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HELP! I have been reviewing surgeons and various facilities and now am a little confused. I have looked into A Lighter Me who works with Dr. Lopez and Dr. Garcia. I have been contacted by their coordinator Louise. I also looked at Dr. Almanza and have been contacted by Sandy and then Melissa. On the A Lighter Me website, Melissa is mentioned as a coordinator. Does Melissa work for both surgeons? Also, Almanza is listed as operating out of Jeruselum hospital (which is really a clinic) but Melissa contacted me and signed her email from Mt. Zion. When I checked Mt Zion's website, it is actually Jerusulem hospital. I have also seen past posts where Dr. Almanza operated Emmanuel Hospital.

Do you see why I am getting confused? I am just looking for a surgeon who is experienced, has low infection and leak rates, has good reviews and uses a hospital. Can anyone help me sort through this and is Almanza a safe surgeon?

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I went with successfully slimmer which works with obesity solutions(same as ready 4 change). it seems a lot of coordinators work together despite which company you choose. dr. garcia is an excellent surgeon. the facilities are clean and the staff is awesome. i didn't use almanza because i wanted to be in a hospital, not a clinic. everyone has their own preference. do your research and go with who you feel comfortable with :)

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Thank you for reading and replying. How was your experience with Dr. Garcia? Any issues, complications, ect? I am very interested in people's progress after they had the sleeve.

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LVbigmom,

How was your experience for your post-surgery diet? How much have you lost so far?

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I chose Dr. Garcia because he has a hospital. I was treated like gold and the hospital is spotless. It is small but clean. I was worried about ansthesia due to previous gall bladder surgery and the trouble I had coming out of ansthesia. I explained this to Dr. Cordova, the ansthesiaologist (sp) and he put me at ease immediately. He gave me a breathing treatment before surgery and said he would keep a close eye on me. I did not have a stitch of problems. My friend is using Dr. Almanza, she will be in a clinic setting and at a recovery house. Dr. Garcia requires a 2 night hospital stay and then 2 nights they send you to the Marriott. All included in the price (also the night before surgery at the Marriott). I highly recommend Dr. Garcia and his staff, I am trying to get my daughter scheduled there also. I could not be happier. I am 9 days post op and as of today have lost 23lbs. 9lbs post op diet.

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Thanks for posting about Dr Garcia. I am feeling a bit better.

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I love Dr.Garcia! The nurses were great! The hospital is small, but very clean. The Marriott is a dream! lol LOVED having 6 pillows on my bed lol. The staff at the Marriott is also excellent. I will be 5 weeks post op tomorrow and have lost 24.4lbs. I only had a 5 day pre-op diet so that total is from my highest weight pre-op, Good luck with the surgeon you choose! You'll love being a loser! :D

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How much does it cost for the sleeve in Mexico? Do you have follow up care with another surgeon in the states?

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I had my surgery with dr. Ponce de leon in Tijuana Mexico, I loved my experience! You can watch my videos if you want, I posted my surgery and many other videos. My coordinator was Trish and the cost $5500 plus air fare. I spend $6000 total with tips, airfare, and stuff I bought there. I had a great experience and highly recommend him and his team. He is very experienced and has taught many surgeons such as Dr. Almanza.

Good luck!

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How much does it cost for the sleeve in Mexico? Do you have follow up care with another surgeon in the states?

My follow up is by my pcp if I need it, she will do blood work and such. Total cost for me with flight and spending money was $6000

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Oh wow! Why is it so much cheaper there for? I was quoted $28,000.00 for self pay, here in NC.

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The cost of living is a lot cheaper in Mexico, so its the cost for hospital stays and such. Medical school is also a lot cheaper there and surgeons don't have to pay the ridiculous amounts on liability insurance that they have to pay here. In Texas where I am is ~$13000, I heard of other states where is over $50000, so those are very big different amounts and it all depends on many factors. My surgeon is very experienced, more experienced than all of the surgeons I talked to here locally, which was one of the many reasons I decided to go to Mexico, and I am glad I did!

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I also had my surgery with Dr ponce de leon, and would recommend him to anyone! And I cannot say enough good things about our coordinator, Trish :) My nerves were awful leading up to surgery, and Trish helped bring me back to earth :lol:

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Shellbell my surgery is with Dr Garcia on 6/25 in TJ. I'm excited and nervous. My company is taking us on a retreat with a great cookout and I'm going to be on my 3 day total liquid diet :(

How well was your transition after surgery for pain, getting enough Water and Proteins and adjusting to food? How much food are you taking in. Any pointers for me? My last minute dash is getting my passport expedited.

,

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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