Boogirl6

Am I the only one who thinks it's weird that a doctor is trolling this website looking for new patients and trying to drum up business? I'm pretty sure my doctor wouldn't do that because he's too busy actually working. Seems a little desperate to me. Just saying!!

Hi Lisa,
I am going to Mexico to be sleeved on November 16th. Super excited!! I think most surgeons down there require that you stay for at least 3 days. So you would have surgery day, 3 days after that to heal, and then leave the day after that. I think they do some blood tests and an EKG the morning of your surgery, but otherwise you don't have to do all the tests they require in the U.S. The surgeons in Mexico have one all inclusive price which includes a ride from the airport in San Diego, your hotel stay, meds after surgery, etc. I don't think your BMI is too high. My BMI is 42.5 and my surgeon's office is having me do a 2 week pre-op diet to lose 5-10% of my weight. It consists of Protein Shakes and dark leafy greens. Not great, but I've already dropped some weight! Are you thinking of going to Mexico for your surgery? Research is key when going down there. There are a lot of surgeons in Tijuana and you definitely want to do your research to find a good one. ????

I just got my surgery date--November 16th. I'll be traveling to TJ, Mexico. My surgeon is Dr. Ariel Ortiz. I really hope to meet some people who are going around the same time!

Hi there, I am considering going to Mexico for the gastric sleeve. How many days does it take to travel and recover before you can return to the States?
Also, are there requirements regarding BMI and health factors, such as insurance requires to qualify for the surgery? I am at a BMI of 39.3 or something to that extent. I do not have major medical issues -yet-, but I am headed down that road it seems. Thanks in advance for your input!

My surgery date is November 16th as well. We're a month away! Aaaaahhhhhh!!!!! ????

I chose to go to Mexico for surgery. I'm an RN for 28 years started with 3 Los Angeles surgeons in June 2015, all Centers of Excellence. Wanted to have surgery mid Sept because it was the only break I would have from work. By August 2015 I realized none of the LA surgeons were going to work out. Poor follow up, wanting me to undergo unnecessary preop studies, ie. sleep apnea, endoscopy, etc, wanting me to get co-morbidities from other doctors, i.e. high blood pressure, etc. I knew I would have to do a lot of legwork and probably still fight with my insurance. By the way, my anthem blue cross had a $5000 deductible plus another $3000, so it would have cost me $8000 here anyway. I did a lot of research online and drove down to Tijuana, went to 3 places. Liked Obesity Control Center the best. I met Dr Ortiz that day. Scheduled my surgery for Sept 21(wanted Sept 18 but not available).
Let me tell you, being a nurse, I was terrified! Plus I have anxiety issues so I did not want to have surgery, ever! But I just put it in my mind I was going and that was it, plus I took some Xanax along the way. The morning of surgery I got to the clinic at 6:30 am and after 2 hours I was finally in my bed, they drew labs, did an ekg, placed an IV. The waiting was the worst part! Well out of 5 patients, guess who was last? Me! I couldn't believe it, the worst possible scenario, I just wanted to be knocked out in the beginning and wake up in recovery. So by about 3pm they took me to surgery, the anesthesia doctor started blabbing on and on and I said please just knock me out, already! He gave me something and I got drowsy and the next thing I knew I was awake in recovery room feeling great!
No pain! A little discomfort. No nausea! No vomiting! Nothing! I asked to get out of bed to walk and they said wait 10 minutes. Within the next hour I was walking around, feeling amazing. I couldn't believe it. Why was I worried. This was so easy! Whatever the mix of anesthesia it was perfect. I couldn't ask for a better surgery. Also, no drains, no catheters, just 5 abdominal incisions that were glued shut.
The next morning I started taking sips of Water, no problem. Soon I was sipping more than enough liquids to stay hydrated. Before surgery I was worried I'd need IV fluids for a few days. I was transferred to the Tijuana Marriott where the service was amazing. Free Water, broth, popsicles 24/7. Excellent service. Still no nausea, vomiting, pain. Before surgery I had terrible heartburn but I've had no heartburn.
So today, 9/28 is one week later. I'm down 6 lbs. Day of surgery I was 246 lbs. I've had no problems, not even Constipation. I'm supposed to be only taking liquids but to be honest I've eaten soft foods. My only disappointment is the surgery did not take away my appetite(I think that's an emotional issue) but it does restrict the amount of food I can eat and I'm VERY careful not to overeat! Also, I don't eat any sugary products, i.e. soda, juice, pastries, etc.
I really believe my success is because of Dr Ortiz at the OCC (Obesity Control Center). He has fine tuned and perfected this surgery and I would recommend him highly.

I just got my surgery date--November 16th. I'll be traveling to TJ, Mexico. My surgeon is Dr. Ariel Ortiz. I really hope to meet some people who are going around the same time!

I had my surgery 10 months ago with Dr. Ariel Ortiz and Dr. Martinez at Obesity Control Center in TJ. My experience on a scale of 1 to 10 was a 9. It would have been a 10 if I could have stayed longer because I was having such a good time with my sister. I paid around $7200 for surgery, plane tickets, postop meds, and 4 nights at the Marriott for me and my sister. And yes, they oversew the staple line.

That's a good idea. I definitely need to go through my cupboards and clear everything bad out. And the 7-11 across the street from my house needs to not let me in any time after 7 PM, lol!

Oh man, you read my mind! For me, I'm not afraid of the surgery, the pain, etc. I'm actually afraid that the surgery will go perfectly and I'll have a perfect sleeve, and STILL manage to screw it up! Self sabotage creeps into a lot of areas in my life (hmmm...wonder why I'm single). I think part of it is just denying yourself something that you would normally give in to. Head hunger is a vicious beast. So why do you think you self sabotage?

That's a good idea. I definitely need to go through my cupboards and clear everything bad out. And the 7-11 across the street from my house needs to not let me in any time after 7 PM, lol!

Oh man, you read my mind! For me, I'm not afraid of the surgery, the pain, etc. I'm actually afraid that the surgery will go perfectly and I'll have a perfect sleeve, and STILL manage to screw it up! Self sabotage creeps into a lot of areas in my life (hmmm...wonder why I'm single). I think part of it is just denying yourself something that you would normally give in to. Head hunger is a vicious beast. So why do you think you self sabotage?

That's a good idea. I definitely need to go through my cupboards and clear everything bad out. And the 7-11 across the street from my house needs to not let me in any time after 7 PM, lol!

That's a good idea. I definitely need to go through my cupboards and clear everything bad out. And the 7-11 across the street from my house needs to not let me in any time after 7 PM, lol!

Can you tell me more about the OCC? I'm set for surgery with Dr. Ortiz on November 16th. Any issues with getting down there? How was the hotel? Are the recovery rooms private at the clinic? Do they give you any kind of pre-surgery med for people with anxiety? Did you buy the post-op meds? Did they provide compression stockings? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

Trinn, you are my new hero! I'm going to do that too from now on...if someone starts in on me, I'm just going to stop them in their tracks. I'm NOT debating this! I'm just letting you know!!!

My surgeon didn't set a goal weight but did tell me he expected I would lose about 100 lbs. I mentioned that 110 lbs would get me to my desired weight, which I guess would be my goal. He said that with good adherence to the nutrition and exercise recommendations he didn't see any reason why I couldn't hit my target.

I was 5'5" 140 lbs. of pure muscle in a size 14 back in 1996. We certainly didn't have a size 0 to try and aspire to back then. I think I went from kid clothes right into at least a women's size 12. I have thick legs which are muscular when I'm in shape, and wide hips no matter what. I don't care what size I end up at...I just remember how good I felt at 140, with boundless energy. Remember feeling hyper? Ahhhh, those were the days.

I was 5'5" 140 lbs. of pure muscle in a size 14 back in 1996. We certainly didn't have a size 0 to try and aspire to back then. I think I went from kid clothes right into at least a women's size 12. I have thick legs which are muscular when I'm in shape, and wide hips no matter what. I don't care what size I end up at...I just remember how good I felt at 140, with boundless energy. Remember feeling hyper? Ahhhh, those were the days.

Hi there. I'm getting ready to schedule my sleeve. And I'm very nervous. I'm 41 years old. 5'5. 225 lbs. very healthy - no health issues at all. I have 3 kids, one that is grown and out of the house, a 7 year old and a 3 year old.
I want to be healthy, have confidence and be able to keep up with my little ones. I decided to go with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC. If you have any info on him I would love to hear it. I just need some reassuring that this isn't crazy and I'm making the right decision. Thank you!!

This kind of how it happens.

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Sorry for the dirty word.
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I'm an August 20th Sleeve.... sip sip sip, walk walk walk!
Welcome to the losers side of the bench

Was sleeved yesterday at 2pm. So far so good. I have some abdominal pain and nausea, but it is all manageable so far. I have been getting up to walk around every few hours. How are other August 25thers doing!

My birthday is 10/22. It would be one hellava gift to be approved by then!

I'm also looking tentatively for October 2015! I have BCBS and am almost done with my 6(7) months supervised w my PCP. 7th visit is 9/10/15. I've already completed my EGD, psych and fitness evaluation, dietician consult. Scheduled to follow up w my surgeon 9/18/15 and hopefully get scheduled soon after! I'm in Tampa Florida, and would love to make new friends with people going through the same thing!
I'm 28, recently divorced, single mother of one awesome little boy who just started kindergarten today! Looking forward to the next year and changes to come.
B