Darlis

It is going to be a roller coaster ride of emotions from now until your surgery, this is normal....and if you look hard enough you will always find something to be scared of, but this is the right decision for your health,...and everything will be just fine. Don't let your emotions get the best of you. When I would get scared I would look at other peoples before and after pics, that always amazed me to think I could lose that much weight, and I am losing it , and I feel great. The hardest part was making a decision and going for it. I researched Dr. Ortiz alot before my surgery and he looks excellent, you are going to be in great hands, there is nothing to worry about. Your whole life is about to change for the better, trust me.

Well Dr. Ortiz does the sleeve also, if you do more research and decide to change I'm sure he won't mind. I changed my mind as they were pushing my bed down to the operating room..... ci

I was going to get the plication but changed my mind at the last minute (right before surgery) as there is so much more history on the sleeve. Yes they cut a large part of the stomach off, staple it, and then suture it also for extra protection. And there is years of history on this proedure, I was concerned about what would happen to the folded stomach after 10 years, does it just turn into a big piece of scar tissue? I don't know, so I went with this and I am verry happy with the results, no complications. Also, because they cut out a hormone that makes you feel hungry, I really never think too about food like I used to all the time. It is the weirdest and greatest feeling no to be slave to hunger pains. I eat because I know I have to now. And whatever you do, do not do the lapband, alot of problems with that device. Where do you live. Have you signed up for the plication already?

I had the gastric sleeve on July 4, 2011 with Dr. Ponce de Leon in Tijuana. Here is a before and 119 days after pic. I did a lot of research and was scared to death also. Dr. Ponce and Dr. Frayre were 2 of the nicest caring people I have ever met and my experience was awesome. I live in Vancouver, BC, flew to San Diego on a Monday and back home on the Thursday. 14,000 miles later it is all just a memory. Ask me anything you like. Darlis

Hi Kristie, I had the gastric sleeve on July 4, 2011. I flew to Tijuana on the Monday and back home on the Thursday. I live in Vancouver, BC, and I was scared to death. I did a lot of research... My doctor was Dr. Ponce de Leon and Dr. Frayre, they are 2 of the nicest caring people I have met. My whole experience was great. I am going to try and post some pics...... If you have any questions just ask away. The second pic is 119 days post-op. Darlis

I was just sleeved July 4, 2011 by Dr. Ponce de Leon and Dr. Frayre in Tijuana. The whole experience was good. The hospital was spotless and there was so much staff around all the time accept at night there would only be 2 nurses but that was for about 6 patients. I was picked up at the airport and I flew from Canada to San Diego. I spent 2 days in the hospital and 1 at a beautiful recovery house in a gated community. It was just gorgeous. Then you are driven back to the airport with a medical pass so you do not have to sit in the border traffic as long. I was going to do the plication, but so many people have done the sleeve and the success rate is good so at the last minute I went with the sleeve. Most everyone spoke english accept a few nurses but I took a list of questions in spanish and I would just point to the one I wanted...lol Dr. Frayre speaks english and really cares about the patients, I would highly recommend him. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. Darlis

Did you have the vertical or gastric plication? And who was your sugeon. I am looking for any info on Mt. Zion and dr. Almanza for the Gastric Sleeve but cannot seem to post in this forum.......Thanks sfv