barrbdoll

Best of luck with your surgery!!!

Thanks So Much!!! I feel amazing!!

I got my hair chopped off today and had my best friend take some new pics of me!! I feel fantastic!!!! Having this surgerywas the absolute BEST decision I have ever made!!! I lost 17 lbs pre-op and 53 lbs since my surgery on April 16th. Who would of thought that 262 would feel and look so good??!! I am only half way to my goal!! WOHOO!!!!

Try chewing up some Tumms and take some Mylanta before you lay down....When you lay flat the acid reflux tends to get worse. The Mylanta will coat your stomach. Acid Reflux and Heartburn are the ONLY issues I have had since my surgery.. I had no pain, no gas, no nausea, nada.....I guess on that note I am lucky... It gets better though but you just need to stay on top of it and take a daily med for heartburn. I eat a good 6-7 Tumms a day.... Usually 2 after each meal.....

My surgeon has his own line of vitamins called Enspira. If you google it you will find them. They are a good blend and fairly inexpensive. I also take Andrew Lessman's Hair, Skin and Nail supplement, B12 and Vitamin D just for added nutrients!

It's a great feeling!! I was a good size 24 pushing a size 26 and I can now fit into size a size 18!! Two weeks ago I walked into Old Navy and grabbed a pair of their regular misses size 20 just to see if they fit.. Low and behold they were too BIG!!! I almost cried in the dressing room! I am so happy with how my body is transforming and so thankful for my sleeve!! It has changed my life!!! YAY for us!!!!

So happy that you have chosen Dr. Ortiz!! Southern Oregon makes a great point about the plastic surgery! Dr. Ortiz partners with a plastic surgeon that is excellent... or so I hear.. He actually practices at the OCC Clinic. They actually offered to do cosmetic procedures while I was there for my surgery. I said no at first because I wanted to focus on my surgery and recovery but I sooooo wish would have done it now cause recovery was a breeze!!! They have a stem cell plasma procedure for your face and from what I have seen it's a complete reversal of the aging process! I am soooo going back for some "work" next year!! I think I will need a tummy tuck eventually and maybe even a boob lift but I don't have any children yet and I want to make sure that I wait until that chapter of my life is over before I have makeover.. So exited for you!!! You will have a great experience!!!!

Honestly... I haven't been exercising much at all... I have free weights that I tone with but as far as Cardio?? Other than yardwork, and running errands there is none... I registered for a 5k in October and I need to get off my butt and get ready for it. I didn't want to lose weight too fast so I backed off the exercise. My skin has bounced back pretty good but I am noticing some problem areas... top insides of my arms, belly, and upper thighs.. I need to get back into the gym and use the good machines for toning and rebuilding my muscles. As far as protein?? I rarely do shakes anymore but I try to get in a good 40-80g's a day depending on diet. I buy the pre-made protein drinks (Bolthouse Farms) and eat a lot of chicken and fish. I pretty much eat a regular diet and have even indulged in some of my favorite pre-op meals.. Sushi, Chinese, Thai, etc..... My boyfriend loves that fact that I am such a cheap date!!! We usually just share a plate!

I had my drain for 3 days... Wasn't really bothersome and it didn't hurt when the nurse pulled it out.. She told me to breathe deep and then exhale and she would pull a it out lil by lil.. After 3 breaths it was out and I was absolutely shocked by how long it was.... I was like " ALL THAT WAS IN MY BODY??!!" She laughed and said "YEP!" I tell ya... Our bodies are truly amazing!! btw.. did I mention that I love my sleeve??!! 3 months out as of yesterday and down 50 lbs..... Total of 70 lbs since with my pre-op diet!!! I feel absolutely amazing!!!!

Yesterday was 3 months post-op for me as well and guess what?? I also hit the 50 lb marker yesterday!!!! YAY for us!!!! I am down a total of 70lbs since starting my sleeve journey!! I feel amazing!! Absolutely the best decision I have ever made!!!

Congrats on your decision!! I just had my surgery on April 16th with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana and I feel fabulous!! His center is called Obesity Control Center and it's a state of the art facility that has been given the honor of being an "International Center of Excellence". He's been featured on Oprah, The Doctors and has even been named one of the top 15 Bariatric surgeons by Newsweek Magazine. When I first started researching WLS it was 7-8 years ago but the timing just wasn't right with work, personal relationships, etc.... I finally started to research again and after looking at other Doctors in Mexico (I'm was self pay too) I went right back to Dr. Ortiz. There are other surgeons to choose from and I implore you to do your research and due diligence before making your final selection. When choosing a surgeon you should focus on experience, facility, comfort for you and any guests, etc... and not just on price. I paid $6995 and that included all transportation from San Diego, 4 nights hotel stay at the Marriott in Tijuana for my mother and transportation back to San Diego. There are 6 private suites in his center that are very comfortable and you even have your own Direct TV.....PLUS you are surrounded by nothing but folks just like YOU and not in a hospital where God knows what types of diseases, infections, etc... are present. That was a HUGE deal for me. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez speak perfect English and have an incredible bedside manner. My surgery was on Monday morning and I was discharged on Tuesday around noon. I was back at the hotel laying by the pool and getting some sun and on day 3 I was out shopping for 3-4 hours. Dr. Ortiz has an agreement with the Marriott and they will bring you broth, popsicles, etc.. all included in your price. Your guest (if you bring one) will be very well taken care of. I honestly believe that a good pre-op diet accompanied by a positive attitude truly helped me come out of this surgery with flying colors. A lot of this journey, especially in the beginning is all mental. Once you decide on a surgeon get into a ZONE and stay there!! Reach out for support (the forums are great) and find folks that are getting their surgeries around the same time. It really does help! I am definitely an advocate for Dr. Ortiz and Obesity Control Center... He has changed my life and I will be forever grateful! His website www.obesitycontrolcenter.com is very informative and he even has his own YouTube channel where you can watch videos of testimonials, surgeries. etc... You are going to get a lot of responses from others promoting other surgeons.. Everyone's experience is different so be prepared to research, research RESEARCH!!!! Feel free to contact me directly if you have any other questions!! All The Best!!! Emily

Not really.. I had no issues at all after surgery and can pretty much eat anything now just small portions.... High sugar items don't sit too well buy they don't send me running to the bathroom either. Before surgery I loved bananas but now??? nooooo way! If I try to eat one or even have something that has banana flavor I will throw up. It's strange! Also, leftovers aren't good for me either. Maybe one day old but other than that they don't sit well. I have to eat fresh pretty much every day. The only side effect that I do have is heartburn and acid reflux but I find that taking a daily Zantac 150 and having some Tumms handy solves the problem. Good Luck!

there are all kinds of fluids that you will find in your drain.... different colors, even fibrous chunks... I would call your Doctor's office if it makes you feel better but I wouldn't worry about it.

Unfortunately..... I can't write my surgery off on my taxes..... Less than 10% of my income..... If you know of another way please let me know! Thanks!

Mental preparation is key to a successful surgery and recovery. I will tell you this.... You will NOT fail and you WILL lose weight!! The way you eat now versus after surgery is sooooo different. You will not be physically able to overeat... Trust Me!! I had my surgery on April 16th and I can eat pretty much anything but just small portions. The full feeling that you will have is just like you feel now after eating a big dinner. You will NOT want to eat like you do now.. In all honesty, there are days that I wish I could have my old stomach back so I could indulge a bit more but when I think about it I just shake my head because there is no food that will make me feel as good as I do when I step on that scale and see my weight getting lower. I just LOVE how my body is transforming and when I think about how long I was miserable due to my weight I close my eyes and Thank GOD for providing me with the opportunity to have this surgery! Best decision I have ever made!!! Good Luck!

I had an incredible experience with Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Mexico... he is not the cheapest but you will still save THOUSANDS versus having it in the US. His website is www.obesitycontrolcenter.com I had my surgery on April 16th and it has changed my life!!! My mother went with me and we were both very well taken care of. Everything from his center to the hotel, etc..... A+++ experience... It was my first surgery EVER and I had hardly any pain, no gas, no nausea, nada! I flew in on a Sunday, my surgery was Monday and I was out laying by the pool on Tuesday and shopping on Wednesday. Of course everyone is different but I didn't have one a singe complaint. Plus, my mother is a retired nurse and she was very impressed as well! Just make sure you do your research on the different surgeons in Mexico. Don't always go for the cheapest price. Just my advice.... Best of Luck!!! If you need more information I will gladly share!!

Way To Go!!!! You are gonna do great!! I just adore Dr. Ortiz!!!!

Seems that each surgeon does things differently... I went to Dr. Ortiz and honestly.. I'm not sure what all he did but my 3 tiny incisions were surgi-glued shut and completely healed within about 10 days. They are barely noticeable and I didn't have to any stitches taken our or anything.... My entire experience was amazing!! Good Luck!

Your Dr. in Mexico should give you what you need. When I was discharged I was given my antacid, pain pills and anti nausea medications. The only thing I used was the Antacid because I didn't have any pain or nausea.... or even gas for that matter!! LOL My experience was truly amazing! Best of Luck!

I love that soup!!!!

I bought loaded baked potato soup and just pureed it in my bullet. It was great and went down just fine. It gave me the flavor that I wanted and it filled me up as well! Go For It!!

I have had some "bad stuff" here and there.... To me moderation is the key. I got some nuggets from ChikFila and managed to get 3 of them down and felt stuffed..... not sick.. but they were good and solid protein. I have also had one oreo which was okay but my belly burned a lil after (Acid). I have had about 1/2 cup of vanilla ice cream with some sliced strawberries and that went down good as well. But... I don't crave the sweets. If I want something sweet I eat it and the craving is gone very quick. Not like before sleeve when I would eat 8-10 Oreos or a big piece of cake AND ice cream..... Bread sits okay on my belly as well but it's very filling so I try not to eat it often. I started eating some of the different foods mainly because I was curious and wanted to see how my new belly tolerated it. Kinda glad that I did cause I now realize that I don't need it and could really care less about eating an Oreo ever again.. The desire just isn't there for me anymore. Guess that is a good thing right??

Some Dr's use them.... some don't. My doctor swears by drains.. Said it serves multiple purposes, helps with gas, nausea etc.... I would say he was right because I had zero gas and zero nausea...

Mine was a little hole as well and it did drain... just a lil bit... nothing that a small bandage wouldn't take care of. Don't scrub it.. just rub light soap and water over it. Don't worry.. it will scab over. If you want, go ahead and put a band aid over it until you feel comfortable...But keep it clean. My drain hole was the last one to heal. It's hardly noticeable now though...

I love salads and it was one of the biggest things I missed after surgery. I tried at 6 weeks post op and everything went down fine. I had no issues at all and tend to eat at least one small salad with grilled chicken or salmon every day.