- Name: Nicole Power
- Age: 37
- Surgery: Gastric Sleeve
- Surgery date: November 24th, 2015
- Testimonial date: April 23rd, 2016
- Surgeon: Dr. Mario Almanza
i am at my 5 month post op now and i must say i am so glad i have made this decision to have the gastric sleeve done. I have lost a total of 80 lbs so far. I feel great most days. I will not sugar coat this tho, you totally have to be ready for this physically and mentally. Let me start of by saying Dr Almanza and his staff were amazing. Very professional and the facility and hotel were super clean. The first few weeks after surgery was emotionally draining for me, i had days where i wondered if i made the right decision or not, those feelings soon pasted. the first 1-6 weeks your on a liquid diet! this i think was one of the hardest parts for me although i was not hungry mentally i wanted solid food. Once i introduced solids in to my diet things seemed to be little easier for me. i have noticed that a lot of things i used to eat(mostly meats) i can not tolerate any more. Due to not being able to eat meat like i did and the lack of protein that i have been able to take in i have a B 12 deficiency which i take B 12 shots for weekly. I have found a protein shake that tastes great and has 30 grams of protein these work well. Another thing i have noticed is my hair, i have lost so much hair due to the B 12 deficiency and it has gotten so thin, the Dr tells me it will regrow at about my 6 month mark. Other then tat its been great. its definitely a life style change that's worth it. the only thing i would have changed is having it done sooner then i did.