kcleveland

It's actually 100% up to you. Sure, you will lose some in the beginning no matter what you do because of your restriction, Protein requirements, etc. but it would be very easy to not reach goal and easier yet to gain it ALL back if you don't make healthy choices and lifestyle changes forever.
That being said, I lost over 100% of my excess weight and have so far kept it all off for 10 months and counting. I could NEVER had done this without surgery. (Believe me I tried). But yes, it is all about my choices at this point and very little about the sleeve.

I'm sure GreenEye will have her own response, but why is there such an assumption that seeking medical care abroad is such a risk? If you do your research, you'll discover that the US does not have the best health care model. Even worse, the health care costs here are ridiculously high. So why wouldn't people seek quality affordable healthcare elsewhere?
For every horror story about Mexico, there are probably ten times that for care in the States. Medical Tourism is big bucks and these providers are doing their best to attract and keep clientele.

Yes you are right God gave the doctors the ability to exist and the capability to learn and retain information that ended up helping safe this lady's life. Good point on your part.

I don't get Hangovers. Maybe because I am used to drinking!

Here are my before pictures and my loose skin now!      

this is my 10 week progress pic. I love my sleeve!

I will be honest I am hungry all the time but I try not to let that deter me. I snack a lot on fruits and vegetables. Strawberries and grapes fill me up. Sadly this surgery didn't rid me of hunger I hate to say it but I think it's actually stronger. Sad but true. But I have just learned to live with it because I refuse to gain. Hunger might be slightly uncomfortable but it's not going to kill me.

Dr Martinez performed my surgery as Dr Ortiz was out sick. I don't think I could have received better care. No issues with drawing blood or IVs. If I had to stay longer than 1 day I would have gone nuts. We were out shopping the next day. Easy recovery!

I had my surgery at the OCC with Dr A Ortiz.. I'm Canadian NEVER traveled and suffer anxiety and panic attacks along with depression. I'm 47 years young and this had to be the most TERRIFYING experience of my life! I was accepted for gastric bypass Twice here in Ontario, however the closer I got and my research into the PRESTIGIOUS local hospital made me back out. I found Dr Ortiz thru a friend. Her mother traveled to Tijuana scoped the place out and booked a surgery for herself.. Then her daughter went down. I still wasn't in no way shape or form prepared to travel to Mexico for surgery. I have also a few friends that had the bypass done locally ( I wasn't impressed by the Drs) .. Then I started my research ... Calling emailing reading etc.. So one night I thought I'm going to do this!! It was just before Christmas I called and sent my deposit.. Then I ordered their vitamins( I wanted it all done by the book) in January hubby told me he couldn't make the trip due to work.. I was scared to death however a few days later he informed me he could whewwww!! So I booked our tickets.. Well hubby didn't have a passport so we got that all done.. Then ... I look at his passport and he decided he was going to remove the JR from his name!!! Not a problem????? NIGHTMARE!! I had to call the airlines buy another ticket for him without JR. On it.. Thank heavens they reimbursed me for the other ticket... Well it didn't stop there.. I realized I hD to fly to San Francisco with a 2 hr layover and he gets a direct flight to San Diego ! Being a suffer of anxiety and panic attacks I felt all these bumps was someone or something telling me not to go.. The day I sent the balance of my payment was my meltdown.. I called up my patient coordinator and cried and cried telling her how scared I was.. All she did was reassure me and calmed me down (2hr conversation).. I don't know what I would have done with out her. ( wasn't the first time talking to her, however first meltdown). Well the day we left for the airport February 4 2015 it was a wicked snow storm. Got to the airport and panic set in! Couldn't feel my legs couldn't breath throwing up etc hubby said we could go home.. I pulled my big girl panties up and said nope I'm doing this. ( very familiar with surgery had a auto accident many years ago and constant operations) Off we go our separate ways.
Flight was good the wait in sAn Francisco was good. Then I get to San Diego .. Met hubby cried and cried I did. Got our luggage and then our driver was waiting! Wow Omar was Awesome!! Told us about some sites and what to do when we got to the border.. EASY!! It was late when we got in so we just went to our hotel the Marriott . Weather wS beautiful. We unpacked and I wanted to see some sites. So a driver took us on a 2 hr tour it was amazing! I never opened a door once while I wAs there lol
Thursday morning day of surgery! Panic set in big time couldn't breath etc we get to the OCC and met the lovely ladies. Talked to the nutritionist then went and had my test done. All while my nurse was with me ????when they did my blood work , gloves we worn everything was going so smooth.. Then I met Dr Ortiz .. I explained and cried to him. He was so comforting ( not like any surgeon here in Canada I've had and trust me I had a few) he talked with hubby and I and he even said if I really wanted to back out I could. I was just scared.. However he explained everything to me and I felt very comfortable.
Surgery DONE! Few aches nothing serious nurse kept coming in and out of my room hubby was there.. I didn't need pain meds so passed on those.. My nurse got me up to go pee brought me extra blankets.. Hubby left about 7 pm I don't remember much kinda in and out. Slept all night..
The next morning hubby was there first thing.. I was already up since 6 walking the floors lol.. They came in and checked me asked me how I felt and said I could go back to the hotel if I was feeling good! I saw no reason to stay I was in Tijuana!!!
My hubby told me Dr Ortiz sat with him for an hr after I came out of surgery telling him what he did what to expect etc I was so grateful for that. Hubby don't listen to me that well lol.. We got back to the hotel and I had a little rest then I said I want to go shopping!! We got a driver and that's exactly what we did! I didn't overdo it ..
So the next few days were amazing. Saturday morning I went and had another leak test which was kewl to see how small my stomach was.. I talked to Dr Ortiz ( he's so good looking lol) then back to the hotel.. We had an amazing time the staff were super!! The hotel staff were super!! I felt I was taken care of like a queen! Not just another surgery case!!
I just wanted people to know wherever you go for your surgery has to be your choice! I've had no complications ( other then the runs lol and hemorrhoids lol) now that I'm eating thicker liquids everything is stating to bind up ???? gas wasn't much of an issue as I made sure I moved around even my arms .. My experience at the OCC was FABULOUS ... Dr.Ortiz called me after 1 week out to check on me which was awesome.. I also called to speak to a Dr when my runs wouldn't stop lol they assured me I would be fine however suggested I see my Family Dr to bring my mind at ease . Which I did. All ended up turning out just fine ????.I hope everyone that has been there can relate ❤️

I'm scared out of wits too. Yes I'm leaning towards Covarla based on the reasons I listed above but my mind is not 100 percent made up. My surgery date isn't until June 30 so I have ample time to switch surgeons. and would only forfeit 65 dollars if I do. The other TJ surgeon I would consider is Ortiz. That's why I'm on the Ortiz page I think some civil discourse and debate and what ones likes and doesn't like is helpful. I certainly don't expect anyone to agree with my opinion. I found the comments about Ortiz above that were posted in response to my posting were helpful. It showed some things patients liked about Ortiz and somthing things that could potentially be improved. There is nothing more valuable to me this decsion making process that getting objective comments good and bad from prior patients. If I ultimately do decide to use Corvala which I'm obviously heavily leaning towards I will post my experience both the good and the bad. Ortiz is a good surgeon and i appreciate the insights of his prior patients as it helps me in my decision process. Note that I rushed my decision to use Corvala due to the price increase from 6500 to 7500 on 2-15. I recently became aware of ortiz and wanted to learn more about him and the OCC.

Not married long term relationship. 15 years. I have to say talking about it isn't doing it and thoughts are not actions or I would be in prison. And yes they are open. They have had happy threesome. She takes lovers he takes lovers blah blah blah. I don't judge them. I have enough of my own stuff to work with. My fear was using him as a easy out. I decided not to do so. After fifteen years if I need 6 months to end this In a way to keep my side of the road clean I will. We meet for lunch/coffee all the time. That's not gonna stop. I have no problem meeting with a married person.

Kathy, I'm in utica, ny!! We're neighbors ????????

Sleeved with Dr. A Ortiz 1/12, lost 10 pounds so far. Beyond excited no complications at all.

Sleeved with Dr. A Ortiz 1/12, lost 10 pounds so far. Beyond excited no complications at all.

Sleeved with Dr. A Ortiz 1/12, lost 10 pounds so far. Beyond excited no complications at all.

Sleeved with Dr. A Ortiz 1/12, lost 10 pounds so far. Beyond excited no complications at all.

See you there!! I'm scheduled the 12th ????

See you there!! I'm scheduled the 12th ????

See you there!! I'm scheduled the 12th ????

See you there!! I'm scheduled the 12th ????

Kathy, I'm in utica, ny!! We're neighbors ????????

Mines January 12th ???? just started my pre op diet.

Mines January 12th ???? just started my pre op diet.

January 12th with Dr Ariel Ortiz ????

Good luck mjmboston!! I'm in utica and having mine done 1/12. Let me know it goes