stephanie1678

Don't focus so much on the price or the country, but focus more on experience and technique/complication rate of your chosen surgeon. Who has done more sleeves (you want a surgeon who has done at least 300 sleeves, as research has proven over and over again that complications decline drastically after 300 sleeves)? What size bougee does the surgeon use? What is his complication rate? Leaks should be as close to 0% as possible. Then choose a surgeon based on that information. Most surgeons in Mexico have way more experience with sleeves than US doctors (especially those in border towns). That will help decrease your chance of complications drastically. My local surgeon in Utah has done 35 sleeves, yet is in a bariatric center of excellence (giving you the impression you get a really good doctor, which might be true for other procedures, but not for the sleeve). He also uses a size 46F boogie (not oversewn either!!), something I absolutely did not want. It took me 5 seconds after finding this out to cancel my surgery consult with him (had absolutely NOTHING to do with price at all). Upon researching further, I found that the 2 surgeons I was comfortable with in Mexico had WAY more experience, WAY less complications, and had better techniques than most surgeons in the US. At that point it became a no-brainer. I chose the surgeon that was the best fit for me, and scheduled my date. When you research US doctors, ask how many sleeves s/he has done (not just all bariatric surgeries, but sleeves in particular!). My surgeon of choice in Mexico has done thousands with close to a zero percent leak rate.

Mine is scheduled for July 25th, but not with the doctors you are considering.

I have been watching your youtube videos (and subscribed to them). Love them! They are very uplifting and inspiring. Would love for you to suggest some other youtubes that may help me. I am scheduled wit Dr Aceves July 25th.

My thought is that this topic has been discussed enough and that at this point we are beating a dead horse over the head.. Dr Garcia is taking whatever action he deems necessary and/or appropriate. I think it is time to move on for those of us who were not there and have no clue what really happened. I see people bring up stories about "I was raped too!" etc etc, which I think has no place in this discussion. To personalize this is inappropriate. I am sorry you were raped, I am. Rape is a horrible thing. But that 'may' not be what happened here. You only have to read her blogs to realize there 'may' be more to the story. Was it inappropriate? Absolutely!!! But the fact remains that we have NO CLUE what really happened. Like her, Dr Luna also deserves to have his side of the story told. It would be a scary day when all we had to do is hear a story to deem it true. At this point, both her and the proper authorities need to take it where it needs to go. Not a lynch mob of forum members who have only heard one side of the story.

I think you have made your point MANY times over. Let it go.

Oh, well.....there goes my theory.

There are cute doctors everywhere.

I absolutely do think technique has a lot to do with how successful one can be. Not all sleeves are done the same, and research has shown that different techniques and bougie sizes bring about different long term weight loss success and failures. Do you as a patient have some control? Absolutely!!! Some just have to work a little harder or less hard depending on how their sleeve was done.

July 25th.

HOSPITAL STAY CHECKLIST Clothes Comfy Pajamas / Nightgowns Robe Loose under clothes Warm socks House slippers Loose fitting clothes to wear on the way home. Personal Items A supportive loved one!!! Small firm pillow Laptop Computer w/Skype Cell Phone Chargers / Cords Reading materials Reading glasses Stuffed Animals ( ;o) ) Crafts Spanish Dictionary (For MX) Eye mask / ear plugs Camera Check w/Hospital on TV Charges Pen / Pad of Paper Pharmaceuticals Lotion / Deodorant Toothbrush / Paste Shampoo / Conditioner Blow Dryer Snacks / Water Throat Lozenges (Check with your Surgeon) Lip Balm Gas Relief Chewable or Strips Breath Strips Body Wipes Tweezers Heating Pad for pain relief

I know several people who had weight loss surgery, and it seems they are always defined by their surgery. Example: "You know my teacher Ms Kendra? She is the one who had weight loss surgery...", or "Oh, I just love her. She had weight loss surgery, did you know that?" I don't want to be defined by that. I know many people who are talked about long before I meet them, and the first thing I learn about them is that they had weight loss surgery. You tell one persona t work, and soon people you don't even know will know your medical history. Sad, but true.

You don't have to be sleeved to have dumping. I know EVERY single bathroom on the way to my work, to the mall, to the mountains, etc. I just never know when it is going to hit me. Luckily I have always made it in time to a bathroom....

Does that mean sharonintx is your real name? I would have killed my parents if they had named me stephanieinca. J/K hun. Maybe I am just one of the 80% that needs to go.

Well, I am going to leave this discussion. It is no longer helpful or constructive. I wish the OP well.

I think you are misinterpreting my post. I am on Kristina's side. It seems she too was made a victim here.

Then I am even more confused. If you knew she had already made up her mind not to file a complaint, why did you corroborate her story? Why make this thread go on and on by defending her and calling her a victim? Are you telling me that in the end it is Dr Luna who is the real victim here? Something makes me think there is more to the story. It would be nice if Dr Luna gave his side to the story. Not completely fair to call someone a perp, then retract your story after others have come forward in support.

Then get on the phone, talk to the OP and make sure she does the right thing. The honorable road is rarely the easy one. There are agencies in Mexico she can file a complaint with.

How do you know that? If you have more information, then get it out there. I did my part. When I read this, I got on the phone. Been on the phone all day. I for one will not stand by and let anyone be victimized. I will do my part. Will you do yours?

If this was just to get back at a doctor because he rejected you, then shame on you and you will have to live with that. If not, you did the right thing and he will have to live with that. Is the 'good' doctor denying sleeping with you? Did it really happen? I am so frigging confused now.

Karma is a beautiful thing. :wub:

Ok, then it appears to me that part of the problem to some of you is that it did not work out (or that he had a GF, has done it before, etc). All of you there KNEW he was in a position of power yet nobody did anything. The fact that he has a GF or that he has done it before or since is irrelevant. The criminal aspect is that he took advantage of his power. Or is that not it? If it is, then again.....how come nobody stopped him then?

I guess I am a little confused with those of you who said you were there when it was happening, and as such you know the story to be true. Why did you not intervene? If it is wrong now, it was wrong then. Why did you not help her?

I bet if you shaved your beard, you would be just as skinny as her. Ever think of that?

Why do you think it would be better to find a surgeon in the US? I had my surgery scheduled with a local surgeon, until I did more research. He uses a 46 french bougie, and has done 36 sleeves. That was enough for me to run as fast as I could. Looking at more experienced surgeons after that, I would have had to travel for ANY of them. At that point, I wanted one of the best. I considered Dr Cirangle in San Francisco (decided not to go to him for various reasons that made me uncomfortable), Dr Alvarez and Dr Aceves. I chose Dr Aceves. IMHO any of those 3 are great.

This picture increased my anxiety. Are you kidding me?