HoosierGirl

I will be with Dr. Ortiz on Feb. 4. How are your pre-op diets going?

Surgery is Feb. 4 - taking the week off work. Plan to return to desk job on the 11th.

I am being sleeved on February 4.....am so excited I can barely sleep or think about anything else! My pre-op diet will begin soon and be the "officical start" of my weight loss. I'm blogging about all this and will have my surgery day story (with pics) there.

Thanks for your post. When I went through my bariatric program last summer, it was to get a band. Insurance denied my "medical necessity" and I started doing my own research and learned about the sleeve. I feel almost thankful to be self-paying for my sleeve vs. having insurance pay for a band. They seem like a complex device that are very troubling for many. All the best as you complete your program and move towards a sleeve!

Prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery! Hugs...

You are going to ROCK this surgery....all the best on a smooth & speedy recovery.

EXACT same feelings here! I'm going to be in a straight jacket before the big day....making myself crazy.

My hubby just said in passing that he needs to get some weight off too so I don't look great and have people say, "Why is SHE with HIM?!" He was kidding - sort of. I know he would like to slim down too. He's not insecure at all and we have a really good marriage. He knows I am not going anywhere. But I took it as an opportunity to tease him that he had better be on his best behavior or I will kick him to the curb! Ha ha! Said he would even try to stick with me on the pre-op diet? We'll see about that one!

Very exciting! As I await my Passport card for my February 4 surgery, I can't help feeling like I did shortly before I graduated from high school. Not really sure what the future holds, but I have a feeling it will be cool beyond anything I could imagine! This is OUR YEAR!

WOOT WOOT! Pulled my date in to FEBRUARY 4!!!!! The count down is on!

Apologies in advance for my "brain dump" but there is a LOT to consider as you research surgeons in Mexico. Everyone who has posted on this thread have very specific and valid personal reasons they have selected their surgeon. Based on their high level of research, I have every confidence they will have a great experience because they know what to expect before they arrive. And that is what I hope for ALL of us, we do the research so we can have a good experience. When I began to consider Mexico as an option for weight loss surgery, I learned a lot. There were several factors important to me in selecting a surgeon: 1. A surgeon who has performed a lot of weight loss surgery. 2. Member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery (i.e. I wanted to be able to verify their credentials) 3. The doc should have a lot of positive internet “buzz”, or testimonials on weight loss surgery forums so I could contact those and get some independent feedback. 4. Would like to go to a part of Mexico WITH NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS from the US State Department 5. The icing on the cake would be if they were at an International Center of Excellence as designated by the Surgical Review Corporation – same body that designates US bariatric Centers of Excellence 6. Oh, and I wanted to contact the surgeon DIRECTLY, not through a surgery coordinating company THE SHORT LIST 1. Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras http://www.endobariatric.com/doctor.htm 2. Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali http://gastricsleevesurgeon.com 3. Dr. Pompa in Tijuana http://www.limarp.com/en/dr_liza.php 4. Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com I checked prices. I spent a great deal of time on each website to understand the process, review photos, verify credentials, etc. Both Dr. Pompa and Dr. Ortiz are practicing at International Centers of Excellence. And I liked the fact Tijuana does not have a travel warning from the US State department. Dr. Alvarez wrote a book about the sleeve. I purchased his e-Book. It’s an easy read and provides a great deal of information about the sleeve procedure, how he performs it, and what you need to do pre-surgery and post-surgery for diet. Ultimately, I selected Dr. Ortiz. Why? • He has a TON of YouTube videos available. I watched many of them and learned a lot about the surgery, recovery, diet, his philosophy, got to see the surgical team working together, pictures of the facility, etc. Also, he has a great video about the difference between healthcare in the US vs. Mexico and was spot on. This video actually made my decision for me. (He even addressed the sombrero issue. I’m in! Ha ha!) Check the video • Confirmed they are a International Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate/cmcoem/ • Confirmed Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American College of Surgeons http://web2.facs.org/acsdir/public/DetailMember.cfm?CHKDGTS=88010816878 • Confirmed Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery http://asmbs.org/member-search/ (search for last name Lagardere, as in Ariel A. Ortiz Lagardere) • Tijuana is in Baja California, the only Mexican border state that does not have a travel warning from the US State Department. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5815.html All other border states have a “defer non-essential travel” warning My hope is that you find a surgeon and location that are right for YOU! Just by being on these forums and becoming educated on your options - I have a feeling you will have GREAT results.

HI Karen and welcome....I am going to Mexcio in February too. Have you selected a surgeon? All the best!

I checked my initial email communication from Dr. Ortiz's office. The price they quoted me in the email was the same for the plication and the sleeve. Hope this helps and that you get resolution to the issue!

YAY! You are doing great....this is what the surgery is all about! Kudos to you

Getting geared up (i.e. PSYCHED UP) for the pre-op diet and I am wondering what to expect. My three main questions are: 1. How long was your pre-op diet? 2. How were you getting your calories? (All shakes, Atkins style diet, shakes & small meal combo?) 3. How much weight did you lose?

I would keep it loose and tell him you have had a stomach thing for the past couple of weeks and would like to keep it light (like soup) if you go out to eat. But make it clear that you are NOT one of those non-eating girls! Ha ha!

Amanda Rae - this MADE my whole evening!!!! So so so EXCITED for you!

OMG - so funny! I needed this tonight! My besties and I refer to these situations as a "blow out". When you find out a size/weight when this stops...let me know....I would like to add this as a "goal" on my post-op road to thin. Ha ha!

Now you can officically start the count down!!! Very exciting!

A few short minutes ago, I put dollars to the dream and made my deposit for VSG surgery on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 with Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana! Merry Christmas to me - ha ha!!! As I sit here and type this at 233 lbs, I am so ready to start the next chapter of my life. I can only hope my change will have a wonderful healthy impact on my kids and hubby.

SweetTee and nurseghana - I will be with Dr. Ortiz and at the Marriot in Tijuana on Feb. 27....hope to meet you there...

Tijuana is in Mexico's state of Baja Califorina . It is the only "border state" that does not have a "defer non essential travel" warning from the US state department. The balance of Mexico's border states DO have the warning. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5815.html I think to some all of Mexico is dangerous. I've traveled a lot to various border states for work where my employer has factories. I've heard crazy stories and know some places are better than others. But the bottom line is this...if you are in Mexioc on the up-and-up, watch where you are at all times, you won't have any reason to run into the authorities or unsavory folks. Keep checking the US State Department for updates.

AStephenson - I am super exicted for you....what a fantastic birthday present to yourself! Cannot wait to hear about your experience! Everyone I have communicated with have great things to say about their experience. Hope to have wonderful results! We'll have to keep in touch as the pre-op diets start too!

Thanks Trixie! Everyone I've talked to about Dr. Ortiz has had nothing but good to say! Hope you are having great success with your sleeve.

How long after your surgery before you could comfortably sit at a desk and complete a full day of work? I sit at a desk all day. I had my gall bladder removed laproscopically w/gas to inflate the abdomen and I'm guessing the recovery after VSG may be similar? For the gall bladder, I had surgery Thursday and went back to work the next Monday. Appreciate your feedback!