Am I Imagining Thigs?

[amytug 996]

It seems to me, that some surgeons patients lose slower than other surgeons. Is this my imagination? I'm aware that everyone loses at different paces and that it a lot of it depends on compliance etc, but it really seems like this one drs patients lose faster than the other.

I posted this here because its 2 Mexico surgeons that I'm researching, that I've noticed this about.

[Jugee44 9]

Do , you think that maybe some doctors are taking off more then they should? I often wonder the same thing. I hear and read of people that are losing so fast.

My start weight was 237 lbs , did the 14 days pre op diet , On the day of surgery I was 222lbs , after 1 week my weight was 215 lbs , second week 210 lbs.............. but then I went to my doctor this past friday and I was 216 lbs on his scale , but today I am 208lbs.

My doctor said that I will most likely lose it slower then others because of my age , he said that the older you are the slower ( I am 44) but I know of other women that are older then me and losing so fast. who knows.

[Earwood 136]

I've heard some surgeons are 'more aggresive' in the size of sleeves they create although all you hear is the bougie size they use so I'm not sure what all this means. I know I've 50 lbs in 3 months and was on the lower BMI side of the group I was in so I feel these results are amazing and I've lost MUCH MORE than I expected at this point. I went to Dr. Almanza in TJ who uses a size 32 bougie but who I've heard is one of the 'more aggresive' VSG surgeons. Who are you researching?

[amytug 996]

Well Garcia, dr. Ponce de leon and Almanza (lightly) mostly because I like his price and that he uses glue.

Almanza being the dr. With fast losing patience and Garcia next. But this might just be because I can't find a ton of follow up on pdl patience.

I'm so unsettled about who to choose. It's driving me insane.

Does dr. Almanza use blood thinners? What does e use on the legs during surgery?

[5DogMa 62]

It has to do the patient more than anything. Everyone is different. The bigger you are typically the faster and more you lose. Males lose faster than females, younger people faster than older. Bougie sizes are not far apart and the closer the surgeon follows the bougie guide the smaller the sleeve. The shorter or longer your natural stomach is also determines how much your sleeve will hold. My daugher has a long stomach but her surgeon used a smaller bougie, size 32 than my doctor who used a 40 on me. She can eat a lot more than I can. So no, I would not say one surgeons patients lose more or faster than another surgeons patients. I has to do with the patient and not to mention how well the follow the diet.

[Earwood 136]

No, I don't recall receiving blood thinners while there although the bad thing about Almanza and his staff is the language barrier. Great friendly ppl but only a small handful speak very good english. I took my spanish speaking friend but she wasn't with me during most of the pre-op and surgery part, just got to wait in the lobby for me. Our legs were wrapped for surgery which I was happy with considering I've been thru 5 major surgeries in the US and couldn't get my legs wrapped even when I asked.

[coolmamma73 129]

The thing I don't like about Almanza, is that at the hotel you get a room mate! I guess if u travel with a spouse that wouldn't occur. But for me traveling alone the last thing I want is a stranger in my room while I am trying to relax and rest!! No matter how nice they may be, you just don't feel free to let it all hang loose, know what I mean?? Lol

But that's just me

[Earwood 136]

I will also mention I've done everything wrong and you can still see my results. I hated protien shakes...I tried but I'm pretty much a single mom w/ 4 sons who works 60 hours a week so making them was too much of a hassle and I didn't like them. My same problem as before between my work schdule, taking care of the boys and all our activities (we have something 5 nights a week) we have always lived on fast food and I still do (bad girl I know). I'm really going to make a committment this new year to slow way down and focus on my health with this wonderful VSG gift I have been given, however, I only tell you this because look at my results with the still bad diet in such a short time! I was also the 3rd lowest BMI in my group of about 8 and I'm female so these should contribute to being a slower loser but it hasn't effected me at all. Never thought I'd be more than half way to goal in only 3 months. Truly amazing but everyone is different. I loved Dr Almanza but I've heard good things about the other Dr's you are considering. Best of luck to you!

[Earwood 136]

The thing I don't like about Almanza, is that at the hotel you get a room mate! I guess if u travel with a spouse that wouldn't occur. But for me traveling alone the last thing I want is a stranger in my room while I am trying to relax and rest!! No matter how nice they may be, you just don't feel free to let it all hang loose, know what I mean?? Lol

But that's just me

Agree with coolmamma73...I had a friend with me and we had to pay $55 a night to stay in the hotel but it was worth it. Very nice stay. There were people in the group, however, that came alone and while that got them the hotel room for FREE they did have a roomate. Some were paired well, but I remember there was this crazy plastic surgery patient that one of lapband revision girls got stuck with and it was not good. She was able to switch roomates after the first night but you just never know who you will get paired with.

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

I don't think that you can really look at the surgeon to see how fast/slow you will lose, I don't think it has anything to do with it. Now for Mexico it can be because patients are/not following their food plans correctly. I guess you can look at bougie size as it seems all Mexican doctors use 32F. I had Dr Garcia and in my third month lost 16 pounds(November) and I only have 25 more to go.

Dr Garcia provides stockings for surgery and you have a private room. He is an amazingly skilled surgeon you won't go wrong chosing him. Best of Luck!

[amytug 996]

Dr. Pdl uses a 36 I believe it was.

[Paigers 67]

Dr. Pdl uses a 36 I believe it was.

Yes, I think you are right. If I remember correctly one of his patients mentioned the use of stockings during surgery as well.

[amykins 202]

I'm exactly 3 months out and I've gone from 193.5 to 152. I don't know how that compares to others but I'm happy. I lost 23# the first month, 8.5# the second, and 10# last month. Ps grateful I had my own hospital room for three days with no roommate. I would hate to meet a stranger when I'm feeling my worst.

[amytug 996]

Did you go to Aceves?

[amykins 202]

Did you go to Aceves?

Yes, and I hope I didn't sound snobby in my earlier post. I just didn't realize that sharing a room with another person was a possibility. I would definitely schedule my surgery date with someone I knew, even if it was someone I met online.