Undecided, which Dr. do you recommend and why?

[Motherof3 0]

Hello,

I rarely post on forums, but I am in need of more information. I was banded in 07 and got my band due to slippage in 09. I was at 125lbs-my goal weight at the time, for several months. When I found out I was pregnant, I had a complete unfill, 5months of my pregnancy, I kept get food stuck, major heartburn and at the end of my pregnancy, I was lucky to be able to drink an 8 oz Protein Shake in a day. I waited until I had my baby, I did not want to go to TJ while pregnant. The emergency rooms in CA just kept saying I was dehydrated and needed more magnesium/potassium. I gave up on ER after the 5th time. Everytime I spoke about the Lap Band, they looked clueless, and the Dr. would look into it, but had nothing to say. My OB was not worried as my baby was growing perfectly and I was overweight, so I those lbs lost was not a bad thing. After 6wks of having given birth, I went back to Dr. Ortiz's office to be told I still had liquid in the band, there was never any record that I had gone before my pregnancy to get unfilled. I have plane ticket receipts to prove it. Needless to say after the unfill, my band never readjusted and I had to get it removed. I was 125lbs and very weak. I was happy to be able to eat and drink once again. A yr and so later, here I am at 184lbs, feeling awful about myself. I wasn't able to keep it off, as I had promised myself I would.

I went into Dr. Ortiz's forum and saw he now offers the plication, which I had never heard of, but am researching on it. His office is more like a clinic and not a hospital. The people there are great, except for the Dr. that did not note my unfill and did not unfill me completely like I had asked. He is no longer there. I would consider going back there, but I would like an actual hospital setting, as this surgery is more complex then the band.

Can you tell me which Dr. you had surgery with, your experience, is it a hospital setting or at least close to one? How much did it cost? I am in the early stage of research, but I would like to get this surgery before April of 2011. Your help is greatly appreciated, if there is anything else that I should ask, please include it.

By the way, I live in SF-CA, but am willing to travel in the US or Mexico.

Thanks,

Motherof3

[tmo 0]

I had the plication done with Dr .Ortiz 4 weeks ago and I would go back there again. Its still a non invasive surgery I wouldn't worry about being in a hospital.

[NotSoLittleMermaid 14]

See http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/9758-my-great-gps-experience-with-dr-watkins/page__pid__102803#entry102803 and also search for Dr. Watkins he so talented and has great followup. Also has done a lot of revision surgeries for people with previous problem surgeries.

[TijuanaPlication 87]

I went with Dr Lopez Corvala at Angeles Health as I wanted a proper hospital, plus their guarantee below:

"Angeles Price Assurance : The cost for any complications that may

occur during your procedure and while you are at the hospital will be

absorbed by the hospital." [at the bottom of the link below]

http://healthtraveltechnologies.com/htg/ahi/AHIFaqGastricSleevePlication/

If I had to choose again I still go with him. FYI he's the only surgeon in Mexico that uses the Endoflip which scopes the size of the stomach (search youtube and there are several videos explaining how the Endoflip works).

[ATLGirl 134]

TP My doctor, Dr. Jose Rodriguez uses the Endoflip. I have spoken to him a number of times and even have it in written communication. He says that the Endoflip is becoming a standard in GPS.

[TijuanaPlication 87]

Cool. The info I had was probably correct at the time I found it out.

TP My doctor, Dr. Jose Rodriguez uses the Endoflip. I have spoken to him a number of times and even have it in written communication. He says that the Endoflip is becoming a standard in GPS.

[genepha 47]

TP My doctor, Dr. Jose Rodriguez uses the Endoflip. I have spoken to him a number of times and even have it in written communication. He says that the Endoflip is becoming a standard in GPS.

AnnaT

That is great to know as Dr. Rod is my #1 choice if I'm going to have surgery in Mexico.

Thanks for the info!

[oliviam 3]

I have been researching doctors for what seems like FOREVER (Watkins, Corvala, and Ortiz) and I think I have finally selected Ortiz. His facility has a higher rating of excellence than any of the other facilities (the same rating as UCLA and Stanford hospitals) and he has a ton of American accolades. I asked if he used the endoflip since I had seen all of this info on here about that tool, and he does not use the endoflip because it is not actually legal in Mexico yet. It is only allowed for trial purposes for a few doctors. Dr. Ortiz said that if he had really thought it was a better tool than the bougie he would have fought to participate in the trial.

After getting over the fact that yes I am actually having WLS and doing it in Mexico to boot I booked my surgery. February 15th! I am so freaking out now. Is that normal to freak once you've put your surgery on the books? All of these crazy thoughts keep going through my head. I have two little ones and just can't imagine having something happen, like I don't know....death. Sheesh, I am losing it.

[genepha 47]

Olivia,

I just got my date today - Feb. 7th! We are close so we can freak out together!!!

I'm excited but also nervous as heck!!! This will be my 3rd major surgery - 2 in the past 6 months so I'm really freakin' out! I was banded in 2001 and my band needs to be removed or replaced. I was lucky enough to find a dr. here in CA who has started performing plication. He hasn't done many of them but I am very comfortable with his experience, skill and his patients have good things to say about him.

I have gone to both Drs. Corvala and Ortiz (they were partners at one time) for fills and unfills and found both of them to be knowledgeable and professional, however, I believe Dr. Corvala has more experience performing the plication. Again, Dr. Ortiz is very experienced with other forms of bariatric surgery as well though and he's very handsome! tee hee!

Good luck to you.

[TijuanaPlication 87]

Congrats Olivia. I started thinking 'why didn't I try harder at dieting' once I booked my surgery, but I just didn't manage to stay at goal (although I got there several times in the last ~10 years). I also thought 'what have I done to myself' when I woke up from surgery but all that is pretty normal. All the best for your surgery!

I have been researching doctors for what seems like FOREVER (Watkins, Corvala, and Ortiz) and I think I have finally selected Ortiz. His facility has a higher rating of excellence than any of the other facilities (the same rating as UCLA and Stanford hospitals) and he has a ton of American accolades. I asked if he used the endoflip since I had seen all of this info on here about that tool, and he does not use the endoflip because it is not actually legal in Mexico yet. It is only allowed for trial purposes for a few doctors. Dr. Ortiz said that if he had really thought it was a better tool than the bougie he would have fought to participate in the trial.

After getting over the fact that yes I am actually having WLS and doing it in Mexico to boot I booked my surgery. February 15th! I am so freaking out now. Is that normal to freak once you've put your surgery on the books? All of these crazy thoughts keep going through my head. I have two little ones and just can't imagine having something happen, like I don't know....death. Sheesh, I am losing it.

[oliviam 3]

That's great Genepha! I think the pain of staying the same is far greater than the pain of going through with it right?

Tijuana Plication? How is your weight loss coming? What should I expect for weight loss. I don't have a high BMI to start I suppose (I am about 33) so does that mean I will lose more slowly?

[TijuanaPlication 87]

Hi Olivia, it's going slowly for me but my weigh in day is Saturday and I've been a saint since Jan 1st so fingers crossed. I guess it must go slower for those at the lower end of the scale. I don't know if you watch the Biggest Loser, but the lighter ones always lose it slower. I suppose that when you think of it as a percentage it probably works out to be similar - sadly it's just not as impressive sounding!

That's great Genepha! I think the pain of staying the same is far greater than the pain of going through with it right?

Tijuana Plication? How is your weight loss coming? What should I expect for weight loss. I don't have a high BMI to start I suppose (I am about 33) so does that mean I will lose more slowly?

[oliviam 3]

When you say you've been a saint, does that mean you've really had to exhibit some serious willpower? I am fearful of that simply because I have none! That's why I'm getting the surgery. Have you found that its been easier to make the right choice with this surgery or are struggling in the same way you were before the surgery?

[Mw9955 2]

Hello all! I just wanted to post my progress, since it has been a while... Just like TP - I had a lower bmi (31) and would not change a thing regarding my plication with Dr. Corvala. Yes, our weight loss may be a bit slower - but this week I passed five month since surgery and I dropped exactly 41 pounds. I must admit that I don't always eat the best and lately only walk my dog for exercise, but I feel great. I was wearing a size 14 prior to surgery and now just bought a size 6 pants - very snug, but it zips up!!!! Take care everyone!

[TijuanaPlication 87]

Hi Olivia, I've been sticking well within the new WW ProPoints daily allowance and getting at least 60 grams of Protein in every day (I know men and some people are advised more, but I guess being a female at the lower end, I was told 60 grams).

I haven't lost anything for 5 days now and I've walked and worked out a bit. You do get hungry in between and I 'think' I can eat the same about as before, but the truth is I get full on a WW ready meal which barely used to touch the sides before (I'm talking about the lower cal/point WW meals - I think I might struggle getting in a high point WW meal). I may start using the full WW daily allowance and just accept that I'm a ~2lb a week loser.

Anyway, as they say weight loss with GPS is comparable to VSG and even RNY, so maybe I'd be experiencing the same with those too (we can all probably name a celeb or 2 who hasn't done so well with RNY).

I think it just goes back to what everyone says, that WLS is a tool not a magic bullet and that you have to work with it, ie make healthy choices and do some exercise. So to answer your question, yes you do have to exercise a some willpower, but the surgery helps too. Sorry to not be able to be clearer than that, I'm only 5.5 weeks out and while I've been successful in losing weight before, I think the proof for me will be whether I keep it off this time, which is my ultimate goal!

All the best with whatever you end up doing and keep us posted!

When you say you've been a saint, does that mean you've really had to exhibit some serious willpower? I am fearful of that simply because I have none! That's why I'm getting the surgery. Have you found that its been easier to make the right choice with this surgery or are struggling in the same way you were before the surgery?