Tarada9

Hey George. I haven't been on this site in awhile as I'm 15 months post op. but I saw your post and could relate to feeling super nervous. However, you'll be fine and in good hands. I had my surgery done in Tijuana, Mexico, by myself, and had never been put under before. That was SCARY!!! But, it went so smoothly, little pain, textbook recovery and I still have restriction today. My best advice though, is not to waste the 6 month initial honeymoon period. This is where you will lose most of your weight, so stick to the plan. After that, it will be easier to cheat and weight will start to stabilize. Good luck to you and the rest!

Congratulations Wondering1! I also met my Thanksgiving goal of 177lbs this week. I thought it wouldn't happen because the scale barely moved in about 5 weeks, and then - BAM - this week I lose over 5 lbs! Good luck to everyone one else on reaching their Thanksgiving goal!!!

Okay, so I haven't checked in in a few weeks because I hit a stall for 5 WEEKS!! It got a little discouraging checking in with no weight loss each week. However, all of a sudden this week I dropped between 5-6 lbs! Yeah! I really thought my weight loss was done, but I guess there's always hope. So for those of you feeling discouraged, hang in there. On the not so bright side, I'm just past my 3 month surgiversary and my hair has REALLY started coming out. Wow, I hope it doesn't keep up at this rate, or I will be skinny and bald, instead of fat with hair. At least I'll match my husband! LOL

Well, of course everyone is different, but my parents are 30 years older than me and were doing a bus/shopping tour the next day in Tijuana (along with 2 other plications and a lapband from OCC). However, myself and a mom and daughter VSG all had to stay behind as we were DEFINITELY not up to leaving the hotel (and I was 3 days out at this point and my parents only 1 - with my having the surgery on a Monday and them on a Wednesday). The drainage tube I also found quite painful, which plications do not have.

A BMI of 30 is the lowest they will do the procedure on. I think in the States it's 35, but I guess money talks. I do have to say though, that Dr. Ortiz will NOT do a procedure on you if he thinks it is unsafe. There was a woman there at the same time as me and she was scheduled for plication, but she didn't do well on one of her tests (I don't remember if it was the EKG or the respiratory), and he said he could give her the band or money back, but would not put her in jeopardy for a surgery that would be risky for her. She was disappointed at first, but understood that this made sense. She went ahead with the band. I also read a post from another woman on the VSG site who went down to have a band to sleeve revision, but when he got in there there was too much damage from the band to safely do the sleeve at that time. So, he removed the band and sent her home to heal for 3 months before doing the sleeve. She has since had it done and is doing great. These stories actually make me feel better, knowing that he puts the safety of the patient before convenience or their immediate gratification.

My parents and I made different choices for our personal comfort level. They didn't feel comfortable having the majority of their stomach cut off. I didn't feel comfortable not knowing what would happen to that folded and stitched tissue down the road. I also liked the fact that there was a bit more long term data on the sleeve and seemingly better weight loss. My parents felt the plication was less invasive with a less painful recovery. I would agree with this last bit, although the pain and recovery with the sleeve really wasn't too bad. I think you will be really happy with Dr. Ortiz and the sleeve. Please feel fee to ask me any questions you may have. Happy weight loss!!

I was sleeved August 8th and was in a stall for 5 weeks!!! It just broke this week when I lost over 2 lbs. I have been SO discouraged and was convinced the weight loss was over. I really hope my stall is over and I keep moving downward on the scale. I feel your pain and frustrations guys.

Mom2two, just wanted to let you know, as you're considering OCC, that both of my parents and myself had surgery there in the beginning of August. They both had plication and I had the sleeve. Everything went super smoothly for all 3 of us, zero complications. As far as weight loss, it's been about 10-11 weeks and my Dad has lost around 50 lbs., I've lost around 40 lbs., and my Mom's lost around 30 lbs. So, our weight loss seems more determined by how much we had to lose than by the type of surgery we had, as my Dad had the most to lose (BMI around 40), then me (BMI around 35), then my Mom (BMI around 30). Good luck on whatever decision you make. I feel very confident in my decision with Dr. Ortiz and would definitely recommend him.

To Sandy123, goodluck on your fast approaching surgery. It is hard not to worry, but you will do great!!! Just focus on what this new beginning will mean to you. The first few days are hard, but soon they will be over and you will begin the path to a new healthier, happier you! We will be sending our thoughts your way on Tuesday.

To Hopeful Spirit, I am so glad to hear that things are going so smoothly for you. I would love to attend a local group to share our struggles, concerns, and successes!

I'd be up for that "New Start". BroadwayBaby, are you an August All Star too??

Oh, my short term goal weight for Thanksiving is 177 lbs.

I'm in! My goal will be 6.2 lbs. I know that sounds wimpy, but I've been losing REALLY slowly the last 3 weeks. I think this is realistic for me. My BMI is 27 so it's going to go slow now, which is fine as long as I DO keep losing. I love having short term goals. Great idea!

Yeah, I haven't lost anything either. In fact, this is my 3rd straight week with little to no weight loss. Like less than 2 pounds altogether in the last 3 weeks. Is this it for me? I hope not!!

I only lost 0.6 this week and have been losing VERY slowly the last few weeks. I'm feeling kind of discouraged and hope that I'm not done losing.

Hi Jenni3366! Wow, I live like 5 min. from the Lahey clinic in Burlington. Actually my husband goes there for a shoulder injury. I would be happy to answer any and all questions you may have, keeping in mind I'm only two months out. I'd be more than happy to get together with you for a coffee or something too. I know I had tons of questions and worries before my surgery. Whatever works for you. Feel free to PM me.

Hi there! Great to hear from someone in the area. I just North of Boston. I was sleeved August 8th in Tijuana, Mexico (believe it or not). My starting BMI was under 35 with no other health problems, so getting it done here wasn't really an option. Everything has been going great so far and I've lost 36 lbs already. You are doing fantastic! How was you recovery?

I am down 1.6 lbs this week. Slow but steady. I'll take it! Emmas Mom, don't worry, it will start coming off again soon. We all plateau and that's what this is. You fluctuate around a pound or two up and down around a certain weight. Try just weighing yourself once a week, it's less frustrating.....and one of these weeks you'll have a pleasant surprise. Good luck to you!

I'm down 1.3 lbs this week. Not great, but I had a good week last week, so I guess it all evens out. I'm down a total of 34 lbs (including 12 day pre-op diet) and down 23 lbs since the day of surgery.

I am down 32.7 lbs. total (including pre-op diet), 21.7 lbs since my August 8th surgery. I don't know how much this last week (haven't really been keeping track weekly). I will start keeping track of my weekly loss from here forward and post next week. Happy, healthy weight loss to all!

Looking for others in the greater Boston area who have been sleeved. Can't really seem to find anyone online from this area.

I was sleeved on August 8th and have lost 12 pounds since then, but 10 of that was in the first week. I think a lot of it was Water loss, as I was barely able to get any liquids down due to the swelling. Once the swelling went down and I replenshied my water, the scale seemed stuck for about a week. It has just started moving again in the last day or two. Hopefully it starts to pick up again. But, I am feeling great now. Almost back to normal and lots of energy. Good luck to everyone!

I was also sleeved on August 8th. I am eating around 400-500 calories per day. I feel good, have energy, but have been stalled too since day 8. I think that I became so dehydrated that first week that the scaled showed low, and once I was able to start getting in plenty of fluids the scale didn't reflect the fact that I was swapping fat for liquids. I'm just going to hang tight and be patient. It will start coming off for us! Just take the time to revel in the fact that we are no longer so sore, swollen and dehydrated. I am happy to just start feeling back to normal.

Hi all! Myself and both of my parents had surgery in Tijuana on August 8th and 10th, respectively. Our surgeon was Dr. Ortiz at OCC, and he and his staff were fantastic! I has the sleeve and my parents had plication. We are all recovering very well and have nothing but rave reviews. Don't worry, you will all do great!

Everyone's doctors' guidelines seem to be different and I was wondering how many weeks post-op some of you were told before you could start soft/mushy food stage? I was told 1 week clear liquid, 2 weeks of full liquids, and 2 weeks of soft foods, then starting 6th week I could slowly reintroduce regular food. Wondering what guidelines others were given and how they tolerated them?

I am Monday too! I am getting sooooo nervous/excited. Good luck to you!

Thanks for sharing your experience so far with us. I am glad to hear that you are doing so well and recovering at a good pace. I have my surgery on Monday and hope mine goes as well as yours. Keep us posted.