JawaGal42

I was sleeved September 4 with Dr Elias Ortiz and have nothing but abundant praise for him, his assistant Dr Morales, and the anesthesiologist Dr Malagan. Even the hospital internist whose name I sadly cannot remember was wonderful, competent, and thorough. Mi Doctor Hospital was satisfactory and many of the nurses were caring and lovely. The Tijuana Marriott was absolutely gorgeous. Now, as for A Lighter Me, there's not much to say that the word AWESOME doesn't cover! Very, very positive experience all the way around.
As for my after care, Ronda from ALM sends out rather detailed emails with all sorts of info and my first post-op visit with my regular NP is tomorrow afternoon. He's one of those who is stern and as serious as a heart attack yet he was supportive of my decision to have the VSG done in Mexico and has expressed that he will continue to be supportive of me in my health endeavors and goals. I am also fortunate in that we have a local bariatric surgeon who will accept 'adoptees' should I ever need his expertise. Am not anticipating any problems though getting in my daily Water requirement has not been easy.

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!

I was sleeved four months ago today (and am down 52lbs) I went through ALM and had Dr. Ortiz also. I went alone, flew in the day before surgery and stayed at the hotel. There wasn't anyone else being picked up at the airport when I was but I met people as soon as I got to the hotel. I went to the restaurant in the hotel for my broth that evening and was seated next to a group that were post op and leaving the next day. We talked about their experience, which calmed my nerves.
I brought some reading material and sat in the lobby, a lot of sleevers & supporters tend to hang out there so it's pretty easy to startup a conversation with someone. You will meet the people being sleeved the same day when you meet in the lobby for the ride to the hospital. Our little group walked to a nearby restaurant where the sleevers had broth and the supporters had a feast!
I had no pain after surgery and no gas issues (although it took one gal a couple of days to start feeling like her old self) We walked down the street from the hospital to a convenience store after having our IV's removed before we were picked up to go back to the hotel. We picked up Gatorade and juice to take with us and the next day walked up to Walmart. I really could have left a day earlier but it was nice to have that last day as a vacation to sit by the pool, read and nap.
Good luck!

Pic to da left is da day after surgery n da pic to da right is me currently.

Dr. Elias Ortiz did my surgery on March 19th 2013. I'm now down a 146 pounds as of today. One of da best decisions dat I've ever made. Before I was 277 n now I'm 131. Dr. Elias Ortiz n staff treated me well while my stay in Mexico n I would recommend him to everyone considerating having dis procedure done.

It's official, am booked with Dr. Ortiz on 4 September. Now, let the anxiety commence! (And it will, regardless of the fact that I am comfortable and confident in my choice.) Anyone else out there who will be booking about the same time, please send me a message. I'll be going solo so a sleeve buddy would be awesome.

After you rest up, we want to hear ALL about it, please!

Really praying I do not experience this since my hair is fine, thin, and short to begin with! And I don't think I can rock the G.I. Jane look very well.

Really praying I do not experience this since my hair is fine, thin, and short to begin with! And I don't think I can rock the G.I. Jane look very well.

It kind of sounds like the one who you did trust to tell told the others. I wouldn't talk to any of them about it anymore and let them be bitter and jealous. People will always try to bring you down, don't even feed their fire by telling them and talking to them about it. That is possibly part of why they are acting like this if they do know you told the one person and not them, possibly a bit put out you didn't trust them too... but it is obvious you were right not to!

I am in the Marriott! It's very nice! Long day... They will pick me and 4 others up in the morning at 8:30. I hope I am ready!!See you soon!
Debbie

Well I'm sleeved wow what a difference a few days can make!
I just got back fom a little TJ shopping had som awesome broth and now it's time for a nap.
I will post more after my rest.
So half I'm on the other side.

I just wish they'd keep it to themselves at work. Talk about me, talk about it all you want, but do it where I can't and won't hear. Makes me wonder if I should have just announced the VSG instead of only mentioning the minor plastics work I'm having done for something entirely unrelated. I totally expected the negativity if they discovered I was having the VSG done in Mexico but not the negativity over/about the procedure itself. Guess it makes some people feel better about themselves if they can belittle others. That's sad because I really like these people and I love working with them.

Does no one get it. He lied about removing her lap band. He did not inform her of the hernia procedure ( When she had the test ) She was not informed about the fact that she had one or not.
The staff was horrendous to her. And there are flags going up all over the place. This doctor lied to her about her lap band. I think it is all about money. Now that so many are going elsewhere to have their sleeve done they are getting desperate for clients.
I would question everything he did and my care if all of this happened to me. Thank god you have had no complications..Some surgeon in the states would have to take that on. Even though you had the surgery by this guy....Personally folks I would rethink about my surgery with this doctor. I think he is now in it for the money and to hell with the patients comfort. I would go back and get more info about having the lap band removed earlier. If it was..Then what else did he lie about.....Fishy if you ask me...He would be scratched from my list as a potential surgeon if what she says is true.......

How many surgeries does Dr. Lopez do a day?
I would be SO mad if the doctor fixed something without asking me in advance if that is ok and letting me know there would be an extra charge if it did get fixed. That puts a patient in a real bind. If you don't have the extra 500, then what will they do? Put you out on the street?

I'm heading in for my VSG on September 4 and am just now perusing Protein choices. Received a sample of a drink mix called Amazing Meal by Amazing Grass in a subscription box, of all places. Mixed with 10 oz of Water it says it provided 10g Protein and 6g of fibre. It is entirely plant based with no added sugars. A little gritty but the vanilla chai flavour doesn't taste bad at all. Would this be a viable Protein shake option?
Thanks!

This is someone whose own sense of identity and self-worth is threatened by your very personal decisions to have WLS. She's toxic. Please, Celebrate your freedom from this person.

This is someone whose own sense of identity and self-worth is threatened by your very personal decisions to have WLS. She's toxic. Please, Celebrate your freedom from this person.

This is someone whose own sense of identity and self-worth is threatened by your very personal decisions to have WLS. She's toxic. Please, Celebrate your freedom from this person.

This is someone whose own sense of identity and self-worth is threatened by your very personal decisions to have WLS. She's toxic. Please, Celebrate your freedom from this person.

This is someone whose own sense of identity and self-worth is threatened by your very personal decisions to have WLS. She's toxic. Please, Celebrate your freedom from this person.

She has serious mental health issues. Block her on FB and elsewhere. She seems like the type who will attempt to bully/shame/stalk you since she is not getting her way. She's attempting to get a rise out of you, like a little kid. That's what bullies do. She will get tired of her little game soon enough and move onto someone else. The best response is for you to live your life with courage and grace. Be well my dear.

It seems a bit like a double standard.. She wants you to love yourself, but on her terms.. WLS isnt just about vanity, it is also about health. She seems to have many demons she needs to work out. Personally I think she is just taking your choice and creating a problem out of it to justify not dealing with her actual problems. Keep away from her.

If people put the same amount of diligence into researching their options, surgeons, and hospitals here in the US as we have in researching those in Mexico we would actually have a better standard of care in the US.

My mother had to have emergent surgery in Budapest in the late 90's and the desirable American style hospital was booked full up. She wound up in the local general hospital, Szent Janos, which was like NOTHING we'd ever seen. Seriously. Being right on the banks of the Danube, their idea of pest control was having cats reside in the basements of the various hospital buildings. Her post-op meal was pickle Soup and we had to smuggle her a spoon from the Hilton so she could eat it. She was walked to and from testing, the surgical theatre, etc which meant several round-trips outside in the snow. Their English was halting at best; our Hungarian? Nil.
Scary? Oh, Hell yes and both my mother and I are battle hardened ED nurses so very little shocks either of us! The entire experience was absolutely surreal for our whole family. Yet ...
They had the latest equipment, experienced surgeons and nurses, practiced universal precautions with diligence, and mom's surgery was, in a word, impeccable. Add in a CT scan, lab work, all physician's fees, the fact that her surgery was done laparoscopically (which, at that time, it would have been done open in the US) and the grand total was $263 USD.
There you go, folks. Proof that high quality medical care can be found everywhere, even in a place where it's not expected.
PS: Federal BCBS initially denied reimbursement because they couldn't read the operative note which was in Hungarian and wanted us to have it translated. Ironic since we lived in NJ and the BCBS office is in Washington, DC.