flbelle29

The sleeve is going to be a similar experience as the band at first. Very small amounts (2-3 bites at first) of food and you will get sick if you eat the wrong things or too much. You will still need to make decisions on the types of foods you consume once you are released back on the regular diet and even with the soft foods stage. You can still eat crappy foods and not lose weight with the sleeve or even stretch it out in a few years. The major difference between the sleeve and the lap band is there is less maintenance with the sleeve and it is irreversible. If you have trouble eating the junk foods (which I am a living testament of that)....you will definitely need to work out the urges and thought processes before you get the sleeve done because otherwise you may see a repeat of the same experience you had with the lapband. I am still struggling with making the right choices but I am making it.

I am so sorry that I didn´t get to meet you in person. Where did you end up staying? I was in the hospital on Friday night then the recovery house Sat-Sun night and now at the hotel for a couple of days.

Hi Everyone, Sorry that I have not been able to update sooner. I am in Tijuana and for some reason my facebook page will not accept my PW so I figured that I would give an update here for all that have been so supportive. My surgery was Friday and I felt like a million bucks Friday night and Saturday. My gas had settled in my chest area so lo and behold, come Sunday....I was sick. The gas started moving and for some reason I was nauseated big time...but now, I am past that and feeling good. Still a little nervous to get anything in other than popsicles, Water and gatorade. broth will be next. For everyone who is curious about the experience at Jerusalem Hospital in Tijuana Mexico..... Everything to this point has gone extremely well. The staff at the hospital (clinic) and at the recovery house were phenomenal. I have to give shout outs to Arturo and Edgar at the recovery house because they were on top of their game. The clinic and the recovery house were very clean and each staff member knew their jobs well. Nothing fancy about the pre-op, they bring you all in, run the ekgs, wrap your legs to prevent blood clots and take your blood. Then you wait your turn. The easier cases seem to go first, (less weight to lose, no other health complications etc) Needless to say, I was 3rd to last because my BMI WAS insane. They took me down to the surgery room and before I knew it, they were waking me up to walk me upstairs to my room for the night. Like I said earlier, my first night and next day were great....I felt it on the third day! IF I CAN GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO ANYONE GOING TO SURGERY.....Do NOT eat and have a last HOORAH before the surgery.....YOU will be the most miserable, gassy and in pain person....the clear liquids prior to surgery do nothing but aid you in a faster recovery. We opted for the recovery house for the first two nights because we wanted the reassurance that someone on staff was constantly around while recovering. Then we came to the hotel for a few days so that we could make sure all was well before flying back home. (We decided to stay longer prior to coming) Recovery House: Beautifully appointed, in a gated community that the staff keeps locked at all times. Two nurses on staff 24/7 and a cook is on staff (even though we didn´t use them...the plastic surgery patients did). 4 bedrooms 1 and half baths so showering needed to be timed well because there are several other people in the house with you BUT it is definitely a support system that helps you get through some of the toughest moments. They keep it spotless....constantly cleaning. There are bunk beds in each room but it was comfortable. Jerusalem Hospital: It is a clinic (surgical center)...nothing fancy but has everything that the doctors and staff will need to take care of you. This freaked a few people out in our group because they did not know is was a center in a strip mall. I had researched it and found that out already but the experience of the doctors and the care given to previous patients superceded the aesthetics of the facility for me. I feel so far that I have made a great decision to go with this group, of course, I am only 4 days post op so if anything changes I will keep you updated. Transportation: Exactly as promised. They pick you up and take you everywhere you need to go for xrays, checkups, shopping, airport runs etc. Some folks say that they were late at times and other say that they were early....but each time they made sure they had the passengers they should have before leaving. The roads are rough in TJ so be prepared for a bumpy, winding ride. I think some of my nausea may have been car sickness. All in all....Me and my friend that had surgery the same day I did....HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE and would recommend Dr. Almanza and his staff to anyone. Except for snooty folks....lol Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions because I do not mind sharing any and all with you.

April will you add my friend Sandra...she had her sleeve on Friday same as me sktp63@yahoo.com

Hang in there Aaron you will do just fine. Like you, I am currently on the full liquid diet. It will be soooo worth it just keep focusing on the goal!

I am the 20th....right behind you guys!!

There are doctors that will deny you if your BMI is too high. Dr Garcia wants you to be at a BMI at 55 or lower before he will work on you. Reason being is that having a high BMI causes fatty liver and the liver actually lays over the stomach that increases the chance of knicking the liver during surgery. Definitely don't choose a doctor because he will take you with a high BMI....ask them their reasoning and if they accept you...make sure to ask how many high BMI patients have they operated on with success. Hope this helps. My BMI was 64 when I started my diet and now it is 58.2. My doctor is going to do surgery as long as I do a three week full liquid diet and I am on my 6th day of that.

That is awesome....so glad you are doing well.

Hi there, I am scheduled for July 20th and looking for any helpful tips that the veteran sleevers of Almanza might offer. Thanks in advance for the info I hope all is going well for each of you and that you are enjoying being on the loser's bench. Thank you, Deanna

I am with Dr. Almanza on the 20th.

Hi all of you early June Sleevers....July Sleever here wondering about your experience with Surgery and the days after. I am going to Mexico so any Mexico experiences are welcome too!! Thank you

i am on the 20th....Thank you.

i am on the 20th....Thank you.

Hi Everyone, I am scheduled for July 20th. To anyone that has little or no support please continue to be strong in your conviction. I have had a mixed reaction from those close to me but I know that this is the beginning of a new life for me. Would they really rather have us fat, unhappy and unhealthy. I don't think so....they are just scared of the unknown and the what ifs. My question to everyone on this forum.....What if we DIDNT do it?

UNF is a great school.