joyfulaz

I found this info on another website:
Whey Protein Isolate
It is the purest form of whey Protein. It gets into the blood system the quickest. Is generally the most expensive to use and although it mixes well it can "foam" up. They tend not to be as filling or satisfying, but fulfill the protein requirements very well.
Whey Protein Concentrate
It gets into the system very slowly. It is generally the least expensive to use. It shakes well and pretty completely.
Whey Protein Blend
Is a combination of the two above. These usually seem to be more "satisfying" and stay with us longer so we tend not to graze or crave carbs as much. Generally they shake well but may leave some clumps if you aren't careful.
Whey Protein Meal Replacement
They are generally a whey protein blend that is much thicker and requires a lot more Water. Best for preop and long term postop customers that are more comfortable with larger volume.
Predigested collagen Protein
These are collagen based Proteins, which are lower on the "bioavailability" scale. They contain some amino acids, but not ALL. Best used in addition to whey protein for additional protein intake. Easily added to Water to "cut" the extreme tastes.
This may help as you are checking out the different protein powders.< /p>

I too had surgery w/ Dr Ariel Ortiz @ OCC and can't say enough good things about him and all the staff. They responded to emails b4 and after. Sent followup surveys on my health every Monday for several weeks. I marked one small comment on one and got a phone call from the doctor w/in 1 hr of response to discuss.

Good luck to all of you on your upcoming surgeries!
I cannot speak for everyone....but I am so thankful that I was able to do this. It is not always easy but so worth it! I would do it all over again and I still have 40+ pounds to lose.
I was very nervous and scared too.
Best advice: Follow every little thing your doctor says...pre-surgery and post-surgery!

Good luck to all of you on your upcoming surgeries!
I cannot speak for everyone....but I am so thankful that I was able to do this. It is not always easy but so worth it! I would do it all over again and I still have 40+ pounds to lose.
I was very nervous and scared too.
Best advice: Follow every little thing your doctor says...pre-surgery and post-surgery!

Everything that Jordan 1923 said!!!! My VGS was June 19, 2012! I am doing great and no probs. I would do it all over again. I am going to start checking on my plastics a year out. I was so scared before I went. Now I know it was nothing to be scared of.
 
It was the begining of the rest of my life!!
 
Loved Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Martinez, Josie (my nurse), Dr. Miranda and the entire staff. Hotel staff was wonderful too.
 
Tip: The liquid yogurt that you can drink on day 2 or 3 (cant remember which day) can be bought in the hotel gift shop. Just ask the hotel staff. I didn't know this. They will give you a complete detailed post op diet.
Tip: Don't take to much luggage. Just comfy clothes. Take luggage with wheels. When you cross the border coming back into the states you have to walk through. Not far and easy. But it's better to be able to roll your luggage.
 
I can eat anything now. Of course not much of it! I can even eat Mexican food (I live in Arizona!). I have lost 73lbs since I started my pre-op diet till not. I do make smart choices even tho I can eat anything. It is a whole life style change!
 
If I can help answer any questions send me a message. Good luck on your journey!

It's so nice to find people right here in the Valley to speak to about our sleeve/weight loss journey!
I am in Goodyear, Arizona.
I had my VGS on June 19, 2012 (3 months ago today!) with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana, Mexico.
Can't say enough good things about Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Martinez and the OCC staff. Wonderful experience.
My insurance would not cover the surgery, so I was self pay and had to look for lower cost. It might have been lower
cost but the quality was excellent!
I lost 24 lbs pre-op and 47 lbs post-op! As of today....that's 71 lbs (total pre and post op)! I woke up very excited about this! (I like to keep saying the total over and over!)
It is still challenging day to day experience. But a very good one. Each day I feel better and I am getting healthier.
If anyone wants to chat about upcoming surgery or post-op surgery, let me know. I still have many questions myself!
I just came out of stall. It seems it took forever just to lose the last 10 lbs. I cried half the day yesterday because I wanted to have lost 70 lbs by today.
I woke up and had lost 2 POUNDS! Which put me at 71 lbs today! God is good!
Thanks for listening and let me know how my fellow AZ VGS are!
One last thing....If anyone knows a regular Physician in the West Valley or anywhere in the Valley that is good with VGS patients, please let me know. My current Physician in Goodyear is not real good about my VGS follow ups and is really rude because I choose to go to Mexico for my surgery. In fact he told me if I had any problem post surgery that I better look else where or go to an inner city emergency room! Thank god, I have not had anything major as of yet. But to say the least.....looking for a new Physician!!
Joy

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