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I pulled mine out when I started my pre-op diet. It has been nice to track my Protein vs. carbs etc. Plus, it is keeping motivated to move. Mary

Me2. 1.5 weeks out and it has been relatively easy going so far. knock on wood. Mary

I am glad to hear others are there that are having positive experiences. Weird we are both having the vein issues. One of my brothers is a Dr. (anthesiologist). He asked me a bunch of questions and then told me if I feel numbness / tingling to call him ASAP. But, he thinks it will be fine. Mary

Yep, from when they were pushing the meds through, especially the last time it blew it out.

Sleeved 1/29/2013 Pre-Op diet weight: 193 Surgery weight: 186 Day after: 192 (damn water weight gain) 1.5 weeks out: 181.8 I am 1.5 weeks out from Surgery and things have been smooth. -- No major pain after surgery, other than my wrist arm swelling from the vein they blew -- still hurts -- No major gas pain -- No nausea -- No close calls with throwing up -- Able to drink fluids relatively easily, albeit slowly -- Moved to full liquids per my Dr's plan easily -- I am getting 60+ grams of protein, and close to the 64 oz of fluid (remembering to sip water and waiting the 30+ minutes after is annoying) -- Since moving to full liquids, I am been getting 600 to 700 calories in, is that too much? -- Finally lost the water weight gain plus, and an additional 4.2 lbs since the surgery for a total of nearly 12 lbs -- Traveled to my client site and worked pretty much my same routine of super fulls days, i.e, 10+ hours (yes, I did crash as soon as I got back to the hotel) Now, for the minor complaint, when will my wrist along the vein stop hurting? It hurts to stretch the arm out and to touch it. OK, I know I will hit a stall, I am thinking moving to more solid foods might present a problem, I just know I will hit a road bump at some point and will be on here asking for help. But, until then, pre-op patients, please know that the ride can be smooth. I know so far I have been one of the lucky ones. Thank you to who ever is watching out for me, I really appreciate it. Mary

While Iggy's story can be the case, do know it can be relatively smooth sailing too. Here is my almost 2 week post-op story. Yes, I know I am not out of the woods yet and can develop a leak or some other complication. -- No major pain after surgery, other than my wrist arm swelling from the vein they blew -- still hurts -- No major gas pain -- No nausea -- No close calls with throwing up -- Able to drink fluids relatively easily, albeit slowly -- Moved to full liquids per my Dr's plan easily -- I am getting 60+ grams of protein, and close to the 64 oz of fluid (remembering to sip water and waiting the 30+ minutes after is annoying) -- Since moving to full liquids, I am been getting 600 to 700 calories in, is that too much? -- Finally lost the water weight gain plus, and an additional 4.2 lbs since the surgery for a total of nearly 12 lbs -- Traveled to my client site and worked pretty much my same routine of super fulls days, i.e, 10+ hours (yes, I did crash as soon as I got back to the hotel) Now, for the minor complaint, when will my wrist along the vein stop hurting? It hurts to stretch the arm out and to touch it. OK, I know I will hit a stall, I am thinking moving to more solid foods might present a problem, I just know I will hit a road bump at some point and will be on here asking for help. But, until then, pre-op patients, please know that the ride can be smooth. I know so far I have been one of the lucky ones. Thank you to who ever is watching out for me, I really appreciate it. Personally, I attribute some of my smooth sailing to my lower BMI and being healthy going into the surgery. No heart complications, no high BP, etc. Mary

Yea, 5 English channels

The Dr had me take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. I did that a few times and it was out. No pain, I didnt feel a thing. Others complained that it was bothering while inside and it was a relief to have it out. It didnt bother me either way. I am just lucky I guess. Maey

My NUT said when I get to the real food stage to eat food vs drinking shakes. She said wean yourself off of them asuch as possible. Mary

Congrats on a smooth recovery. Mine is going well too. Mary

I am so glad to hear you are doing well. Mary

Then I would do it in the United States by a Center of Excellence facility that is close to my home. In fact, I tried convincing a COE to do it and I would pay out of pocket. Yes, I was willing to pay the $20,000+, but they wouldn't do it because my BMI was too low with no co-morbidities. I wasn't willing to wait until I gained more weight, I wanted to nip it in the bud. Mary

I knew that I would gain Water weight from the IVs. In fact they weighed me in MX 2 days post-surgery and I gained all but 1 lb back that I lost on the pre-op diet. I wasn't really that upset as I knew it would happen. But, I weighed this morning and I am still up 3 lbs. I have been eating less than 500 cals a day. I can see that I have lost weight. Why isn't it showing up on the scale yet? Grumble.... Mary

I am 1 week out and still haven't lost the water weight I gained from the surgery and IVs

I knew it would happen. I was totally prepared to gain weight from the IV fluids. They weighed me 2 days post surgery and I was up nearly all of the weight that I had lost on the pre-op diet. I weighed this morning, a week post surgery, and I am still up 2-3 lbs. What gives? I can see that I have lost weight. When will it show up on the scale? Grumble. I know patience ... something that I don't have. Mary

Seriously, it was not a big deal. I flew from SD to Houston; then Houston to Cleveland. Each was about a 2 to 3 hour flight. Mary

I spent the night before at the Mariott, then surgery night at the Clinic, then the next 3 nights (I stayed an extra night due to flight schedule) at the Mariott. They provide you with cell phone numbers of the Drs. to call in case any problems arise and tell you to call day or night. One patient had a weird cramping and she called in the middle of the night. The Dr. had her come in the next morning before she left for a shot that took away the cramping. Anyhow, we then go to the clinic each day via the shuttle for a follow-up visit each day. I personally think I got better rest at the hotel vs. the clinic and just felt more relaxed: bigger bed, more room to spread out stuff, my own bathroom, less people bothering me etc. I feel great. I go back to work and I will miss my naps. Mary

Super excited for you; sending positive vibes your way.

Yes, the OCC van picks you up at the airport. Depending on what time you arrive, they either bring you to the clinic for pre-op testing or is early enough the surgery too or to the hotel for the testing and the procedure to be done the following day. The driver explains how to deal with the border crossing, which lines to get into etc. He makes it very easy. They also know which border crossing has the fastest lines. They must do a leak test during surgery, but then they do another barium leak test 2-3 days post surgery. You swallow a gulp of barrium they use some machine that shows your insides on a TV screen and you can watch it go down your new stomach and then into the intestines. It is pretty cool.

Dr. Ortiz will do as low as 28. I asked as I was still trying to lose weight before the procedure and didn't want to be out of the range. Mary

Dr. Ariel Ortiz is well versed in all procedures and seems to be doing a lot of the new sleeve procedure where the sew the stomach back into itself. The 4 days that I was there the patients were either doing the new sleeve procedure or the VSG. So, I don't think the band is his speciality. I even heard that one patient moved from band to sleeve after speaking with him. Mary

My NUT / Surgeon said walk for the first 3 weeks, then I could go back to using my personal trainer, but low weights and build up. Mary

I went with Obesity Control Center as it is an International Center of Excellence .. Dr. Ariel Ortiz. The price is in between the others that have been stated. I signed an agreement that I would disclose the price. You spend one night in the Clinic and 4 nights in the Mariott which includes, chicken broth, popsicles, Water, etc. Excellent staff and care. He is located in Tijuana, Mexico. The Hotel shuttle takes you back and forth to the clinic and the OCC van takes you back and forth between the San Diego Airport or car in the United States if you drove. You go to the clinic every day for follow-ups while you are at the hotel. He gives you his cell phone number to call if you have any problems and tells you to call day or night. Mary