Today is my 10 month surgiversary. Ten months ago, I was in your shoes, nervous, not sure if I was making the right decision. I remember agonizing over the message boards trying to discern fact from fiction. I must have called my coordinator Louise Johnson like 20 times literally; and she picked up every time and kept me in a zen mindset.This is my experience...and I'll let my pics and videos speak for themselves.If you have made a decision to move forward with surgery; Dr Almanza saved my life, I'm forever grateful.

So the big day arrived and I found myself at the San Diego Airport waiting to get picked up by the shuttle to take us to TJ.It was me and several Canadians. Everyone was anxious. One couple seemed to be especially charming and I become fond of them immediately, On the ride to Jerusalem Hospital we bonded over our hopes and dreams and goals post surgery. Before we knew it we were pulling into the strip mall where Jerusalem Hospital is located. I had mentally prepared myself having researched the message boards. There was security outside, and when we walked through the door, smiles and welcomes and registration. We were led upstairs and the waiting game began.

I was the last to go in, being that I was the largest. It was awesome because I actually got to spend the day and well into the night getting to know Andres and Juan Betancourt. They were so amazing and real and down to earth. They answered all my questions and put me at complete ease. They made me feel at home immediately.I am so glad that I listened to my gut and followed through. They weighed me in at 381; I had lost 85 pounds since February on my clear liquid diet. (I can't stress enough how important it is to your recovery time that you follow through and do the preop diet. It makes the operation so much smoother for Dr Almanza.) If you follow the instructions pre surgery, you will be well prepared and the surgery will go like clockwork.

When I woke from surgery I was in extreme stomach pain-I have a low pain tolerance threshold as it is. Just giving you the facts...straight talk...there is going to be some cramping. We were all up all night walking the halls...noone was feeling chatty, more catty than chatty if anything. The couple I'd met, mentioned they would be staying at the Hotel Tiquan in place of using the recovery house. A five star hotel for $40 a night or sharing a small house with a bunch of cranks post surgery patients...yea...was not trying to be around anyone. I choose to go to the Tiquan:WHICH WAS AMAZING AND SWANK AND I WILL BE RETURNING FOR MY TUCK SOMETIME SOON!!!

I would love to answer any questions that you or anyone else has. Please follow my links, check out my videos, contact me!! I know where your head is right now. You are taking back your life and making that first step on your journey to a new you. I cannot wait to see my family at the Jerusalem Hospital. My experience was amazing, and life changing. You will not be disappointed. To see my transformation video follow my link. I am also on facebook: www.facebook.com/J.starcatcher.F

Here is the link to my transformation videos: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_J0yKtXnx9U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></ifram

I wish you all health and happiness and if I can be of any assistance in your journey...let me know...

The Joy is in the Journey, and the Healing Starts Within....

**sTaRcAtChEr**

PS:THAT NICE COUPLE...STILL VERY GOOD FRIENDS OF MINE AND SHE HAS RECENTLY BECOME A COORDINATOR HERSELF, THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING....TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK!! ONLY YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CREATE THE HAPPINESS IN WHICH YOU LIVE!!!