I start my preop diet on Sunday. The diet consists of a protein shake for breakfast, a lean cuisine for lunch and dinner. My surgery date is Dec. 18, 2006. I reallly can't believe that my life is about to change. I will lose the weight this time and keep it off! I am weighing 185 right now. My first goal will be 155. My second goal which I plan on doing slower and gradual is 135 or so? My friend Monica had the lapband put in a year ago and she did very well. She lost fifty pounds and has had no complications.

She did gain a little back, but only due to a loss, eating around the band and needing a fill. We are going to support each other also. I know the support has a big part to play in all of this. I log onto this forum at least twice a day for an hour at least.

I have been eating some things that I know I won't be able to eat for a while if not ever. Not getting to out of hand though. So many people have emailed me with such positive things about Dr. Ortiz. I get more reasurred everyday. I want to post what they said here so I can look back or others can get the info they need. This week before my surgery will consist mostly of what I am learning in preparation to the surgery and post surgery and peoples comments.

Hey"

so sorry about that earlier email - i had to rush off!

anyway, i researched like mad and chose ortiz because he is the best (imo) - very skilled, credentialed, etc and I wanted someone with the most experience. I also liked his staff and his anestsiologist (can never spell that right) and they use a type of anesthesia that doesn't require intubation. I was super scared of the surgery and my husband was initially against going to mexico etc. I didn't go to the clinic but we both talked to dr ortiz prior and i loved him immediately. I still very positive about him for the surgery - both he and dr martinez give you their personal cell phones - something unheard of in the states. Their facilitiy is different now (but even better) than when I had surgery last year. The only reason I'm unhapppy is i've had trouble losing weight and have struggled living with the band and I haven't felt very supported AFTER the surgery for non emergencies. But face it , most go home and lose weight with one or a few adjustments. There aren't as many of us who struggle so I don't want to sway you from him - just make sure you have some local support and possiblly a local fill doctor etc. And mostly, talk to dr ortiz yourself and ask all your questions, etc. That will help youmake up your mind. hey, good luck to you - also dr. ortiz has a good book with other doc recommendations too and lastly don't base your decision solely on price - experience is key. take care and i wish you good luck in your journey. email me anytime! take care, mary

__________________

Hi,

My brother is a surgeon in the U.S. and he suggested I check out some TJ doctors for the lapband. My BMI was too low to qualify here. Ever since I first heard about the band, years ago, I knew I wanted it! I found Dr. Ortiz on the internet and ordered his book. I also spoke on the phone with someone who had surgery there. She was NOT a paid coordinator or anything (neither am I.) Anyway, I drove down to Mexico from L.A. and had the surgery without ever meeting Dr. Ortiz ahead of time. There was a really peaceful feeling that I was doing the right thing. The surgery is clean and the staff very professional. Honestly, I don't know of any doctor that could have so many happy patients. He does this surgery about 4-5 times a day. He is extremely experienced and that is what I wanted. Also, he teaches the surgery to U.S. doctors. I am totally satisfied!! No regrets!

Good luck!!!!!

Surgery November 18, 2005 (Dr. Ortiz)

When I first started researching the lap band the first thing I looked into was insurance coverage. Insurance won't cover the surgery for me (I didn't even try b.c i don't come close to meeting the criteria) SO I am self pay. So getting the surgery here in the US was out of the question. B/C it was between 15-20K. I then started researching Dr.'s in Mexico, the carribean and even Europe. Money is a big factor. I'm single, I'm 24, I live in the NYC area and I have a mortgage so I couldn't spend 10-13k like a lot of Dr's charge- in foreign countries. I also found cheap Dr's in Mexico (the cheapest was 6500). But after researching the doctors credential's I was quickly turned off. Dr. Ortiz's credentials seemed really impressive. The maker of the lap band trained Dr Ortiz. Dr Ortiz has 2 centers the cancun and the tj. One of his partners in the Cancun center is the Cheif of St Vincents- here in ny (he has been on the news and in magazines (for his achievements), which put my mind at ease. B/c if Dr. Ortiz was a crook or a bad dr the cheif of such a big hospital wouldn't be associated with him (atleast that's what i think). ALso Dr Ortiz completed a course at Harvard and Yale. And he has trained surgeons around the world. This all seemed very impressize to me. In addition I have not found 1 bad thing about him on the internet, which also helps. I also found one testimonial of a girl who went to dr ortiz. The band would have been too close to her aorta, so he did not complete the surgery. This put me at ease b/c he put safety before her desires. So in a nutshell that's why I chose Dr. Ortiz. What made you choose Dr.Ortiz?

Well, I arrive on the 14th and I leave mexico the 17th. Im excited and nervous. It sounds like your friend is doing great. I hear stories of people losing 60 lbs in a few months while it takes outhers a year to do it. It sounds like the fills are very important for a lg weight loss. Me personally, I'd rather lose consistently over a year than lose it so quick that I'm stuck with excess skin. That's my main fear.

Today I started my preop diet. When I decided to get my surgery (3 weeks ago) I have eaten everything I coluld possibly want and more. I have gained 8 lbs. So I'm starting the preop det today of 2 shakes and a lean cusine. Then Friday I'm going to start 3 shakes a day. Of course the day I start my diet I woke up at 6 am (opposed to 8- I work sun-thurs) So I have already had a large salad and I have to go prepare my protein shake before work. I hear if you blend the shake w/ice it's more filling. I'm going to go test that out. Please keep in touch. It's great to find others that are experiencing the same things I am.

Lori

I hope this info helps- my family and friends were opposed to me going to Mx at all for my surgery- but I sent them all the links and his resume and his credentials and they feel comfortable. I have not been able to find any bad info on him. I heard horror stories about betancourt medical -and Dr Lopez. I feel confident about my decision. Evaluate both doctors credentials- also go through lapbandtalk forums and find info on btoh dr's that may help. The two doctors I had it narrowed down to was Dr Rambaut and Dr Ortiz- but I went w/ dr ortiz b/c of his credentials.

Dr Ortiz has 2 centers- the cancun one has been closed since the hurricane. this is the website that show's his association with Dr Nick Gabriel

www.lapbandincancun.com

Ameri Med Hospital offers Lap-Band surgery exclusively to patients of Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Lee Grossbard of the Lap Band in Cancun web site. Ameri Med Hospital is Cancun's newest hospital complex offering a full range of emergency and routine services. Ameri Med offers private rooms and a fully bi-lingual staff. The whole setting creates a soothing environment that will delight even the most demanding patient.

Dr Ariel Ortiz, a Board Certified Mexican medical doctor whose medical practice is in Mexico, is a world renowned expert on Lap-Band surgery, having trained almost a decade ago under the designer of the Lap-Band, Dr Mitiku Belechew. Dr. Lee Grossbard started his private practice in 1984 in Zephyrhills, FL where he is currently located. After attending Lafayette College, Easton PA he then went on to graduate from Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico with Honors. Dr. Nick Gabriel currently holds an appointment as the Chief of Minimally Invasive Surgical Education at St. Vincent's Hospital in New York, and an assistant professor of surgery at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine

dr ortiz's credentials:

Click here to view an extended curriculum vitae for Dr. Ariel Ortiz.

Click here to view additional certifications.

for more info on Dr Otriz

http://www.drarielortiz.com/

www.obesitycontrolcenter.com

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobe...ere+gl h.html

http://www.aftercareprovider.com/dr_ortiz.html

more info on dr gabriel

http://drnickgabriel.com/

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobe...briel+hgm.html

Ariel Alfonso Alfredo Ortiz Lagardere, M.D.

Address:

Office:

Obesity Control Center

Leona Vicario #1510, 2nd Floor

Zona Rio, Tijuana, Mexico, Zip:22320

Phone:

US. 619 270 1126

1866 Dr Ortiz (376 7849)

MX: 011-52(664) 6849505

Email: drortiz@obesitycontrolcenter.com

Mailing Address USA:

1503 Liberty Creek Place

Chula Vista CA 91913

Cell Phone: (619) 247-9695

Current Academic Rank:

Professor of Clinical Medicine

Professor of Surgery

UABC School of Medicine

University of Baja California, Tijuana

Training

1997 Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Fellowship

Centro de Adiestramiento del Noroeste,

Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social

University of Baja California, Tijuana

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

1997 Obesity Surgery Fellowship

University of Baja California, Tijuana

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

Hospital Angeles del Pedregal

Mexico, DF

1993 – 1997 Residency in General Surgery

Centro Medico Nacional del Noroeste

Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social

Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico.

1986 – 1992 M.D. awarded June 1992

Faculty of Medicine, Tijuana

University of Baja California, Tijuana

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

1983 – 1985 B.A. awarded in Clinical Laboratory

Escuela Federal Preparatoria “Lazaro Cardenas”

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

Academic Board Certification

Board Certified in General Surgery 1997 #98254

Mexico, DF

Certification & Licensure:

Board Certified in General Surgery # 98254

06/99

Mexican Medical License # 2526822

Issued: 10/08/97

Baja California Medical License # 10575-02/00

Last Issued: 02/00

Baja California General Surgery License #125/2000

Last Issued: 03/00

Academic Appointments

2000-present

Professor of Surgery

University of Baja California, Tijuana

Professor of Clinical Medicine

University of Baja California, Tijuana

1998-2000

Professor of Laparoscopic Surgery

North Western Laparoscopic Training Center

Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social

Tijuana, B.C., Mexico

2000 – present

Professor Laparoscopic Hernia Repair Course

North Western Laparoscopic Training Center

Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social

Tijuana, B.C., Mexico

Honors & Awards

2002 President, National Association of Bariatric Surgery, Mexico

2000 President, Baja California College of Surgeons

1999 Secretary, Baja California College of Surgeons

1998 Scientific Committee, Baja California College of Surgeons

1996 Honorary President, Northwestern Resident Association

1995 Chief of Residents, General Surgery

1994 Chief of Residents, General Surgery

1993 Chief of Residents, General Surgery

1992 A.H. Robbins Award of Academic Excellence

Professional Organization Memberships

1997 – present Tijuana Medical College

Baja California College of Surgeons

1997 – present National Board of General Surgery

1997 – present Mexican Association of General Surgery

1997 – present Mexican Association of Laparoscopic Surgery

1999 – present International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity

1997 – present Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgery

1998 - present Latin-American Society of Endoscopic Surgery

2001 - present American Society for Bariatric Surgery

2002 - present Fellow American College of Surgeons

Committees

1998 – present Medical College of Tijuana, Educational Affairs Committee

2001 Tijuana College of Medicine, Digitalization Committee

Department and Hospital Appointments & Committees

2001- present Chief of Surgery, Notre Dame Hospital, Tijuana, Mexico

2001- present Quality Assurance Committee, Siglo XXI Hospital, Culiacan,

2000-present Quality Assurance/Risk Management, Praga Hospital, Tijuana,

2000-present Blue Shield International Evaluation Committee, Tijuana Medical College

1997 – 2000 Co-Director, Endoscopic Hernia Training Center, IMSS, Tij.

1998 – 2000 Co-Director, Advanced Laparoscopic Training Course, IMSS

1998 – 2000 Operative & Invasive Procedures Committee, IMSS, Tijuana

Abstracts

Ortiz Lagardere, AA, Lopez Covala JA, Guzman Cordero F.

3 Years Experience, Endoscopic Hernia Training Center.

Presented at the AMCG Annual Meeting, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. October 2000.

Ortiz Lagardere AA, Lopez Corvala JA, Guzman Cordero F.

Achalasia Accumulated Experience. Endoscopic Training Center, IMSS, Tijuana

Presented at the AMCG Annual Meeting, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. October 2000.

Ortiz Lagardere AA, Lopez Corvala JA, Guzman Cordero F.

Complications related to adjustment port after 150 Laparoscopic Adjustable Silicone Gastric Bandings.

Presented at the AMCG Annual Meeting, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. October 2000.

Ortiz Lagardere AA, Lopez Corvala JA, Guzman Cordero F.

Multidisciplinary approach after Laparoscopic Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding elevates success rate.

Presented at the AMCG Annual Meeting, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. October 2000.

Ortiz Lagardere AA, Lopez Corvala JA, Guzman Cordero F.

Preventing Lap-Band Slippage, Modifications to the Technique.

Presented at the AMCG Annual Meeting, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. October 2000.

Lopez Covala JA, Guzman Cordero F, Ortiz Lagardere AA.

First 100 cases of Adjustable Silicon Gastric Banding, 3-year follow-up.

Presented at the AMCG Annual Meeting, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. October 2000.

Lopez Corvala JA, Guzman Cordero F, Ortiz Lagardere AA.

TEP hernia repair, Focus on the technique.

Presented at the AMCL Annual Meeting, Leon Guanajuato, Mexico. November 1999.

Lopez Corvala, JA, Guzman Cordero F, Ortiz Lagardere AA.

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy, our experience.

Presented at the AMCL Annual Meeting, Cancun, May 1999.

Awarded the first place by the AMCL Scientific Committee.

Ortiz Lagardere AA, Lopez Corvala JA, Guzman Cordero F.

Intragastric Balloon for mild obesity. Technique and results.

Presented in the AMCL Annual Meeting Acapulco Guerrero, Mexico. May 1999.

Ortiz Lagardere AA, Lopez Corvala JA, Guzman Cordero F.

Band Adjustment, a Multidisciplinary approach.

Presented at the AMCO Annual Meeting, Mazatlan Sinaloa, Mexico. July 1999.

Ortiz Lagardere AA, Lopez Corvala JA, Guzman Cordero F.

Complications related to the Lap-Band, Slippage and Erosion.

Presented at the AMCO Annual Meeting, Mazatlan Sinaloa, Mexico. July 1999.

Ortiz Lagardere AA, Lopez Corvala JA, Guzman Cordero F.

Technique is related to band slippage.

Presented at the AMCO Annual Meeting, Mazatlan Sinaloa, Mexico. July 2000.

Ortiz Lagardere AA, Lopez Crovala JA, Guzman Cordero F

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair; A revised training protocol.

Rev Mex Cir Endosc, 2, 71-74 Abril 2001

Ongoing Research

“Risk factors for Band Erosion. A multicenter evaluation.”

(Funded by Grupo Laparoscopico de B.C.)

“Beating the learning curve in Laparoscopic Hernia Repair. Integrating new interactive teaching tools.”

(Funded by Tyco Healthcare, International)

“Is band adjustment always necessary?”

(Funded by Grupo Laparoscopico de B.C.)

“Restrictive mechanism of the Lap-Band, How does it really work?”

(Funded by Grupo Laparoscopico de B.C.)

“A prospective randomized study, The Tep Repair without mesh fixation.”

(Unfunded)

Teaching Responsibilities

2000 – present Latin-American Lap-Band Training Coordinator,

Grupo Laparoscopico de B.C.

1999 – present Endoscopic Hernia Training Center for Latin America,

Grupo Laparoscopico de B. C.

Invited Lectures

.

University Autonoma de Baja California, School of Medicine

Anniversary Conference, “Minimally Invasive Surgery.”

Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, “Skill Development

For the Laparoscopic Surgeon.”

University Autonoma de Baja California, School of Medicine.

“Aids related surgical procedures.”

1998 Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, HGR 20 Tijuana.

“Hernia Repair, Laparoscopic vs Open.”

1998 Baja California College of Surgeons, Laparoscopic Hernia Meeting.

“The Tep approach, the future of the endoscopic approach.”

Baja California College of Surgeons, VII International Laparoscopic Reunion.

“Avoiding bile duct injuries.”

1998 Mexican Association of Laparoscopic Surgery, VIII International Laparoscopic Surgery Reunion.

“Management of Chronic Pain, Laparoscopic Hernia Repair.”

Mexican Association of General Surgery, New Techniques and Innovations in Surgery,

Mexican, B.C. “The double mesh technique”

1998 Mexican Association of General Surgery, New Techniques and Innovations in Surgery,

San Luis Rio Colorado. “The double mesh technique.”

Mexican Association of Obesity Surgery, Annual Reunion. Ixtapa, Guerrero.

“Obesity surgery, a stepped-up approach.”

1999 Mexican Association of General Surgery, Regional Reunion, San Luis Rio Colorado.

“Partial or Total fundoplication, indications and technique.”

1999 Mexican Association of General Surgery, Open Hernia Course, Chihuahua, Chihuahua.

“Experience with the double mesh technique.”

Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery, Obesity Course, Acapulco Guerrero.

“Intragastric Balloon Placement, technique and results.”

Mexican Association of Obesity Surgery, Annual Reunion, Mazatlan, Sinaloa.

“Band Adjustment Protocol, a multidisciplinary approach”.

2000 National Defense System, Annual Reunion, Ensenada, Baja, California.

“Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication”

2000 Mexican Association of General Surgery, Northwestern Regional Reunion, Mexicali, B.C.

“The Tep repair, technique.”

Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery, National Meeting, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

“ Lap-Band, Safe and effective procedure; Four year follow-up”.

Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery, National Meeting, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

“ LASGB, Long term complications and Follow-up”.

2002 LASGB, Mexican experience, Phil Schauer Course, Breckenridge Colorado.

2002 Complications in Lap-Band, avoiding and treating them successfully.

Live Exhibition Surgery

Mexican Association of General Surgery, International Laparoscopic Reunion, Tijuana, B.C.

“Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.”

Mexican Association of General Surgery, International Laparoscopic Reunion, Tijuana, B.C.

“Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.”

Mexican Association of General Surgery, Regional Laparoscopic Reunion, Mexicali, B.C.

“Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication.”

Mexican Association of General Surgery, International Laparoscopic Reunion,

San Luis Rio Colorado, “Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication.”

2000 Mexican Association of Obesity Surgery, Annual Meeting,

“Laparoscopic Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding.”

2000 Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery and National Defense System, Annual Meeting,

Ensenada, Baja, California, “Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication.”

2000 Mexican Association of Endoscopic Surgery Regional Meeting, Tijuana, Baja, California

“Endoscopic Hernia Repair, Tep.”

2000 Mexican Association of General Surgery, “Laparoscopic Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding.”

Live Exhibition Surgery to the USA

Endoscopic Hernia Repair, TEP

Hernia Balloon Repair,

Yale Laparoscopy Training Program, 28-29 April

Live transmission from:

HGR No 20 IMSS Hospital Tijuana, B.C. Mexico

To

Yale Laparoscopy, Yale University, New Haven Ct.

Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

Yale Laparoscopy Training Program, Six-week course

Live transmission from:

HGR No 20 IMSS Hospital Tijuana, B.C. Mexico

To

Yale Laparoscopy, Yale University, New Haven Ct.

Surgical Proctoring in USA

2001 Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding LAP-BAND System

Bariatric Surgery Department

Lennox Hill Hospital, New York, New York.

2001 Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding, LAP-BAND System

Minimally Invasive Surgery Department

University of Illinois, Chicago, IL

2001 Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding, LAP-BAND System

Bariatric Surgery Program

Hoag Hospital, Orange County, California

2001 Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding

Loyola University Chicago, Chicago IL.

2001 Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding

Little Rock, Arkansas

2001 Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding

Arlington Hospital

Dallas, Texas

2001 Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding

Irvine Medical Center

Los Angeles, Ca

2002 Proctorings in the USA

Chicago, Illinois

Port Huron, Michigan

Detroit Michigan

Seattle Washington

Austin, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Minneapolis, Minnesota

2002 Proctoring in Canada

Montreal 1st International Workshop

Television Appearance- TV Program Host

June 2001- June 2001

Information Capsules

Home Remedies

Discovery Health

Feb 2002- Feb 2003

Discovery Channel Latino-America

Discovery Health

Spanish Version of “Living Pulse”

Show Host For Latin America and Spain

this is info on nick gabriel

·Dr. Nick H. Gabriel Joins the Airport Medical Offices Announcing the addition of Dr. Gabriel at the Airport Medical

Offices at JFK·Stomach Surgery for Weight-Loss (stream video) Special Interview with Dr. Gabriel on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360·Suddenly Skinny Dr. Gabriel's patient Lisa Sohr featured as the "cover girl" in New York Magazine

Click here to view Dr. Ariel Ortiz being interviewed on The Wellness Hour with host Randy Alvarez.

__________________

"If love is blind, what's the purpose of lingerie?"