Tiff

Any update? Did you find out if your stomach has fully healed? Just thinking about you, hope all is going well.

I'm 10 1/2 months post op and down 125 lbs. I'm almost 1/2 the person I used to be! This journey has been truly amazing.

check out Dr. Illan at bajabariatrics.com. I have not been sleeved yet but all of his patients rave about the care they received not only from the medical staff but from Omar the coordinator as well. I have scheduled with him and feel at peace about it. Also, very affordable. They even have a Facebook page Team Illan where all former and future patients gather for support. I live in Florida also

I just got sleeved on Monday and besides the first 2 days of feeling sore, I feel great. Each day I'm able to get more Protein and Water in, just started full liquids and it's crazy having such a small amount of Soup and feeling full, I feel like I have to remind myself to eat because I'm just not hungry, so happy I finally went though with thus.

My husband isn't obese but now I want him to get the sleeve!

I'm a Dr. Garcia patient and loving my sleeve! I was sleeved June 2013 at Florence Hospital. I have lost 71 lbs. Some people standards that's slow weight loss but I'm happy. I'm not dieting. Just trying to remember Protein first! I also believe I had a 32 French bougie. I remember asking the female doctor there (cannot remember her name) what bougie size before the surgery. She said do I want a loose sleeve or tighter one. I said definitely tighter lol. I guess they made it that size. I was so sick for 2 days after that I didn't even think to ask. I was throwing up blood after surgery which didn't make me panic because I read it happened to others. I also went alone. I was fine. I still don't feel hunger and if I'm busy I can go all day without eating but I still have head hunger. I see/smell food I want it. I have to stop myself and think am I really hungry? Every time I realize I'm not. I find myself eating more junk food because of convenience but my restriction is still there but it works better when I eat protein first which is what they tell you to do. I work out 5 days a week at a gym at my work. I go on my lunch break. I eat first for about 15 minutes then spend the rest of the hour at the gym. I never had the desire to work out before. I still have to make myself go sometimes but once I get there I love it. I'm usually the only one there.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences!
Melixxa, thanks for being honest about being hungry! It is something we have to learn to manage with choosing the right foods. Tessie, wow, what kind of work out are you doing??! You look great!!

I was sleeved with Dr. Garcia January 2nd , I also worried a little because not many people on here talking about Dr Garcia , I had the best experience ever ,, everyone there was so professional they take all the fear away from because they are great from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, I also had surgery in 2007 lapband with dr Sanchez in Monterry mx and I have to say I was blown away with the difference in care it was absolutely wonderful in Tijuana with Garcia and his team !!

I had my surgery in March of 2013 with Dr. Garcia. It was a great experience. I've lost a little over 160 pounds, and I'm about 20 pounds from goal. I have had no complications at all. I do monitor my calories closely, and I keep in contact with Dr. Garcia through his Facebook page. He is wonderful about answering any questions I have. I've even emailed him copies of some blood work that I had done here in the states at my 6 month post op point, and he looked it over and have me some advice. I would not hesitate to recommend him. (I had another friend use him, and she is doing well too...no complications or issues.)

I watched those movies as well as food Inc. I tried the juicing but can not live off of it. Then I went gluten free and vegan for most of 2012. I can tell you I FELT Better and my sinus pain I had been dealing with for over a year with daily medication slowly went away and after 3 months, of being vegan I no longer had to take meds. To this day I have no sinus issues because I cut out dairy significantly. However, even though there are many health benefits from juicing, vegan diet etc, I think we dont have to be so drastic if we just eat clean, including lean meats, fish etc. Eating vegan also meant alot of carbs for me. Lots of rice and Beans lol.

Thanks Michigan, I definitely do not have any actual statistics, just based on my browsing and looking at patient stats. I did not consider the after care either which is very important! I think I found a great dr with a great support group, I guess second guessing myself is just in my nature. I feel good knowing the actual sleeve difference wouldn't be significant.

Thank you so much for your kind words! I started with the treadmill. Then once I was within 50 lbs of goal I started Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, ripped in 30 and Hard Body. I alternate weights with cardio. 20-25 mins a day.

Today makes 4 months that this journey started and I'm happy to say I'm down 77lbs. I've been experiencing hair loss which I'm not happy about but the good thing is I have thick hair. Still struggling to get in enough Protein but I'm working on it. Overall I'm happy and everyone around me has been supportive. Here's a few pics.

The fabulous faux cheese Nip~
Take one Kraft single (I like sharp cheddar), slice it 3 directions one way, and 3 the other to make 16 little squares - place them on parchment paper and microwave them for 45-60 seconds in the microwave. Mine turn out perfect, puffy and crispy at 50 seconds. It makes a nice, light crispy snack that mimics a cracker
Nutrition: 60 cals, 4 g Protein, 2 carb, 4.5 fat

I was a revision patient and I don't think I would of just went to anyone. That is why I chose Dr. Garcia. He is extremely skilled. When you have a revision you need to be careful of leaks. The probability is higher in revision patients. He did a phenomenal job and I am almost a year out. I went to Mi Doctor Hospital. HW 343 SW 258 CW 159. Good luck to you. Surgery Feb. 25, 2013. I also went alone and the staff was great.

Another Dr. Garcia patient here...My hospital experience was super-positive (I went alone, too) and I have lost 66 pounds since late June. I have had no complications whatsoever. In fact, I was so happy with the care I received in TJ that I encouraged my mom to have the same surgery with Dr. Garcia and she did, three months after me. Plus she went with a good friend of mine, whom Dr. Garcia also sleeved...LOL Both my mom and friend had really good experiences, as well.
I feel like I need to add, though: I do still get hungry--in fact I never really stopped feeling hunger. I am losing weight because I track my calories pretty carefully and I try not to go over 1000. And while it's so much easier to keep my intake low than it was pre-surgery, I know I could easily eat enough to maintain my weight--maybe even gain--and my mom is in the same boat.
My friend, on the other hand, never feels hungry and doesn't have to track calories...so maybe extra big, stretchy tummies just run in my family!

I was sleeved with Dr. Garcia January 2nd , I also worried a little because not many people on here talking about Dr Garcia , I had the best experience ever ,, everyone there was so professional they take all the fear away from because they are great from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave, I also had surgery in 2007 lapband with dr Sanchez in Monterry mx and I have to say I was blown away with the difference in care it was absolutely wonderful in Tijuana with Garcia and his team !!

Bougie size is 32French. Dr Illan patient.

I know I am preaching to the choir, but you need to make a conscious deliberate decision about succeeding. There is no part way. Time to rededicate yourself to the basics. 80 g Protein, 64 oz Water at a minimum. Eat veggies and cut out sugar, breads and starches. If you manage good carbs that are low GI, you should eat those. Exercise for minimum 30 min a day, even if just a walk. Time to succeed!

I am also planning on Dr Illan after much discussion and research. His coordinator Omar called me over Christmas just to chat and wish me all the best (and I haven't even been there yet) he wasn't selling anything he was just being Omar !! - lovely man.
I have been lucky to be in touch with several wonderful women who told me all about their experiences with Dr Illan and they have all echoed that they were given the most attentive and professional care. Good luck to you in your decision !!

So inspirational! Thanks for sharing! Did you have plastics done in mexico also? You look so happy!

I would put some ice on it and you have no relief in a couple of days I would go the doc and get it checked out.
On the subject of hip pain, whenever I sit on the couch in my favorite comfy position (legs bent and feet up on the couch to my left)my hip will often get stuck and I am in extreme pain and usually need help hobbling around until my hip unsticks itself, if that makes sense. No idea what causes it but it sure does hurt.

Congratulations on your journey to a healthier new way of life!

Hi all , I am Suzy from Cairo Egypt. Here things are bit different in process than what I read here. My doctor didn't ask me to do any pre diet before the surgery at all actually I followed what I read here and online. Insurance considers this cosmetic surgery so it's not covered at all. We don't have all the nice Protein Shakes so we have to make them up
I have scheduled the surgery three times in past month once with visiting doc from uk who really is the one I thank for bringing me to where I am now and explained everything to me yet had family and financial emergency so couldn't make while he was here. So met with a local doctor and we set a date but got sick so we cancelled and can't tell you I had mixed feelings not sure if I was frustrated it's being cancelled or happy as it maybe a sign that it won't work for me. I guess the two time cancellation is what really gave me freaks ... Long story short I called my doc on New Year's Eve and he suggested to do next day and I just did it 1-1-2014 . Milestone 1 celebration yeaay finally done . Spent 4 days in hospital the first day was so painful to the extent I was starting to have regrets but today 5 days post I can hardly remember what I felt.
Lost 5kg don't know how many pounds that is to date from surgery another celebration and able get down some fluids well I hope I continue to be well am starting feel good spiritually .
Good luck to all ????

I used Dr. Garcia and I was very happy that I had him as my surgeon.