Annie04

I'm excited to hear how it goes with Dr Garcia as well. I talked to so many coordinators and was pleased with Alma (r4ac) and the communication with dr Garcia. I'm scheduled for 10/18!!!! When are you going?

I chose Dr. Garcia because of a friend's experience with him.
She is an RN and knows what she's talking about!
She has lost 60 lbs in 3 months and looks and feels great.
I have been able to see her from surgery through recovery and now finally into a bit of a normal life.
She said the staff was excellent and very accommodating.
Alma is wonderful and replies to my emails at crazy times of night! She once apologized to me because she had stepped away from the computer for an hour. I had only sent my email 20 minutes before.
Plus, you can't beat the price!

I decided on Dr. Garcia based on my "Gut"

Dr. Garcia charges $4700. if you have a bmi under 50. It goes up from there but not a crazy amount. It includes 3 nights at the Marriott ( I night pre op and 2 nights post op) It also includes ground transportation from the San Diego Airport. You can also bring a guest, because you get a private room at the hospital which you share with your guest. You will stay 2 nights at Florence Hospital. I am scheduled for 8/30/13, the Friday before Labor Day. I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of Dr. Garcia's patients and I am so confident in my decision. I am so ready!!!

I wasn't trying to dredge up any drama, AmandaRaeLeo, I just was sharing my point of view. I am aware of the situation and there is some blame on both sides. That doesn't mean that Dr. Luna is not a good doctor and he will be missed by a lot of us. I am entitled to my own opinion.

I am scheduled with Dr. Garcia on August 30th. I am sorry that Dr. Luna will not be there ( there are 2 sides to every story, just my opinion) Everyone I know that had him assist in the surgery had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. I am still very confident in Dr. Garcia and I have total respect for him. Flesherette, you look amazing. I am still trying to decide on bougie size. I hear he does a lose 32 ( if you want it, it helps prevent dehydration) and a 36 bougie. How has your hydration been, and do you know what bougie size you had. I would love to know. Thanks for sharing

I was looking at both, and decided on Dr. Garcia, because when I was going back and forth with the coordinators, Alma would run my questions by Dr. Garcia and then I would get emails back directly from him. That is why I ended up going with him, because of the way he personally answered my questions. He is also about $1,800.00 less than Lopez. I have a lot of acquaintances that have had wonderful experiences with Dr. Garcia. I have heard good things about Lopez as well. You have to go with your gut (no pun intended).

I was looking at both, and decided on Dr. Garcia, because when I was going back and forth with the coordinators, Alma would run my questions by Dr. Garcia and then I would get emails back directly from him. That is why I ended up going with him, because of the way he personally answered my questions. He is also about $1,800.00 less than Lopez. I have a lot of acquaintances that have had wonderful experiences with Dr. Garcia. I have heard good things about Lopez as well. You have to go with your gut (no pun intended).

I wasn't trying to dredge up any drama, AmandaRaeLeo, I just was sharing my point of view. I am aware of the situation and there is some blame on both sides. That doesn't mean that Dr. Luna is not a good doctor and he will be missed by a lot of us. I am entitled to my own opinion.

I'm going to Dr Garcia Aug 7 th. The experience has been great so far. Best of luck to you.
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I just had surgery last Wednesday (7/24) & was back to work on Monday. Granted I did half day on Monday, but was back at full day on Tuesday & Today. But I think I'm definitley not the norm.

I have my surgery scheduled for August 30th, the Friday before Labor Day, so I will see you there. I am flying in on Thursday night and will be having my surgery on Friday. I will fly home Monday night and go to work on Tuesday. I tolerate surgery pretty well and I only work 6 hours a days. It is encouraging seeing other people doing it as well. I am having my surgery with Dr. Garcia at Florence Hospital, so we will get to meet each other. I am so excited, I have been planning this since February and living vicariously through all the other sleevers...LOL

I am scheduled with Dr. Garcia on August 30th. I am sorry that Dr. Luna will not be there ( there are 2 sides to every story, just my opinion) Everyone I know that had him assist in the surgery had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. I am still very confident in Dr. Garcia and I have total respect for him. Flesherette, you look amazing. I am still trying to decide on bougie size. I hear he does a lose 32 ( if you want it, it helps prevent dehydration) and a 36 bougie. How has your hydration been, and do you know what bougie size you had. I would love to know. Thanks for sharing

I also am going to Mexico and Dr. Garcia at florence. I could go through my insurance (Aetna) but with my plan I still have to pay 50 percent. I would have to jump through all of their hoops and be on a supervised diet for 6 months. I am going to Mexico because I want to have this surgery on my terms in my time frame. I did a lot of research as well. The doctors in Mexico have a lot more experience than the doctors and the states and Dr. Garcia also trains U.S. doctors on the procedure. Surgery in the states is outpatient and they do not do leak tests unless they feel there is a problem. In Mexico you have 3 leak tests before you even leave the hospital. I am totally confident in my decision and I wish everyone the best!!

Dr Garcia and his team are MARVELOUS!! Best decision of my life!! I also had zero complications, I'm just over 2 months and have lost 42 lbs, that's not including pre op, just the sleeve on it's own. He is a very skilled doctor with wonderful bedside manner!! They really made me feel comfortable and secure in my decision and I would highly recommend anyone looking into the sleeve to go with Dr. Garcia and his ENTIRE team!!

I also am going to Mexico and Dr. Garcia at florence. I could go through my insurance (Aetna) but with my plan I still have to pay 50 percent. I would have to jump through all of their hoops and be on a supervised diet for 6 months. I am going to Mexico because I want to have this surgery on my terms in my time frame. I did a lot of research as well. The doctors in Mexico have a lot more experience than the doctors and the states and Dr. Garcia also trains U.S. doctors on the procedure. Surgery in the states is outpatient and they do not do leak tests unless they feel there is a problem. In Mexico you have 3 leak tests before you even leave the hospital. I am totally confident in my decision and I wish everyone the best!!

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.

I'm officially 4 months out tomorrow and down nearly 50lbs-woot woot! Wanted to share this pic. The before was taken the day after surgery so I was def. more bloated then usual(lookin all sexy in my hospital gown with my drainage tube and pole) the after was taken last week. I was out hiking with my 1y.o german shepherd pup and outlasted her! I ended up having to cut the hike short cause I could tell she was dragging

Hi, thanks for the post, I emailed them this morning and it turns out I was appoved on 6/24 but I never got the email.
 
So it looks like 8/16/13 is the big day.... yikes lol

And I hit GOAL yesterday! Could not be more excited, although it seems a bit surreal that in 6 months and 2 days I have lost 81 pounds! Start weight was just under 220 at 5'4. Today's weight...138! I have gone from a size 20 jeans to a 6, and a 2XL top to a SMALL! My chest went from a 42DD to a 36D or 34DD depending on the fit! I am thrilled with my results, and while it hasn't been "easy" the whole time, the process for me honestly hasn't been that difficult. I log every.single.thing that passes my lips on MyFitnessPal and I workout for 90-120 minutes a day...running 3-6 miles 6 days a week and lifting weights with my amazing best friend and workout buddy, who has also been my biggest cheerłeader. Going to Mexico was hands down the single best decision I have ever made for myself. I finally have my life back, and truly feel like a new person. And don't mind my husband's closed eyes in the one photo...we could NOT get a good pic of him that night!

You guys are gonna be STOKED! I had surgery with Dr Garcia 10/27/12 and also went through Alma. Im sooooo happy with my sleeve and I've lost 98 lbs. Still losing too. Your lives are about to change :-)

It's 9:37pm my time and she is answering all my questions; I'm so happy! I can book Dr. Garcia for Saturday 8/31, work half a day on Friday 8/30, and be back at home that Tuesday! I'm excited!

Okay, so I've been trying to figure out who will be staying at the hotel with me over the Labor Day weekend. Roll call! I'll be there Sunday - Wednesday.

No one is going to be spending Labor Day weekend with me?