TheNEWME!

I was sleeved on Oct. 30th with Dr. Garcia and my experience was great! My husband and I had a room to ourselves, but then again we were the only ones on the floor for the stay. As we were leaving... Samuel our driver said he was picking up 5 more patients the next day, so with that said not sure if they will all have their own room. Yes the hospital is small, but definitely well equipped. They may not have the MOST advanced tools of the trade.. for instance I kind of giggled a little when they took my tempreture with an old school mercury thermometer and place it in my armpit. I haven't had that done in YEARS!!! LOL I would highly reccomend Dr. Garcia and his staff!

I had my surgery in Tijuana, MX with Dr. Garcia and I am feeling wonderful. This was proably one of the best decisions and actions I've done for myself. My insurance does NOT cover WLS, so I had to research my options. My research led me to the decision to go the Mexico route. I had not one complication or complaint by having my surgery there. For whatever it is worth... the choice is our, and it is our personal choice.

You look wonderful!!!! Great job!!!!

I am 7 days post op and honestly the day of surgery was the worst for me. The gas pains in my back and chest were awful and I dry heaved twice I believe. But by the next day I was noticeably feeling MUCH better. And YES, walking does make a HUGE difference! Days following the surgery consisted of sipping, walking, resting and not at all being hungry. Which was very weird to not be hungry. By day 6 though, I do believe I was feeling true hunger pains and it was the day to start full liquids anyways so I had a little bit of greek yogurt and it went away. So all in all, I think i was one the lucky ones that really didn't have too many issues at all after surgery and continue to not really have any issues. This was the best decisions of my life. I've lost 17 lbs so far from preop & postop so I'm quite happy with that. Good luck!

I am 1 week post op and I can now start taking my multi Vitamins... so I have chosen the Celebrate Bariatric Multivitamin w/Iron Chewables. How in the world am I supposed to hold this in my stomach without feeling like I'm ready to hurl!!???!? I've always heard to not take vitamins on an empty stomach... well.... I don't really have a choice when I am instructed to be on a Full liquid diet. Any suggestions or advice out there???? Many thanks!!!

My husband and I chose the option to obtain the "passport card" instead of the "book". The card can be used for all land and sea travel. The passport card is also half the price of the traditional passport book. Ours came in about 3 weeks after filling out the order.

Congrats!!!! That's wonderful news!!!!!

I definitely would encourage going through the coordinators... they help handle everything and all the reservations, drivers, etc. They are like your personal assistants and will help you with whatever you may need. Having a driver pick us up at the airport and take us across the boarder was so stress free.. I couldn't imagine going through all this on my own.

Alma is AMAZING and very nice!!! I contacted Ready4achange and she was the one I spoke with. She was very attentive and understanding and answered all my questions. We talked about the different options, locations, and doctors and we together decided Dr. Garcia in Tijana, MX was the best fit for me. I was sleeved on Oct. 30th with Dr. Garcia and I would highly reccomend him!!! The care coordinators that looked after me were Rosie and Melissa... Alma was not in Tijuana during my stay but Rosie and Melissa were wonderful!!!! The Dr.'s staff were very pleasant and always put my needs first. A couple of the staff there had the sleeve as well and so it was very nice to be able to talk to someone first hand that had gone through with it. If you choose Dr. Garcia, you won't be dissapointed!

I was provided compression socks and had them on prior to surgery... then kept them on throughout my 2 days of hospital stays. I was told to keep walking, walking, walking. Dr. did not say anything about wearing them afterwards...

That's wonderful!!!! When I am able to, I too plan to start training for some events. Good Job!!!!

I really like the Dannon Light & Fit Greek yogurt with fruit mixed in. It's 80 calories, 0% fat, and 2x Protein than regular yogurt. I am 7 days out and I ate my first full cup yesterday... it only took me an hour! LOL

That's so wonderful to hear!!!! CONGRATS!!!

I had my sleeve done on Oct. 30th with Dr. Garcia in Tijuana, MX. alma, Rosie and Melissa (the care coorindators) were amazing and so friendly and compassionate! I paid $4700 for everything. 2 nights in hospital and 3 nights in the Lovely Mariott Hotel. Samuel who was our driver that picked us up in San Diego was hilarious and so friendly! I would highly reccomend Dr. Garcia... he definitely knows what he is doing!

Hi There!! I was sleeved on Oct. 30th in MX... so my nerves were pretty rattled. BUT knowing I had read tons of stories on this forum, I felt pretty prepared for what I was about to go through. I prayed to GOD that I wouldn't have too many complications and I guess he was listening. Day of surgery when I got out, I did have some gas pains in my back and upper chest. My hubby had to pat my back like a baby... looked silly but definitely helped! The pain and nausea meds given to me helped tremendously. By the second day, I was already feeling MUCH better! Just hang in there! Being nervous is absolutely normal! Just keep thinking good thoughts and how AMAZING you are going to look afterwards. GOOD LUCK!!!

Such wonderful inspiration!!!! Thank you so much!!! I am only 1 week post-op and I can only hope to be as successful as you!!! Congrats!!!

Well it's my 1 week Post-Op update.... I was sleeved on Oct. 30th. I can't believe I'm on this side of the losers bench and can now report here!!!! Highest Weight = 256.8 Surgery Weight = 247 1 week Post-Op = 239.6 That's 17 lbs lost in two weeks!!! YAY!!!! I'm so happy I did this! Trying to get my liquids and Protein in... kind of a struggle but not too bad. I can start my Full liquid diet today, which means, Protein drinks, yogurt, cream Soups, sf popsicles, sf pudding, etc. I made dinner for my family last night and I actually did really well with it and didn't run away crying that I couldn't eat with them LOL!! I'm also back at work, it's just a desk job, I feel good, just a little tired and the incisions are a little achy but other that I'm doing really well!!! Just wanted to say Hi to all my "losers bench" friends!!!

Congrats!!!!! That's so great to hear!!!!

Hello Everyone!! I am now 3 days post op, had my sleeve on Oct. 30th in Tijuana, MX with Dr. Garcia. I am doing pretty well!!! I was worried after reading all the stories of gas pains, nausea, and pain but happily I am reporting back a happy person!! First day of surgery I did suffer from gas in my back and upper chest area. Thankfully my wonderful Husband was there to pat me like a baby and rub my back. Which I believe helped tremendously!!! I did take some gasx strips that day but honestly I don't think they really helped. All in all day of surgery was the worst!! After I got up and walked around and got some more pain meds in the evening, I finally relaxed and fell asleep. Thank god!! I did experience some nausea and dry heaving on day one but they quickly gave me more meds for that and it helped keep it at bay. All in all the first day not so great, but the staff was wonderful. My husband didn't think the 2nd shift staff was the most attentive but 3rd and 1st shift were wonderful! TMI..... They even let my husband take a picture of my stomach!!!! Crazy!!! But kind of awesome at the same time! I was surprised at how large it looked!!! My husband said the doctor said it was average size. First day after surgery, feeling pretty good. Of course sore, but good. No noticeable gas pains... Thank god! Did not have anymore nausea. Walk, walk, walk! Did my leak test, was pretty worried about having to drink all that liquid but in the end wasn't that big of a deal and passed that test. Did another type of leak test with some kind of blue liquid dye stuff... They said if my drain catcher had any blue in it that wasn't good. But I passed that too! So they started to give me ice chips, which were heavenly. The Gatorade and apple juice. The apple juice gave me heartburn so I stuck with gatorade and water. Day two down, so far so good. Forgot to mention earlier that I caught a NASTY cold on the way to MX!!! I mean nasty!! I can't believe it hit me hard like that. So the first night down here I hacked and clued and blew my nose forever! I was worried they wouldn't do surgery but by the next day it seemed to subside a little. I told them about it but they didn't seem concerned. Second day after surgery, was released. They took the drain out, which by the way, felt really weird!!! Not painful but weird. Then the staples came out, no problems there either. Didn't even feel it. Was released to go back to the hotel. Was sent with a goodie bag of medicines, Gatorade, water, and detailed instructions. I was surprised how swollen I was after they removed my IV's. They said it was normal and in a day or two would be back to normal. Which it is! . My job now is to not get dehydrated, so sip, sip, sip. Walking around in the halls, went to dinner with hubby and was ok watching him eat. Sleeping that night wasn't so great! Felt like I was burning up!!! Not sure if it's from the cold I have or my body just freaking out??? But was able to take another pain pill and it allowed me to rest and finally a sleep. Third day after surgery, got up showered, washed my incisions, which look great and don't hurt. I have three incisions and one drain hole. Went down to breakfast with hubby and tried some broth while hubby ate a yummy buffet. He kept telling me I didn't have to come down but I told him I have to be able to control myself. And I did, it really wasn't a big deal. Made sure to walk the halls quite a bit. After breakfast was a little tired so it was time for another pain pill, so I took a nap and woke up feeling pretty great. The day was kind of long , didn't really go anywhere due to our driver's car being in the shop. Oh well... Now just watching some tv and writing this up. So tomorrow we head home back to WI!!!! Yay!!!! I miss my kids!!!! And just being in my own home. But that also com with the challenges of getting back into the old routine. But I am staying strong and I will succeed !!!!! As many of you have! I look forward to sharing all of our experiences, good and bad!

Thanks for the advice!!! Really, money stolen from you! That's sucks! How was your care in the hospital??? did they come to the Hotel as well?

Hi There!!! Congrats on your success so far!!! I too am having surgery with Dr. Garcia on Oct. 30th. If you don't mind my asking, how was your experience???? I getting excited but nervous too! Thanks for any advice or feedback you may have.

Holy COW!!!! My insurance doesn't cover this at all... so I am going to Mexico on Oct. 30th for my surgery. With Dr. Garcia it's costing me $4700. That includes 1 night pre-op in hotel, 2 nights in hospital, 2 nights post-op in hotel with doctor and nurse visits. Plus they pick us up at the airport and drive us to and from hotel and hospital. CRAZY compared to what the states charge!

I am soooo looking forward to this NSV!!!! I've already started a Pinterest board with all types of clothing I hope to wear someday!!! LOL Congrats on your success!