Dr Fernando Garcia - my experience

[BackToHot 59]

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.

[BackToHot 59]

 

 

 

 

 

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[KimGettingSlim 41]

Thanks for posting... Please keep posting about your journey. Gives us a insight! Greatly appreciated! Keep up the good work!!!!

[ho11ieberry06 39]

Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[WorldTraveler 79]

Thank you for sharing your experience and photos! All the best to you!!

[Travelmego 235]

This was a very helpful post - both the description and the pictures. I wonder about how the hotel provided the meals - did they do it frequently or once a day? I like how you showed how the meals were served.  I am assuming the ice cubes were made from bottled Water (I hope!).  So Jello is considered a clear liquid?  

 

You just KNOW the hotel staff are making all kinds of jokes about the numerous heavy men and women who go through there. OH WELL! We won't be fat American tourists for much longer!  

Edited May 19, 2014 by Travelmego

[judi23 20]

Thanks for posting all of this.  I'm scheduled in August and starting to get kind of worried about it all.  What kind of problems are you having with the post-op diet, if I can ask?

[BackToHot 59]

<p>This was a very helpful post - both the description and the pictures. I wonder about how the hotel provided the meals - did they do it frequently or once a day? I like how you showed how the meals were served. I am assuming the ice cubes were made from bottled Water (I hope!). So Jello is considered a clear liquid? </p>

<p> </p>

<p>You just KNOW the hotel staff are making all kinds of jokes about the numerous heavy men and women who go through there. OH WELL! We won't be fat American tourists for much longer! </p>

 

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.

[BackToHot 59]

<p>Thanks for posting all of this. I'm scheduled in August and starting to get kind of worried about it all. What kind of problems are you having with the post-op diet, if I can ask?</p>

 

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.

[kltklass 144]

You just KNOW the hotel staff are making all kinds of jokes about the numerous heavy men and women who go through there. OH WELL! We won't be fat American tourists for much longer!  

When I went to the Marriott, the staff were very friendly and helpful. A few asked me if I was there for "the surgery", to which I replied yes. Their response was good for you... come back and show us when you get healthy! I felt very comfortable and not self-conscience.

 

I too went to Dr. Garcia and had the same care and great experience. No regrets!

Congrats on your successful surgery.

[Hoginona04 61]

Thanks for sharing.  My insurance is covering my surgery here in the states.  But I can honestly say, one more hoop, and I was headed to Mexico myself.  That being said, I have yet to recieve my surgery date, although the insurance has approved me. So Mexico may still be in the cards. 

[Travelmego 235]

 

<p>Thanks for posting all of this. I'm scheduled in August and starting to get kind of worried about it all. What kind of problems are you having with the post-op diet, if I can ask?</p>

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. 

[kltklass 144]

@ Travelmego,I do not know about the (3) staple lines, however, he does over sew. I did not have a leak, nor, have I had any complications. I would call and talk with Alma. She will answer all of your questions. Good luck.

Edited May 27, 2014 by kltklass

[atlchick 42]

Congrats! I had surgery with Dr. Fernando Garcia in Oct and my results were almost identical to yours! I feel like a slow loser but have lost 75lbs post op at 7 mos out. 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.