PhatGurl80

Hi Mommy2six - I'm scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Garcia on Sept 14th. I was like u and couldn't find anyone who've experienced surgery with this Dr. It made me very anxious until I decided to get in contact with him myself and ask the 1001 questions that were burning in my mind. My coordinator helped me to get in contact directly. I'm so glad I did because now I feel a ton more confident about going through with it all. I'll be more than happy to share my experience with u after the surgery. Good luck to u!

Have you considered maybe a fybroid or ovarian cyst? About 2 years ago I found myself having very painful heavy periods. Low and behold, that was part of the problem. I'd go ahead and see the Doc just to make sure.

Good luck to you! Please keep us in the loop as to how you're doing. I'll be in TJ next week and boy do I have a lot on my mind!

I'm currently on my two week pre-op diet and surgery is on September 14th. Starting weight: 270 Current weight: 269.4 Goal on Oct 31: 249 Aggressive, I know! But we'll see!

Would anyone sleeved by Dr. Garcia be willing to chat?

Yes, so awkward! But better someone blurting out, "how did you lose all that weight?!" rather than, "wow! You've gained a lot of weight!". My great grandma (in her upper 80's) never fails to mention EACH AND EVERYTIME she sees me how fat I am. lol. She's so cute when she says it though...in her weeble little voice, "girl, you just so fat...look at those fat legs..." lol. Love her to death, but I would love for her to say the opposite. "Girl, you just so skinny, look at those skinny legs!". Hopefully she will get to see me some time after the sugergy and my dreams will finally come true! But seriously, I think the whole WLS is a private decision and shouldn't be shared unless you want to. I, myself, have been conditioning my co-workers to know that I am "on a diet" and have started making Protein shakes in the breakroom at work during my pre-op dieting JUST so it won't be so strange that I eat very little AFTER my surgery. Yes, I know that's a lot of prep, but I'd rather not have anybody put me in an awkward situation like the one above. At least when they see i'm only drinking shakes and sipping on Water, they'll kind of already have an answer on their own for whatever questions they have in their heads lol. My way may not be the best way for everybody, but it works for me! Good luck everyone w/ your experiences!

Oops, yes I meant Sept 14th. I haven't spoken w/ Dr. Garcia over the phone, only email...I sent him a list of burning questions which he answered promptly and satisfactorily. I'll definitely keep in touch so we can share experiences! Good luck w/ everything.

Hey there. Haven't yet. My surgery is on Aug. 14 but I will be more than happy to share my experience.

Although I am a self-pay sleever, going to Mexico I took it upon myself to do pre-op testing w/ my regular PCP. Everything turned out fine except for one thing. An ABNORMAL EKG!!. She explained that her analysis came up with a bit of an abnormal heart beat, however, she's going to refer me to a cardiologist who can better decipher what's going on an let me know if this will be a hinderance with my surgery. I hope to GOD that this is not the end of the road for me. I so need to do this and I don't think i can take living with a BMI of 43 or more any longer. I'm scheduling to see the cardio doc tomorrow or Friday, so hopefully it's nothing and my cardio can communicate w/ my surgeon and give me the OK. **sigh*** Any one else have an abnormal reading but was still cleared for surgery?

Great news dallasmom4! I'm glad it worked out for you. I am scheduled for surgery on Sept. 14th so I'll be brining my pre-op tests with me to Mexico so they can compare. Good luck to you!

Good luck!!

Hi Chamaica, I"m in New Orleans also...going to TJ in two weeks. Are you set up with a bariatric support group here? Perhaps we could get out and walk together a few times a week?

I would agree with Fendo . Get that stuff done on your own if not for.peace of mind. My doc actually did have some concern over my EKG so she sent me to a cardiologist. The cardiologist told me my heart was fine but just didnt read accurately because of all the fat! He ended the appointment with telling me I should lose some weight. Go figure! Well I have all my testing results ready to take with me to Mexico. So if u can try to get pre-op tests through your PCP. Good luck on your journey!

Yes be safe during this storm. Funny I was in Va Beach during Katrina and now in New Orleans during Irene! My family did heed the warning and went to a shelter last night.

It's a shame insurance companies treat over weight persons so badly. My insurance doesn't cover ANYTHING that has to do with weightloss. Nothing. But they will cover some one who needs help with their smoking problem. I was stopped cold in my tracks when I started to inquire about WLS. So it became apparent that u have to finally take control of the situation and researched medical tourism. Like the previous post or may not be for everyonr. But I think its worth looking into and coming up with the money seemed like a breeze when I realized how much I'd pay I the U.S. vs. Mexico. Dont get discouraged. If u know this is right for you, then you can make it happen. Good luck and keep us updated.

OMG Stacy160! I totally didn't even take into account all the metabolism pills or the gadgets! Here goes: Hydroxycut Jillian Michaels quickstart rapid weight loss system. Xenadrine Then also I have the gadgets... Ab Roller shake Weight Bands One of those big balls $100's in gym memberships On of those exercise slides Wow, i'm so glad this thread was started! Scary to see allt hose things I've tried and still the weight keeps on creeping up... *sigh*

Oh I almost forgot! Was a member of Curves and lost about 30 lbs!

I like this game - Weight Watchers - 1st time starting weighed was 225 and lost 20., 2nd time starting weight was 240 and lost 15, 3rd time starting weight as 255. - phentermine 1x - South beach (lost count in fact I'm following it right now lol) - Atkins 3x - The 3 day diet. 4x - Vegetarian 1x - slim fast 2x - herbalife 1 x

LoL @ Brandnew2011

So August was definitely not a great month. Dreams of being sleeved on August 11th quickly faded with the death of my grandmother... 10 days later, an uncle died. Luckily getting surgery in Mexico is very flexible because I was able to call my coordinator (and since I am paid in full), she was able to reschedule me for September 14th. Things didn't go as planned this month, but i'm looking at this chain of events in a different light. I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason so there must have been a reason the powers that be kept me from leaving the country when I did. I have accepted that and made peace with that. Days before my scheduled surgery I was freaking out and worried that I hadn't done enough pre-op, but now I have an extra month to kick myself into high gear and start doing that things that will help make for smooher surgery. I've continue to drink my protein shakes for breaksfast and lunch. I continue to drink loads of fluids (mainly water) every chance I get. I've been walking more and soon, I think i might start up some Yoga classes for the next 3 weeks. (I bought a 30 day pass off Groupon for only $20!) So, I feel pretty good right now.... Anxiety has decreased to a more manageable level and the change in date even allowed for my fiance to take the trip. Originally he wasn't able to come with me. Now, the only other thing I need to do is do my grocery shopping for Post-op dieting and I'm all set... Wish me luck everyone!

I think a lot of my anxiety was the fact that I would be alone on the trip. Now that he'll be there with me, I feel much more at ease

Ha Ha. Yes, those videos are crazy! I am working on losing that fat!

9/14 in Tijuana! Finally!,woo hoo!

My original date was August 11th however a few days before leaving for Mexico, my grandmother passed away in her sleep while at a nursing facility. She's my mother's mother and the center of the family. Last year, living alone, she suffered a terrible accident while getting out of the shower which caused massive head trauma. That, led to two strokes back to back after going through surgery on her head/brain. But, she was so strong she didn't let that take her away from us a whole year ago. Surgery after surgery, infection after infection, she still prevailed. Left unable to talk and move, we still saw the emotion in her face every time we went to visit her at her bedside. My grandmother, the strongest woman I've ever known. She passed away at 9:30pm on a Saturday. She had a few visitors from the family through out the day. But by this time, everyone had left and it was just her, the nurses, and God. No infections were plaguing her...no irregularity of her vitals... She simply made a decision that it was time to go and be among the angels. The Dr's could give no reason that her heart stopped beating...only that it did. Although I am so painfully missing her and saddened by her loss, I can't help to think that once again, her decision to leave this earth was for all of us. She was telling us all to get back to living our lives, take care of your families, be at peace. With that thought and the fact that hers is the blood that runs through my veins, gives me comfort. I love Grandma. Ruthie Mae Benjamin - 6 children, 14 Grandchildren, 5 Great grandchildren Sunrise 02-20-1945 Sunset 08-06-2011

Hmmmm....interesting post. I too have been suffering from night sweats on and off for about a year or so now. I haven't brought it up to my PCP yet, but maybe I will now. I hope everything is fine with you!