Water Nazi

Hi, My BMI is on the lower end with no co-morbidities so my only option is Mexico. It's sad that in Canada and the US you have to be really unhealthy to get WLS but on the bright side, we can affordably go to Mexico! I'm excited!! 3 wks to go!! I'll be in TJ Feb 3-8 booked with Dr E Ortiz, Mi hospital, Marriot. W

Have you tried making them yourself? I bought some pre-made to grab and go but I'll always choose home made over pre made. I haven't had surgery yet but I've always loved my morning shake/smoothie albeit sans the Protein. vanilla protein isolate. Frozen berries/fruit 0% fat greek yoghurt skim or skim/water. Just add cocoa if you want chocolate but personally I couldn't take choc. in the morning. I use a magic bullet but a stick blender would work on small berries, prob not mango chunks tho. Happy blending.

Hi Joe, Very well written. I appreciate all your details. I will be there in 3 weeks and I feel like I have a good idea of what to expect. Not the first time I've read comments of Dr Elias Ortiz patients feeling like they were having an easier recovery than other patients. "Two other folks with me in the hospital were having issues. Both hurt very much from gas pains and one had a hand that was numb. It wasn't from the IV either, but he said they had to restrain him in surgery... Anyways, I noticed them complaining on the ride to the hotel and I felt bad for them because I felt so good. They were supposed to get their drains out today where I was a day early. I think the key though is walking. They were feeling nausea or pain or something that kept them from walking as much as I did. I think this is slowing their recovery. "

How does the entire team measure up? Who is a hospital employee and who is a team member? These things may play into your overall experience. People to consider: Anesthesiologist (THE most important person, he's the guy that keeps you alive). Experience? Employee or team member? Nurses: Hospital employees or team members? Some companies employ their own nurses, you may not have to settle for staff with little/no English. Co-ordinator/advocate: on phone or on site? Aftercare: Is there an aftercare person to answer your questions when you've forgotten everything you thought you knew? Myself: I recently changed surgeons to get a better team. Not everything rests in the hands of the surgeon.

Feb 4 2014 Dr Elias Ortiz Mi Doctor TJ Marriott Anyone else?

From to 2big2skate to skating, obviously your passion. I wish you congrats on your achievement and big congrats on being able to skate again and the extra measure of joy it brings you. W

Too funny! ...Me too! But...Were we shrinking clothes or gaining a few ozs every week? I think the latter. W

Feb 4 /14 Dr. Elia Ortiz (A lighter Me) Mi Doctor Hospital TJ Marriott

I have never figured this one out. Any book recommendations on this topic for the unenlightened?

Looking for a sleeve buddy who while be in Tijuana at the same time. Tks W

Finally!! Someone else!! Are you staying at the Marriott? W

I'm scheduled Feb 4 also but we are at different hospitals I'm at Mi Doctor in TJ If you are staying at the Marriott we could meet by the pool? W

Pork Rinds -They're just wrong.

Pork Rinds -They're just wrong.

omg. now I'm terrified. I have feb 4 Mi Doctor Dr Cabrera (MBC)

I'm smiling for you!

I dig it. You look fantastic! Thanks for posting. Great inspiration. This week (I'm still 2 months pre-op) my latest fear to overcome is getting complacent way way way down the road. I know, I know. Relax already. Or not. Maybe a local support group will evolve in the future.

Poked me to get my long term results started. Here is an excerpt I found: Ann Surg. 2010 Aug;252(2):319-24. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e3181e90b31. Long-term results of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for obesity.Himpens J, Dobbeleir J, Peeters G. Author information Abstract OBJECTIVE:To determine the mid- and long-term efficacy and possible side effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as treatment for morbid obesity. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA:Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is still controversial as single and final treatment for morbid obesity. Some favorable short-term results have been published, however long-term results are still lacking. METHODS:In the period between November 2001 and October 2002, 53 consecutive morbidly obese patients who, according to our personal algorithm, were qualified for restrictive surgery were selected for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Of the 53 patients, 11 received an additional malabsorptive procedure at a later stage because of weight regain. The percentage of excess weight loss (EWL) was assessed at 3 and 6 years postoperatively. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed for evaluation after 3 years. Recently, after the sixth postoperative year, patients were again contacted and invited to fill out a questionnaire. RESULTS:Full cooperation was obtained in 41 patients, a response rate of 78%. Although after 3 years a mean EWL of 72.8% was documented, after 6 years EWL had dropped to 57.3%, which according to the Reinhold criteria is still satisfactory. These results included 11 patients who had benefited from an additional malabsorptive procedure (duodenal switch) and 2 patients who underwent a "resleeve" between the third and sixth postoperative year. Analyzing the results of the subgroup of 30 patients receiving only sleeve gastrectomy, we found a 3-year %EWL of 77.5% and 6+ year %EWL of 53.3%. The differences between the third and sixth postoperative year were statistically significant in both groups. Concerning long-term quality of life patient acceptance stayed good after 6 + years despite the fact that late, new gastro-esophageal reflux complaints appeared in 21% of patients. CONCLUSIONS:In this long-term report of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, it appears that after 6+ years the mean excess weight loss exceeds 50%. However, weight regain and de novo gastroesophageal reflux symptoms appear between the third and the sixth postoperative year. This unfavorable evolution might have been prevented in some patients by continued follow-up office visits beyond the third year. Patient acceptance remains good after 6+ years. Comment inSurgery: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as the first-line surgical option for morbid obesity. [Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2010] I thought this site had some good stats also: www.bariatric-surgery-source.com/gastric-sleeve-surgery.html Hope this helps.

Glad to hear from you! I think it says alot when your sister books the same surgeon you used. Glad you are doing so well and hope the same for your sister. Send an update end January, I might need boost just before I head out. Tks!

Eyes big...really? Meh Gastric surgeries not common in Canada. Self pay is $20,000 they want BMI 40+ and surgeons few and far between. Anywho he said call Dr Amson in Victoria and see what he has to say about it. After reading patient reviews I decided not to call. I doubt he would have picked the phone. I went to his website and this is what I found: "the main disadvantage of this form of surgery is that it does not always produce the reduction in weight which people would wish for and, in the longer term, can result in weight regain. This is indeed true of any form of purely restrictive surgery, but is perhaps especially true in the case of the sleeve gastrectomy. As this form of surgery does not provide any element of gastric bypass some patients may experience a disappointing weight loss or weight regain.High BMI patients will often require follow-up weight loss surgery to achieve their goal. Although this may be seen as a disadvantage by some patients, in many cases, this two procedure option not only produces the results that the patient wants but may also provide a lower overall risk for the patient. " Firstly, going through the website I had the impression he views vsg as a stepping stone to an additional gastric surgery. hmm Secondly I am not aware of any disappointing weight loss (on this forum) in the first year (other than people panicking during their stalls). I know the vsg is a tool that one needs to work with but seems the ghrelin creeps back over time. Looking for feedback from Veterans 2+yrs out. Does the ghrelin creep back to a point where hunger overcomes control?

Good point

I thank you too for sticking around and sharing.

I feel like the problems begin 18 months (give or take).

Sorry, I worded my question wrong. Let's take the ghrelin issue off the table. Wondering how the vets have done long term? As an aside: Today I visited a forum called proboards. They seem to be anti VSG pro DS. Now I'm questioning my sleeve decision. Back to the research. I still have time.

Recheck your dates. Maybe you have date sorter on oldest first? Really, there is so much current info on this fab forum, it'll make your head spin. Happy searching. W