mmhutch

Are those of you who feel hungry taking anti acid medications such as Prilosec or Nexium? Acid in our sleeved stomachs mimics hunger. I am 18 mos out and still take Prilosec everyday. If I don't, I feel constant "hunger."

I had my VSG surgery in Tijuana one year ago. I paid $4400 and that included everything but the airfare to San Diego. 5 nights (Marriott night before surgery, 2 nights in hospital, 2 more nights at Marriott.) I had a great experience and am looking into returning for breast lift with augmentation. My best to you in whichever location you decide upon. You will not regret having the surgery!

I also recommend Premier Protein. 160 cal. 5 grams fat. 5 carbs. I love the chocolate ones Cheaper at Sam's than Walmart.

I had my surgery there by Dr Elias Ortiz, who used to work under Dr Lopez. I cannot say a nice thing about Dr Lopez. I know inside information about his practice and about him up charging many patients telling them that he repaired a hernia. It's a rip off. I work in healthcare and the odds of 4/5 patients needing a hernia repair on the same day are slim. The 5th patient had a bypass so hernia was irrelevant. I met another VSG pt of Dr Lopez' wife at the hospital who went through Mexico Bariatrics. They never gave her ANY post-op instructions or diet info! I ended up giving her what I had from A Lighter Me, and connected her with ALM's nutritionist who helped her post of for several weeks for free! I am so thankful for the great experience I had in TJ. So sorry to hear of your disappointing experience there. My best to you as you pursue your weight loss goal.

It was Elias Ortiz.

I had surgery with Dr Ortiz January 31, 2014. I had a mid-30's BMI too. I had a tummy tuck 5 years ago. My results are fantastic! I have lost 58 lbs and my stomach is flat and awesome! Due to the previous surgery, Dr Ortiz did not make an incision in my belly button. I don't believe that you have to pay 6-8 thousand dollars to have a great VSG result. I paid $4400 which included 5 nights; 1 in hotel night before, 2 in hospital (not clinic) post-op, 2 more in hotel. I researched other doctors prior to my surgery and I do not recall any other dr keeping you longer in hospital or hotel than Dr Ortiz. He is truly a very caring, talented, excellent surgeon. He used to work under another surgeon who charged more and paid Dr Ortiz less, and the other surgeon took credit for the number of surgeries. Even at his lower price, Dr Ortiz is making more money being on his own than previously. Another factor that affects pricing is contract negotiations with hotel and hospital from weight loss company. A Lighter Me may possibly have better pricing from better contract negotiations. All I know is that I am very happy with my decision to have had the surgery through ALM and Dr Ortiz. I am now consulting with my plastic surgeon for a lift and breast implants. That surgery will cost a couple thousand more than my VSG. I wish you the best. Feel free to private message me if you have other questions.

Let me first recommend Miralax daily to keep you regular. I have been using it for 7 mos. it's a miracle worker. LolSecond, it is very common to not like plain water after VSG. I add stevia sweetened flavoring to my water. It's found near Crystal Light in the grocery store. There are some great flavors. Try them.

Miralax is tasteless and can be added to a hit or cold beverage. It's my preference.

Miralax.

I have never heard of him. I had my surgery in Tijuana in January 2014 with Dr Elias Ortiz. In my research, his name never came up. One thing I learned when researching for my past surgery in Tijuana was that Jerusalem Hospital is not a hospital. It's a clinic in a little strip mall. The physician who owned it passed away earlier this year. I'm not sure of any changes made since his passing. I'm sure people have had successful experiences there. The main concern would be the lack of a critical care unit in the event of complications. My best to you.

Hey Jennifer. I'm in South Pittsburg, TN, near Monteagle. I may have some XL scrubs that you could have. I have to go through my bags of clothes I removed from my closet.

Are you taking an anti acid medication such as Prilosec? Acid mimicks hunger pangs. I noticed that feeling when I would skip my medicine. My dr told me to take 20 mg Prilosec 2x per day for four months. It makes a huge difference. Trust me, I tried stopping it early and felt terrible.

There are two Dr Ortiz'. Elias Ortiz is the one NOT associated with OCC. I had surgery with Dr Elias Ortiz. He is a great surgeon and an honest, kind, caring man. You will not be disappointed.

I understand that. I wouldn't base your decision on who has been doing them longest though. Make sure they are honest too. I know of specifics about experienced surgeons there and how they have ripped off patients. One woman I met went there for a band revision to sleeve. The surgeon only removed her band and led her to believe she had a sleeve too. Dr Ortiz "fixed" her by performing her sleeve surgery and documented things to assist with her lawsuit against the other group/surgeon who cheated her. Others up-charge for hernia repairs that were not really done. It's very sad but we are vulnerable there as patients. I can testify to Dr Ortiz' integrity. My best to you with your decision and surgery.

I was told he does ten a day and has been doing them for three years:) mine is scheduled for June 28th !I'm not sure who would have told you that he does ten per day. I am friends with Janese, his sales coordinator, and she told me he limits himself to 4-5 per day. I wouldn't get hung up on how many he has done. Trust me, he has done lots and is very qualified. He used to work for Dr Lopez and performed many of Dr Lopez's surgeries and Dr Ortiz did not receive credit for them, Dr Lopez counted them as if he had done them. Bottom line, Dr Ortiz will do a great job for you and will not rip you off. He actually cares about his patients and doing quality work.

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.

I'm in South Pittsburg, TN. It's between Chattanooga and Manchester. I had my surgery Jan 31 in Mexico. (No insurance coverage for wls.)

I had the sleeve surgery on 1/31/14. I am 5'1" and weighed 190. In 4 months I have lost 45 lbs. I have averaged 11 ins per month. Gone from size 14/16 to an 8 bottom and sm/med tops. I am very happy with this. And I have not exercised. I can only consume about 1/3-1/2 cup food at once. I follow my dr's suggestion of 60 G protein per day. I barely ever eat additional carbs. No sweets; once you eat them, your body craves them. They slow down weight loss. I believe that if you follow the nutritional recommendations, you will lose. I expect to have lost the 60 lbs I set as my goal by end of July. (6 mos postop) My best to you.

Two evenings ago, I began having back pain that is sharp and located around the level of L1. It It occurs when I eat! It is really painful to breathe in a normal to deeper breath. I know that typical gallbladder symptoms are right sided. I question the gb because of the occurrence with eating. It's gotten so uncomfortable that I hate to eat. My surgery was 4 months ago, in Mexico. Has anyone else had these type of pains/symptoms? Thanks for your input.

Supreme protein caramel nut, orange wrapper....yummy Sold in Walmart or GNC. I buy them in a box of 5 snack size that I sometimes eat one for a meal. Since surgery, I cannot consume a full size bar.

I weaned myself off coffee two weeks prior to surgery. Coffee is acidic and not good for your stomach as it is healing. I began having a coffee a couple times a week recently. I am almost 4 months post op. At the advisement of my dr, I do not consume carbonated beverages. Carbonation stretches your stomach. Pointless to have the surgery if we are going to stretch our stomachs back out. The thought of it scares me. I do miss my beer. I will occasionally have a small glass of white wine. But I waited at least 2 months post op before drinking. Drs orders were to wait at least 6 weeks. I feel that my weight loss success has been from strictly adhering to my doctors recommendations post op. I have never had a "stall." I have consistently lost at least 1-3 lbs per week. I only have 60 total to lose, so I don't drop 20 lbs/month like a lot of folks on here. Good luck to you.

My doctor told me to take Prilosec/Omeprazole 20mg 2 x per day for at least 4 months. I promise if you take it, you will feel a whole lot better. I purchased 4 months worth in Mexico before coming home from surgery. I have never felt heart burn post op. I do feel "hunger" when I forget to take it. My best to you! Hope this helps.

I disagree with this. I dislike Unjury, Biochem, Syntrax, but I like Premier Protein Chocolate RTD. I have wasted too much money on protein powders I didn't like.

Woke up with a sharp pain going up to my left shoulder, which was caused by the CO2 used to inflate the abdomen during surgery. Not everyone experiences this discomfort. My pain lasted about two days. I had no pain from surgical site though. I had an IV and drainage tube and bandages over incisions. No Foley catheter. I never felt nausea either. The hospital nurses were diligent about giving me meds for pain, nausea, and antibiotic every few hours. I never asked for meds.