Water Nazi

I had 10/10 success with Dr. Ortiz. I’m 4 years post op without a complaint.
You didn’t mention what you did for follow up care and what the consensus was that resulted in your condition?
Feel better💐

I am currently working off a gain - about 15 down; another 25 or so to go... I am 6 years post revision to sleeve.
First, you do still have a sleeved stomach and I think it is possible to leverage it even now. For me, it takes FOREVER to lose weight now but I just can't care about that - I just have to keep losing or maintaining, not gaining. I am also working out and just getting toner, so I feel better. If I don't eat like a sleever, you wouldn't think I have a sleeve. I have always eaten half or less portions, etc - but I still have had regain that I am now turning around.
food wise, high Protein (dense protein first), veggies and really don't eat traditional carb sources like rice, bread, noodles. Don't eat alot of processed foods, skip fast foods, make your own meals and freeze them ahead. Find favorite easy to make "go to" foods - and keep the junk, sliders and carby food out of the house, or at least out of sight. Some people find food journaling helpful. Make sure you aren't drinking your calories.
Truth of the matter is that people regain post RNY also, after a certain amount of time it is less about the surgery and more about "compliance". I hate that, but it is true. I think your plan to tackle this is a good one, just don't be discouraged at the much slower weight loss this time around.

Dr. Elias Ortiz, Bariatrics
Chief of Surgery Dr. Elias Ortiz hails from Baja California, Mexico, and holds more than 15 years of medical experience. With a degree in medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the Autonomous University of Baja California and experience ranging from general surgery to obesity studies, Dr. Ortiz understands bariatric procedures as well as anyone.
Professional License Number: 528595
Hello All,
As I’ve been spending some time back on forums choosing my surgeon for a Tummy Tuck, I thought I’d stop by and donate a little payback by answering some of your questions (to the best of my ability).
As seen above I used Dr E Ortiz.
My rating is as follows:
OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 10/10
SURGERY 10/10
RESULTS 10/10
At surgery: 200lbs Lowest: 125lbs Year 3: 150lbs Year 4: 140lbs
*taking off the weight is the easy part ....... keeping it off is the hard part.

Pork rinds -They're just wrong.

KELOWNA BC
Anyone interested in making a group?
I had VSG in Mexico Feb/2014
Start BMI 35.5
Current BMI 29
(Approx 50 lbs or 66% excess weight lost).
W

I used Dr Ortiz in TJ 14 months ago. It couldn't have gone any smoother. No pain, no complications, no complaints. The firstmonth or so was a hard adjustment but only because you are living/breathing food. What to eat, what not to eat. Whats happening so me. I adjusted well. 75 lbs down from 200 to 125. Size 16 to size 4. I found the Constipation annoying but happily its been gone for months. I can eat anything though dense dry food like steak are tough. Probs cause I've forgotten to chew chew chew. I can eat potato chips and Cookies so I they are only in the house on rare occasions.
In a nutshell: ALM and Dr Ortiz rock! But PS: not everything will be perfect. But then nothing ever is.
HTH W.

I used Dr Ortiz in TJ 14 months ago. It couldn't have gone any smoother. No pain, no complications, no complaints. The firstmonth or so was a hard adjustment but only because you are living/breathing food. What to eat, what not to eat. Whats happening so me. I adjusted well. 75 lbs down from 200 to 125. Size 16 to size 4. I found the Constipation annoying but happily its been gone for months. I can eat anything though dense dry food like steak are tough. Probs cause I've forgotten to chew chew chew. I can eat potato chips and Cookies so I they are only in the house on rare occasions.
In a nutshell: ALM and Dr Ortiz rock! But PS: not everything will be perfect. But then nothing ever is.
HTH W.

You're MUCH better off preparing your own meals with clean fresh Proteins and vegetables. Frozen meals are processed and loaded with carbs, salt, and preservatives.
Rather than frozen meals, you'd get much better Protein from baked chicken breast, baked fish, cottage cheese, or turkey.

Interestingly, frozen meals aren't even mentioned in my PostOp plan. We can eat so little that I'd rather eat something high Protein, nutritious & tasty tbh. I wouldn't be getting my money's worth since I don't eat potatoes, rice, Pasta, or white flour...I would just pick out the meat and maybe a few veggies then leave the rest.

Iron LADY;
Nothing but nothing bothered her.
Not spicy Tomato juice 4 days post-op
Not beef Jerky 2 wks post-op
NOTHING........and then, this weekend, along came the radish!

I used to love to cook and bake before surgery, but not so much, anymore. I don't do it as often, either. I had to give up my preoccupation with food in order to succeed at weight loss with my sleeve. Thinking about, purchasing, preparing and serving food used to be a huge part of my daily life. It took a lot of energy to do that, and I just don't have the willpower to resist it. I try to keep no junk in my house, and I limit the amount of things to choose from so that I am not tempted.

Feb 4 2014
Dr Arial Ortiz
4 lbs to goal! from 200 to 129 at the 9 month mark.
Who's having success, who's having a struggle?
W

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one who kept my was a secret. My husband is the only one who knows and although he respected my wishes and told no one he thought my wanting to keep it secret was silly and strange that I was being a weirdo about it. Honestly, it was no one else's business. No pressure to fail or succeed, not being put under a microscope on my journey. It's about me no one else.

Amen, I am so with you on this TEXAS LADY. It is nobody's business. It makes sense to tell the ones that support you because they are your safety net. They can be supportive through the hard times.
This is deeply personal decision for everyone. I am not here to judge anyone's choices. We do what we need to survive. Later I may feel different about not telling anyone, of course. But pre-surgery, I stand ALONE!

That's it, thank you, I have decided. I am not telling anyone about my surgery. This is my journey and I don't think I could handle those comments.
Only my husband knows and that's because someone has to pick me up from the hospital, LOL. I did wonder if the hospital would release me to a taxi driver. But then I came to my senses - Somebody has to know, just in case.

This post gets my vote!
"We gave up eating out completely. I don't usually count calories at home. There is a difference between the good and the bad calories/fat. I eat part of an avocado just about every day. They are really good for you, even though it is high in fat. But, it is the kind of fat you are putting into your body. On my 6 month supervised diet, I switched completely to eating a Paleo style diet. With the sleeve, it has made it incredibly easy to stick to it and eat the healthy foods that I need to keep my body healthy and lose the weight that I need to. Cut out the processed stuff."
I do a Paleo style also (read as: I've eliminated all high carb foods). I also have avocado daily to keep my fats up. I buy my fish and chicken at the grocery store, I don't hunt it down. 3 meals/day come in at about 800-900 calories. I went from 200 to 133 in 7 months. Probably about an average weight loss. Once I get to goal I may add in a carb or two but, do what works for you. If you choose to eat out and/or take away food, personally I don't see that as a healthy choice, but to each his own. Cheers to all! Thanks for the great post Jody!

We gave up eating out completely. I don't usually count calories at home. There is a difference between the good and the bad calories/fat. I eat part of an avocado just about every day. They are really good for you, even though it is high in fat. But, it is the kind of fat you are putting into your body. On my 6 month supervised diet, I switched completely to eating a Paleo style diet. With the sleeve, it has made it incredibly easy to stick to it and eat the healthy foods that I need to keep my body healthy and lose the weight that I need to. Cut out the processed stuff. You really don't need it. Check it out! We've invested a lot into these little Bentley Tummies, feed them like the best possible nutrition you can.

You hit the nail on the head when you said the word snacking....No WLS is going to work unless you fix the reasons why you are sabotaging yourself. Fix the brain and you will fix the body. If you have to snack pick a couple of almonds. Or some raisins. Nothing junkie. High calories and no benefits to body health at all.
What you have is a tool. Not a fix it all! You have to be a driven person to do this. And continue for the rest of your life or you will find yourself back to what you started as. This information is not new to any of us. It is for me as well as you. We are in this together. It could be me later on...
So breath deep, regroup and get it together kid. Okay...Back to basics and dense Proteins and stay away from carbs unless complex okay. Keep up the exercise and don't weigh yourself every day...That just discourages you more.
We are all struggling with this demon in our lives. You are not alone no matter what surgery you chose. Basically....we have to see it as a tool and not a fix...We have to fix ourselves a long the way!!!

I hit goal of 158 in Feb 2013 which was 14 months post op.. I maintained ok, and was really active but by mid summer I noticed the scale in the low 160s to many days. The day it read 163...I said "regain" and started5:2. It worked so well I got down to 150. Then I had plastics where 5.5pounds of skin were taken but due to post op swelling I weighed in the 155 range for months. I am now 140-142. I had though about making g 135-140 my bounce range but I am happy here so 140-145 it is!
Point of my story is that although leveraging the honeymoon period is how I lost massive weight -that first 150#, you CAN maintain and even lose a few vanity pounds later. For me maintenance isn't much different from the losing phase...just eat a little more. I still eat small quantities, Protein and veggies first kind of diet. Carbs still make me gain weight...so I limit them.

I'm 53 and my biggest concern was wrinkles in my face and I'm happy with that part so far! I have what my husband and I call "butt drapes" and I just laugh about it, afterall he is the only one that sees them! I only have slight bat wings as my arms never got huge and my thighs sag a bit but my "hot pant" days are over anyway! I Celebrate my calves daily and wear knee length shorts and skirts. Overall I'm pleased and I have a bit more to lose, so I'm concentrating on building muscle and hoping that will fill out the saggy areas a bit. Luckily all of those areas are covered by clothing most of the time! My best to you all.

Good morning all!
Been super busy-so haven't posted in a while. I've been cleaning out my late parents home to sell and it's been taking up time after work and life.
I was sleeved on Feb.12,2014. I was 245lbs day of the surgery. I am now at 147lbs! Yipee! I am wearing a size 8 in clothes and very happy-I got my first pair of Levis in YEARS! I am just 5lbs away from my goal weight of where the Dr's want me to be. So happy with my choice of doing this surgery. It's meant a whole new phase of life. I went on vacation this summer and I walked during my 13 days a total of 63 miles. It felt so good walking the beach every morning, I could get used to that!
Happy Sunday to all of you!
Nell

I had Dr E Ortiz in Feb. No complications, no pain, no gas, no kidding.
I bounced back immediately AND I'm 54!
ALM did a good job. I travelled alone and I think it's a better way to go. It's pretty boring for the other person and you'll hook up with lots of people in the lobby all going to different Drs and hospitals. There's a real comradery.
HTH W
ps down 50 in 5 mths! Amazing!

BWALTD
Way to go!! Very impressive numbers indeed!
Keep it up.
W

I had VSG surgery with Dr Elias Ortiz/A Lighter Me January 31, 2014. I could not have had a better experience. He is an excellent surgeon and the entire ALM team is outstanding. I would highly recommend them.
I never had pain after surgery and I never had to ask for medicine. The nurses gave me pain meds, nausea meds, and antibiotics on schedule. The only discomfort I experienced was left shoulder pain from the CO2 they put in your abdomen during laparoscopic surgery. That pain went away in a couple days.
There are surgeons in MX that rip patients off by charging them for things like repairing hernias that they never repaired. Dr Ortiz is not greedy and has great integrity. I feel fortunate that I had him as my surgeon.

Hello fellow February Sleevers. Hope all is well. Its been a crazy journey so far.
Here are some of my stats.Weight is down 150 lbs, Im 54 inches smaller and my BMI is down 21.3 points Such a happy man now, Life is good.