parker

Have been really hard on myself cause I didn't see a difference yeah clothes are falling off but until I put these pics side by side I can say I am proud of myself even gotta admit I'm getting kinda cute now haha

12-2612
Starting weight 391
Weight surgery day 340
Today 256

I was sleeved at florence by Dr Garcia on March 28th. florence was a clean facility. There were folks coming to clean and sanitize twice a day. The room equipment used was comparable to a smaller, rural hospital in the states. The OR was modern. With the exclusion of the bed. I had to scoot onto the operating table, and after have bruises where my legs hung over. ( I am tall). The room was clean, but seemed like it had been through a bad home remodel. The faucet in the bathroom only worked on one side. I ran out of TP while there and ended up using tissues.
On the other hand, I was visited by nurses round the clock. All but one spoke English. The one who didn't had an app on her phone that translated. The overnight nurse was lovely, can't remember her name. And my day nurse was Fatima, she was a doll and did anything I needed. There was a doctor there 24-7 and Dr Garcia's team was there each day to check on me.
Overall I had a great experience. The care was phenomenal. I traveled solo and had no worries. The coordinator, Meli, informed me when my fellow sleevers were around. I visited, briefly, with others I have chatted with on this site.

Sleeved March 18 . Doing well. Down 49 pounds since March 1st . Did a lot of work in my yard the past two weekends. I can now breathe when I bend over to pull weeds or pick something up . Amazing! I'm averaging 700-900 calories a day. Protein around 80 grams. I'm still on pureed foods. My stomach is tolerating everything I've given it so far, but I'm not rushing things. This weekend I may try adventuring beyond purees. I also may start taking Miralax tomorrow. Without going into detail, I've had a little trouble with regularity.

I was sleeved at florence by Dr Garcia on March 28th. florence was a clean facility. There were folks coming to clean and sanitize twice a day. The room equipment used was comparable to a smaller, rural hospital in the states. The OR was modern. With the exclusion of the bed. I had to scoot onto the operating table, and after have bruises where my legs hung over. ( I am tall). The room was clean, but seemed like it had been through a bad home remodel. The faucet in the bathroom only worked on one side. I ran out of TP while there and ended up using tissues.
On the other hand, I was visited by nurses round the clock. All but one spoke English. The one who didn't had an app on her phone that translated. The overnight nurse was lovely, can't remember her name. And my day nurse was Fatima, she was a doll and did anything I needed. There was a doctor there 24-7 and Dr Garcia's team was there each day to check on me.
Overall I had a great experience. The care was phenomenal. I traveled solo and had no worries. The coordinator, Meli, informed me when my fellow sleevers were around. I visited, briefly, with others I have chatted with on this site.

I was sleeved by Dr Garcia last Thursday. He is the sweetest guy and all the staff is awesome. Two of his supporting drs have had VSG also, it's kinda cool. I'm in Chandler, ya'll, we should definitely get together like once a month. I'd love to meet other local sleevers.
Becky

Got back home last night. Doing great. Ill post a full experience in a bit. It was really great to meet my co-sleevers. The comraderie at florence was awesome.

Morning all!!! I'm waiting to board my plane. Leaving good ole New Orleans. Missed my flight, but its all good. Everything happens for a reason. If you're keeping tabs on me, like I am keeping up with most of you, I shall post my experience here. Praying for an uneventful flight. Later yall :-)

This. I tried the baby smooth thing once, it creeped me out. I keep it trimmed now. I'm almost to the point of trying to incorporate some animal designs in to my trimming.

28th for me too. See u guys there maybe.

I just spent 2 nights at the Oasis. There isn't a safe in your room but there is a closet where you can keep your belongings. I had a laptop, cell phone and money stowed away. I was not at all concerned. It is such a quiet hospital and the external doors are locked for patient security. I asked the doctor if I could secure my things somewhere and he said they have never had an incident with theft but I could put my stuff in there. I just trusted him and was fine. Came back to a room just as I had left it.
Such an amazing staff. Quiet for good resting. Pleasant and well recommended.
Bring your own pillow!! The pillows are not cozy. I also brought my own sheets and a blanket. Also a travel bottle of fabreze and dryer sheets. Made for a Yummy, smell good recovery.

I'm switching too. SO y'all ain't ditching me!!!! Lol. I didn't get my email but I got in touch with her today. She is gonna change it.

Homeward bound!! :-D
Amanda Rae

Hey guys....
I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I am down in Tijuana, Mexico at Dr. Garcias/Mi hospital and my surgery is in about an hour!! Dr. Garcia has come in and spoke with me he is fantastic!! Everyone from Samuel the driver to the nurses and staff so far have been great, The facility is spotless and they use universal precautions and I am very impressed that far!! I will keep you guys updated and post as many pictures as I can so those who have not been yet can get an idea Of what to expect when they come here!!
I have already met several others who have already sleeved and they are doing great!! They are Walking the halls....
So, its finally my turn... Wow... Here we go!! Wish me luck and I'll keep you updated....
To be continued!!

Starting Pre op diet tomorrow! Under 40 BMI so only required to do 7 days. Graduated from stalker to Patient, LOL!

Buffet, Sleeve Style!
Amanda Rae

I'm turning into a smurf!
Amanda Rae

All dressed up and ready to go...
Amanda Rae

WINI, I am 10 days out and i used Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz. He goes by Elias Ortiz. He is PHENOMINAL! I wasn't ever scheduled with Dr. Lopez. I just signed up with A Lighter Me with Ronda and I couldn't be happier. My husband was sooo skeptical of Mexico and having surgery out of the US, but he can't stop going on and on about the attention and care i received. Dr. Ortiz is about 30 years old, has done about 2000 surgeries and is the ultimate professional you would think he is in his 40's! Also everyone in our group was very pleased. No leaks no infections with everyone and all walking within a couple of hours of recovery room exit. The service provided by Abraham (the driver)and Eduardo (local coordinator) is awesome. You couldn't ask for more. They will get you ANYTHING you want or need. A lot of other Dr. coordinators don't do this, but they will take you shopping the second day after hospital release, then take you to an excellent Mexican restaurant in Tijuana (at your cost, but my hubby had a combo plate and i had the most delicious broth and it cost $10.50US. They will take you to one of the open pharmacies where you can get antibiotics, male enhancements, etc.that are over the counter there. They will take you to a flea market in an indoor building, or anywhere else you want or need to go. The Marriott Tijuana is a very luxurious hotel and the bellman are top notch.
Getting back to the Dr. and Mi Doctor Hospital. Once you are checked in for surgery, you are taken to your room and given a gown to put on. If you have a companion, there is a bed in your room for them so they are with you unless they go on a walkabout lol. Then you get an IV, EKG, blood drawn for complete chem work up. It even types your blood and you will get a copy of all the labs.The anesthesiologist comes in, then an internal medicine specialist, then Dr. Ortiz. Maybe not in that order. Once your blood work comes back and is approved by the Dr. you are told what number you are in order for surgery. I was second out of 4. There are english tv channels mostly in the number 200 and up but they vary.If you get spanish commercials, wait until after the commercial are over because alot of the programs are in english! My husband was able to watch TV alot lol. Some of the nurses did not wash their hands and some wore disposable gloves. When they inject three very large syringes into your IV they do it slowly so it doesn't sting, just feels a little cold. They will do it slowly if you ask them to slow down. This goes on every 6 hours during your entire stay. There is a very sweet Mexican nurse names Monserrat, who doesn't speak great english and there is another nurse named Samantha who has dyed blond hair and her english is perfect. She is really nice if you get talking to her.
When my time came for surgery, about 2:30 p.m. I was wheeled in a wheelchair into the holding/recovery area and temp and blood pressure taken. Then I walked into the OR and got on the table. The anesthesiologist was there and said hi to me and was I ready and I said yes. He said I am going to give you a little something to help you relax so I said OK. I woke up in my bed after surgery about 6:00 with my husband holding my hand and talking to me!! I thought I would know when the Dr. would knock me out, but he wonderfully tricked me and was putting me out right then.
When I came around I had some minor pain, very tolerable and I was just wanting to sleep and I didn't really feel much until around 8:00 when I had to pee. I raised the bed, my hubby helped me sit up and once i stabilized, we wheeled the IV pole into the restroom right next to my bed and I went. Got back in bed. I felt some gas, nothing bad, sucked on a gas-x strip and it started to move and come up. The next day and a half I probably used 6 strips. If you walk, it helps move it. You can walk around your room or the hallway. Once you are ready for your leak test number 1, you get a small (3 oz) bathroom dixie cup size of blue liquid they tell you to sip. It wasn't great but it wasn't as bad as some folks said. If you see blue in your drain, then you have a stomach leak. There were NO leaks in our group and from what I was told Dr. Ortiz has had no leaks in the last several hundred patients! The second leak test is different. You go downstairs and stand. You drink a clear liquid, two gulps while you are x-rayed and you can see the white Fluid going through your esophagus and into your new NARROW stomach. I liked this part because I knew for sure the size of my stomach and the surgery was indeed done! I started to gag a little after the gulping and it hurt a little in my chest like pressure, but then it was gone as soon as it started. The Dr. turns you and you see the Fluid moving. He tells you No leak! You will get a DVD of this and the report. When you go back upstairs you can have crushed ice and be sure to ask for the apple juice OMG!!! it is the best tasting I have ever had Martinelli's! Everyone was raving about it.
The next day and a half went like this with constant care from the nurses, the Dr. coming in and checking you and you adjusting to your stomach GURGLING lol it is like there is an alien in there! When you are released they will take you to the hotel and tell you when you will go shopping. Dr. Ortiz came to my hotel room each evening then removing the drain.By the way if your companion wants to go anywhere while you are in the hospital, Abraham is available to take them anywhere they want to go. He and my husband when to a local watering hole and to Burger King. Mexico is just like the states, and very populated in Tijuana. Abraham took us to the airport or to a hotel in San Diego if you are staying there 1 night ten we caught the hotel shuttle to the airport the next day. It was an awesome experience. Now at 10 days out I have lost 10 pounds since check in at Mi Doctor! I had a BM on day 5 just after arriving home, no problems. I know this is a lot of info but when I was researching, this is what I needed to hear and wanted to read. I would highly recommend Dr. E Ortiz as he is exactly the same price as Dr. Almanza with a real hospital and recovery two nights there. There is so much personal attention and care and interaction with the Dr,, afterward.

I had my surgery March 13th byDr Fernando Garcia, he is the greatest surgeon! I felt safe in his hands during the surgery.The hardest thing to deal with was the darn drain.Right now I am downstairs in the marriot in the computer room. I highly recommend Dr Garcia. Also recommend staying at the marriot in Tijuana they treat you like royalty here. :wub:

Funny I have been having food funerals all week. Poptarts, donuts,chilli Beans, ribs, hot wings. I love Pizza!!! So tonite I am gonna have pizza. My paperwork said 7 to 14 day pre op but I am gonna do the 14 day one. In case I crack on the first 7 I wont beat myself up to much. I am not a big Soup person but I am thinking I will more than welcome some soup when it comes time. THIS IS REALLY GONNA HAPPEN!!!!!! I could scream!!!!

Put me on the list :-)
3/29
Dr. Garcia
Tijuana, MX

Inner ear infection? I would get to your pcp as soon as you can.

Size 14 from size 18!!
Size 14 Jeans and 3' inch heels today on my way to the beauty shop! I feel great!

I've never had to wear compression stockings before, so I had to google all the different sizes and uses. I finally decided what I needed and went shopping online. Boy oh boy, they are bland and UGLY for the most part! I finally discovered some blue leopard print! Ordered them from rejuvahealth.