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I decided to travel to TJ to get my gastric sleeve...
I decided to travel to TJ to get my gastric sleeve since My BMI is 30 (29 after fasting). I originally had my mind set on getting the Lap Band, but after researching for months and months I changed my mind and decided to get the sleeve THE DAY OF SURGERY! I knew that commuting from LA to Tj about every 4-6 weeks for a fill would be too pricey and exhausting. There were many other factors about the Lap band such as eroding, dislodging and stories of poor results that really pushed me away. The thought of going through surgery again to remove this implanted object really really turned me away from it. So because it wasn't as promising as the sleeve I took a chance; I didn't want the sleeve because I thought the recovery would be intense and painful but I was wrong.
Yesterday around 3pm I went in for surgery. I was back in my room by 6pm. I was able to walk around by 9 pm and tolerated ice chips just fine. I have 4 incisions, one of which the JP drain is hanging, one where the camera went in, and the other two for the actual sleeve procedure. I wasn't too nervous going in because the surgeon, anesthesiologist, surgical coordinator, RN and another Dr. came in to my room together to talk to me and answer any questions that I had. Even the RN and Anesthesiologist have this procedure done and showed me their scars. This definitely put me at ease.
My biggest concern was that my BMI was about 30 (maybe even 29 since I have been on the liquid diet) but it was close enough for them to safely perform the procedure. 2 out of the 3 people I told about the surgery were upset that I went through with this because they kept saying "you don't need it, why can't you do it on your own" -"learn some discipline" -" this is for the weak, yada yada yada"- but if I could do it on my own I would have for the last 10 years; even the liquid diet made me lose a few pounds but that’s not a realistic diet that I can stick to, eventually I would cave in and eat until I can't eat anymore- starving yourself is not the answer trust me I know I've tried every diet and fast and diet pill you can think of.
For months I searched articles and reviews about patients with lower BMIs and couldn't find much, but the staff told me that they had done plenty of procedures on patients my size (whether this is true or not I’ll never know, but the made me feel very comfortable and reassured). With my mind at ease, s far I am so happy with my decision. I'll post my post-op pix now and update them weekly (: hope this helps.. feel free to message me if you have any questions
Yesterday around 3pm I went in for surgery. I was back in my room by 6pm. I was able to walk around by 9 pm and tolerated ice chips just fine. I have 4 incisions, one of which the JP drain is hanging, one where the camera went in, and the other two for the actual sleeve procedure. I wasn't too nervous going in because the surgeon, anesthesiologist, surgical coordinator, RN and another Dr. came in to my room together to talk to me and answer any questions that I had. Even the RN and Anesthesiologist have this procedure done and showed me their scars. This definitely put me at ease.
My biggest concern was that my BMI was about 30 (maybe even 29 since I have been on the liquid diet) but it was close enough for them to safely perform the procedure. 2 out of the 3 people I told about the surgery were upset that I went through with this because they kept saying "you don't need it, why can't you do it on your own" -"learn some discipline" -" this is for the weak, yada yada yada"- but if I could do it on my own I would have for the last 10 years; even the liquid diet made me lose a few pounds but that’s not a realistic diet that I can stick to, eventually I would cave in and eat until I can't eat anymore- starving yourself is not the answer trust me I know I've tried every diet and fast and diet pill you can think of.
For months I searched articles and reviews about patients with lower BMIs and couldn't find much, but the staff told me that they had done plenty of procedures on patients my size (whether this is true or not I’ll never know, but the made me feel very comfortable and reassured). With my mind at ease, s far I am so happy with my decision. I'll post my post-op pix now and update them weekly (: hope this helps.. feel free to message me if you have any questions
Provider Review
Dr. V
Dr. V was sweet, friendly and honest; he explained to pros and cons of both the lap band and sleeve. He told me his opinion as if I were his family. I really appreciate his compassion and patience.