altagirl

Don't be nervous - you will be fine. I wrote about my experience in "tell your story" forum. You can message me if you have any questions. As a plus, Dr Ortiz and Martinez are very easy on the eyes!

I was sleeved by Ortiz on 9/10/12. When I was researching surgeons I, like you, could not find many posts on Dr Ortiz. If you search Ortiz my post should come up in the "Tell Your Gastric Sleeve Story" forum. I had an excellent experience - Dr Ortiz is a great surgeon and has great bedside manner. I really loved Dr Martinez who is another surgeon who assists Ortiz - and the anesthesiologist too was fantastic when I had a melt down just before surgery. Everyone speaks perfect English (except the nurses, but they know enough). I am a nurse and can tell you that the care I received was exceptional, the clinic is up to date, and the skill of Dr Ortiz in unparalleled to any of the bariatric surgeons in the large teaching/research university hospital where I work. I would be happy to answer any questions you might have - just message me.

I tipped my hotel driver who took me to and from the clinic at the end - I gave him $10 US. I also tipped the driver who drove me across the border - both times $10 US (total $20). I tipped my maid servie $10 for 3 nights stay. I stayed at Marriott and tipped $1 US each time I was brought broth/popsicle/jello I think that some coordinators go above and beyond (I've heard the amazing stories about Omar) - and more would be justified. When I was sleeved some other patients brought the clinic nurses flowers - I wish I had thought of something like that!

The World According to Eggface has great "bites" that I had before I was sleeved. It makes plenty to share. http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2009/10/party-time-confetti-bites.html

I was sleeved last Monday. It ihas been smooth sailing until today. I moved to Full liquids (protein drinks, no chunk low fat creamy Soup, etc) and I am having a really hard time. I am wondering if it is normal to get this crampy feeling after eating? I am thinking that I am going to go back to Clear Liquids and try again tomorrow. Has anyone else had this crampiness when moving to a new phase?

Thank you for all of the reassurance. I am going back to clears - I am using a sippy cup and that really helps me get all of my fluids in. I am going to focus on that and then try full liquids again tomorrow going slower. If that doesn't work I will just keep going back to clears until I can tolerate the full liquids. I am just relieved that I am not the only one that experiences this - you know sometimes it feels very lonely...

Thanks, LaBelle - it makes me feel better that other people have expereinced this. I am using the baby spoon but may be going to fast. I will try it your way tomorrow. Great tip!! Thank you

Thank you - I appreciate the reassurance. Clear liquids and will try again tomorrow.

Per someone else's advice on this forum I got a kids sippy cup (I took the thing out that makes it not leak if it falls over) - I have been able to drink so much more since I started using the sippy cup. Also, I started on my protein shakes today and it has been great because the smell of the shake makes me nauseated!

I had surgery with Dr Ortiz in Mexico & work with his nutritionist. She is very knowledgable and much much more responsive to my emails & phone calls than I anticipated. My friend had surgery here (in US) and it takes forever to have anyone get back to her.

I had my sugery on Monday 9/10. I went back to work on Friday 9/14 - I had very brief gas pains after surgery but other than that I was just uncomfortable, no real pain. I worked a half day on Friday and was completely fine. I took lots of walks and sipped all day. Everyone is different and on Wednesday after surgery I was convinced I would need several more weeks. On Thursday morning I woke up feeling like a new person!

I am writing this because I have read and appreciated reading other people’s stories. I have tried numerous diets over the years but can’t seem to keep weight off, and other than the one year when I was 26 I have never been ideal weight. After the third person in a few months asked me if I was pregnant, and failing twice on Medifast in the past 2 years – I decided I had enough. I was on the Medifast forum and someone posted about Plication surgery being featured on one of the morning show (Today or Good Morning America? Can’t remember?). I thought this might be my answer. After contacting the surgery center (Dr Levine) I seriously considered this – easy recovery, no re-routing of my intestines and I wouldn’t have to take much time off work. I thought the person on the phone was rude and it took a long time for them to call me back. I started googling and found out about the sleeve. I had never heard of it – shortly after this time I discovered Dr Ortiz and was impressed with his experience, credentials, and the Center of Excellence surgery center. I contacted several of the surgeons in Mexico to find out more. In the end I decided on Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center. I posted some of this in another post but thought I would recap since I am not drugged up today! I flew into San Diego around 6 on Sunday night. The driver went through the process on our way to the Marriott. I checked in and took an Ambien around 10pm – I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Around 6:45 I went to lobby where there were several other patients – one for Dr Garcia and the others for Ortiz. We were dropped off at the clinic I was called in first for my nutrition consult, height/weight, ECG, and blood work. I talked to Dr Martinez and Dr Ortiz before surgery and they answered all of my questions and signed the consent paperwork. They are both very nice and have great bedside manner. The only thing that bothered my was my nurse started putting the meds in my IV while we were chatting – It was not a big deal but worth mentioning since I am a nurse and hate not to tell the patient what I am doing and what meds are being given – just a pet peeve. Next I go into the OR. As soon as I moved to the operating table I started to cry. I kept thinking whether or not this was worth the risk because I am considered a “light weight” The anesthesiologist was very nice and concerned. He really comforted me – and the OR nurse was great too. The last thing I remember was the anesthesiologist holding my hand and telling me it was going to be ok – then I woke up in my room! My pain was so well controlled that I had to ask the nurse if they did the surgery! I have a drain which doesn’t bother me now but I know it will get irritating soon. I have had several shooting shoulder pain from the gas – but it is fluctuating and not as bad as I had imagined it would be. Both Dr Martinez and Dr Ortiz stopped in to see me and answered questions. I was told that the fluctuating pain was a good sign that I would not experience that to the degree that some people do. It is funny because the hour before I left for the airport I scrambled around town to find gas-x strips. I have 4 boxes –but have not needed them so far. Both surgeons said that everything went well – “textbook”. My surgery lasted about an hour – I have had 2 previous abdominal surgeries so there was some concern about adhesions. I was told my surgery was filmed for teaching purposes, which was ok with me. I have been up about every hour to walk and have gone to the bathroom 5 times. The other 2 people here with me seem to be struggling a little more with the pain, but I have visited with them and have seen them walking the halls. We will all be going back to the hotel today. I will keep you all updated.

That's great information. I don't live in AZ but it is nice to know for people who do live there.

I will second the advice to speak to Lori. She was great especially in the days leading up to my surgery. She is very good about returning emails and phone calls even for the silliest question! I had a great experience at Obesity Control Center - I have posted more details about my experience on the "tell your story" forum - just search 9/10/12 and it should pop up. Good luck with what you decide - but I can't say enough good things about my experience.

Update: I was sleeved on Monday and so far everything is going well. I struggled a little bit on Wednesday with nausea and pain. I woke up today feeling like a new person. Seriously, it is hard to explain how I can go from being miserable to just fine in 12 hours. In case I forgot to mention, I went to Mexico by myself. At times I was bored but mostly I was glad that I did not have someone with me because I didn't have to worry about waking someone up in the middle of the night because my sleep schedule is off. Now getting back to the details, on Wednesday I went back to the clinic to have my dressings changed, vitals taken, and drain checked. I was feeling a bit off and the only thing that could go down well was Powerade light.I took it easy for the rest of the day and spent most of the time in my room watching Netflix on my laptop. On Thursday, I, again, went back to clinic to have my leak test (barium swallow) which was not nearly as bad as I expected. I was dreading this test and to be honest I don't know why I was so worried. I watched as the barium moved through my esophagus, new stomach and on down the pipe! No leaks so far......thank goodness. Afterwards, the drain was removed. This was a little difficult because I can't really take a deep breath. It did not hurt, it is just a weird sensation when it is coming out. All of my incisions (5 of them) look good so I was cleared to go. I met with Dr Ortiz (who is just amazing) and then back to the hotel. I only brought one very small bag so packing was a piece of cake. The driver from the clinic picked me and several other patients up at 12:15pm. We made our way to the border. Crossing the border took a total of about 1 hour - the longest part was waiting in van for our turn - I thought it would take a long time to stand in line and go through customs but that part was maybe 15 minutes. Unfortunately, I completely forgot my passport so all I had was my driver's license. It was not a big deal at all. I told the border agent and he said, "that's ok, we're flexible." There were other people in line without passports, too. However, it is easier and quicker with a passport; with the license they have to type all of your information in the computer and I heard one girl get scolded by another border agent about not having a passport. I was dropped off at the airport with plenty of time. I stopped at Starbucks and got a cup of tea. I am not sitting waiting to board my flight. I am attaching a picture of my suitcase because I saw so many people with these huge suitcases - you really don't need alot! Good luck to everyone - and for those who are thinking about Dr Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center, I highly recommend having surgery with him.

This is common after any surgery - extreme emotional or physical stress can cause your cycle to be off. Sometimes early sometimes late, and some people will be right on track no matter what. It varies. Try not to worry too much. I have been an OB/GYN nurse for years -

I would not be too worried. you did the right thing by calling your provider and got advice from the nurse. Clear, non foul odor probably can wait until tomrrow. I would call again in the morning and just go in so you don't worry.

I got off the plan yesterady around 6pm. The driver picked me up and gave me an overview of what the schedule was for the following day. Normally, they have the patients watch DVD during the ride to cross the border but I sat in the front seat, so he just gave me the details! I checked in to Marrott and staff was very nice. I took an Ambien around 10pm because I was afraid I wouldn't be able to sleep. It did its magic and I as up at 6am. After a quick shower I met the other patients in the lobby around 6:45. We (there were a few other people having surgery, too. One patient went to Dr Garcia. There are 3 of us having surgery with Ortiz. We arrived and everything went smoothly. Blood draws, ECG, consult with nutritionist and Drs Ortiz and Martinez. All of my questions were answered and I was really at ease. There was only one things that really bothered me - the nurse started pumping meds into my IV before I was finished asking all my questions. It was not that big of a deal, just annoyed me. Into the OR - as soon as I moved to the operating table I began to cry. The anesthesiologist was so nice and concerned, as was the nurse. However, before i knew it, I was out. Then I woke up with no pain at all so I asked the nurse if they did the surgery! I do have a drain, which doesn't bother me, but know that after a few days it will be a pain. I have been fading in and out of sleep all day and have been up twice to go to the bathroom. Both good signs! I do have pain when I am trying to get out of bed. I am sure this will change when the IV meds start to wear off. I was told my surgery lasted about an hour - I have had a previous abdominal surgery so there was concern that I would have adhesions from that - but all went well. Dr Martinez came by to talk to me first and them Dr Ortiz came by. Both very easy on the eyes! I work in a large academic hospital so I am very familiar with bedside manners - the Drs here are fantastic. I will keep you posted!

I am going to be sleeved by Ortiz today. Smooth sailing so far. I am in the Marriott in TJ and have met some other patients. I will keep you posted on how things go when I am able to. Fingers crossed that my surgery is first and quick! I am going between being excited and terried. Part of it is because I did not tell anyone I was having surgery. More details to come....

I am scheduled for Monday as well. Speedy recovery with no complications for all of us next week!

Thanks for posting this! I am a lower BMI and having surgery on Monday. Congratulations on your success so far.

Good for you! I will keep my fingers crossed. I would have loved to have my surgery closer to home -

My insurance covers bariatrics. I have a lower BMI and knew that I would have to gain weight to have insurance cover surgery, go through the 6 month supervised diet, etc, etc. I would save alot of money going with insurance but I no guarantee I would qualify. I am having surgery on 9/10 with Ortiz. I will keep you posted on my experience.

I will be sleeve on Sept 10th. My goal is to lose 65 lbs. I will update you on how things go.

I am 5'2" with a lower BMI (33). I wear a 16 pant and xl top. I am scheduled for surgery on 9/10. Why should you wait??