mighty women with their posts of disgust that this man hopped into bed with someone after 4 days?! Where is there judgement that he should have kept it in his pants? Why don't any of these women believe that, just like she "got what she deserved" and should be have karma "bite her in the a$$," that perhaps he got what he deserved for hopping into bed with someone so quickly and breaking the rules at work?!
People really disgust me. We are SO fast to knock other women down. I get it. He was kind and friendly. I had a good experience with him as my doctor too. But seriously?! Because he was good to you, there's no way he could have used another patient? Come on. So over all this ignorance.

I think Dr Luna's followers should set aside the venom and empathize as women for a moment. Place yourself, your daughter or your best friend as a single young woman in the same scenario. Before you say "that would never happen because I'm too smart, too moral, too whatever don't bet on it. You don't have a clue how you would react to flirtation from the Dr unless you are the one there. I have known a few men that spent 50% of their time working on a female with only one end in sight. They run around half-cocked (pun intended) at all times ready and waiting for a way in (pun intended again). I have read the argument several times that "he was perfectly respectful" or "he didn't try anything with me so it didn't happen" ( that one might be sour grapes). Consider that just because he didn't try it on you does not mean he didn't try it on someone else. Show me the rapist, child molester or any other type of abuser that abused every person he contacted. They don't for a few reasons. It might be that you didn't slam his drawers. Who knows? I think that the OP's fault was in being naive and falling for an age old stunt. Maybe that was wishful thinking. Who didn't dream of falling in love and marrying the handsome Dr? As women we shouldn't be crucifying her. As always, if we do unto others as we would have them do unto us a lot of problems would not exist. Just saying.

Bklyn, I understand exactly what you're saying. Even though this wasn't rape, it was a claim of inappropriate behavior. She retracted her claim but I believe it was due to shame, fear, and probably guilt for risking this man's career. I've never been in a situation like this but I could imagine this is a prime example of why more women don't come forward. Fear of being further shamed and being deemed as a s1ut! It's really sad. I was beaten by a guy I dated. ....I was talked into going to the police ( I didn't want to because I'd feel bad for getting him arrested even though he deserved it). The police pretty much laughed at me and made me feel like I was just trying to get revenge of a relationship gone bad. I understand that shame and I'm disappointed there are so many women who put that shame on others which was displayed right here on this forum.
I admit, I was frustrated when I first read the retraction. I'm truly sorry and now I get it.

It's unfortunate how many people are incapable of critical thinking or reading skills on this forum. As I thought I made perfectly clear before, the only thing my story has in common with the girl in question's is that s1ut shaming can happen to anyone, regardless of how much proof is presented and it is always inappropriate and wrong. It has no place in any type of support group. You all are so sure of what you think happened but none of you seem to be aware your reactions/responses are conditioned. Thoughtfulness is a virtue, though it is quickly disappearing from our society, I'm afraid.
I'm sure the doctor had his chance to explain himself. It certainly helped him that the girl retracted her statement. Even in the US doctors are afforded the opportunity because they are so hard to replace. You can be sure Mexico is no different, especially with prevailing machismo attitudes.
I would agree about this beating a dead horse, but the next time a patient goes through a similar experience and they seek support, they should know there are thoughtful people out there who will listen and not judge. Such folks are outnumbered unfortunately.

I posted my story because I am sick of the s1ut shaming that I saw going on here on this forum, where it does NOT belong, not to be patronized. You need to grow up, lady.

I have been reading these related threads the last few days but felt since I wasn't involved in any way I should refrain from commenting. But since I work in a hospital I have seen instances where doctors had inappropriate relationships with patients. Doesn't always mean sex, flirtation is more common but is NOT appropriate behavior for a physician. It isn't usually reported at the time because the patients involved seemed either ashamed right after the fact and wanted to forget it, or they were enthralled with their doctor and the doctor strung them along for a time hoping to avoid disciplinary action. Regardless of consent, doctors are always in a position of power over patients. That is why any hospital or clinic worth their salt takes disciplinary action against doctors who abuse the doctor-patient relationship. Mine certainly does, and they do investigate the incidents carefully.
As for the rampant **** shaming that has gone on in these threads - I am appalled and disgusted. You ladies should be ashamed of yourselves. Another member corroborated her story and other patients alleged similar behavior from this doctor. Even if you don't believe her story or you took her retraction as truth, you stooped to the gutter level by outing her and harassing her. This man wasn't fired and I'm betting based on Dr. Garcia's Facebook message that he will be exonerated, rightly or wrongly. So congratulations to those who have a misguided mission of protecting this doctor's unethical behavior.
You may think this story is clear-cut and that this is an obvious instance of a woman scorned, but consider this: I was raped in college and beaten in the course of the attack. I did everything I was supposed to -went to the hospital, had painful and invasive tests, filed a police report, had my day in court. From the day my rapist was arrested I was harassed and **** shamed by his girlfriend, his friends, and the university itself. I was threatened with bodily harm and death. I was called a crazy **** who had buyers remorse. My rapist's defense attorney convinced the jury of this too and he was acquitted. I am not saying my story is similar to the story at hand, but what is similar and deeply troubling is the way women gang up on each other rather than support each other. I grow so tired of it.