prettynpink

There is a Louisiana forum that discusses this in detail. There were several different prices quoted from a bunch of doctors here.

I was sold on it being quiet also. I too can hear a pin drop in my sleep. My antibiotics were in pill form. The only liquid I had was the medicine for gas

PACK LIGHT! Loose fitting pants/ work out pants and t shirts. I didn't care what I looked like honestly. If you're at Florence, they give you slippers that you can keep. If you're going alone bring your electronics. The staff will tie and lock your items in the hospital safe and will open everything in front of you. Travel sized toiletries. I left with something for gas, they give it to you at discharge. Oh...bring a pill crusher. You will have to take antibiotics.

My doctor said do it when you feel up to it. There are no restrictions in that area. I have heard a good bit of people say they were ready 10 days post op!

On tomorrow I will be one week out. I am down 20 pounds between the pre op diet and after being sleeved. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I do not feel hunger at all. I did a lot of mental preparation before the surgery, I was completely ready and made the decision without hesitstion. Its rough at first but nothing great comes easy. I do think about food and drinks all the time, but its more of a chore than it is for pleasure. Good luck to you all!

Way to go!!! I'm almost a week out! Your photos are so motivating

The other patients that are there for other treatments were no where near the surgery patients. I think they are in a separate part of the hospital all together.

I believe he just started working out of Florence. I believe my group was the first to go because we were all initially booked for MiDoctor and got am email about one week before surgery stating we could upgrade or stay with MiDoctor. I believe the team is waiting to see how we felt about the hospital. Oh, something cool. They provide you with slippers

Thanks love! All I can say is Florence was not chaotic. When they said twenty minutes to surgery, they got me in 15. The nurses were sweet and very patient. They are on it, I didn't have to ask for anything they were not already doing. BONUS most of them speak English which is a perk. There is free WiFi. And it was quiet! There is a doctor there 24 hours a day. The place was older (as most US hospitals are) but VERY clean. They clean constantly.

Contact www.ready4achange.com Go to request a quote and they will respond quickly!

I went with Dr. Garcia and I must say communication was the least of my concerns. They communicate effectively and quickly. They are thorough. Best of luck :-)

To add.... I had a terrible flying experience...extended delays that kept me in the airport for 3 hours. The flight back home from Dallas was AWFUL and I did fine. I'm telling you, I couldn't get off that plane fast enough.

Good for you!!! You will not regret it.

Thanks a lot, it gets better everyday!

Ok here is my detailed experience with Dr. Garcia/ Ready 4A Change I was initially contacted by email to receive a quote from alma with r4ac. She was not pushy at all and answered my questions within minutes. It wasn't until I realized how many people inquired on a daily basis that I was truly impressed with her customer service. She makes it seem as though she has all the time in the world just for you (even on Sunday...sorry Alma) . With something this new and serious I needed someone to be available and she ALWAYS was. Dr. Garcia could have been the best surgeon in his country, but if his coordinators were awful, I would have certainly reconsidered. Day 1- Marriot Stay Samuel picked me up on time, even though I missed my first flight. He was still there is less than 20 minutes. We waited for another sleever, crossed the border with no problems, headed to hotel. Check in was seamless and I had a good first night. Within 2 hours of check in I met Rosie, she is very detailed and very sweet also. They are on the ball! Day 2-3 Hospital Went to Florence/Oasis by hotel shuttle (Marriot driver was on some Speed Racer juice, Good God they drive horribly). Trip was only about 15 minutes. Within 10 minutes of arrival the so sweet Meli met us. We talked, she gave us the run down and we were in our rooms immediately. Pre op testing began immediately (blood work, urine samples ekg, x-rays). Following that the doctor, who also has WLS comes in to talk about the procedure and answer questions. Following her another doctor who has also had WLS comes on for questions. Paper work, questions...boring stuff. Then in come the man with the Happy drugs plan. He explains that he is the anesthesiologist and he will be by your side the entire time.. then following him....drum roll please....The One The Only DR. GARCIA. He has the sweetest smile EVER. I bet he doesn't have an enemy in the world. He shows the surgery procedure, speaks with you and you're wheeled off. Dr. Garcia called my husband immediately after the procedure. I woke up on my room I met the internist following recovery. YOU WILL SEE THEM ALL THE TIME. A doctor is on staff 24 hrs. He sits at the nurses station. Day following I had a lot of nausea but the nurses managed the pain and nausea well. Oh yeah...they didn't touch me with a needle until they were confident they could find my vein. One stick folks. They're English at Florence/ Oasis was superb, they work on a tight schedule. They were already doing before I could even ask. I was directly across from the station and can tell you all, I saw with my own eyes, they wash their hands constantly! PS drain removal feels like a snake in your tummy. Strange but zero pain Days 3-4 Back to that super comfy bed at the Marriot. Only gripe: I could not get them to connect calls to me on my last night there. Never stayed at a hotel that didn't transfer calls to a room. With the amount of international patients that stay there, they may want to consider a line for incoming calls. Also, didn't sleep much because of banging due to repairs. I got unlucky. All in all the hotel experience was good. However, I wait to get to the hotel to start with gas issues, smh. Not much sleeping.for this girl. On my last night, Rosie came by with Dr. Luna and he removed my staples, painlessly. I got my paperwork, detailed information about how to eat, and my x-rays. Day 5 Going Home Going home started at 6am. We ran.into traffic, crossed the border and I was still 2 hrs early for my flight. Flying home is another long story I won't bore yall with. But, I'm home safe and sound. The Cartel didn't get me and all my organs are still in there. I would recommend Dr. Garcia and Ready 4 a Change to someone I love! The experience was great, I'm so happy I did this for myself. Please PM, or comment any questions. I'm here to help. I remember how much your posts helped me :-)

I just got got home last night, I was sleeved in the 29th. I had a fantastic experience with Dr. Garcia and the entire time and I went alone. They are great at communicating with you, they will answer any and every question and he is affordable and skilled, can't beat that :-)

I'm pretty new to the post op crew, but I have read stories where people stalled for 6 weeks but lost inches instead of pounds. Be encouraged My NUT says for me to remember to stay away from complex carbs and fats. Also, remember to eat lean.proteins first. Hope I helped.

In the process of connecting to my flight home. I had 2 1/2 hours to catch the first one. Then Dallas has that train thing. I refuse to sit down until I have to. I've been walking this entire layover. First flight 3 hrs. Second flight 1hour and 25 mins. It's not bad.

The broth is included, room service could bring it to you also :-) Good luck

Hi! I was a lurker for a while too, lol! I went through Ready 4 a change and Alma and the entire team was amazing. No pressure, great response time. Dr Garcia and the whole team...FANTASTIC. Best of luck with your research.

Between preop and surgery on the 29 (this past Friday) I'm down 16 pounds. Love this team!

In order to get back o m schedule with central time, I woke up 2 hours. Time to leave baby!!!! Tijuana its been real! For anyone interested, I will type more details about the last 4 days with Dr. Garcia, Ready 4 A Change, The Marriot, Florence/Oasis, etc. Thanks for the encouragement and prayers again, I needed all of it.

Just weighed myself, between the pre op diet snd surgery Friday, I am down 15 pounds. Very motivating :-)

*raises nauseous hand* I was one of those ladies that had nausea real bad the first 24 hrs, everyone was great. They communicate a lot prior to surgery and after. Dr. Garcia has the best smile it puts you at ease right away. You can't go wrong with this team.