OperaMom

Hi Weight Loss Community! I have my gastric sleeve surgery scheduled with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana on September 5th! So excited. I have been watching and reading everything I can get my hands and eyes on about WLS. This week I found this Bariatric Surgeon in Michigan - Dr. Weiner's - Youtube channel. He's legit - a keynote speaker at the WLSFA and has a thriving practice. You should check out his youtube channel; very informative. Anyway, this particular video caught my attention because he says that we don't need to worry about pouch stretching! (*Gasp!*) have already asked for my post-op diet paperwork and my nutritionist states clearly in the packet that we have to be careful not to stretch out the stomach. What are your doctor's saying about stomach/pouch stretching?

Hi Weight Loss Community! I have my gastric sleeve surgery scheduled with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana on September 5th! So excited. I have been watching and reading everything I can get my hands and eyes on about WLS. This week I found this Bariatric Surgeon in Michigan - Dr. Weiner's - Youtube channel. He's legit - a keynote speaker at the WLSFA and has a thriving practice. You should check out his youtube channel; very informative. Anyway, this particular video caught my attention because he says that we don't need to worry about pouch stretching! (*Gasp!*) have already asked for my post-op diet paperwork and my nutritionist states clearly in the packet that we have to be careful not to stretch out the stomach. What are your doctor's saying about stomach/pouch stretching?

I am day SIX days post-op gastric sleeve surgery and my (very large) family is passing around the stomach flu!! I am FREAKING out. Doing my best to stay away from folks but I have six kids and it is almost impossible for me to avoid germs (though I have been lucky on occasion in the past). I'm assuming I can rupture my stomach at this stage?! Anyone had it this early??

Thanks @Berry78 ! Unfortunately I've probably used all my childcare resources flying to Mexico for a week for surgery, but I'll see what I can do! Heading out for gloves, mask, more Clorox wipes, etc. now! UGH!!!

@dreamingsmall it does stretch. But it's supposed to. You have to watch the videos for a full answer. They have scoped (camera down the throat into the stomach) WLS patients and found that sleeve size really has no effect on weight regain. Everyone's pouch stretches in time, it's the diet and activity level that will create lasting change. He also has a video on re-sleeving and revision procedures. Research shows that these revision surgeries (including the re-sleeve) end up with minimal results. He calls WLS a "one-time restart button" and emphasizes that we must be ready to make change and do the mental work because we get one shot at this.

@Busman20 I'll have to check that out!

@HDScarlett That's what my paperwork says too. And pretty much every WLS video blogger on Youtube. According to this doctor, not the case. Either way soda (diet or regular) is terrible for our bodies, so I guess we should abstain :). But that's why especially his "Myths" video caught my attention.

Yes, exactly! You have to watch the video. He's not saying the stomach doesn't "stretch," he's saying that it is supposed to! That we have to use our "magic first year" where our metabolisms reset and our hunger are gone to make good choices and create healthy habits. He is saying that it's not the stomach stretching that causes weight regain – it is never changing your eating habits. If you don't change your diet and simply eat smaller portions of the same foods you always have, weight loss will only be temporary and in a year two you will gradually put on more weight as your stomach increases in size, since your portions will naturally also increase in size along with it. I guess I kind of knew that part – but thought that we were supposed to really work hard to prevent stretching. According to him, it doesn't matter. A lack of follow through and real permanent change is my personal biggest fear! I hope I can really change. For good. I know food will always be a struggle and temptation, I just don't want to waste this opportunity. Something he explains is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. A "One time reset button." Revision surgeries don't come close to the same effect and show pretty minimal results in the vast majority of patients.

Hey guys, I am new here and have my gastric sleeve surgery scheduled for September 5th with Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center. I am super excited/nervous! I will probably be traveling alone. I have told a few close friends and family and although I trust Dr. Ortiz, they bring up valid concerns about how safe it is to travel in Tijuana. Have any of you had bad experiences there? What's it like and what should I expect? Anyone else with that date?

@MarinaGirl What hotel did you stay in?

@mbuczkowski I was avoiding naming names, but I attempted to contact the patient coordinator directly several times via personal email and cellphone after our initial conversation with no success. They were not interested in my business nor in answering my questions.

Depends on what procedure you are getting. Call them tomorrow. https://obesitycontrolcenter.com/weight-loss-surgery-options/

Update: I booked my surgery today with Dr. Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center. So far I have found his staff to be really personable, informed, and encouraging. His credentials are impeccable and their surgery center appears to be top notch. The only thing I don't like is that you spend one less night in the hospital vs. Dr. Illan (at the hotel instead). But I feel good that they will take good care of me and provide good follow up care. I tried several times to reach Dr. Illan's patient coordinator with NO success - after I was approved for surgery! I even called the number on their website again. Maybe they have gotten busier than they can keep up with, maybe it's lack of give-a-darn, but that kind of situation is NOT for me. God forbid I have an issue after surgery and couldn't reach anyone. That coupled with the conversation I had initially with the patient coordinator made me realize that the extra $2000 or so was worth it. That's just bad business and lack of care. Disappointed, but excited about Dr. Ortiz!

@livingstone it's been another year since you posted. Just wondering how things are going for you?

I realize this is an older thread, but I found it fascinating all around! Thank you @Sylvia13 for sharing that article in response. Meta Analyses are what you want to look at. They look at a bunch of studies/data on a single topic. Like the author mentioned, TBG study had a VERY small sample and those folks were wrecking their bodies. "Is there a metabolic penalty, in other words, for getting lighter?... A 2012 meta-analysis that looked at data from nearly 3000 subjects from 71 different studies found no penalty." And most of the studies that did find lowered metabolic rates found them to be minor and/or temporary. That is very encouraging!!

@mbuczkowski Thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe he was having a busy/bad day.

I admit I didn't get the best vibe from his patient coordinator either. I was set on Dr. Illan until I spoke with him and am now considering paying the extra $2000 for Dr. Ortiz. I'm sure the guy is quite busy, but he rushed me off the phone, made me feel like a dollar sign, and gave me pretty blatant misinformation about the mini bypass. I know he's not a surgeon but he is Dr. Illan's partner and should be more informed (or he was intentionally misleading, which I would hate to think). Makes me very reluctant to schedule.

Can those further out from their procedures share any experience with vitamin deficiencies? I am considering the mini bypass and scared about malnutrition. I met a lady who had bypass done many years ago whose teeth were very yellow because of a deficiency.

Thanks so much for the responses, guys! @Airstream88, I'm not 100% sure, we had a brief conversation, but she said her doctors told her it was a vitamin D deficiency I believe. Her teeth were visibly yellow. Her hair was also very thin on top. Am I the only one who feels like I have to choose between major reflux (sleeve) or malnutrition (MBP)??