• Name: Morgan Channing
• Age: 43
• Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
• Surgery date: May 28th, 2014
• Testimonial date: June 18th, 2014
• Surgeon: Dr. Almanza

Hi,

I had my gastric sleeve surgery on May, 28, 2014 with Dr. Almanza. It's been 21 days since my surgery and I have lost 25 pounds. I couldn't be more pleased with the whole process. I am doing what the Doctor has asked of me in regard to my activity, food and vitamins. i take a sublingual B12 and Biotin, a chewable multi, iron and calcium. I am in the soft/pureed food stage and eat 1 scrambled egg for breakfast, about 2.5 tablespoons of refried beans with avocado, cheese and salsa for lunch and about the same amount of fat free yogurt for dinner. I drink 2 30g protien shakes a day. I work hard to get my water intake each day but usually fall short. I do find it frustrating to not be able to eat and drink at the same time and often find myself thirsty...no biggie. I was weak and emotional and had trouble sleeping the first week or so after surgery but all that went away quickly. Stitches came out on day 12 and no problems with my incisions.

In regard to the procedure, hotel and having surgery in Tijuana, everything went very smoothly and professionally. The experience was the hardest easiest thing I have ever done. Oxy moron I know, but true. Hard for me personally because you are almost constantly around 5-7 people who are having the procedure as well as the people they brought along for support. I did find that stressful as there was little quiet with that many folks around, especially in the hospital room before and after surgery. I shared a room with 3 women and luckily they were delightful, but there is little to no privacy. The upside to this is that it all goes so very fast. I had surgery around 2:30 pm and was back in my hotel room by 7:30 am the next day. As far as the hospital and staff, it was meticulously clean and the staff were attentive, kind and patient. No problems there at all. Same with the hotel staff and drivers. The vans weren't always exactly on time, but all appointments ran on schedule. Try to remember that when you are there, they have a system down pat and know what they are doing. The hotel was super nice and the nurses are there to change your IV and dressings and give you medicine as needed. I was up and walking after surgery and out shopping near the hotel the next day. The street next to the hotel is friendly and safe and the benches out front make for great people watching. Luckily for me I had no pain involved with this procedure, only minor discomforts and they all dissipated quickly. So I would sum up by saying that it's very hard to have surgery in a foreign country and travel home, it just is, but SO worth it. And super easy because everything went so smoothly and quickly.

All of our stories in regard to how we come to the decision to have surgery are different. For me, at 43, it was the last house on the block, I had no where else to go but to keep gaining. I won't list all of the insane ways I have tried to manage and control my addiction that I am powerless over, most of you have done the same. This was not a decision I took lightly or did so I could "be skinny and eat whatever I want." Although I am grateful for the weight loss and look so forward to being in a healthy body, I am far more relieved to not be spinning 24/7 in my head with ways to try to manage and control my weight while continuing to binge eat and gain weight. The quieting of the incessant chatter in my head has been the biggest gift so far. The surgery is doing for me what I couldn't do for myself. Recovery physically, emotionally and spiritually will take time and may not be easy, but neither was being 200 plus and gaining.

I wish you all success and happiness on your weight loss journey.

* This is an actual testimonial, however, your results may vary. For more information, please read our Testimonial Disclaimer and Risks of Surgery.