Annie04

I was sleeved by dr Garcia in march and had a fantastic experience. I went to Florence Hospital and was taken very good care of. I went alone and had no problems. I am loving my sleeve and have lost 56lbs.

I had vsg with Dr Garcia on 4/26. Great experience love thw whole team had surgery on friday flew home on monday and back to work that tuesday havent missed a day of work since .. awesome

I was sleeved 10 weeks ago by Dr. Garcia at florence and was the best decision of my life. No complications and the team and care was wonderful. I was back to work a week and a half after surgery like new

I was Sleeved July 4th with Dr. Garcia at florence. I have had no complications. He is very knowledgeable and skilled. Honestly you don't get to seem him much though. I was really impressed with his staff. I'm down 13 Lbs. I had a stall at the beginning of my 2nd week, but I read and decided I needed to up my Protein. I am trying to get in 90 grams a day. I have been doing this drinking one gladiator smoothie from smoothie king (45g protein) and one Isopure a day. The rest I get from soft food. If you have any questions about, I would be more than happy to answer them

Thinking about using Dr Garcia please tell me your thoughts

Well, I'm hoping that I can make it at least 5 hours, then it counts as a full-day Salary is nice occasionally!

I will be having surgery with Dr. Garcia on 8/28! Maybe I'll see you there!

I think it's time to jump. I'm going to book Dr. Garcia on 8/31. I'll fly out after work on Friday, and be back home Tuesday. Hopefully, I'll feel up to going back to work on Wednesday (I just sit at my desk all day). Total cost with Airfare will be less than $5100. I've heard only positive things about most of the Drs. so I'm sure any decision would be a good one.

I used Dr Garcia and I had. Fantastic experience at Florence Hospital. Once I landed at airport the driver was expecting me. They take care of everything. Dr. Garcia takes alot of pride in his work and his choice in his team members. They give you a packet of their contact info in case you have problems later. I even had to email Dr Luna once a month after surgery and he got right back to me. Dr Garcia has a Facebook page too and you can see he is really involved in his work. The rooms at florence have a bed for you spouse and no sharing rooms. His team is fantastic and everyone makes you feel comfortable and at ease . Good luck on your decision and journey.

I am traveling thousands of miles away from home. I have not had my VSG yet. I will have my surgery on August 6. I know many women like me who travel to Mexico. I don't know your situation and why you are choosing to go to Texas however I believe once I am home and if any complications arise, which I pray it there won't be, I can go to any nearby hospital for care.

I realize that all the Protein Shakes seem to bother my stomach and make me run to the bathroom. I have been having all different Soup broths and I put a Protein shot in so you cant taste it. You can get them at Walmart. . It's small but has a lot of protein 26 grams.

I just bought it staright from the main source unjury.com, very well worth the price and the taste is amazing if you mix it with progresso all natural chicken broth - a cup of that is 3 gr of Protein + the 21 you get for a scoop of the mix = 8 oz of warm Soup never tasted soooo good!

I know once you reach a certain point, you can eat anything in regulated portions, but I'm way too paranoid about gaining all the weight back to go there, soocalchic! Here's why: My mother works with THREE different women who've been sleeved and gained all their weight back plus more and now eat whatever they want in huge portions. She always brings them up as a warning when I mention I'll eventually get to eat normally again, and I do not want to end up like them (or give her an "I told you so" opportunity). So I'm looking for alternatives to keep me on the straight and narrow for as long as possible!

As mentioned on the soon-to-be-viral video, "Life One Week Post-Op and a Note About Surgeon Selection"

Beans (whatever you like!)
1 1/2 boxes chicken or vegetable broth
olive oil
pinch sea salt
chipotle powder to taste
one onion, chopped
one green pepper , chopped (bell, anaheim, poblano - your choice)
2-4 cloves garlic (depending on your taste)
1-2 small cans diced green chiles
jar of salsa
1 can corn niblets (optional)
Chipotle Yumm! sauce

Drain and RINSE beans using a strainer (this gets rid of the gas-forming stuff!)

Put all your beans in a pot with one box of broth and simmer

On a separate burner, saute onion, garlic, and fresh pepper in olive oil with a pinch of salt over medium heat until soft.

Add salsa, green chiles, chipotle powder, and corn* and let them play with the veggies for a few minutes

In batches, blend everything from the saute pan, then add to the beans in broth**

Voila! Soup!

Serve with a teaspoon of Yumm! sauce, if ya got it!

*Corn will make the Soup sweeter, which not everybody digs
**If still on full liquids/purees, you can puree the beans too and add extra broth when serving. I puree everything but the beans, then puree individual servings right before I eat them.

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.

My thought is that this topic has been discussed enough and that at this point we are beating a dead horse over the head.. Dr Garcia is taking whatever action he deems necessary and/or appropriate. I think it is time to move on for those of us who were not there and have no clue what really happened. I see people bring up stories about "I was raped too!" etc etc, which I think has no place in this discussion. To personalize this is inappropriate. I am sorry you were raped, I am. Rape is a horrible thing. But that 'may' not be what happened here. You only have to read her blogs to realize there 'may' be more to the story. Was it inappropriate? Absolutely!!! But the fact remains that we have NO CLUE what really happened. Like her, Dr Luna also deserves to have his side of the story told. It would be a scary day when all we had to do is hear a story to deem it true. At this point, both her and the proper authorities need to take it where it needs to go. Not a lynch mob of forum members who have only heard one side of the story.

In Australia everyone is innocent until proved guilty. Sounds like it's the other way around in America.

These last few days I was struggling on the pureed stage - yogurt, refried Beans, applesauce, I was just feeling BLAH after I would eat. Wednesday (today) I am to start the soft food stage. So over the weekend I bought tuna and mashed potatoes and cottage cheese. Today, I couldn't even get in 64 ounces of Water or 70 grams of Protein and thought there is no way I can start the soft food stage.
Tonight, I couldn't sleep. I was hungry, for the first time I felt hunger. I decided I would be brave and try the tuna mixed in with some applesauce. Strangely enough, I didn't feel miserable after eating it. I took small bites and ate slow. I think I had 5 or 6 bites over 30 minutes. Maybe I am ready for soft food, or maybe it was just a fluke. Then again, maybe it was mental and my body was getting sick of the same pureed stuff over and over and needed something of substance. Who knows, but at any rate, I will be gradually introducing the soft foods on schedule today.
Anyone else go through something like this?

Bemabound,
I know there are a lot of people, probably most sleevers, that feel that way about diet now and maintain later, but I think there of some of us too that have to find our own way and follow our own rules.
I spent four years with the lap band and was unable to eat heathily and was like Carbgrl. I ran to the trash nearly every meal to throw up. It turns out I had extensive scar tissues and adhesions around my stomach, around my band, and around my port.
Anyway, I decided a while ago that I wasn't going to diet anymore. I've dieted for probably 35 years, and I've learned that dieting doesn't work for me because it makes me feel deprived and because I have a wicked rebellious streak in me. (If you want me to do something, tell me I can't do it.) Instead, I just choose to eat healthily for life, forever.
The sleeve allows me to do this where I couldn't do it before on my own. Instead of raging hunger demanding something high in calories and fat, I can choose a healthy lowfat alternative, and this is because I am no longer starving and because I no longer have much, if any, ghrelin.
I don't ever plan to change the way I eat now. It's not a diet for me. I eat everything that I want, and I make good choices most of the time. For example, if I want a piece of chocolate, I'll have a small piece of dark chocolate, which is actually good for you, but I won't have it every day or even every week. If I eat healthy meals 99% of the time, I'm fine with that. If I want a bite or two of something, I'll have it. I eat now the way I plan to always eat: small portions, healthy choices, no drinking during meals, fruit, vegetables, nuts, lean Protein, etc.
This is the way I am managing my life and my health and may not be for everyone. I am happy to report that the scale is still moving at a rate of 2 pounds per week. If I find after I reach goal that I am still losing and when I get to the point that I no longer want to lose weight, I'll address adding in a few more calories at that time, but I'm sure that won't be too much of an adjustment to my current meals.
I've written what I do with the hope that it will help you. The word or concept of dieting sounds like it is distressing to you, and so I wanted to let you know that it doesn't have to be a diet. It can just be that you choose to eat healthy foods now that you have the help of your sleeve. You've already lost a huge amount of weight, and you should be very proud of yourself for that.
Do you know who Cabernet Queen is on You Tube? She's great. I believe she had Gastric Bypass, but she is still an inspiration to me and other sleevers. Anyway, she wrote this thing about what she learned after having weight loss surgery. Here's a link just in case you are interested: http://barefootandbe...-i-learned.html

I love that!!! LOL I had a 36 bougie. Aside from the evening after surgery, I did not have any problems drinking Water, keeping fludis down, sliming or vomiting. Since I started on mushy food I could eat at least 4 oz. I feel like I can eat almost "normal" size portions. I can eat a smart ones meal with no problems. I can eat about 1/2 chicken breast 2-3 oz, plus 2-3 oz of veggies no problem. Sometimes I wish I had a little more restriction and faster weightloss, but I'm glad I didn't have any of the problems. When I had the lapband I slimed and vomited almost daily and I knew I couldn't live the rest of my life like that. I'm happy I can eat chicken, turkey, salad and veggies again. My surgeon said she likes the 36 because she believes it's the size with the least complications but, I agree the surgeon's technique will vary widely depending on how close they sew to the bougie... I also agree it's most important to be comfortable with the surgeon. How many surgeries has he/she done, what's his precentage of leaks, is it a center of excellence... I think if someone would didn't know I had surgery watched me eat they'd would just think I'm a light eater and not suspect I had surgery. I'm very happy aobut that. Running to the bathroom to vomit during meals is a horrible way to live.

So sorry to hear about that, I have heard though that they deny most of the time hoping you will just dismiss it. Most people that have the surgery have gone through an appeal or two. If you have the documentation and have gone through their "hoops" you should have no problem. I also have Aetna, and my plan does cover bariatric surgery, but only at 50 percent. I decided at that rate, I would just go to Mexico and have it done on my terms. I researched and found a very reputable doctor and it is costing me less than $5,000. I figure that I will see that back in a couple of years just by eating less and eliminating some of my health problems. Don't let these people define what you know is best for you. If you really want this, you will find a way!! I am sending positive thoughts your way!!

I was sleeved July 2 and have lost 60 pounds. only 15 more to go. I have lost approximately 8 sizes. 1 week I was in a 14 and the not hardly a week later I was in a 12. Right now I am in a 10 and hopefully will make it to an 8 and I will be super stoked. Dr. Garcia = Great Results!!!! I don't think this sleeve is ever gonna stretch some though.

Also, mentioning bougie size, Dr Garcia does use the 32 as standard but if u request, he will do a 36 instead. The diff is only a few mm I believe.
I am not sure which size I prefer. They say the smaller the size, the more chance for leaks but I know 32 is standard