guate_mama05

Thanks so much for those encouraging words. I'm in the airport now on my way!

Thanks so much for those encouraging words. I'm in the airport now on my way!

Do you have any more information on how this works? are pre-existing conditions only an issue with self-pay insurance? For example if I get insurance under a job do pre-existing conditions still matter?

I know two people personally that have had a revision at the OCC and the only difference was the length of stay. Possibly 2 nights in the hospital and a couple more at the Marriott. Other than that, same procedure.

RCT - First of all, Mexico is NOT a third world country. You are obviously ignorant on the options in Mexico and making judgements. We don't need people to bring those of us down that are struggling with Obesity and are looking for ways to make our life better and regain our health and happiness. We are here to encourage, support and inform. And lastly the correct form of the verb is RUN. You would have RUN out of there not ran.

803Misty - I have a very good friend from SC that was sleeved last May by Dr. Ortiz and has had a wonderful experience. Actually I have 2 friends that have been sleeved by Dr. Ortiz and both are very happy with their choice. I'm scheduled for June 10th and can't wait!

803Misty - I have a very good friend from SC that was sleeved last May by Dr. Ortiz and has had a wonderful experience. Actually I have 2 friends that have been sleeved by Dr. Ortiz and both are very happy with their choice. I'm scheduled for June 10th and can't wait!

Yes... I watched the show as well and he was definitely PART of the show and not just in the audience. It was roughly 7 years ago when I first started researching WLS... Over the years I had researched other Dr's and due to my health insurance exclusions I knew that Mexico was my only option financially... I made the decision in March 2012 to have my sleeve surgery and on April 16th my life changed! I have nothing but positive things to say about my entire experience.. As other posters have mentioned.. YOU have to do your due diligence when reasearching surgeons.. I researched off and on for YEARS and I always came back to Dr. Ortiz... One of his coordinators had a revision surgery the same day as me. She took her band out and opted for the sleeve. We have become great friends and Dr. Ortiz actually flew me out to film a youtube video for him. I jumped at the chance because this man and the entire staff at OCC are top notch and they helped change my life!! If I can help others change their lives by my testimony why wouldn't I?? I am featured on his site in his video section and I was only 4 months out from my surgery. I am just a small town girl that has had an incredible surgery experience and I want to let the world know!!! I have nothing to hide.. I live in Hagerstown, MD and given the opportunity again.. I would jump at the chance to promote Dr. Ortiz!!

Dr. Martinez practices along side Dr. Ortiz... Both are excellent!! I am over one year out and have absolutely no issues... Best decision I have ever made!! Team OCC all the way!!!!

Thanks so much for that post! My PCP has always supported me having WLS and just had a few questions about going to Mexico. I can't wait to visit him after a few months post-op and show the new me! Maybe........just maybe I can be an example to others that feel defeated by our health care system! One month from today!

MamaC I haven't been on in a few weeks.I'm going to OCC and seeing Dr. Ortiz.< /p>

It's illegal for an employer to deny medical leave. A Physician releases you and it's not the employers role to question the credentials of your physician. We are all entitled to choose our own personal physicians, regardless of the location.
I work in HR in CA. An employer shouldn't say anything more than, "I hope you get better soon!"
I went around my boss directly to HR to ask for the leave requirements.
Good Luck!

I'm so glad to find another OCC patient! I'd love to hear details if and when you all have time to write it down! I'm scheduled for June 10th.

Olivia23 said "Just so everyone knows when I went to my weight loss seminar here in NC, the doctor said that they were also a Center of Excellence and the way they keep that is by doing so many surgeries a month. He didn't say there were any other requirements to keep that title."
Actually, there are additional criteria for becoming a Center of Excellence.
- Hospitals must perform at least 125 bariatric surgeries per year. Surgicenters must perform at least 100 bariatric surgeries per year.
- Bariatric surgeons at these Centers of Excellence must have performed at least 125 bariatric surgeries during their career and must continue to perform 50 surgeries per year.
- Centers of Excellence must be staffed by a multidisciplinary bariatric team including surgeons, nurses and other consultants.
- All centers must pass a rigorous onsite inspection.
- All centers must report their long-term outcomes to the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database (BOLD). The information gathered in this database is used to analyze the safety and benefits of bariatric surgery.
- All centers must be re-evaluated with an onsite inspection every three years.

I'm scheduled for May 10th! Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC.< /span>

Yes! Dr. Ariel Ortiz, FACS Obesity Control Center

RCT - First of all, Mexico is NOT a third world country. You are obviously ignorant on the options in Mexico and making judgements. We don't need people to bring those of us down that are struggling with Obesity and are looking for ways to make our life better and regain our health and happiness. We are here to encourage, support and inform. And lastly the correct form of the verb is RUN. You would have RUN out of there not ran.

Monday is my day! So excited!

I'm scheduled for May 21st! Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC
sw: 280
gw: 140

I agree. This is great to see what's in store after surgery. Sassygirl I LOVED your post. That is exactly what I am hoping for! So happy for you!

Flew into Sandeigo, went straight to OCC hospital...got surgery at3pm....hardly any waiting.
After surgery slept for a bit. Up a little in the night, just couldn't sleep. They have great movie channels now doctors says I am doing great and can go to the Marriiot, I even drank a whole capri sun with no problems OCC is beautiful and have wonderful peoplel!!!!!

I am one year and 8 months post op...I'm still here! I have been doing great! My hair stopped falling out at about 7 months post op....it is shinier then even before...my skin has cleared up...and is so soft now! I have gone from 315 pounds down to 170! I went from a size 24-26, and 3x to a size 9-14, and large tops....all of my back, knee, neck and any other aches and pains have gone away. I can walk up a flight of stairs without stopping to catch my breath after....I can wear makeup again because I don't sweat it all off anymore! I used to be covered in sweat all the time! My shoe size has gone down....so now my feet can fit into cute shoes again! I can have sex in any position now ! My cholesterol, lipids, and all other blood work are within normal ranges! My youngest daughter can fit her arms more then all the way around me! I can fit on all the amusement park rides my confidence and self esteem are booming! Hehe.... My husband looks at me with THOSE eyes again . I like my picture taken again. I am able to eat anything with my sleeve....but I don't really like sweets anymore. I can drink whatever I want, and as fast as I want again. I am excited for life again! I love going out and doing things, instead of sitting on the couch all day long. Seriously.....the list goes on and on....I'm sorry this was so long....but these are some of the most important things to me that have changed since being sleeved. The only problems I have right now are; my boobs went from being really full and bubbly to way smaller, and floppy...my tummy looks like it was a full balloon and someone let all the air out, and these last 20 pounds are hard as hell to get off! The sleeve was the best decision I could have ever made for my health! I would have never been able to reclaim my life without it! Good luck! Hope this helps!

Yea Beth12! I am excited to follow your journey! I will be there June 10th!

These were my criteria in selecting a surgeon in Mexico:
1. A surgeon who has performed a lot of weight loss surgery.
2. Member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery (i.e. need to be able to verify their credentials)
3. The doc should have a lot of positive internet “buzz”, or testimonials on weight loss surgery forums so I could contact those and get some independent feedback.
4. Would like to go to a part of Mexico WITH NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS from the US State Department (the state of Baja California where TJ is located does not have a travel warning)
5. The icing on the cake would be if they were at an International Center of Excellence as designated by the independent US Surgical Review Corporation – same body that designates US bariatric Centers of Excellence
6. Oh, and I wanted to contact the surgeon DIRECTLY, not through a surgery coordinating company
GOOD LUCK!