HoosierGirl

I'm scheduled with Dr. A Ortiz on 1/21/13. Initially I wanted the Plication procedure which I was told was 1000.00 more than the sleeve. After doing further research I changed my mind and called to switch to the sleeve. I was told then it was the same price??? I reminded the coordinator that I was quoted a different price not two weeks prior and she denied telling me so. Now I'm questioning what to do at this point. I want the procedure done and don't want to cancel but I don't want to now be scammed???

Has this happened to anyone?

I checked my initial email communication from Dr. Ortiz's office. The price they quoted me in the email was the same for the plication and the sleeve. Hope this helps and that you get resolution to the issue!

YAY! You are doing great....this is what the surgery is all about! Kudos to you

I would keep it loose and tell him you have had a stomach thing for the past couple of weeks and would like to keep it light (like soup) if you go out to eat. But make it clear that you are NOT one of those non-eating girls! Ha ha!

My mom and I are booking our flights right now!!! This. Is. Real... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amanda Rae

Amanda Rae - this MADE my whole evening!!!! So so so EXCITED for you!

So, my thighs constantly rub together and burn holes in my jeans. I was wondering for those who are post op- at what point did you notice your thighs stopped rubbing together? Is this even a reality or just a pipe dream?

I am about 7 weeks post op and down about 30 pounds. But I have yet not notice any difference in rubbage.

OMG - so funny! I needed this tonight! My besties and I refer to these situations as a "blow out".

When you find out a size/weight when this stops...let me know....I would like to add this as a "goal" on my post-op road to thin. Ha ha!

Now you can officically start the count down!!! Very exciting!

Getting geared up (i.e. PSYCHED UP) for the pre-op diet and I am wondering what to expect. My three main questions are:

1. How long was your pre-op diet?

2. How were you getting your calories? (All shakes, Atkins style diet, shakes & small meal combo?)

3. How much weight did you lose?

SweetTee and nurseghana - I will be with Dr. Ortiz and at the Marriot in Tijuana on Feb. 27....hope to meet you there...

Tijuana is in Mexico's state of Baja Califorina . It is the only "border state" that does not have a "defer non essential travel" warning from the US state department. The balance of Mexico's border states DO have the warning.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5815.html

I think to some all of Mexico is dangerous. I've traveled a lot to various border states for work where my employer has factories. I've heard crazy stories and know some places are better than others. But the bottom line is this...if you are in Mexioc on the up-and-up, watch where you are at all times, you won't have any reason to run into the authorities or unsavory folks.

Keep checking the US State Department for updates.

AStephenson - I am super exicted for you....what a fantastic birthday present to yourself! Cannot wait to hear about your experience! Everyone I have communicated with have great things to say about their experience. Hope to have wonderful results! We'll have to keep in touch as the pre-op diets start too!

Thanks Trixie! Everyone I've talked to about Dr. Ortiz has had nothing but good to say! Hope you are having great success with your sleeve.

Amanda Rae - I know what you mean! These weights are such an arbritrary number. I see people talking about weighing 215 and able to wear XL shirts and size 14/16 pants! That would NEVER happen for me at 215! Although the numbers are the same, we all wear it so differently. All I know is I will be super glad to be off all my medication and be able to exercise without - um - chaffing and sucking wind!

Your d-day (deposit day) is coming up fast! When will your surgery be?

A few short minutes ago, I put dollars to the dream and made my deposit for VSG surgery on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 with Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana! Merry Christmas to me - ha ha!!!

As I sit here and type this at 233 lbs, I am so ready to start the next chapter of my life. I can only hope my change will have a wonderful healthy impact on my kids and hubby.

Amytug - Flying....you will enjoy it!

When you get thru security and to your gate at the airport, most airlines will allow "early bording" for those that need a little extra time. They will announce this as they are ready to let folks board the plane. My suggestion is to take the early bording time since this is a first flight. When you walk from the airport down the jetway to the plane, there will be an attendant on the plane and you could mention to them you are a first timer. Most are helpful. There is over your seat for a suitcase and under the seat in front of you for a purse or bag. Once everyone is one the plane, the attendant will review safety information. Then the pilot will come on and tell you about the weather, altitude and flight time. The attendant makes sure everyone has their belt buckeled and you take off. During flight, they will make some announcements and then will offer drinks/snack. Then, you land.

When you have the layover, you will get off one plane, walk into the airport and look for monitors that tell you where your next flight will depart from. One thing I will mention about layovers....if you are traveling when the weather could be snowy or icy, I would avoid travel through Detroit or Chicago or other cold weather city. You are just asking for trouble on a layover!

I have flown on all sized aircraft and I actually enjoy the smaller planes. They are more quick to board and get ready to go. Generally, the smaller planes are for shorter flights or serve smaller airports. Some of these might be turbo prop planes and they are more noisey. But if you are able to get regional jet service, that is pretty nice!

Good luck - you are going to do great! Allow yourself plenty of time when you arrive at the airport and take it all in. It's actually pretty fun.

Wow - you look fantastic! Amazing 6 months you have had. Kudos to you!

You've got this. No doubt you are going to ROCK this surgery!

ok I'm hearing the same, thing I am 155 lbs afraid to post my weight 33 bmi I'm super short but in pain and want to be healthy I'm not waiting until I'm like my mom diabetic no energy I am a mom of five and a business owner I have way to much left to do. Ok now I publicly posted my weight I know for me this will solve my health issues and make me feel better so for me and my family its being done in march.

Congrats for being so HONEST! Fantastic that you are taking on your weight for yourself and 5 others who depend on you! You will find a lot of support here from all. This site has been a real blessing for me. Hope it is for you too!

At some point on one of these threads, I read something about receiving a DVD of surgery done in Mexico. And apparently that made BIG impression on me as I am having surgery in Mexico too.

In the dream, I am at home recovering from my VSG when my husband suggests watching the DVD of my procedure. His logic was that we paid for it, let's watch it. OK, I'm game. The DVD starts in the operating room and everything is ready for the surgery to begin. As it starts, I am HORRIFIED to see everyone in the operating room is NAKED!

All the surgical staff were nude. Of course they had on rubber gloves, surgical masks, and caps. Why wouldn't they, it's an operating room, right?! But other than that, they were all buck-ass naked. I was of course naked, but draped in surgical covering so not too embarassing. My husband was there in the operating room observing the surgery - also naked. And our 4 year old daughter was there too watching my VSG procedure and was, you guessed it - naked! The whole video was like a freaky new age birthing experience where everything was supposed to be relaxing, calm and natural. And, naked I guess. What was even more disturbing was that everyone in the operating room was really carefully watching the surgery and seemingly unconcerned or unaware they had no clothes on. WTF?

In the dream, I was furious at my husband for #1 being in the operating room NAKED and #2 allowing our 4 year old to watch a graphic surgery like that. (In the dream I was not concerned that my little daughter was in the operating room naked....that part seemed logical....but I was MAD that she watched the surgery!) WHATEVER!

I'm spending WAY WAY too much time thinking about this surgery! I'll be totally nuts by the time February gets here!!! Ha ha!!!

Same thing here. Although I didn't specifically notice being "smaller" than everyone else at orientation, one of the other ladies told me she thought I already had the surgery.

My BMI is 35/36 and I fight to stay there. I have hyptertension and my parents are both overweight with severe weight related health issues that I would like to avoid. I know I need surgery for my health.

Although it is frustrating when people tell you that you don't seem "big enough" for surgery, I just smile and say thanks. Well meaning people sometimes give advice they don't know isn't good advice.

How long after your surgery before you could comfortably sit at a desk and complete a full day of work? I sit at a desk all day. I had my gall bladder removed laproscopically w/gas to inflate the abdomen and I'm guessing the recovery after VSG may be similar?

For the gall bladder, I had surgery Thursday and went back to work the next Monday. Appreciate your feedback!

Sunshinegurl - hope you are doing well! Sending up prayers for comfort and good health!

CONGRATS!

WOO HOO! You are going to ROCK this surgery! And it is less than TWO MONTHS AWAY. You will have to give me the full run down of events before my surgery with Dr. Oritz Feb. 27.

Congrats on putting dollars to the dream!

Sunshinegurl - you are going to do GREAT. Don't let your nerves get the best of you....just remember all the reasons this surgery is RIGHT for you and what got you to this point.

You are going to rock this surgery and have fantastic results!!! This time next week, you will be heading home and everyone (me included) will be coming to you for advice and watching your success.....BRING IT ON!!!!

This is my first time (I think) posting. Is anyone going to be sleeved by Dr. Ariel Ortiz next Monday-yikes!! December 17??

I'm going alone and as I "try" to rest my mind and sleep, I find myself combing through some posts. So far- I haven't been able to find a single sleeve sister or brother to share in this journey. I'll be arriving Monday a.m and returning on the 20th. Staying at the Marriott. Does anyone know if other hospitals put their patients up at the Marriott as well? Would love to know!

Oh how i would love to go with you!!! Alas, I will be waiting until Februry. Cannot wait to hear about your experience.