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For our infamous transformation tuesday...10 months out. Feeling very happy! Lost 60 pounds - from size 18 to 10. My goal for 10 months out was to loose at least 80-85 pounds. But considering I don't exercise at all (as i should), eat without restrictions and my only limitation is the amount of food that fits my sleeve, I think I'm doing pretty good. I'm very surprised that even though I did not reached my goal in pounds, I did, whatsoever, reached my goal in size. That's the exactly size (10) I had as my goal for my 10th month. Very intrigued. One thing I m sure had helped me: I don't care about junky food, chips, candies or chocolate at all. I have it once in a while but I don't crave this kind on food at all.

I was sleeved by dr Garcia on may/2014. I posted my experience I don't know how to post a link here for you. You can check my profile and see what I had posted. I hope it helps. Good luck

Hi. I had surgery with Dr Fernando Garcia in Tijuana on may/14. I posted here my whole experience. I'm not sure how to put a link of my post here but im pretty sure you can search on my profile for that specific post. I hope it helps. Good luck ; ) Btw the title of my thread is " Dr Fernabdo Garcia - my experience"

Every time I eat I start sneezing before I'm done with the food. It's every meal. Is my body trying to tell me something? Really, it's very annoying. I'm not talking about one discreet sneeze. Sometimes 8-12 huge sneezes that I have to close my legs to hold my pee. Is that normal? It's just me??? When I'm home it's kinda ok, but it happens everywhere, anytime. I was sleeved 5 weeks ago, doing great otherwise. ; )

Sure! U can ask me anything. I don't really have any specific problem with the post op diet. It's just because its completely different of what I was used to, eating habits, portions etc. so the struggle is with myself trying to follow liquid diet, shakes etc when my head is saying take me to Olive Garden and eat until you are about to pass out. That's the hard part. Hi, do you know how Dr. Garcia closes his sleeve? Does he have the 3 lines of staple thing? Does he do an over sew of the staple line as added precaution (some do, some don't)? I am considering him, and a few others. I'm not sure about 3 lines. What I know, because I ask him personally, is that after stapling he also sew the edges over the stapled stomach. My experience was really great with him and the coordinators from ready 4A change. Good luck!

My experience with Dr Fernando Garcia and Ready 4a Change was absolutely PERFECT. I cannot put in any other way. From the beginning very easy and fast communication with the company here in the US thru Alma, to the day I set feet down here in Florida back again. Everything they said they would do and everything I expected they delivered with great professionalism and human touch. When I got to San Diego airport, the driver Samuel was there already. We crossed the border and he took me to Marriott Hotel, where I experienced a Marriott quality stay first night. The coordinator Irene came to welcome me at the hotel and to tell me I was not alone (I went alone). She answered all my questions and eased my doubts. Next day I was timely took to Oasis hospital - small, but seems a well and full equipped hospital - and clean, very clean- where I was greeted by Eduardo, who took me to my private room (with one extra bed for companion, a recliner and private bathroom). Nurses checking on me all the time. They gave me the stocking socks and a pair of slippers. Right after that Hector took me to the lab for all tests. After that Dr Garcia came to my room and spent a long long time just answering my questions and giving me a lesson about the surgery - can you feel the human touch do far??? - My surgery was much easier than what I had anticipated. No gas - none, no pain, nada. I felt a little discomfort coming out the anesthesia but other than that I felt like I slept for 5 minutes and woke up sleeved. I didn't feel any pain on my stitches. I might have a high tolerance for pain, idk but I didn't feel any worse than coming out of 100 belly crunches in a typical afternoon at the gym. I spent two nights at the hospital taking all the ivs , antibiotics, pain medicine etc and nurses coming to check on me on the clock. Dr Velasco came to visit me and again spent a long time talking, answering, teaching. She removed my drain ( first ouch for me ) and my staples. She had the same surgery and she looks great. They discharged me and gave me a bag with all the medication and tests results, a cd with my leaking test and a stomach stuffed animal - I know it's not an animal but I don't know any other way to call a fluffy smily stuffed stomach- I asked for 2 of them because I have twins. They took me back to the Marriott where Irene was to greet me. I spent two nights taking easy, resting, watching tv, reading and talking to my twins on the phone (I used viber app) while sipping on the free chicken broth, gello and Popsicle as they promised. Hotel and hospital with Wi-Fi so I had communication with the rest of the world at any time. Besides hospital allowed me to make calls to the US at no charge. A day before coming back, I was felling pretty good so I took a cab from the hotel and asked the driver to take me to the mall to buy a gift to my twins. I went to Plaza del Rio. It's a mall with sears and everything. I asked him to pick me up promptly 1 hour later which he did. I spent that last night at the hotel when in the am they took me to San Diego airport. The border this time was very busy. It would take about two hours to cross it if the driver didnt have a special pass made for medical situations and it costs 20 dollars to the driver. So we could take the special lane to cross the border. Very fast. I was sorry about the people on the regular lane but well I had a major surgery and 20$ was paid. Back home I am following the instructions they provide in a cute folder together with the medicine and all. My stitches are great healing very well. Today May 18th I'm 9 days out and feeling just fine. Still struggling with the post op diet, but very glad my experience was perfect. I can't ask for more. Now it's on me for the success of my sleeved body. I know there are many people here who had lost hope of getting their lives back because they were turned down by their insurance. I'm not telling you that Mexico is the way or the Mexico is your salvation. I'm JUST WRITING MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. That's about all. Yes I'm glad I did. I paid 4,400 total. Not one penny more besides tips for drivers, hotel staff etc and everything was covered. I'm up for any question.

Thanks! Four weeks out tomorrow and 19 pound lighter ! Yay!

Sure! U can ask me anything. I don't really have any specific problem with the post op diet. It's just because its completely different of what I was used to, eating habits, portions etc. so the struggle is with myself trying to follow liquid diet, shakes etc when my head is saying take me to Olive Garden and eat until you are about to pass out. That's the hard part.

The hotel provided 3 soups a day plus jello and Popsicle if you ask. My coordinator told me if I need more than 3 a day it's ok to ask and they would not charge. On my first day I got there 1 pm and I asked for my first soup about 3pm, another about 5-6pm and my last one before sleep. I was soooo hungry and I wasn't not allowed to have anything else since it was the day before surgery. After the surgery you will realize that 3 a day is enough. The jello was very tasteful and thick. I didnt think about how it was made lol but its s good point. The popsicle i found very watery but i think its supposed to taste like that. You just have to press 0 on the hotel phone and order your soup anytime night and day. It's room service. Be ready to tip. Bring lots of change. One time I HAD to tip 20 dollars for the soup/jello/pop because I had no change and I was embarrassed for not tipping. The pic with the ice cubes is on the hospital so I assumed its clean too lol. And yes jello is a clear liquid. Dr said it become liquid as soon pass though your throat because of out body temperature. Hotel staff are very nice and threat you very well but yes, there's no doubt that everybody there know what we are doing there. I didn't feel any judgment from them but yes they just know what we are doing there. Once a waiter came to my room to bring me soup I made conversation saying I wish it was half dozen tacos instead. He laughed and told me to not worry that after that sacrifice I will look much better and I will feel very good about myself. It was kind of meal/therapy session. Btw he's the one who got my 20$ lol. It was just a coincidence I didn't have change. Again be ready to tip for food 3 times a day plus drivers airport-hotel-hospital-hotel.

I'm one week out today, done with clear liquids and starting tomorrow full liquids. Question: besides protein shakes what can I have? My discharge papers doesn't say too much besides I would appreciate suggestions from you guys. After one week of just Gatorade, water and chicken broth I need some substance without compromising my baby sleeve. ; )

My experience with Dr Fernando Garcia and Ready 4a Change was absolutely PERFECT. I cannot put in any other way. From the beginning very easy and fast communication with the company here in the US thru Alma, to the day I set feet down here in Florida back again. Everything they said they would do and everything I expected they delivered with great professionalism and human touch. When I got to San Diego airport, the driver Samuel was there already. We crossed the border and he took me to Marriott Hotel, where I experienced a Marriott quality stay first night. The coordinator Irene came to welcome me at the hotel and to tell me I was not alone (I went alone). She answered all my questions and eased my doubts. Next day I was timely took to Oasis hospital - small, but seems a well and full equipped hospital - and clean, very clean- where I was greeted by Eduardo, who took me to my private room (with one extra bed for companion, a recliner and private bathroom). Nurses checking on me all the time. They gave me the stocking socks and a pair of slippers. Right after that Hector took me to the lab for all tests. After that Dr Garcia came to my room and spent a long long time just answering my questions and giving me a lesson about the surgery - can you feel the human touch do far??? - My surgery was much easier than what I had anticipated. No gas - none, no pain, nada. I felt a little discomfort coming out the anesthesia but other than that I felt like I slept for 5 minutes and woke up sleeved. I didn't feel any pain on my stitches. I might have a high tolerance for pain, idk but I didn't feel any worse than coming out of 100 belly crunches in a typical afternoon at the gym. I spent two nights at the hospital taking all the ivs , antibiotics, pain medicine etc and nurses coming to check on me on the clock. Dr Velasco came to visit me and again spent a long time talking, answering, teaching. She removed my drain ( first ouch for me ) and my staples. She had the same surgery and she looks great. They discharged me and gave me a bag with all the medication and tests results, a cd with my leaking test and a stomach stuffed animal - I know it's not an animal but I don't know any other way to call a fluffy smily stuffed stomach- I asked for 2 of them because I have twins. They took me back to the Marriott where Irene was to greet me. I spent two nights taking easy, resting, watching tv, reading and talking to my twins on the phone (I used viber app) while sipping on the free chicken broth, gello and Popsicle as they promised. Hotel and hospital with Wi-Fi so I had communication with the rest of the world at any time. Besides hospital allowed me to make calls to the US at no charge. A day before coming back, I was felling pretty good so I took a cab from the hotel and asked the driver to take me to the mall to buy a gift to my twins. I went to Plaza del Rio. It's a mall with sears and everything. I asked him to pick me up promptly 1 hour later which he did.I spent that last night at the hotel when in the am they took me to San Diego airport. The border this time was very busy. It would take about two hours to cross it if the driver didnt have a special pass made for medical situations and it costs 20 dollars to the driver. So we could take the special lane to cross the border. Very fast. I was sorry about the people on the regular lane but well I had a major surgery and 20$ was paid. Back home I am following the instructions they provide in a cute folder together with the medicine and all. My stitches are great healing very well. Today May 18th I'm 9 days out and feeling just fine. Still struggling with the post op diet, but very glad my experience was perfect. I can't ask for more. Now it's on me for the success of my sleeved body. I'm up for any question. I'm going to copy and paste this answer and post it on the Mexico and self paid forum.

While I'm here at the Marriott hotel in TJ waiting for my sleeve tomorrow with dr Garcia, I am thinking about how many times i tried? How many years I wasted in frustration, pain and shame? So I came up with my "list" of diets that turned out as failure. 1- Brazilian pills - totally forbidden but I managed to get them 2- weight watchers 3- Quick Weight Loss centers 4- HCG shots in my belly 5- nutrasystem 6- dunkan diet 7- soup diet 8- Hollywood diet I'm sure I'm forgetting something but you can have an idea. Now tell me yours : )

Years ago all my friends were getting very skinny and I found out they were taking Brazilian pills. They are pills made in brazil with tons of components most of them FDA not approved. I could take them and clean my whole house in 15 minutes or less lol. I didn't feel hungry at all but still my energy level was soooo high. Was hard to sleep at night and I was thirsty all the time. It did work but literally at the minute I stopped taking them I start to gain weight like a crazy. I remember the day I didn't take it for the first time after 3 months taking religiously I slept the whole day and night. I felt miserable. People who were bringing these pills from brazil ended up in jail.

You can't anymore because now it's forbidden there too. I did get them when was forbidden here but not in brazil.

Hi Mônica. Im going on the 7th to Tijuana with dr Fernando Garcia. Surgery on the 8th. Im staying at the Marriott

Gamegirl you are such inspiration. I thank you so much for posting your pictures. I know it might be hard doing it but you did it anyways. I'm glad I had the chance to see them cause in 11 days will be me having sleeve surgery and right now my anxiety level is very high. Your pictures helped me a lot to go thru this day and keep focus. I hope some day I will b able to do the same and help/inspire somebody else. You look great!!!!!

My sleeve is in 3 weeks, May 8th. I am doing this to get healthy of course, but..... I can't stop daydreaming about the possibilities out there. I imagine myself wearing these cute outfits. So... I started to collect pictures of clothes and outfits that I want to wear as soon as I can. I know it's silly and vain, but it keeps me going and focused. I'd like to share with you one of my favorites. I'm so tired of wearing not what I like, but what it fits. So if you have a pict of that "perfect outfit", share with me. I'm having so much fun doing it?

God bless you. It is a new chance in life. You will do great. I'm very excited for you

I don't know the feeling yet. Surgery scheduled for May 8th. But I want to participate in this thread: "When you allow full body picture instead of hiding behind people" I hate that. In all my pictures I'm always behind someone. I want to be CENTER and FRONT!!!!

Some=alone

Im so glad ur fine ! I'm having mine with dr Fernando Garcia too on May 8th. Just like you I'm going some. Thank you so much for sharing your successful story

I didn't tell my husband yet and I'm practicing on how to tell him. I can see he telling me that I don't need it and that I should just exercise daily and stop eating. Of course I would answer that I did that already and it didn't work. He would say I didn't tried hard enough. It's consuming me. Besides the idea of me going to Mexico is going to be the cherry on the top of the ice cream. Anyways I paid the down payment to ready4achange and I have the sleeve date for the 8th of may with dr Fernando Garcia. I booked n paid for the flight already. Ultimately ill tell him anyways but I know he's gonna take the news as a irresponsible thing I'm doing because we could use the money in so many diff ways, with our family and that Im risking my life when i have two little boys to raise, that would be a selfish thing to do etc. I don't have money to spare but I worked extra hard to put together that money so I shouldn't feel guilt about how I'm going to spend it. But he works very hard too and all money he makes is to give our family a better life. He never spends anything with himself. This is a cry for help