Trahan Caro

@@Anniel2015, I wouldn't know about Mi hospital or the Hyatt. You could go on the web site and foresee what these places offer. It is never too late to change your idea and choose another organisation or surgeon. Anyhow, I bet you made your investigation about it. I chose my surgeon on a personal recommandation from someone I knew. It helped a lot. If I can help, do not hesitate.

@Anniel2015...If you need to speak with someone who had the experience, we could arrange to talk. Don't worry about Tijuana. Everything will be fine. Are you going with someone?

@@Anniel2015, yes, I made a certified check to ready4achange. Une traite bancaire pourrait aussi faire.

@MissRobin. My experience with Dr Garcia and his team was incledible. They take very care of you and have very good bed side manners. The hospital is very clean and confortable. Everything is well organized and the doctors and nurses are very competent. Almost all the doctors there have had a gastric surgery. I went through Ready 4 a Change. They were very attentive to my needs and wel organized. The hotel was ok (Mariott). I asked for a room on the golf side. The room was bigger and more quiet. But we had to pay an extra for that. It wasnt' much though. The only down side was the location. I did not like Tijuana..but that's just me! I wish you the best of luck on your journey!

@ Anniel2015, I am also from Montreal. I was sleeved in may in Tijuana by Dr Garcia. I had a great experience and I am now down 46 pounds. If you have any questions, do note hesitate to write in private. Best of luck to you.

@@MissRobin, I take 2 Centrum and one B12 everymorning. I also take 3 vitamin D + Calcium 3 times a day. Through that, 1 take one Zinc supplement for the hair loss. I haven't lost anyhair so far. However, I'm only 2 months out. I hear I will start losing my hair at about 3 months...I hope I won't loose them...

I buy the Syntrax Nectar shakes on the web site Vitacost.com They are 100 cal per scoop, 25g protein and low carbs. There are a lot of flavors (a large variety of fruit flavors (apple, grape, orange, peach) capuccino, chocolate, vanilla), I like them a lot. Hope this helps.

I was on the diet for 10 days prior to surgery. My BMI was 39. I was on a 1000 calories per day diet. I had protein shakes with almond milk (30 cal per 8 oz) for breakfast or lunch, fish, shrimps or white meat poultry with fresh veggies for dinner. I used My fitness pal app. to track the calories. It went really well. Dr Garcia said my liver was lean when he performed the surgery. Best of luck to you.

I am now 6 weeks out. I feel great. However, I struggled with my energy level for the first 4 weeks. I went back to work after 2 weeks and I believe it was too soon. If you can manage a 4 weeks leave from work, it would be the best thing.

I wanted to share my journey for my surgery in Tijuana with Dr. Fernando Garcia. As I was in the process of deciding if I was going to have the surgery or not, I had the opportunity to read a step by step story of someone who had a VSG. It helped me a lot to visualize the journey ahead. That had an important impact on my decision. I would have liked to read one on my specific surgeon and his team. So I will try and do the same here for Dr. Garcia's future patients. I would like to mention my first language is French…so please be indulgent while reading me. First of all, everything went well!!! From the start until the end. Linda, the coordinator has been very helpful, patient and devoted in answering all my pre-op questions and believe me, there were a LOT! Sunday: We arrived in San Diego. We were picked up by the chauffeur and went straight to the hotel in Tijuana. Crossing the border was nothing…We didn’t even stop for any questioning?!? It took about 20 to 30 minutes from the airport to the Hotel. When we arrived, we were welcomed by Sacha, a coordinator. She was very nice answering our questions and giving us instructions for the next morning, surgery day. Here’s a little hint for the hotel. The room I was given was on the street side. It is very loud so we asked to be switched on the Golf side. There’s a 25$/day upgrade charge but the room is quite bigger and much calmer. So when we checked out the next morning to go to the hospital, I booked a room on the golf side for when we got back 2 days later. Monday: We left for the hospital at about 7 am (there were 4 of us to go in the same day). When we arrived at the hospital, I was given a room, they drew some blood, did an EKG. During the pre-op phase, I had asked Linda (coordinator) to be the first to go in surgery….what a good move! I got to meet Dr Garcia before the surgery. He was very attentive to my questions and need. I got in surgery at about 1h30 p.m. Since I was pretty nervous, I was given medication until then. After surgery, I was told to walk a lot. That’s what I did. As soon as I was conscious, I walked…and never got that shoulder pain people are talking about from the laparoscopy gas. My stomach was hurting a bit (spasms) but not that much. The worst that night was the nausea and a bit of vomiting…That’s it. Tuesday: I walked, walked, walked. Began to drink and walked, walked, walked. Dr Garcia and the other doctors checked in on me. Dr Garcia’s team is very attentive. A lot of them also had the surgery so they know how we feel…. Wednesday: The 4 of us (patients who got in the same day), went out to get a radiology test for leaks. The liquid I had to drink for that was nasty…But hey, it’s not that bad. We went back to the hospital, they took out my drain (a bit uncomfortable but not at all painful) and we were driven back to the hotel. I felt pretty confident with the care I was given in the hospital. There were lots of doctors, nurses and a representative checking on us really often. Everybody spoke English, except the nurses. But still, we managed to communicate without any problems. The hospital was cleaner than clean, the room was awesome with a great big shower. However, the bed for my husband was a bit uncomfortable …He needed a good Chiropractor session when we got home! Lol… That day, when we got back to the hotel, our room was not ready so we went to eat a bite at the restaurant (I had broth of course) and afterwards, the room was ready. I was glad to be out of the hospital. Near the hotel, across the street is a small store when you can buy drinks, candy, chips and stuff to eat. My husband had their fajitas a few times for lunch or dinner. Also, there is a Wall Mart and a few other stores and restaurants nearby. Thursday: A nurse came by to take off my stiches (staples). Everything went well. Friday: We were supposed to go home that day but since the airfare was cheaper leaving on the Saturday (even paying for the additional hotel stay), we stayed a day longer. However, I could have traveled back home on Friday. Although I was weak, I was well enough to travel. Passing through the US customs was also very easy without any complications. So that’s it. If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to ask in the inbox or with a reply.

The scars are very small. I have 4 in total (some people have 5, depending on the size of the liver). One scar had one staple, another had two and another had 3. Le tast scar is from the drain, there was no staple there. The staples did not leave a trace. The scars are just fine lines.

Wow, good for you. It's an important decision. Best of luck to you and do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions. I will be happy to help.

@forabetrelife, I'm sorry for not answering earlier...I also had resistance here from the doctors here. All of them told me it was abad idea to go to Mexico for the surgery. But here in Canada (Quebec), if anything goes wrong when back home from Mexico, they have to take my case. They cannot refuse to treat me....But I could not tell what could happen in the us. However, there are a lot of people who undergo surgery in Mexico....You would be in good hands with Dr. Garcia. Best of luck to you.

Hello All....I was sleeved on may 18th (so 5 weeks out). I am now on soft foods and feeling hungry ALL THE TIME. I can only have 3-4 oz of food and eat mainly Protein...Wait until an hour for Water (after)...But be sure, an hour after eating my 4 oz of cottage cheese, I'm Hungry!?!?!?! It seems I should not eat too often so I wait until my snack time to have more food. I was just wondering if I am the only one like this? In my sleeve fairytale, I was never going to be hungry ever again...??? Is it just me? I need tips, help!

Yes, it's the same for me...I'm sure it's hunger and not stomach pain because when I drink water when I'm hunger, I can feel it go down my oesophagus and stomach...So it's empty. Maybe I should eat more solid food.

Wow...I wish I was you!!!! Yes, I do check my fluids and make sure I get at least 2 litres of fluids per day (8 cups)...As for the antacids, I take Prevacid 30mg each day... Anyone else???

That's a good point Shustar. I went to a specialized prothesist...They measured my ankle and leg to make sure I had the right fitted socks...My GP prescribed the socks and my personnal insurance paid for them.

I'm from Montreal. I was sleeved on may 18th in Tijuana Mexico by Dr. Fernando Garcia via a different company I did not have the pleasure of dealing with bariatricpal but I hear they're awesome. I used compression socks (knee high) on the way to Tijuana and back. The flights back were not that bad (transit in Texas form San Diego to Montreal). Everything went really well but I made sure to move my legs/walk as often as possible. To answer BusyLizzy, I am sorry to say I was sick after my operation....but just once. Just like you, I dreaded vomiting but after it, I felt fine (bettter). If I can give you advice, ask your coordinator (in advance) to be the first to go into surgery...Otherwise, you may have to wait the whole day for your turn! That served me well.

Taking out the drain does not hurt....it just feels weird...That's all!

I think you can schedule a surgery as early as a month or so. I personnaly went through a different company But there are a lot of good surgeons available.

Actually, I'm from Canada and yes, I consulted my primary care physician and had a battery of tests before I left (blood tests and EKG). I wanted to make sure I would not be refused for surgery by my surgeon in Tijuana for health conditions. I also consulted with a cardiologist. I hope this helps

The worst is the first day...The next day, I felt really good. I also threw up blood and could not bar the ice chips...I was not in a hurry to drink liquids the next day...But it was fine and went really well. The nausea was gone...As one of the member says (don't remember who), it's walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip !!! Hang in there...

anna0322, I'm sure it will !

Are you having your surgery in Tijuana also? I think staying two additional days is better. You will be in better shape to go back. Good luck to you.

My surgery was on may 18th. Good luck and have faith