Annie04

I am scheduled for August 30th, 29 days and counting ( I need a ticker tape to count down the days) with Dr. Garcia. I will keep everyone posted on my journey!

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.

I was looking at both, and decided on Dr. Garcia, because when I was going back and forth with the coordinators, Alma would run my questions by Dr. Garcia and then I would get emails back directly from him. That is why I ended up going with him, because of the way he personally answered my questions. He is also about $1,800.00 less than Lopez. I have a lot of acquaintances that have had wonderful experiences with Dr. Garcia. I have heard good things about Lopez as well. You have to go with your gut (no pun intended).

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, 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 also am going to Mexico and Dr. Garcia at Florence. I could go through my insurance (Aetna) but with my plan I still have to pay 50 percent. I would have to jump through all of their hoops and be on a supervised diet for 6 months. I am going to Mexico because I want to have this surgery on my terms in my time frame. I did a lot of research as well. The doctors in Mexico have a lot more experience than the doctors and the states and Dr. Garcia also trains U.S. doctors on the procedure. Surgery in the states is outpatient and they do not do leak tests unless they feel there is a problem. In Mexico you have 3 leak tests before you even leave the hospital. I am totally confident in my decision and I wish everyone the best!!

I will be there, my surgery is Friday. I posted on your other topic. I am coming with my husband. Are you coming with anyone? I am so excited, this is a defining time in our lives!!

Dr. Garcia charges $4700. if you have a bmi under 50. It goes up from there but not a crazy amount. It includes 3 nights at the Marriott ( I night pre op and 2 nights post op) It also includes ground transportation from the San Diego Airport. You can also bring a guest, because you get a private room at the hospital which you share with your guest. You will stay 2 nights at Florence Hospital. I am scheduled for 8/30/13, the Friday before Labor Day. I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of Dr. Garcia's patients and I am so confident in my decision. I am so ready!!!

I have my surgery scheduled for August 30th, the Friday before Labor Day, so I will see you there. I am flying in on Thursday night and will be having my surgery on Friday. I will fly home Monday night and go to work on Tuesday. I tolerate surgery pretty well and I only work 6 hours a days. It is encouraging seeing other people doing it as well. I am having my surgery with Dr. Garcia at Florence Hospital, so we will get to meet each other. I am so excited, I have been planning this since February and living vicariously through all the other sleevers...LOL

Photolover8, who was your surgeon?? I am just curious. I am scheduled with Dr. Garcia on August 30th and I hear he can use a 32 bougie and do it a little loose so I won't have dehydration issues. I am going back to work right away so I don't want to have any issues. Congratulations and thanks for posting items to bring, that is helpful.

You look so great Amber, and boy has time flew. I couldn't believe that it has been that long. Looking at you proves it though. I am so happy for you. You are one hot mama!!! I am still waiting and I will yell it from the rooftops when I finally get scheduled! XOXO!!

Thanks for the recipes, Jillian and glad you are doing so well

So happy for you, I can't wait until I have surgery with Dr. Garcia ( still haven't scheduled yet...but soon) Congratulations!!!

So sorry to hear about that, I have heard though that they deny most of the time hoping you will just dismiss it. Most people that have the surgery have gone through an appeal or two. If you have the documentation and have gone through their "hoops" you should have no problem. I also have Aetna, and my plan does cover bariatric surgery, but only at 50 percent. I decided at that rate, I would just go to Mexico and have it done on my terms. I researched and found a very reputable doctor and it is costing me less than $5,000. I figure that I will see that back in a couple of years just by eating less and eliminating some of my health problems. Don't let these people define what you know is best for you. If you really want this, you will find a way!! I am sending positive thoughts your way!!

You do look amazing, congratulations!!

I find this topic really interesting because I do not have much of a sense of smell. I had a nasal pollypectomy when I was a teenager and after I could smell perfume faintly if I hug someone, but I am unable to smell baked goods while in the oven or even if someone has gas (ok you know what I mean and my husband loves it that I can't smell his gas..lol) I am pre surgery and I will let you know if it increases. I personally would love to smell a candle burning or my moms homemade bread baking in the oven or even get a little grossed out from the human smells.

ChristieK, I have been hearing a lot lately about new sleevers on a emotional rollercoaster. I am wondering if it is from the absence of the Ghrelin hormone. I am very concerned about it because I am already on an emotional roller coaster due to being in the process of a divorce and I am hormonal because of my age. I would love to hear from others about how long this lasts. This is an important topic. I hope all is well with you, please keep us updated. From what I hear, as time goes on you will be able to tolerate food more and that will help. Good luck with your journey, we are all pulling for you!!

I too am Pear Shaped. A lot of it is genetics. I'm Italian and come from a long line of pear shaped women. When I got married in 1983 I weighed 130 pounds and I was an extra small on top (probably a size 6 or 8) and I wore a size 10 or 12 pant or skirt. I don't think its a bad thing, its what makes us unique. I do want to make sure that I am in the best of shape when I get to my goal weight. I plan on exercising and maybe some weight training to firm and tone up. Hope this helps.

I am guessing you are Pre-op. If you are Pre-op its not as crucial, since some doctors do not even have a Pre-op diet ( Dr.Jaime Ponce Deleon for example). There are different schools of thought on it and how it helps the liver. I plan to do it faithfully because it will help my stomach shrink and that will give me a better result after surgery. The 3 days of clear liquid are very important to clean you out for surgery. Don't beat yourself up, but realize that you have more self control than you realize. Hope this helps!!

Congratulations on all levels. He seems like such a special person. You are truly blessed!! Enjoy this time and the memories you are building with him. Good luck on your sleeve, you have a lot of new beginnings to look forward to!!

I want to thank everyone on this site for their advice when it came to selecting a doctor. I appreciate all of the feedback and as of last night I made my decision and sent in my paper work to Alma at Ready4achange. All of the doctors that I was considering are amazing and have taken such great care of all of my friends here on this site and on the Facebook page that I recently joined. I ended up selecting Dr. Fernando Garcia for reasons that are personal to me. I have been corresponding back and forth with him and Alma since last night due to a red flag that I had made aware to him. Last summer when I was preparing for foot surgery my pre-op EKG read "Suspect Anteroseptal Infarction" (Suspect Heart Attack) I was not cleared for surgery and sent to a cardiologist who did a Stress test and took pictures of my heart. The cardiologist said my heart is perfect. The problem is that all my EKG's moving forward read the same possible heart attack ( had another one in December 2012). So in order to be accepted by Dr. Garcia for this surgery, I have to get clearance by my cardiologist for this surgery. I am totally ok with that. He needs to have a comfort level with me as well and I didn't want any surprises when I get to Mexico and have an irregular EKG. After I get clearance from the cardiologist next week, I will schedule a tentative surgery date. I am still looking at late May. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers you all!!! I I II FirsFFFF

You look like an entirely different person, like a butterfly emerging from her cocoon. Congratulations on your journey and thank you for sharing!!

Congratulations on all of your victories...WooHoo. You know I am so happy for you. This is just the beginning and your life is going to be full of victories. Love you lots!!

Yes, Please share. I am hoping that it was temporary and that you are fine now.