kltklass

. Thank you for sharing your story! I'm excited but nervous too.

Dr. Garcia and staff are awesome. I haven't had any complications and I am continuing to lose weight. Good luck to you in your new life.
My experience:
8/5/13: I flew into San Diego to be picked up by the driver, Samuel Jr. (very nice man). We went to the Marriott hotel which is very nice. I was met by Irene from Ready4Achange. She is sweet and will bend over backward to get you what you need/want. My room was very clean and comfy.
8/6/13: The Marriott driver took me to Florence Hospital (Oasis hospital) where I met Eduardo, the coordinator from ready4achange. If you ask him he will keep your passport for you in his safe and return it before you leave. The hospital was clean and tidy; however, their standards of decor are different than ours (American). In the bathroom the workmanship is very sloppy and tends to look dirty. Nevertheless, it is not!
Once I filled out all the paperwork, I went for lab tests. IV was hooked up; surgery was set for late afternoon. Dr. Garcia came in and explained the surgery. Make sure you discuss your bougie size. (He will explain) Next thing I remember...waking up in my bed, surgery finished.
They will make you get up and walk, walk, walk and walk some more. This is to help with the gas pains. You will be attached to an IV pole with great medication. I had no pain what so ever! Of course, everyone is different. You probably will have a drain. This is not a problem...gets removed before you leave the hospital, feels weird when they remove it.
Make friends with the other patients on the floor. This will give you a support group to help you through the process.
8/8/13: Marriott driver picked me up to return to the hotel. The only down side was the check in time for the hotel. I waited 4 hours in the lobby and restaurant for my room to be ready. When it was ready it was heaven. You are entitled to 3 chicken broths per day and 2 bottles of Water and 2 popsicles. A word about the popsicles...DO NOT EAT THEM...THEY TASTE LIKE CRAP!!! If you want a popsicle, it is better to go down stairs to the tobacco shop and buy one (they are awesome!) (Another reason to bring some money)
8/9/13: Dra. Velazco came to the hotel to remove my staples
8/10/13: Picked up by Samuel Sr. from ready4achange. Flew home.
Suggestions:
1st: Do not over pack! (I did) all you need is clothes to and from the hotel. Bring a pair of pajama bottoms or a pair of shorts to wear with the hospital gown (gets breezy when you walk), underwear, walking shoes, and toothbrush etc...
2nd: Gas-x strips and chapstick are a must. Bring a book to read as the hotel TV has few English speaking channels.
3rd: Plan on bringing some money to tip the staff (hotel and drivers). I recommend smaller bills because change is not always available. Of course, you don't have to tip, but, they appreciate the effort.
Peso exchange is around 12p to 1.00.

Thank you all for your comments. I know I'm making the right decision. I see my primary doctor on the 30th so he can sign off on my paperwork. He is onboard with my decision. he has been after me for years to drop tne weight.

It's out now, so just make the best of that. Prepare your stock answers to questions you don't want to deal with. My stock answers included:
My doctor and I thought the surgery was the best option for my health.
My doctor is pleased with my progress.
I feel great!
And, just remember to not share anything with your mom that you don't want everyone to know. It hurts to have to keep things private when you'd like to share, but your mom has demonstrated that she can't keep things private. I'm not saying don't share with mom, just know if you do, whatever you share might be shared with the prayer group.
Lynda

I am sorry. I had a similar experience, but my mother told my grandparents and then my (very loving, but very nosey) grandmother told the whole family (cousins, uncles, aunts, some people who I haven't seen in forever, and anyone else that would be on her "phone tree"). Needless to say, I was in the middle of one of our big family get togethers when one of my distant cousins brings it up in front of everyone. All eyes and ears on me! I was so embarrassed and heart broken. I was not comfortable at the time and did not want anyone to know.
That was a couple of months ago and I have become more open about it. I am not hiding it anymore. I don't know if the situation with my family helped to force me to be comfortable, but now I can tell anyone and not give a damn what they think. I know how hard I have tried. I know that the weight isn't going to come off without it, and I know that this is the best choice I could have made.
I know how bad it feels to have your secret out in the open, but I also now see the liberation that having it out in the open can bring. Best of luck to you!

I didn't tell anyone except my husband and my mother about my surgery. They knew about how important it was for me to keep this to myself.
I found out yesterday after church that my mother had told her entire "small group" which is about 50 people. I had someone walk up to me after church asking how I am doing after the surgery and how much weight I had lost. I was dumbfounded.
I asked her if she told and she said just her small group because she wanted me covered in prayer. I get that, I truly do, but she didn't have to tell them what kind of surgery it was. I am so hurt. It's an awful feeling to know your own mother has betrayed your trust. And if all those people know, everyone might as well know. She took that choice to tell away from me. It was the one thing I thought I had control over. I am so hurt.
I don't know what the point of this post is. I guess I just have to get it out. I'm having a really hard time right now.

Hi Guys,
Sorry for the delay in responding. Ive been tying to get accustomed to my new sleeve and also trying to muster up some energy from somewhere. Here is my story about Dr.Garcia and Ready 4 A Change:
ARRIVAL - Monday April 7, 2014 - Arrived at San Diego airport at around 10:30,10:40ish am. My driver Samuel Jr. was already there waiting on me. Let me tell u, Sam Jr. is sooo cool!! I loved him. I was the only one that he needed to pick up at that time, so it was just him and I on the trip. He told me what apps to download for free telephone calls, he took me on a tour of Tijuana and went over some of its history, etc. I asked him to correctly pronounce Tijuana for me and he said it is pronounced Tee-wanna not Tia-wanna. He took my phone and took some pictures of the city for me; we had a blast. I was all smiles and giggles, until he told me we were going straight to the hospital for pre-op testing. I told him woah, I wasn't mentally prepared to hear that and he laughed and said I would be ok. So we pulled up to florence Oasis which I recognized from pictures I seen. It is not a grand, big bldg like the hospitals in the US but it was clean and nice and had that medical feel to it like the US. He walked me and my luggage the lobby and said Eduardo (who is the r4ac coordinator) would take me to the hotel when I was done. So they drew blood first. Now I am horribly afraid of needles and I was scared they were going to have keep sticking me to find a vein but it only took one stick. It was sort of to the side of my arm but it worked. Second was the urine sample but I had just went to the bathroom at the hospital and was dry as a bone. So the nurse gave me a bottled Water and I starting drinking. Next was the chest xray which took all of 30 seconds. Next was the EKG which took all of 4 minutes. After that I went and sat in a small office where Eduardo (the R4AC coordinator) was at. He gave me some papers to read and explained what time to be in the lobby the next day while I finished my water. Then I provided the urine sample. After that, he picked me up from the front of the hospital in personal vehicle and took me to the Marriott. The Marriott is very nice and clean and my room was pretty big. The check in was quck and easy and I did have to provide a cc for incidentals but R4AC had already mentioned that to me weeks ago. I immediately ordered the chicken broth and popsicle which were free for surgery patients. The broth was good but the popsicle...not so much. I ended up putting it in the sink so it would melt. A few hours later, I got a call from Dr. Velazqo at Dr.Garcias office telling me that my hemoglobin was very low (8.6) and that the doctor said I would need a blood transfusion. (Surprise of the day #2) Sure was not sure of the cost because she didn't know how much I needed but she said as soon as found out she would le me know. I also got a visit to my room from Irene who is the other R4AC coordinator. She is very nice. She brought alot paperwork and we went through them all and she explained and answered all of my questions. She left the papers that I wanted to read over again and said I could just bring them with me the next day. I told her about the blood transfusion and she made some calls to try and find out the cost, which turned out to be between $200-$500 depending upon the qty. That was day 1.
SURGERY DAY - Tuesday April 8, 2014 - I got down to the lobby at 6:40 since we were supposed to be picked up at 6:45. I met 2 other ladies there who were also getting sleeved that day. I checked out of the hotel and we were shuttled to Florence Oasis. When we got there, we waited in the lobby and I was immediately called to the back. I said my "see you laters" and went with the same male nurse who escorted me around for preop the previous day. He took me to my hospital room and said someone would be with me shortly. I was brought a gown and a pair of thigh high compression stockings and was told to change into them. Shortly after, Eduardo came by to see how was I doing and to give me a pair of Florence Oasis slippers and the remote to the tv. Later Dr.Velazgo came in to talk to me to discuss the blood transfusion and why it was needed. Then the anaesthesiologist came to talk with me and I told him to make sure I was all the way under so I didn't wake up during surgery. He was a funny guy. Then I met another doctor, i forgot her name. She was very nice and said she had also been sleeved too. She was very peaceful and told me how beautiful I was. It was like a conversation with your grandma. She was very comforting. Soon after that they started my IV. The only did the IV was once which I was happy about. I was scared they were gonna screw it up. All of the nurses were very friendly and spoke very good English. I was originally scheduled to go first but ended up going last. A guy from the Red Cross came in to draw blood to confirm my blood type for the transfusion. The blood for the transfusion didn't arrive until maybe 2-ish. (Cost was $200) After that they had to monitor me to make sure I did not have any kind of reaction from the blood. Dr. Garcia came in and talked to me about the procedure and to see if I had any questions. He said my surgery was going to take 2.5hrs since I was doing the single incision. He did warn me that if for any reason he seen that he may need to do the regular 5 incision, he would. It was late afternoon before the came to get me. As I was being wheeled down the hall o the surgical suite, one of the other ladies was out in the hallway walking with her IV stand and husband. She had already been sleeved and everything. She was like you'll be fine, look at me! I smiled at her and felt better. Once I was in the operating room, the anesthesiologist was comforting me and making jokes with me. He was so funny! He said let’s get some music going in here and he played "Everybody Dance Now" over the speakers. He was dancing and they were all laughing. It calmed me down alot. Then I remember him saying, ok count to 10 and that was it. I didn't even get to 1. Next I heard a female voice calling my name and trying to wake me up. I was in my room and they were trying to move me to my bed. I remember being panicky and feeling a horrible pain in my shoulder. I was having a hard time breathing (I think) but I felt better when I was fully awake and calmed down. The nurses were checking on me constantly to make sure I was ok. I was fine but that gas was a beast. I threw up some blood but I expected that. It was dark blood and not fresh red. Then I started dry heaving. I pushed the button for the nurse and she came and rubbed my back and tried to calm me down. She emptied the little container of the mess and cleaned it for me. Whenever they administered medication into the IV, they always told me what it was for. Later that night, they told me to try and walk if I could to help with the gas. I walked around my room the entire time I was there. I would set my stopwatch on my phone and walk for 20 minutes and pray. I learned how to not throw up. Anytime I would start to feel nauseous and feel like i had to vomit, I would make myself do little burps and the feeling would go away immediately. The only time I have thrown up was the immediately after surgery and that's it. The nurses came and checked on me every few hours. Every day they would give me an anti-coagulant shot in my side. It wasn't too bad. On my last day, Dr.Velazgo came in to remove the drain. She looked at me and told me to take a deep breath and I was like ok wait im not ready. By the time I took the deep breathe she had already threw the drain in the garbage. I didn't feel a thing. Dr. Garcia came in to talk to me and make sure I was ok. He was very nice. I had to get more blood drawn to do a final lab test to make sure my levels were ok. All in all my hospital stay was a positive one. I went in on Tuesday and checked out on Thursday. They assured me that I would never be alone and I wasn't. They were there if I needed something and were always at my disposal. When Eduardo came to get me he brought me a Ready 4 a Change goodie bag that had my medicines (pain, gas, antacid, antibiotic), a stomach shaped pillow, all of lab results, my chest x-ray, a video of my leak test, a R4AC folder of all pre & post op paperwork, etc., 2 small bottles of water, a bottle of coconut water (yummy), my breathing apparatus thing with balls, packs of gauze, a bunch of band-aids, roll of tape, antiseptic spray for my incisions and R4AC chapstick. (I love goody bags!!) The day I was released from the hospital I felt %100! So much to where when Irene came to visit me, I asked her did Dr. Garcia cut enough of the stomach. Like, I was seriously concerned because I was feeling fine. She told me to try and u back on the pain meds that were given to me. She said that pain meds can affect the liver, yadda, yadda,yadda and if I could, to try not to take too much. I was like I’m good!! And I was...until the pain meds in my system from the hospital wore off. Good lawd, I was bent over and could hardly walk, eat, sleep, anything. I should've just taken the pain pill!
SINGLE INCISION: The only scar that is visible is the drain incision. I have a deep belly button and you can barely see the incision where the port was inserted. I will attach pics. All in all Ready 4 A Change and Dr.Garcia and his staff were completely awesome!!! The coordinators came to the hotel everyday before and after the surgery. I traveled alone and I told them that I was concerned that I was by myself and they told me they would be right there for me and they were.
My experience was top notch. I definitely recommend them to anyone!!!
Oh yeah, I am down 11 lbs from my surgery weight.

HI!! The link to my surgery experience with Dr.Garcia is in my signature. I am almost 4 months post op and all is good. I did experience multiple stalls but that is because my diet and nutrition was all over the place.

I met 3 canadian ladies who had all had sleeve done with Ready4Achange when I was in Tijuana. The hospital that Ready4Achange uses also has a cancer ward on the top two floors and I met several people from there as well and almost all of them I met were canadian as well.
If you have serious health issues already (heart problems, liver problems, some other internal malfunction, etc) and expect complications then you should probably stay in canada. However, neither me nor my wife had serious health issues other than being fat and having sleep apnea, nearly diabetic, and some bum joints/backs from being fat. So because of the relatively small list of issues with us, we decided to go ahead and have it in Mexico. We both are losing a ton of weight and we're happy as pigs in shit that we went to mexico. Saved us a ton of $$ and we got GREAT care.

Hi All. Until yesterday I had never even heard of Gastric Vertical Sleeve procedure, much less the benefits or risks of it. I have struggled for 40 years with weight. This procedure sounds like it has the right risk/benefit balance that I am willing to proceed. (Bypass was always too invasive and risky to me.) THIS site helped me to feel like I could get information from REAL people with REAL perspective and answers. The good and the bad. So, THANK YOU ALL for participating here.

Please show me where I've slandered anyone. You consider using profanity and name calling mature? Interesting.
And I'm the one who mentioned grammar, not Susan.

You're just trolling now. Grammar and proper use of language is important if you actually have something to say and want it heard. But by all means continue to throw your child-like tantrums and you will be treated much as any other toddler that behaves so poorly.

Thank goodness for the humor and love here. It is a happy place I love to visit every day just to see Madame Rev and LipstickLady in action. It is 6:16 pm, and I just poured a glass of wine for medicinal purposes.

HELL TO THE WHAT?!!!
Only kidding. I'm an alcoholic (kidding-ish). For as low a BMI as I was to start, with PCOS, I've still shifted more than was expected of me...
................. Despite the grotesque alcohol consumption
Just be happy! I am!

I'll call malarkey on this. Living proof right here.

I have a very active social life and had some of the same concerns because I did not (and have not) broadcast my surgery. You'll be shocked at how little people notice the amount you eat or drink.
I see no reason to tell untruths. Just say you really aren't hungry or are are working with a nutritionist regarding your diet. As for the drink, you are a grown woman. If you don't want a glass of wine, simply smile and say no thank you. If anyone asks, just tell them you aren't up to having any and change the subject.
Fourteen months out and I've never had an issue.

No not at all. But when hiding the fact you had surgery is becoming more stressful than being open about it, it can be detrimental to your overall mental health, and possibly cause someone to make bad decisions just to keep it hidden. I never said it was inappropriate.

Not sure where you get you have to wait 5 minutes between bites...... We were both sleeved and kept it to ourselves. At 6 weeks I went to lunch with a friend, and ordered a bisque for lunch, and grilled fish. Needless to say I could not finish the bisque or the Water and decided to take the fish home lol. I focused on fun and talking and food was not the point. We have similar social situations. Groups, dance/social club, dinners, neighbors and friends. We did this in Nov and Dec, and our story was we were dieting (true), and were not drinking (true). Everyone accepted this, and within 3-4 months could see our weight loss and were impressed. Now we go to the social dance club again, and skip the steak dinner and food events. We go out to eat with friends, and share a meal. My husband has taught me to accept this way of life and not give a rats patootie what anyone thinks. We have the neighbor get togethers and have Snacks that are lowfat, and nibble as they all know we were on this diet to get healthy. Your friends will be proud of you also and accept this, that you are not going back to your old ways. Somehow you will work this out. We did and it has not been a problem. We have traveled a lot, a 10-day car trip, and my husband lost 10 lbs! We were visiting relatives. We went on a cruise and ate sensibly. We are 8 months post surgery. Just go with the flow and you can do this. My best advice is just eat slowly and relax and have fun. My husband and I shared a reuben last night, minus the bread, and brought 1/2 of it home. If you plan events such as a small buffet type dinner at your home, you can flit around and no one will notice you are not stuffing yourself. We are going on pretty much the same as always now. Just eating a lot less food and motivated to keep these new bodies. Good luck!

I'm fully 'in the closet'. I don't care, either. Aint no ones business but mine.
That being said, I had my Mum over, 8 or so weeks out from surgery. I still ate a roast chicken dinner which I'd prepared in front of her.
Just fannied around with the food on my plate and feigned being overly full.
I think she was thrown more off the scent by my being able to consume a pint of Guinness. She'dve surely known (being an inquisitive ex nurse) something was wrong if whilst in the boozer, I'd not consumed my usual vessel of black gold!
I think you'll be fine. Just order a smaller portion, fanny about with it on your plate. Say you're on antibiotics and if anyone presses any further? Say you've had concerning levels of gastric reflux and your doctors are saying you have to be really careful how much you eat and the regularity with which you eat. That, in itself, would put most people off from suggesting restaurants where the food is exceptionally rich or creamy. It would also then be acceptable for you to order a starter and be good with it.
I use this all the time. I have already had my gallbladder out - but for those who don't know? That's the reason I give - but rarely have I had to deploy that excuse.
I just order a main, eat the bits I want (the Protein and a bit of salad/veg) and discard the rest. I rarely drink wine any more (gives me awful reflux), so if I drink alcohol now, it's generally well before I eat or well after.
Don't put life on hold. Go out and enjoy it!

It seems to me like the trouble your going through trying to hide the fact you had WLS is more trouble than coming out of the closet, Maybe re-examine your reasoning as to why you want to hide the fact you ad WLS.

I agree with the above statements you do not owe anyone an explanation I think your overthinking this just be you, you do. It have to drink alcohol everytime you eat to have a good time, and just because you take your time eating just means your enjoying your food and making healthy and wise choices good luck.

Hello! I just had my sleeve done July 15th by Dr. Garcia and feel amazing!!! The hospital was just like everyone said not the newest but very clean. The staff was amazing. I flew in for same day surgery. I landed at 9:40am and went back into surgery at 1pm. I had a little discomfort with the gas pain in my shoulder but walking fixed that right away. My aunt and I actually did it together and we state two nights at the hospital and then one night at the Marriott. It was a very nice hotel and we spend the afternoon laying by the pool. We flew out the next morning. (July 18th) all and all it was a fantastic experience.

Fluff, I agree people may have very good reasons for getting to a certain weight - but I promise you that no matter how thin you are... somebody else will be thinner. No matter how attractive you are, someone else is better looking. No matter what... comparing yourself to others is a losing game. I
get alot of support here, but I think it can be toxic if you take to heart some of what is written. We all have our own "journey" and it isn't fair that I can't enjoy my favorite foods (all carby junk) even in moderate quantities whereas others say they can. I get the occasional "lecture" that if I just eat everything in moderate quantities I will be fine. Well, that is the heart of the matter, some foods I cannot seem to eat in moderate quantities and apparently many others can. blech. oh well, this is my life and I am making the most of it and trying to maximize my own situation.
I promise you will still feel fat when you hit 25 or 23 or whatever BMI if you don't work on your "head trip" part of this journey. I felt like an enormous person still when my surgeon told me I was "done" - didn't need to lose more.... it was an eye opener and I have spent a year and a half adjusting my brain...

Fluff this statement is spot on with me " I feel mostly the same way about my body now as I did 65 pounds ago". I can't bring myself to even view my before pictures. I still buy clothes that are to big because I haven't found that comfort with my body. With reference to the running, I started out slow just walking and now run 5-6 miles a day. You can do it. Just start out slow and stick with it. You will feel so much better. I"ve had knee surgery and once the weight is off, its amazing what you can do.

Everyone has to come to the realization that we are who we are at some point. If you cannot find happiness within yourself at this point you will never be happy... If you can't Celebrate where your body is now..Healthier and in great shape and you feel great...what was the point of all the work you have done to get where you are today...
It is the common thinking that it is never enough until we look more like models that have no shape at all. No breasts, and bones sticking out everywhere. Is that what you want for yourself. To no longer look like a woman.
To say ' is this the best it is gonna get' implies that you are not happy with you, and who you have become. 75 lbs gone and muscled now.....
Take 75 lbs of butter and place them on the table next to you and look at what you have done. Where you are.Take a look at the before and after pictures and Celebrate the wonderful success of your journey..
Your body may decide to lose more but live as much as you can where you are now and let your body do the deciding.
Just stay on the program and do not Detour and you will reach the right place for you...Whether it is this year or next year...This is not a race, it is a journey!