HoosierGirl

Surgery 2/4/2013....still maintaining the loss...so grateful!

We are in Bradenton on the Gulf side. I like State College, PA - great town!

I am looking at surgeons as well....I live in Florida but want a surgeon who specializes I body lifts for weight loss surgery patients. For that reason, I am zeroed in on Dr Cardenas and Dr Sauceda.< br />
On Saturday, I had a Zoom consult with Dr Cardenas. She is extremely impressive. I feel like she focuses on safety and feminine outcomes. Big emphasis on pre and post op nutrition. All of which are important to me.

Dr Sauceda is a bit more direct. Send your photos, get a recommendation and cost. He does good work.

Both doctors recommended the same procedures for me - makes it easy to compare cost. The costs were significantly different, but I am leaning toward Dr Cardenas because her results are just beautiful.

Will be sure to post results if I go forward with surgery in December.

Hope to see your results as well!

I am looking at surgeons as well....I live in Florida but want a surgeon who specializes I body lifts for weight loss surgery patients. For that reason, I am zeroed in on Dr Cardenas and Dr Sauceda.< br />
On Saturday, I had a Zoom consult with Dr Cardenas. She is extremely impressive. I feel like she focuses on safety and feminine outcomes. Big emphasis on pre and post op nutrition. All of which are important to me.

Dr Sauceda is a bit more direct. Send your photos, get a recommendation and cost. He does good work.

Both doctors recommended the same procedures for me - makes it easy to compare cost. The costs were significantly different, but I am leaning toward Dr Cardenas because her results are just beautiful.

Will be sure to post results if I go forward with surgery in December.

Hope to see your results as well!

He did my surgery just fine. Still has legit medical certifications at a Center of Excellence that you can verify.
I knew going in the Newsweek thing is advertising tool. There are a lot of docs that use the Newsweek thing for advertising...why not shame on Newsweek?. You have to do your due diligence selecting a surgeon in Mexico or anywhere for that matter.
It's like showing up in Mexico for surgery only to find out that the "hospital" isn't what we would consider a hospital at all. Got to do the homework up front to be sure what you are getting.

Apologies in advance for my "brain dump" but there is a LOT to consider as you research surgeons in Mexico. Everyone who has posted on this thread have very specific and valid personal reasons they have selected their surgeon. Based on their high level of research, I have every confidence they will have a great experience because they know what to expect before they arrive. And that is what I hope for ALL of us, we do the research so we can have a good experience.
When I began to consider Mexico as an option for weight loss surgery, I learned a lot. There were several factors important to me in selecting a surgeon:
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. I wanted 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
5. The icing on the cake would be if they were at an International Center of Excellence as designated by the 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
THE SHORT LIST
1. Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras http://www.endobariatric.com/doctor.htm
2. Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali http://gastricsleevesurgeon.com
3. Dr. Pompa in Tijuana http://www.limarp.com/en/dr_liza.php
4. Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com
I checked prices. I spent a great deal of time on each website to understand the process, review photos, verify
credentials, etc. Both Dr. Pompa and Dr. Ortiz are practicing at International Centers of Excellence. And I liked the fact Tijuana does not have a travel warning from the US State department.
Dr. Alvarez wrote a book about the sleeve. I purchased his e-Book. It’s an easy read and provides a great deal of information about the sleeve procedure, how he performs it, and what you need to do pre-surgery and post-surgery for diet.
Ultimately, I selected Dr. Ortiz. Why?
• He has a TON of YouTube videos available. I watched many of them and learned a lot about the surgery, recovery, diet, his philosophy, got to see the surgical team working together, pictures of the facility, etc. Also, he has a great video about the difference between healthcare in the US vs. Mexico and was spot on. This video actually made my decision for me. (He even addressed the sombrero issue. I’m in! Ha ha!) Check the video
• Confirmed they are a International Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate/cmcoem/
• Confirmed Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American College of Surgeons http://web2.facs.org/acsdir/public/DetailMember.cfm?CHKDGTS=88010816878
• Confirmed Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery http://asmbs.org/member-search/ (search for last name Lagardere, as in Ariel A. Ortiz Lagardere)
• Tijuana is in Baja California, the only Mexican border state that does not have a travel warning from the US State Department. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5815.html All other border states have a “defer non-essential travel” warning
My hope is that you find a surgeon and location that are right for YOU! Just by being on these forums and becoming educated on your options - I have a feeling you will have GREAT results.

I've written a lot about this over the years. I believe the "stretch" is more a function of a person's ability to "eat around" the sleeve. When eating by the guidelines given us at the beginning, my restriction is the same as it was a year out. But if I am eating slider foods, sure, I can eat a larger quantity. If I am sipping Water with my meal, sure, I can eat a larger quantity. If I graze throughout the day, sure, I can eat a larger quantity.
Rather than blame myself and my need to fill my soul with food, I can just blame it on the sleeve "stretching". Now, I'm sure this does not cover 100% of the folks out there. I am sure there were surgeons who left too much fundus and their stomachs are able to distend larger than the "average" sleever, but I am guessing they are in the minority. But one this I am confident about is if they go back to the original guidelines, they will lose anything they have gained.
I am confident about this as it has been true for me.
I have slipped into old habits of using food as a crutch and ate around my sleeve. I gained 20 pounds over a couple years. I'm not not cured of my food issues. But I simply returned to the old guidelines and 6 months later, I had dropped that 20 pounds.
This only works if you work it. We cannot forget nor ignore this, lest we suffer the consequences.

I'm not promoting anybody - nor am I tearing anyone down. If someone is on this forum to do research they should know I have had positive results as a Dr. Ortiz patient.
And I determined in my pre-surgery research that Newsweek Showcase was not Newsweek Magazine. Dangerous to assume what others do/don't know. This forum is all about sharing informaton.
Obviously not all are not fans of Dr. Ortiz. To each their own. However, the bottom line for anyone looking at surgery in Mexico should spend a lot of time verifying everything and doing their own research. This is a serious surgery and deserves more due dilligence than simply believing marketing information.

Www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com
Journals before, during after my sleeve. (Important nuggets of wisdom here like "peanut M&Ms are not a source of protein" and rants about surgery day wedgies. Lol!)

LOVE this thread! You go girls!
Pretty simple. A little list of goals I would like to achieve as part of my weight loss surgery. I think they are achievable. Most of them anyway.
1. Get off blood pressure medication – DONE on 2/18/2013
2. Develop BLOG to help others – DONE, helping since 3/8/13
3. Wear NORMAL size clothes, no plus sizes! – DONE on 4/12/13
4. Complete Jillian Michaels Body Revolution Program and post pictures – STARTED twice, yet to finish all 12 weeks! More to come...
5. Walking tour of Italy
6. Get a photo with Hugh Jackman (the actual person, not a cardboard cut-out)

Www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com
Journals before, during after my sleeve. (Important nuggets of wisdom here like "peanut M&Ms are not a source of protein" and rants about surgery day wedgies. Lol!)

LOVE this thread! You go girls!
Pretty simple. A little list of goals I would like to achieve as part of my weight loss surgery. I think they are achievable. Most of them anyway.
1. Get off blood pressure medication – DONE on 2/18/2013
2. Develop BLOG to help others – DONE, helping since 3/8/13
3. Wear NORMAL size clothes, no plus sizes! – DONE on 4/12/13
4. Complete Jillian Michaels Body Revolution Program and post pictures – STARTED twice, yet to finish all 12 weeks! More to come...
5. Walking tour of Italy
6. Get a photo with Hugh Jackman (the actual person, not a cardboard cut-out)

Www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com
Journals before, during after my sleeve. (Important nuggets of wisdom here like "peanut M&Ms are not a source of protein" and rants about surgery day wedgies. Lol!)

LOVE this thread! You go girls!
Pretty simple. A little list of goals I would like to achieve as part of my weight loss surgery. I think they are achievable. Most of them anyway.
1. Get off blood pressure medication – DONE on 2/18/2013
2. Develop BLOG to help others – DONE, helping since 3/8/13
3. Wear NORMAL size clothes, no plus sizes! – DONE on 4/12/13
4. Complete Jillian Michaels Body Revolution Program and post pictures – STARTED twice, yet to finish all 12 weeks! More to come...
5. Walking tour of Italy
6. Get a photo with Hugh Jackman (the actual person, not a cardboard cut-out)

Www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com
Journals before, during after my sleeve. (Important nuggets of wisdom here like "peanut M&Ms are not a source of protein" and rants about surgery day wedgies. Lol!)

Apologies in advance for my "brain dump" but there is a LOT to consider as you research surgeons in Mexico. Everyone who has posted on this thread have very specific and valid personal reasons they have selected their surgeon. Based on their high level of research, I have every confidence they will have a great experience because they know what to expect before they arrive. And that is what I hope for ALL of us, we do the research so we can have a good experience.
When I began to consider Mexico as an option for weight loss surgery, I learned a lot. There were several factors important to me in selecting a surgeon:
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. I wanted 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
5. The icing on the cake would be if they were at an International Center of Excellence as designated by the 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
THE SHORT LIST
1. Dr. Guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras http://www.endobariatric.com/doctor.htm
2. Dr. Alberto Aceves in Mexicali http://gastricsleevesurgeon.com
3. Dr. Pompa in Tijuana http://www.limarp.com/en/dr_liza.php
4. Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana http://www.obesitycontrolcenter.com
I checked prices. I spent a great deal of time on each website to understand the process, review photos, verify
credentials, etc. Both Dr. Pompa and Dr. Ortiz are practicing at International Centers of Excellence. And I liked the fact Tijuana does not have a travel warning from the US State department.
Dr. Alvarez wrote a book about the sleeve. I purchased his e-Book. It’s an easy read and provides a great deal of information about the sleeve procedure, how he performs it, and what you need to do pre-surgery and post-surgery for diet.
Ultimately, I selected Dr. Ortiz. Why?
• He has a TON of YouTube videos available. I watched many of them and learned a lot about the surgery, recovery, diet, his philosophy, got to see the surgical team working together, pictures of the facility, etc. Also, he has a great video about the difference between healthcare in the US vs. Mexico and was spot on. This video actually made my decision for me. (He even addressed the sombrero issue. I’m in! Ha ha!) Check the video
• Confirmed they are a International Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate/cmcoem/
• Confirmed Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American College of Surgeons http://web2.facs.org/acsdir/public/DetailMember.cfm?CHKDGTS=88010816878
• Confirmed Dr. Ortiz is a member of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery http://asmbs.org/member-search/ (search for last name Lagardere, as in Ariel A. Ortiz Lagardere)
• Tijuana is in Baja California, the only Mexican border state that does not have a travel warning from the US State Department. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5815.html All other border states have a “defer non-essential travel” warning
My hope is that you find a surgeon and location that are right for YOU! Just by being on these forums and becoming educated on your options - I have a feeling you will have GREAT results.

As I approach my 4-year VSG anniversary with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, I wanted to share all the positive things that have happened in my life:
1) Went from a size 18/20 to a 6. No more meds and overall fantastic health.
2) Weight loss gave me the confidence to go after my MBA.
3) I completed my MBA (and also completed a 2nd Masters just this year).
4) I got a promotion at work. And I'm making more money.
5) My husband says people think he is either rich or "well endowed" because I am "hot" and with him (he is crazy-funny).
6) Two other friends have had successful VSG surgery with Dr. Ortiz and have lost all the weight they wanted to loose. (And let me tell you, being an role model to others is a powerful thing I was not expecting, but love.)
7) I am glad to answer any questions about my experience as a 3+ year VSG veteran, surgery in Mexico, or other.
If interested, you are welcome to visit my own personal weight loss blog that chronicles my pre-surgery craziness and post-surgery experience. I don't work for anyone or get paid for anything, just my experience for those researching options. www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com
HUGS - Shelley

As I approach my 4-year VSG anniversary with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, I wanted to share all the positive things that have happened in my life:
1) Went from a size 18/20 to a 6. No more meds and overall fantastic health.
2) Weight loss gave me the confidence to go after my MBA.
3) I completed my MBA (and also completed a 2nd Masters just this year).
4) I got a promotion at work. And I'm making more money.
5) My husband says people think he is either rich or "well endowed" because I am "hot" and with him (he is crazy-funny).
6) Two other friends have had successful VSG surgery with Dr. Ortiz and have lost all the weight they wanted to loose. (And let me tell you, being an role model to others is a powerful thing I was not expecting, but love.)
7) I am glad to answer any questions about my experience as a 3+ year VSG veteran, surgery in Mexico, or other.
If interested, you are welcome to visit my own personal weight loss blog that chronicles my pre-surgery craziness and post-surgery experience. I don't work for anyone or get paid for anything, just my experience for those researching options. www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com
HUGS - Shelley

As I approach my 4-year VSG anniversary with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana, I wanted to share all the positive things that have happened in my life:
1) Went from a size 18/20 to a 6. No more meds and overall fantastic health.
2) Weight loss gave me the confidence to go after my MBA.
3) I completed my MBA (and also completed a 2nd Masters just this year).
4) I got a promotion at work. And I'm making more money.
5) My husband says people think he is either rich or "well endowed" because I am "hot" and with him (he is crazy-funny).
6) Two other friends have had successful VSG surgery with Dr. Ortiz and have lost all the weight they wanted to loose. (And let me tell you, being an role model to others is a powerful thing I was not expecting, but love.)
7) I am glad to answer any questions about my experience as a 3+ year VSG veteran, surgery in Mexico, or other.
If interested, you are welcome to visit my own personal weight loss blog that chronicles my pre-surgery craziness and post-surgery experience. I don't work for anyone or get paid for anything, just my experience for those researching options. www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com
HUGS - Shelley

Yes - I had my VSG with Dr. Ortiz at the OCC in February 2013. You are welcome to read my blog as I was looking for any and all info I could find before surgery www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com hopefully this is helpful to you.
Had a good surgery and smooth recovery. The most difficult part of the whole process was BEFORE surgery. Crazy random thoughts, frequent inner-discussion about why I couldn't lose weight on my own, friends worried about my safety, etc. Bottom line is this: if you can get past the geography and keep yourself from a nervous breakdown, Dr. Ortiz and staff are very skilled at what they do. Good luck...

Yes - I had my VSG with Dr. Ortiz at the OCC in February 2013. You are welcome to read my blog as I was looking for any and all info I could find before surgery www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com hopefully this is helpful to you.
Had a good surgery and smooth recovery. The most difficult part of the whole process was BEFORE surgery. Crazy random thoughts, frequent inner-discussion about why I couldn't lose weight on my own, friends worried about my safety, etc. Bottom line is this: if you can get past the geography and keep yourself from a nervous breakdown, Dr. Ortiz and staff are very skilled at what they do. Good luck...

Batman....I like it! As long as you get Dr. Martinez (and not the Joker) you are in good shape!! LOL!
Stick to your guns and talk to the man. You will feel better if you do. And I didn't meet Dr. Martinez at OCC, only Dr. Ortiz. Interesting! But with my pre-op and post-op questions, Dr. Martinez answered those emails.

LoveMyWorld - just sent you an email...

Www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com
Journals before, during after my sleeve. (Important nuggets of wisdom here like "peanut M&Ms are not a source of protein" and rants about surgery day wedgies. Lol!)

Yes - I had my VSG with Dr. Ortiz at the OCC in February 2013. You are welcome to read my blog as I was looking for any and all info I could find before surgery www.hoosierfatty.wordpress.com hopefully this is helpful to you.
Had a good surgery and smooth recovery. The most difficult part of the whole process was BEFORE surgery. Crazy random thoughts, frequent inner-discussion about why I couldn't lose weight on my own, friends worried about my safety, etc. Bottom line is this: if you can get past the geography and keep yourself from a nervous breakdown, Dr. Ortiz and staff are very skilled at what they do. Good luck...