5 Months Out Only 30 Pounds Lost! My Story

[xxjosettexx 72]

Okay so hey there! I'm new to this forum and I had my plication done in March, 5 months ago. I have only lost 30 pounds so far. I reached my current weight, 270, 5 weeks out and have not list a pound since. I keep with a great diet, under 1200 calories per day, and mostly Protein. I really thought I would have lost more, with going to the gym 5 days a week and doing the Zumba and spin classes 2x a week. This surgery has been nothing but a disappointment from the start. I have seen many people in the same predicament as I am in, and it annoys me how the say "oh it's all my fault that I'm not losing, even tho I go to the gym and eat right". Like NO, it is not your fault, obviously this surgery does not work for many many many people who are doing everything right. Before I had surgery I could eat about 3 regular size pieces of pizza and be full, after the surgery I can eat two and be just regular full, and then 20-30 minutes later I'm going in for the third slice. I have only gone down one jean size, I was a 24 at start, I am a 20-22 now, depending on the brand. I feel virtually no restriction, even tho I eat right and work out. I can eat only slightly less then what I used to eat. Honestly, I'm sick of people saying it is their fault, when it isn't. My friends and my mother always say "well you just have a quitters mentality", but I don't I have done everything that my surgeon said to do, and more, and I am ready to be done. I honest to God gave 150%, with no luck. Once I can save some money I will be revising to gastric bypass. This surgery was the wrong choice for me, and many others on here, from what I read. I am very disappointed, I did everything right, and this is what I get Please share your experiences, I just want to know that I am not crazy! haha

[WednesdaysSun 6]

Holy cow!

Well first off, congrats on losing the 30 lbs - thats something!

Thanks for sharing your experience so vividly though. I'm pre-op and this better helps me understand what can happen especially then you said before the surgery you could eat 3 slices, and now you can eat 2.. and wait for 1 more. Thats not the kind of restriction I had in mind when I thought of the plication

Did you contact your doc at all about the restriction or lack thereof? What were you told?

[xxjosettexx 72]

Thanks! Well I would say that the plication would be a good option if you have like 50-60 pounds to lose, but really I was thinking I would have more restriction also. I really wish I had investigated more before i spent the money. Haha. I did contact Dr. Ortiz, now I'm just waiting for a follow up. Good luck to you on your journey! (:

[WednesdaysSun 6]

ha, for me try more like 140 lbs give or take haha. I wonder if having the band along with my plication will significantly provide for restriction. Anyway let us know what happens with you see Dr. Ortiz! hope you have good things coming!

[Kika79 64]

JG-

Am sorry you feel like the plication is a failure. My suggestion: GO BACK to BASICS. 4oz off Protein every three hours and lots of fluids (sugar free). I've lost 50pounds since April. My start weight was 260 and I couldn't be happier. I do work out 3-4 days week (hard) and Ive completely changed the way I eat. I don't eat anything out of can or processed. I try to eat fresh, whole foods. I have a Protein shake (low carbs) every morning and after each workout.

Don't give up, take another look at what your eating. If your exercising 5 days a week you should be losing weight. Your calorie intake would be at a negative if your working out 5 days a week. Stay away from bread, chz, and anything fried. Have you contacted your doc? Or your nutrionist?

Good luck and AGAIN: Dont give up!!!

Kika

[xxjosettexx 72]

I am doing essentially all of that. The problem is that once the swelling from the the suturing went down (3months out) it had caused the unsutured portion to be stretched, so I have no restriction. I really do eat well. I contacted my surgeon, and he suggested tightening the sutures, however I had an awful experience healing, my stomach was swelled so that I could not eat. I was sick so often that I could not finish my 4th quarter at college, and I was not even able to ride my horse until July because I was too weak. We decided that since my body did not adjust well to the plication, that a revision to either banded plication or bypass would be best for me

[xxjosettexx 72]

ha, for me try more like 140 lbs give or take haha. I wonder if having the band along with my plication will significantly provide for restriction. Anyway let us know what happens with you see Dr. Ortiz! hope you have good things coming!

ha, for me try more like 140 lbs give or take haha. I wonder if having the band along with my plication will significantly provide for restriction. Anyway let us know what happens with you see Dr. Ortiz! hope you have good things coming!

I would think it would!

[CeeBelize 22]

JG- I've seen some of your posts on the forum and I while I understand your frustration, have you ever considered the fact that you had serious complications after the surgery and that might be why you arent losing like you think you should be. While there are some people who wish they would lose more at a faster pace, I dont have the same impression that many people are dissapointed in plication. I'm no expert but it seems like those who had smooth plications, fared pretty well. I had virtually no problem at all. I had surgery on a Friday and was at work by Tuesday. I think having fewer problems creates better results.

Did you have your surgery with Dr. Ortiz at the OCC? If so, you should read the post from "manwithkids" called "Complication". His wife suffered major complications recently and almost died. They also had their surgery at the OCC. I'm not trying to scare you or anything but I'm putting some of the pieces together and it sound like the OCC isnt having a very good success rate. Maybe its not the surgery but the facility who is perfoming the procedure. Quite honestly that was my biggest fear about having it done in Mexico so I paid a little extra to have it done in the U.S.

It's a shame your family isnt being more supportive and maybe 5 months is too early to tell whether plication has been a complete failure for you but I hope you figure out what will work best. (:

[FatToPhat 83]

I understand that some doctors will stitch the plication a little tigher than others. It's possible that might be the situation in your case?

[xxjosettexx 72]

JG- I've seen some of your posts on the forum and I while I understand your frustration, have you ever considered the fact that you had serious complications after the surgery and that might be why you arent losing like you think you should be. While there are some people who wish they would lose more at a faster pace, I dont have the same impression that many people are dissapointed in plication. I'm no expert but it seems like those who had smooth plications, fared pretty well. I had virtually no problem at all. I had surgery on a Friday and was at work by Tuesday. I think having fewer problems creates better results.

Did you have your surgery with Dr. Ortiz at the OCC? If so, you should read the post from "manwithkids" called "Complication". His wife suffered major complications recently and almost died. They also had their surgery at the OCC. I'm not trying to scare you or anything but I'm putting some of the pieces together and it sound like the OCC isnt having a very good success rate. Maybe its not the surgery but the facility who is perfoming the procedure. Quite honestly that was my biggest fear about having it done in Mexico so I paid a little extra to have it done in the U.S.

It's a shame your family isnt being more supportive and maybe 5 months is too early to tell whether plication has been a complete failure for you but I hope you figure out what will work best. (:

Well I had an upper Gastro-Intestinal xray done at my normal physicians per OCC's siluggestion and had my results sent to OCC, they said everything was normal, that was about a month ago. I have my revision date set up tho, I'm going in December for revision to banded plication.

Also, you make a very good point about OCC not having the results, most of the frustration I have seen is from people who have went to Dr. Ortiz. I have had several of his fellow patients email me since I have been on here, them having seen my post here and having similar dissatisfaction as me, so maybe they are just not using an effective method.

Thanks for your insight, it was very helpful (:

[CeeBelize 22]

JG- you have had other people email you about the OCC? Wow! I'm glad you posted that. This is really something other plicaters should know about. I really hope the revision gives you the results you want and that your recovery goes better than the last. Good luck to you and keep us posted!

[Ana 4]

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.

[134andhappy 38]

Well said Ana- I had mine at OCC in Feb and I can't stop raving about the decision the occ and the results. I do have to admit one thing anyone looking to lose more than 60 lbs should understand the pace the immense mental fatigue and changes necessary to lose that weight w plication and the will power - it is just a tool it's not a fat sucking miracle you're the miracle and how you manifest your results is 90% attitude 10% plication. I do wish I had more restriction but that's only because I could hardly gulp 4oz lol now I can almost eat a half a sandwich it's a total mental game you have to learn to play but I don't berate myself my poor little plicated stomach or the occ. it's what's expected I could eat a little salad and Protein or a lot of bad things. Anyway sorry for the rant but I know you will go back for your revision and be happy because you want it so bad- good luck and don't be so hard on yourself you'll get there just let gods plan play out!

[Ana 4]

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!

[CeeBelize 22]

Ana, I agree that there are probably many other factors involved in Josettes results and I'm not trying to start any internet rumors or even disparage Doctors in Mexico. I guess what I am trying to say is Plication is a fairly new procedure and there isn’t a lot of information out there about it. I did say I personally felt uncomfortable going to Mexico for surgery but quite frankly, that goes for any foreign country for that matter. Also because of the lack of information, this forum has been a useful tool. If someone sees posts from several people who've had complications all from the same place, you would naturally want to consider that information before making a decision. Also Josette clearly says several other people have contacted her to confirm what were my own personal observations. I'm not disupting the fact that you and your friends have had a successful experience but I dont think you can dismiss those who havent. I also heard about the Dr. in Ohio. In fact I asked my surgeon about that case during my initial consultation and he told me he personally spoke to that surgeon himself and explained the whole situation to me.

It was not my intent to claim that I have all the answers and I did say in my post that I'm no expert and not to scare anyone but I do think that this forum is a place where people should be able to freely share information and post their concerns so that everyone who is thinking about making this important decision has as much information they can get..that includes the good and the bad. Everyone can draw their own conclusions.