I'm officially 4 months out tomorrow and down nearly 50lbs-woot woot! Wanted to share this pic. The before was taken the day after surgery so I was def. more bloated then usual(lookin all sexy in my hospital gown with my drainage tube and pole) the after was taken last week. I was out hiking with my 1y.o german shepherd pup and outlasted her! I ended up having to cut the hike short cause I could tell she was dragging

Dr. Garcia is awsome and i had zero complications as of today (knocking on wood) :-)

Dr Garcia and his team are MARVELOUS!! Best decision of my life!! I also had zero complications, I'm just over 2 months and have lost 42 lbs, that's not including pre op, just the sleeve on it's own. He is a very skilled doctor with wonderful bedside manner!! They really made me feel comfortable and secure in my decision and I would highly recommend anyone looking into the sleeve to go with Dr. Garcia and his ENTIRE team!!

I agree Dr. Garcia and his entire team are the best and the best decision I ever made in my life. I am 7 weeks post op and down 30lbs. The team is wonderful and truly care about all their patients

Hubby went down almost 2 weeks ago with Dr. Garcia and Dr. Luna and the whole team was WONDERFUL! We couldn't of gotten this level of quality care in the states if we paid 4 times what we did in Mx. I am so glad we choose to go with Dr. Garcia and the team and look forward to going down on Sunday to have MY sleeve done on July 8th!! I can't wait to meet the whole team and thank them for the fabulous and professional jobs they have all been doing...they have changed our lives!

I am scheduled with Dr. Garcia on August 30th. I am sorry that Dr. Luna will not be there ( there are 2 sides to every story, just my opinion) Everyone I know that had him assist in the surgery had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. I am still very confident in Dr. Garcia and I have total respect for him. Flesherette, you look amazing. I am still trying to decide on bougie size. I hear he does a lose 32 ( if you want it, it helps prevent dehydration) and a 36 bougie. How has your hydration been, and do you know what bougie size you had. I would love to know. Thanks for sharing

I am scheduled with Dr. Garcia on August 30th. I am sorry that Dr. Luna will not be there ( there are 2 sides to every story' date=' just my opinion) Everyone I know that had him assist in the surgery had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. I am still very confident in Dr. Garcia and I have total respect for him. Flesherette, you look amazing. I am still trying to decide on bougie size. I hear he does a lose 32 ( if you want it, it helps prevent dehydration) and a 36 bougie. How has your hydration been, and do you know what bougie size you had. I would love to know. Thanks for sharing <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

I really hope your surgery goes well. But, please, let's not dredge up drama that has come and gone. It serves no purpose.

I wasn't trying to dredge up any drama, AmandaRaeLeo, I just was sharing my point of view. I am aware of the situation and there is some blame on both sides. That doesn't mean that Dr. Luna is not a good doctor and he will be missed by a lot of us. I am entitled to my own opinion.

I am scheduled with Dr. Garcia on August 30th. I am sorry that Dr. Luna will not be there ( there are 2 sides to every story' date=' just my opinion) Everyone I know that had him assist in the surgery had nothing but wonderful things to say about him. I am still very confident in Dr. Garcia and I have total respect for him. Flesherette, you look amazing. I am still trying to decide on bougie size. I hear he does a lose 32 ( if you want it, it helps prevent dehydration) and a 36 bougie. How has your hydration been, and do you know what bougie size you had. I would love to know. Thanks for sharing [/quote']

Hi Annie, I'm just curious about the bougie size 32 preventing dehydration. Why is that? I had a 32 bougie, but I didn't know that. Thanks for the new info!

I wasn't trying to dredge up any drama' date=' AmandaRaeLeo, I just was sharing my point of view. I am aware of the situation and there is some blame on both sides. That doesn't mean that Dr. Luna is not a good doctor and he will be missed by a lot of us. I am entitled to my own opinion.[/quote']

I am merely asking you, not telling you, to let it be. Whether or not, and it seems you are choosing "not", you honor that request is up to you. Bringing it up serves no purpose other than upsetting people and get people riled up. That's just my opinion.

What is a boogie?

What is a boogie?

It's a dance from the 70's

Sorry I meant bougie , I hear it mentioned and don't know heat they mean.

Sorry I meant bougie ' date=' I hear it mentioned and don't know heat they mean.[/quote']

My standard answer....

The bougie sizes are used as a guide for the doctor when removing your stomach. As far as getting a "bigger" or "smaller" sleeve the difference between the ALL bougies sizes are really very small..

Your doctor will know what is right for you!

Everyone's stomachs are different some are small, some are long so even two people using the same size bougie can have different capacities after..

And as far as "getting one as small as you can"

If your stomach is made to small there is a greater chance of long term problems.

As far as the woman above talking about the 32 bougie helping with dehydration?!

Yeah, I'd like to hear that explanation???

The standard size you will see today is 32 through 42.. 60 was big and not many doctors use it anymore.

There is no bougie that's "better" than the other the size difference is very small.

I have to wonder about a doctor letting you chose a size...

The term that I have heard used by Dr. Garcia's patients is a "Loose 32. I think he does it a little looser near the bottom which will allow you to drink more freely, and prevent dehydration. I think In my previous post I used the tern "Lose 32" Sorry about that. You still have good restriction when you actually eat. I have even thought about doing a 36 bougie just because like Laura-Ven addresses, there are not a lot of differences in the sizes of the bougie and people who have a 36 bougie tend to avoid Gerd and being Prilosec or antacid dependant. It is definitely a personal decision and there is a lot of good information on the web about the "French bougie" I would recommend researching it prior to your surgery.

Hey there...I had surgery w Garcia on March 29 and am down 48 pounds...206 to 158, and size 20-22 to 12-14. And I feel great! Really pretty effortless...can't do meat, except for tiny amounts of ground beef and soft chicken. Best thing I've ever done, great surgeon, great experience.

For what it's worth, in the US it's often nurses who take out staples and drains, so doing that with a smile and good bedside manner is not what makes a good doctor.

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