Ana

Mandabear, I imagine you're on solid foods already? I"m doing good. Had a rough week 9. For me the issue is constipation. It is the worst! And I can't seem to find anything to get rid of it. Every 3 weeks or so I face a nasty bought of it. Ohter than that i'm doing good. I have lost 24 lbs post plication and a total of 39 (15 lost pre op). How are you doing? Are you still having upper back pain? I had that for about 4 days, upper back pain on my left shoulder and rib cage. I just kept putting warm compresses on them until it subsided. Hang in there! My journey has been pretty good. The constipation as I said is the biggest factor. That aside, I seem to loose about 2-3 lbs a week and then have a week where I either gained 4 ozs. or stayed the same, and then lose again. This week i'm having one of those stayed the same ones, but feel sort of distended. How are you feeling?

Makes sense to me Cee Thanks for the update. Take care LMOM, whose comments get swept under the rug? For the sake of no internet rumors, do you have proof of these people? Are they on this forum? I would like more information on that if itis true for obvious reasons. Thanks.

Hi Julies, Is it all foods that are giving you problems? Can you describe what you mean by the foods sticking in the bottom of your belly? Do you mean that you feel like it's not being digested? The only thing that I have noticed as far as food intake is that fruits take more time to process/digest, so what I do with that, is I eat fruits when I feel hungry and want something to satisfy me extra much. Do you notice that it's any particular food that's sticking to you? Is it breads? pastas? Fruits?? Congratulations on losing 24 lbs!

Thank you for the clarification Cee. I agree also that the forum is a place where everyone can contribute their information freely. It was the way you framed your comments that caused me to reply. And just like you had the benefit of your Dr. explaining to you in person the problem with the Ohio Dr. don't you also think it would be different if your Dr. talked to Dr. Ortiz and explained that to you too? I'm sure it looks quite differently coming from the Doctor when they have their say. I would love to talk to others who have had problems with Dr. Ortiz. I would love for Dr. Ortiz to explain to me what their specific situations are. I am always open to growth in learning. Take Care.

Hi Mandabear! Welcome! I was plicated with Dr. Ortiz also, 7 weeks ago at the OCC. I look forward to learning about your experiences. Today is a HUGE day for me! I have reached half of my weight goal! 36 lbs down, 36 to go! Take Care and Happy Weight Loss!

Hi 134andHappy, Thank you for your feedback I agree, the plication is one tool to aid weight loss. It is not the entire solution. Our eating habits, food choices, decisions to work out, etc, our age and health all interact with that. It is just so much more complex than it is made to seem at times. Wow, I remember my first 3 days after surgery, I maybe took in 3 ozs. a day and that was HUGE! Attitude is a huge part of it. And for me, to arm myself more completely, I took a hard look at why I ate emotionally. That brought some uncomfortable things up, but I dealt with them because my health depended upon it. I didn't feel you ranted at all. Nice to meet you and stay in touch with your results!

Hi, I had my plication done at the OCC as have 10 of my friends and we are all happy. I recived top notch medical care and every question or concern I may have had pre and post op has been satisfactorily addressed. I saw manwithkids post about his wife also and have not heard of others having that complication. I don't think it's objective at all CeeBelize to blame the OCC or people's misconceived notions of Mexico's health care for one person's problems, manwithkids wife could have had existing factors that influenced her illness, and there could easily have been other factors specifically related to her that caused her outcome. I wish her speedy healing. Also there could be other issues occurring with a person's personal health that can affect slow results. I know some pretty frighteningly ineffective medical Doctors in the US, incidents like that happen in all countries and again, I have not heard the majority or even 3/4 of Dr. Ortiz's patients complaining. Dr. Ortiz has a fine surgical standing. He has performed over 500 procedures, so consider what a small percentage that is that a couple of people had complications or did not lose as fast. There is a Doctor in Ohio, USA who had a huge patient complication and this was the result of his lack of experience. He had only performed 3 plications. Some Canadian and US Doctors go to Dr. Ortiz for their plications. There are other factors to consider that could be affecting results. It's very easy to start an internet rumor or make a snap judgment based on little to no facts. All i'm saying is I think it is very short sighted to come here, read a few negative or slightly informed stories with no other facts, no updates, and draw that conclusion that it must be ok to blame a Doctor and a whole entire country (I.E. don't trust Mexican Surgeons) for a couple of people's experiences. Think about it. Josette, it could very well be your complications causing the slow down as CeeBelieze said, or it could be other factors. I am glad that you contacted the OCC. Don't let 48 hours go by without calling again if you have not been contacted. Take Care All. Great Success.

Hi PES and Caroline, I have no idea what Errado is going on about... err... but plication IS reversible, not that either of you needed that to be addressed I have noticed the hunger factor too. What I do for that, is increase my liquid intake of low to zero calorie liquids. How is your Water intake going? You both should be taking in at least 64 ozs. of water a day, if you are not, then it is very possible that the "hunger" you are feeling is thirst. Remember that thirst pangs feel the same as hunger pangs, they are not indistinguishable. I intake acai Vitamin water when I feel hungry, it is 0 calories, and it is satisfying. You may also want to identify whether or not the food you are eating is substantial enough. Is it sugary? Enough Protein? Also definitely keep a food diary. Could it be certain things you are eating are triggering hunger? I remember one day eating a vegan burger and I had to FIGHT myself not to wolf it down! So much so that I decided now is not the time for me to be eating that food. It wasn't a big deal. Breathing excercises work too. Sometimes if I feel hungry and I know food or drink is right around the corner I go outside and really deeply in and exhale fresh air. Good Luck and Stay in Touch

HI Pranjala, Would you mind sharing your recipe for Indian chapatti? What is the calorie count? It sounds delicious!

Hello and Welcome. I'm 5'7 and weighed 221 lb when I decided to have plication. Personally, it truly is a decision you must make for yourself because only you will have the experience and outcome. But for me personally, it was the best decision I ever made. Going through not just the surgery, but the pre op diet, the post op liquid phase, to soft food phase, to regular food did something for me psychologically. It cleansed my palatte of all the junk I had been craving and it really allowed me the positive opportunity to be in control of what I eat. I lost 15 lbs with my surgery center's required pre op diet and weighed in at 206 the day of my procedure, last month, July 20th, and today, 1 month and 5 days later I have lost 17 lbs post plication. That is a total of 32 lbs that I no longer carry. I feel so much better, I am more limber, I can bend better and reach over and tie my shoe without turning blue in the face! All things I took for granted before my weight gain. I hope this helps. The main thing to do is research the facility you are thinking of having your procedure at. Research the Doctor. Make sure s/he is qualified and experienced. Best of luck and keep in touch.

HI Ani, When I first thought about having WLS I intended to get the band, but after reading about plication, the sleeve and gastric, plication seemed like the best move for me. My decision was based on the fact that I am not in close proximity to where I had my procedure so that for me ruled out the band. I did not want to have to take a mini vacation every time I needed fills. when I thought about the sleeve, well, I just did not like the thought of having my stomach cut off in any way, so for me, the plication was the way to go. You need to do that kind of thing. Research what each procedure entails. Rationalize what you are and are not willing to do and list your reasons. I think after you do that a winner or the closest thing to it will emerge. Good luck and keep us updated!

Hi Jeanet, I am new to this forum too. I had my plication done in July, the 20th, and have been very happy with my decision. Welcome aboard.

Only my husband and 3 family members know. Personally for me, it's no one else's business. I like my privacy and am social enough at telling things about me that do not have to do with this topic. It really is a personal choice. I have a very strong loving support system in the family that I have told. Best wishes!

I had my plication 1 month ago and i have not gotten hungry yet, no growling stomach pangs, nada.

Hi Gigi, I'm new to the forum and just completed my 1 month post plication. I wanted to ask you about the new foods you may have introduced too soon. Did they have any particular characteristic, i.e. fatty, spicey, etc.? I ask because yesterday I had a painful experience. I tried to eat half a burger. I'm vegetarian and gluten free, so the burger was healthy, but for me, I just wanted to eat it too much and I ate it toooooo fast. That did NOT feel good. I had to walk around a lot after that and I just felt gassy. It was a great lesson but I really hated having to learn it like that. Now I know that for me, it's just too soon for half a burger. If I am not in control of the speed at which I eat my meals, then I am for the mean time, omitting that food until I have learned more self control. That being said, tonight I had half of a lean cuisine 5 cheese rigatone and that was nice and controlled. Continued success on your plication journey! 41 lbs in 1 month?? WOW!!

Before I decided to have WLS, plication, I got to the psychological root of why I ate the way that I did and that helped tremendously, but also, I come to these boards as a way of continuing to learn more about myself. I find it so helpful to talk to others who are sharing this journey with me and feel thankful for everyone here who posts. I would recommend keeping a journal of what makes you feel like you want to over eat or eat off the program. Therein lies the root of things. I don't mean to say this like it's going to solve everything immediately, but it is going to help begin that necessary journey *HUGS*

I love my plication! If I had to do it all over again I WOULD. I started my journey at 221 lbs. I lost 15 lbs pre plication on the diet that my surgery center provided. I weighed in the day of plication at 206 and at the end of my first month (last Friday) I lost 16 lbs post plication!! Altogether I have lost 32 lbs so far. I am nearly half way to my goal! I have 40 more pounds to lose until I am where I have dreamed of being. Plication has changed my life.