Skinnyninny

I am having it done by Dr. Elias Ortiz w/ ALM

I have just scheduled my surgery with Dr. Ortiz for May 2nd. I am getting excited. So many of my friends and family have gotten the surgery and have had wonderful results.

I am having it done by Dr. Elias Ortiz w/ ALM

We have all been there and understand. Others don't and won't ever get it. Are you sure your not experiencing heart burn or acid reflux. I know the Tomato Soup definitely would do it for me. That may be the feeling you are having and not actual hunger. Try an antacid to settle that poor swollen tummy. Take it day by day and it WILL get better and be worth it. I am 15 months out and 111 lbs down. 5'2" starting at 253 and currently 142 ????.

Hertsukfem31.......i would be willing to bet my last dime that your head is telling you that you are hungry and NOT your stomach!!! Its been almost 5 months since my surgery and I still cannot tell when my stomach is telling me that I am hungry. It's all in my head!! Remember that they cut out 80% of your stomach.....not your brain!! Our stomachs didnt make us obese.....our heads and emotions did. Keep your chin and head held up HIGH!! You will get through this and be a MAJOR SUCESS!!!

Cry. It's ok. It's normal to be emotional and upset and hangry. The time will pass, you will survive and it WILL be worth it.
You can do this. One day at a time, one hour at a time, one moment at a time.

Congratulations! I am having my surgery through ALM as well! My big day is May 18th and I am excited and nervous at the same time! I've never flew anywhere before. This will be my first time on an airplane. Flying scares me more than anything lol!

Congratulations and good luck!

Good morning. 6 weeks ago tomorrow, I started a journey that would change my life... I would like to thank everyone for their support, the wonderful staff at A Lighter Me, (for which I can not say enough and highly recommend them for anyone who struggles with their weight), my friends, neighbors, co-workers and my family. Well today I am glad to announce that I have passed my first goal... As of today, I have passed my 50 pound weight loss, the half way point to my ultimate goal. I know 6 weeks is a short time to have lost so much and know that the next 50 pounds will not be as fast or easy, but I didn't decide to go through all I have been through to give up now. So thank you all.

I had a good experience with Dr. Ortiz and ALM in late September 2014. I had a minor 'complication' after surgery in that one of my incision sites did not stop bleeding as the other sites did. I called Eduardo about it, and they picked me up and took me back to the hospital asap to have Dr. Ortiz check it out. It was not that big a deal, but worth having it looked at. The bleeding stopped and all was fine. I thought ALM provided a good service. I've had no difficulties post-op and Im so glad I got this procedure done. I was so DONE with all of the endless diets and exercise that only brought short term and hard fought success. This surgery has made a real difference to me. Im in a size 12 now very comfortably which has not been the case for me since the 1990's. I'd like to lose another 25 lbs - am down about 50 now.

May 14th, Dr Alvarez. No pre-op diet, YAY!

May 2nd for me! Getting excited. Start my pre-op diet in 11 days.

May 2nd for me! Getting excited. Start my pre-op diet in 11 days.

Where are you ladies going? I'm booked with Dr A Ortiz at OCC in Tijuana.< /p>

Out of surgery 2 hours ago. Left side/flank pain is not good! But it is where the drain is, so I am sure it will get better. Already walked 300+ feet. A little unsteady but it felt good to move! Day 5 for no real food, so feeling weak and tired! Overall I am doing great and the team here is super nice!

Iv confirmed my 4-23 date today with Dr. Rod, I'm officially now scared to death ! Hoping I'm making the right decision !!

. Good Luck and Congratulations on having it done!!!

Ahhh! My flight is at 615am tomorrow....getting nervous but excited!!!!!

Let me first state, I am a nurse, for 27 years, I have worked in various intensive care units, around the county. So my opinion on who I chose is based on my experiences with surgeons throughout my career. I have seen butcher jobs, failures and great success stories, of various patients, including bariatric patients. So my list started with relatively just a few doctors, as I quickly ruled many out. My next step was the interview with the patient coordinator. Again, the list of doctors became very short (some never returned e-mails or calls, and some answered my questions and concerns, and some, appeared to give generalities verses specifics - appeared to skirt the question). In the end I choose Dr Elias Ortiz, with A Lighter Me. I did not choose the program, I choose the doctor and to date, I feel I made an excellent choice. I felt the the care I received in Mexico was as good, if not better than the care I received in the States (I have previously had my gall bladder removed). My nurses all spoke English. The floor I was on, had only 8 beds and there was 2 nurses at all times (patient ratio 4:1 - which is probably unmatched for a regular Medical Surgical Unit, here in the States). I had scheduled pain medication, anti-nausea medication, IV antibiotics and IV stomach acid reducer. I was given lovenox, a blood thinner, to prevent clots post operation. I was also compression stockings (although I brought my own) to prevent blood clots post operation. I hope this helps and you make a choice that is best for you and anyone searching for the right doctor.

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'm scheduled for Apr 15 with Dr. Curiel through ALM. So excited, yet nervous too! I start preop in about one week's time. I've been purging food and trying to make sure that I have a clean cupboard and fridge because this is going to be hard at first, but so worth it!

I have just scheduled my surgery with Dr. Ortiz for May 2nd. I am getting excited. So many of my friends and family have gotten the surgery and have had wonderful results.

Its actually easy. Whatever you do, do not buy Flintstone's chewable Vitamins as they do not have all the things an adult needs. Instead, buy Centrum chewable vitamins. One or two bottles will be enough for you to be healed and after that you can go back to taking your regular Vitamin. You can also purchase bariatric Vitamins but these aren't really necessary and are far more expensive than Centrum chewable vitamins.< /p>
Remember, after you stomach heals you should be able to swallow your pills as normal.

After waiting and wondering if this day would ever actually come, here it is! I'm so nervous, but excited as well. I'm currently at the airport about to board the plane to go to San Diego, Ca. Then its over to Tijuana! I'm having a same day surgery and my surgeon is Dr. Zavalza. I will make updates along the way! Keep me in your prayers!

Dr. E Ortiz! Through a lighter me April 15th I'm pumped!