Well, I have been speaking with Alma at ready 4a change about having the sleeve with Dr. Garcia in Tiajuana. Dr. Garcia reviewed my forms and said I would be clear for surgery. This is scary! I've read and researched for a while now! Can any post any current info about Dr Garcia and their experiences, good or bad before I make a decision? Thanks!

Sleeved January 4, 2013, I had a very positive experience with alma, r4ac, and Dr. Garcia's team. Do you have any specific questions?

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I heard some really good things about Dr. Fernando Garcia. I am going to be sleeve on April the 8. I am going

to be sleeved by Dr. A Ortiz.. I would use Dr. Ortiz first if not then Dr. Garcia would be the next.

I was sleeved by Dr. Garcia on Oct. 30th, 2012 in Tijuana, MX. I also used alma through r4ac and coordinators Rosie and Melissa once at the Hotel and Hospital. They took VERY good care of me!

any specific questions you have in mind?

So far I've lost 53 lbs in 4 months.

Thanks to those who have replied. I'm looking for general reviews, the good, the bad, the ugly, etc. how many leak tests did they do? Do they come to the hotel to care for you after the surgery for the two days? How was the pain afterwards? Able to walk pretty quickly? Just any and everything you can give me is appreciated. Pretty nervous, just like everyone else I'm sure about doing this out of the states. Thx!

Hi John. I had two leak tests post surgery - the blue dye and a fluoroscope. Dr. Luna (part of the team) stopped by the hospital several times after surgery to check on me and to remove the drain tube. He came to the hotel to remove the staples on my last full day there. I asked for help with anesthesia-induced nausea before surgery and was given meds to combat that. I walked some while in MiDoctor Hospital, but not as much as my surgery-mate. The gas pain for me was like having a stiff neck. It really wasn't too bad. Mostly I slept while in hospital. The nursing staff would ask me to cover my eyes if they had to come in and turn on the lights - which I thought was sweet. The Marriott hotel has great beds. Some members on this forum have posted detailed accounts of their experiences - you could search for that.

I was really nervous about the actual surgery - and really expected to freak out/back out at the last minute. alma helped calm my nerves. Going out of country didn't worry me at all - Medical Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the travel industry.

Had surgery September 10th 2012 and reached my goal weight on February 24th I have lost 78.2 pounds. Dr Garcia is an amazingly skilled surgeon and I highly recommend him. They don't care for you at the hotel but do come to see you. I had no gas pains and was up walking all night right after surgery. The nurses too are great as well as the co-ordinators.

They do three leak tests: one during surgery and two after. There is no ugly or bad only good.Don't worry you will be fine and on your way to the losers bench.

Had surgery September 10th 2012 and reached my goal weight on February 24th I have lost 78.2 pounds. Dr Garcia is an amazingly skilled surgeon and I highly recommend him. They don't care for you at the hotel but do come to see you. I had no gas pains and was up walking all night right after surgery. The nurses too are great as well as the co-ordinators.

They do three leak tests: one during surgery and two after. There is no ugly or bad only good.Don't worry you will be fine and on your way to the losers bench.

Hi, I'm considering dr Garcia and since you already used him I have a question about the stitches, is it external stitches or dissolved ones.

Also thanks for posting your experience .

I just got back this past Friday, had my surgery with Dr Garcia on Monday the 18th. It was a great experience. The Marriott was lovely and the whole R4aC staff and hospital staff were great. I had 3 leak tests, one during surgery and two the following day. They stitch the incisions from the inside with dissolving stitches then externally they use a few staples. My drain was removed by a nurse the day I left hospital. And then the day I left the hotel dr Luna came to remove the staples. Rosie was always around to check on me at the hotel. I only stayed one night at hotel post op since I had to get home soon, but had no problems traveling. I'm so glad with the decision I made! Good luck

I just got back this past Friday' date=' had my surgery with Dr Garcia on Monday the 18th. It was a great experience. The Marriott was lovely and the whole r4ac staff and hospital staff were great. I had 3 leak tests, one during surgery and two the following day. They stitch the incisions from the inside with dissolving stitches then externally they use a few staples. My drain was removed by a nurse the day I left hospital. And then the day I left the hotel dr Luna came to remove the staples. Rosie was always around to check on me at the hotel. I only stayed one night at hotel post op since I had to get home soon, but had no problems traveling. I'm so glad with the decision I made! Good luck[/quote']

Thank you so much for answering my question, plus I think I made up my mind, Dr Garcia it is!!

I'm glad you are doing great.

I just got back this past Friday' date=' had my surgery with Dr Garcia on Monday the 18th. It was a great experience. The Marriott was lovely and the whole r4ac staff and hospital staff were great. I had 3 leak tests, one during surgery and two the following day. They stitch the incisions from the inside with dissolving stitches then externally they use a few staples. My drain was removed by a nurse the day I left hospital. And then the day I left the hotel dr Luna came to remove the staples. Rosie was always around to check on me at the hotel. I only stayed one night at hotel post op since I had to get home soon, but had no problems traveling. I'm so glad with the decision I made! Good luck[/quote']

Thank you for this! I am starting to get really nervous!

Hi, I'm considering dr Garcia and since you already used him I have a question about the stitches, is it external stitches or dissolved ones.

Also thanks for posting your experience .

There are no stitiches per se: they are all under the skin. The incision sites heal up very nicely.

I too had a hard time choosing, it was between Dr Rodriguez with Belite and Dr Garcia. I researched for over a year and I decided to go with Dr Garcia. I am being sleeved in exactly 2 weeks!

So is the drain as bad as people make it seem? Where does the drain come out of? Stomach, chest?

I personally didn't think it was that bad, more annoying then anything. One other girl said her drain tube was up very high in her chest so it bothered her. Just irritating to move sometimes. It is a lot of tube in there.

The incision for me is right over my left hip and I think that's about the same for everyone.

I had surgery with Dr. Garcia on February 21st. Dr. Garcia had four surgery patients that day: an RNY revision; a band removal with revision to a sleeve; a sleeve plus gall bladder removal; and my sleeve surgery. I got to know the three other patients and we spent time together at the Marriott...we all recovered quickly and had minor discomfort (but no pain) after being discharged from the hospital.

For me, it was noteworthy that Dr. Garcia leads a team of doctors who care for you. He is the surgeon (an exceptional one, in my opinion!); the other doctors on his team handle your hospital and post-op care. I felt very well cared for by all of them. I am home now and I feel great! I highly, highly recommend Dr. Garcia and his entire team.