HoosierGirl

We are in Bradenton on the Gulf side. I like State College, PA - great town!

What you are saying about the marathon surgeries is valid based on my research. I’m understanding that over 6-7 hours is considered ‘too long’ for elective surgery....so the surgeon has a time limit to complete the combined procedures. Both Sauceda and Cardenas recommended a lower body lift, breast augmentation, and breast lift. Both indicated all procedures would be done in the same surgery. Sauceda said he could do a face lift a few days later if I wanted, but Cardenas said no, that is too much and I should wait at least 6 months. I believe the other part of the equation is how much blood you might lose during these long procedures and risks of hemoglobin dropping too much. From what I understand, the higher your hemoglobin is before surgery, the better the healing. If you are healthy and have the time to get everything done during one trip, I say go for it! Cardenas recovery timeframe is 8 days and Sauceda 12 days. There is so much to consider! But safety is not negotiable. Both Sauceda and Cardenas seem to feel the same.

I am looking at surgeons as well....I live in Florida but want a surgeon who specializes I body lifts for weight loss surgery patients. For that reason, I am zeroed in on Dr Cardenas and Dr Sauceda. On Saturday, I had a Zoom consult with Dr Cardenas. She is extremely impressive. I feel like she focuses on safety and feminine outcomes. Big emphasis on pre and post op nutrition. All of which are important to me. Dr Sauceda is a bit more direct. Send your photos, get a recommendation and cost. He does good work. Both doctors recommended the same procedures for me - makes it easy to compare cost. The costs were significantly different, but I am leaning toward Dr Cardenas because her results are just beautiful. Will be sure to post results if I go forward with surgery in December. Hope to see your results as well!

Surgery 2/4/2013....still maintaining the loss...so grateful!

I weigh every single day. Maintaining since 2013!

As I approach my 4-year VSG anniversary with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, I wanted to share all the positive things that have happened in my life: 1) Went from a size 18/20 to a 6. No more meds and overall fantastic health. 2) Weight loss gave me the confidence to go after my MBA. 3) I completed my MBA (and also completed a 2nd Masters just this year). 4) I got a promotion at work. And I'm making more money. 5) My husband says people think he is either rich or "well endowed" because I am "hot" and with him (he is crazy-funny). 6) Two other friends have had successful VSG surgery with Dr. Ortiz and have lost all the weight they wanted to loose. (And let me tell you, being an role model to others is a powerful thing I was not expecting, but love.) 7) I am glad to answer any questions about my experience as a 3+ year VSG veteran, surgery in Mexico, or other. If interested, you are welcome to visit my own personal weight loss blog that chronicles my pre-surgery craziness and post-surgery experience. I don't work for anyone or get paid for anything, just my experience for those researching options. www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com HUGS - Shelley

My thought process with regard to all things related to the sleeve went something like this... Pre-Op Diet: "I can put up anything for two weeks if it gets me closer to my weight loss goal. I am going to kick the pre-op diet' a$$!" liquids Phase: "I can put up with liquids only for 10 days if it gets me closer to my weight loss goal! I am going to kick a$$ on liquids!" Soft foods phase: "Yay! Soft foods! I can totally do this phase because it's way easier than pre-op or liquids! And I am so much closer to my weight loss goal! I am going to kick a$$ on soft foods!" Adding in exercise: "I can do anything for 30 minutes! I am going to kick this workout's a$$!" Reaching goal in January 2014 : "OMG! I stuck with my routine for a YEAR and hit my goal! I really can do anything I set my mind to! I kick a$$!" Currently kicking MBA degree a$$.... I am 18 months out and will tell you that YOU CAN GET TO GOAL!!!! We are the tape recording that constantly plays in our head. Use that tape recorder to become a fierce, fat fighting machine!! Affirmations are powerful!

Way to go Kindle!!! Below goal is quite an accomplishment! Sleeve life is pretty fantastic.

Hey OCC buddies! Just checking in! Monday August 4, 2014 marks my 18 month surgiversary! I'm 5'8" and started at 237. Proud to say I hit my goal weight this January and have been maintaining ever since. Today, I weigh 145 and am a size 6 or 8 in most clothes. This procedure gave me back a quality of life I had truly forgotten existed. Just want to thank you all for your encouragement and sharing your experiences. This forum has been so helpful to me! Live reading about all the vets and new sleevers experiences. Hugs to you all!!

I have been very successful with my gastric sleeve. My primary care doctor said she didn't like the loss of nutrients with the gastric bypass. She said unless your BMI is very very high, she would not recommend it. Said she felt that over time the nutrient loss was something that would affect health/longevity. She was pleased I went with the sleeve. What led me to pick the sleeve was the removal of the upper portion of the stomach where the hunger hormone is produced. I also felt with my doctor's feedback about nutrients and longevity, the sleeve was a better option for me. I am 5'8", had high blood pressure. At my highest ever weight, I was 276 (this was while pregnant). When I started my sleeve journey, I weighed 237.6. I've been as low as 141 and no longer take blood pressure meds. Regardless of what you choose, if you follow the program and exercise, you will be successful. GOOD LUCK!

Hope your Dad is doing OK...and love the vacation pics!

Hope your Dad is doing OK...and love the vacation pics!

Kindle - totally agree...wouldn't trade my sleeve for the world! Still nice to see OCC featured on Nightline. Takes some of the fear out of weight loss surgery abroad.

Check out this cool link of Dr. Ortiz at the OCC doing a Gastric Balloon. This was a Nightline piece I read this morning....pretty darn cool! http://news.yahoo.com/video/americans-head-mexico-weight-loss-052347976.html

Raven - it's not how fast you get to goal, only important that you make it to goal! You are doing great! I was technically a slow loser too, but still made goal in a year. Actually blew past the nutritionist goal and hit my personal goal. Been maintaining 143-147 since January. If you feel good, that is all that matters! Good job!

I am 5'8" and maintaining at 145. Highest ever weight 272.

Ha! B2B you are funny! But I agree with you completely. Mexico seems like it should be scary or the price "too" affordable. Having my sleeve at OCC opened my mind to question how "great" our US medical system really is. Expensive YES, efficient and patient focused...hmmmm... Not sure about that. I am planning on heading back to TJ in December for plastics. More experienced and less expensive surgeons...why go anywhere else?

I cannot do potatoes...nauseating

I work in the oilfield too (office job). Hope he does well ! Very excited for him.

SoCalMom - your sister and family are sure in my prayers. I had a friend with me the day of surgery, but she left and I recovered and then returned home on my own. It was actually kind of nice to be by myself and sleep when I wanted to. There were a surprising number of folks there having surgery solo. You will be well taken care of by the OCC staff and everyone at the Marriot was helpful. My suggestion is to pay for an extra hotel night - leave all your things at the hotel and locked in a safe. Take only a change of clothes and your room key to OCC. Then, you wont' have to worry about anything. You can make phone calls at the OCC, so you can communicate with your family as needed. You are going to do great!

Curiouslyhopeful - when you get to wear that dress....and I KNOW you are going to get to wear that dress....please be sure to post a picture of it! You are going to do awesome because you are taking the long view and you have a great long-term vision! So excited for !

Once you are getting closer to goal and it's taking longer to lose small amounts of weight, I learned about the 5:2 diet on this forum. There is more information on Bariatric Pal if you want to check it out, but the general idea is that 5 days a week, you eat as a "normal" sleever. Then you select two days per week to limit your calorie intake to 600 calories or so. These are called your "low cal" days or "fasting" days. The evening before your "low cal" day, you stop eating by 6p or so and "fast" until noon the next day when you have a light lunch and then dinner. My experience was very positive....I was able to kick-start my weight loss again and break through a months long stall. But the BEST part is the wonderful restriction after I fast and then start eating again. I only had to use the 5:2 diet for a 2-3 weeks to end a stall and finally get to goal. Definitely not for the weight loss phase, but a trick to help you hit your goal.

If you are sold on your doc, that is all you need! Just be confident in your decision, talk to their patients, and understand exactly what will happen each step of the way during your surgery experience. I had surgery on 2/4/13 and really thought the weight loss was all about the surgeon....nope! That is like saying good drivers only buy Honda's (or insert whatever brand). Your success is all about YOU. Just be sure the doctor has a good track record, operates in a clean facility and has your safety in mind. Make sure you can access your doctor's staff directly for questions after surgery. Good luck in doing your research!

Congratulations on pursuing surgery! Like you, it took me a couple years to get denied for surgery in the US. I completed my local bariatric program and learned a lot, so I felt like I was "educated" about what to expect during recovery and weight loss phases. The whole Mexico thing seemed completely overwhelming...just all the unknowns. So, my advice to you is do a BUNCH of research and be totally sold on your doctor. Ask tons of questions, talk to former patients and be prepared to walk away if you feel uncomfortable! I had my sleeve 2/4/13. I exceeded my weight loss goal and have been successfully maintaining for the past 2.5 months. If you are committed to doing what you are told, you will lose the weight and keep it off. What I can tell you about my experience with surgery in Mexico is that the facility was VERY clean. It was as good or better than hospitals in the US. I flew into San Diego and used the shuttle service and was pleased with it. The staff was great and while not perfect English speakers, you could communicated. I had the option to Skype with my doctor before surgery (but didn't choose to do it). After surgery, I just emailed questions and got fast answers. Had several follow up appointments while in Mexico. I wouldn't hesitate to send my closest family member there. It was that good. In fact, I hope to go back to Mexico for some plastic surgery later this year. Here were my requirements for selecting a surgeon in Mexico....these were the things that were important to me: 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. need 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 U.S. 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 So that was my list to select a surgeon....your list will probably be different, but I was very pleased. I have more info on my blog if you would like to check it out. Either way, good luck as you shop for a surgeon. Feel free to ask questions! Hugs - Shelley www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com

Give them a call - they were very helpful and low pressure when I originally called them. Unlike some of the other docs, they won't pester or bother you. They just give the information. Good luck!