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@@jennfred, good for you for insisting on going to the hotel! Really, the Bariatric Pal guys are just fine, and you won't have any problems. @@maggie409 stayed at the recovery house in June, and she liked it. As I mentioned, it might not have been so bad if it hadn't been so darned hot! But the hotel is more what we are accustomed to. Lots of space, all with central air, wonderful staff, and nurses to help if there are medical needs or questions. Plus, my husband went with me, and the Grand is close to all kinds of restaurants, fast food places, grocery stores, etc. so he could go for a walk and pick up some juice, or something to eat for himself without getting out of sight of the hotel. And once I got feeling better, I walked with him over to the Fast & Final grocery store to find some peach juice cuz I was tired of the apple. Just the walk was a challenge, but was so good for me to get outside in the sun and walk on streets and sidewalks and not just in circles around my room. Walk as much as you can. From the minute you wake up from surgery even, if you feel well enough for that. Up and down the hallway in the hospital. Or just back and forth in your hospital room if you need the a/c. INT hospital is not air conditioned in the hallways, just in each room. If it hurts, walk. Seems counter-intuitive, but the walking is what will help the gas to go away (they inflate the stomach area with CO2 so they can see what they are doing during the operation). Trust that you will be fine. Good luck!

I thought the same thing. I never heard of a bariatric pal house. It sounds pretty interesting.

Hi folks, I saw your replies so thought I would jump on quickly to answer. The company I went with is called Bariatric Pal, and their package was supposed to include recovery at one of their "luxury condos", or at a hotel. When they pulled up outside that little house I said no, I was supposed to go to a hotel. But they said that they only put people at a hotel if their recovery houses are full. It wasn't a bad house, just not what I expected. When I just couldn't take the heat, they brought me to the Grand Hotel Tijuana, which is brand new. There are two towers, some of which is still under construction. And as I said, the whole 11th floor is a special recovery floor for people who have come here for surgery, whether it be plastics or bariatric. The staff are fantastic! The atmosphere is soothing.. People are helpful. And it's modern with proper a/c! I think if it hadn't been so hot, I would have been OK at the recovery house, because they provide someone there for you to go get you broth or popsicles or whatever you need. But it wasn't what I am used to, and not what I was expecting by their advertising. So, it's true, you just can't tell what you are going to find when you get here. I don't think they did anything wrong, just a little misleading. My surgeon was dr. Ponce de leon. I chose him because of the advertisements on this site, and he seemed to have the most experience. In fact, all the other doctors kind of bow down to him, and refer to him as the "godfather of the sleeve". His assistant, Dr. Garcia is much younger, and speaks very good english (Dr. Ponce doesn't speak english), so it was like I had two doctors. Dr. Garcia was so wonderful, he came to see me in the hospital after the surgery, and prescribed some stronger meds for me since I was having such a hard time, and again before I was released, to explain everything about diet, and to reassure me and answer questions. I even talked to him on the phone the next day, from the hotel, when I still felt awful and started to have panic attacks. It turns out it was withdrawal from one of my regular meds that I had stopped taking. Once I started taking my normal meds again, I turned the corner and started feeling so much better. it's too bad that we ended up at different hotels. But I really love this place, and plan to come back for a vacation once I can eat real food again! I can't praise the staff here on the 11th floor enough! So helpful, so cheerful, really just wonderful people. For anyone thinking of coming here for surgery, I would highly recommend staying at the Grand hotel on the 11th medical floor. There were a lot of people here who went with a company called "a lighter me", and that company always puts it's people up at this hotel. And they didn't pay any more than I did either. And, you can still pick your doctor. It seemed that Dr. Ortiz was the favorite of the people that I met. Out of the dozen folks I met who had the same surgery, there was one man and one woman besides myself that seemed to have a harder time recovering, with more pain and more nausea. But, we all felt better with just a couple more days of walking and sipping. And mixing the juice with Water. And taking the Gex Gel that I mentioned before. In fact, I gave some to each of the other two who were having a tough time, because their package of drugs didn't include that one. Anyway, sorry for the long post. I wish all of you the very best in your recovery. And I hope that my experience and tips will help others who are struggling. And for those of you who are a little hesitant about coming to Tijuana, don't be! The city has changed a lot! It is a thriving metropolis, with part of the old Mexico we come to expect, and a lot of new construction and services. After 9-11, the tourist industry went way down here, so they went all in to the Medical Tourism business, and they did it well. I would not hesitate to come back here for any other procedure I, or my family needed. @@Pejela, try mixing your water half and half with some apple or peach juice. That helped me. I still feel like there is one spot somewhere on the way down that kind of cramps up sometimes if I take a big sip, but it is getting less and less noticeable. And try not drinking it really cold. That might help too. Good night all.

I think I would next send that same email to the gym manager/owner and explain that you haven't hear from the trainer. I'd say I was very hurt by his unprofessional reaction to your statement that you are having a life saving surgery. To say that you are cheating by having the surgery shows that he wants you to fail at weight loss, and feels himself superior (in my opinion). He obviously does not want you to succeed, at the very least, he could use some education about bariatric surgery. No one deserves to be treated the way you were. I know it happens, but it shouldn't. If you had said you were having open heart surgery, he'd have probably said, "I'll be here waiting for you when you are ready to start again!" But darn you that you are trying to avoid that! Ask that you be lined up with a trainer who has worked with bariatric patients before and understands our needs. If the gym doesn't have anyone like that, it would be a great idea for them to invest in someone who does understand the bariatric community. I think I'd tell them I don't plan to renew my personal training sessions when they run out.

I think you need to go to the ER--today--preferably the one that you bariatric team works with. Something is wrong somewhere if you are this ill. Be assertive--not aggressive and get some answers, my friend. Go. Feel better. I'm concerned for you. Don't panic. Take a deep breath, then go find your answers.

Starspring--Sorry to see that you are struggling. But this is now June and, assuming you are healing well physically from the surgery by now, it's pretty important that you are nourishing yourself better than it sounds like you are. Have you said these words to the bariatric team in charge of your post-op care? It's their job to help you--bug them until you are on the right track. If you feel you need help with depression, talk with a therapist. It might be that a short-term anti-depression could help you. Or, if you have ever looked into relaxation techniques such as meditation or just simply belly breathing, those things can help alot. You probably have no energy and are irritable and feeling depressed because neither your body nor your brain are getting the nutrients they need. It's hard to fight for ourselves to do what we know we have to do, especially when we're not feeling up to par, but it's what we HAVE to do. We are the ones who have to find a Protein drink that ISN'T too sweet for us; we have to find a way to get the liquids in that we are required to have. If swallowing Vitamins are a problem, there are alternatives--there are bariatric approved chews and liquids. The challenges of bariatric surgery are MANY. But you CAN tackle them. You must begin tackling them, and the other ones that will come up, so that you can have the good quality life that you expect as a result of choosing to have WLS.

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Had my first appointment with the bariatric care center. Met a nurse, the PA who I will see most. It is the PA that does the fills. I met the surgeon briefly and my coordinator. My coordinator says that I have one of the best insurance in our area. I am tentatively scheduled for surgery on October 3. I have to undergo a gall bladder ultrasound, pulmonary test, upper GI.... the group is setting up those appointments. I have to schedule my psych appointment I will also have an appointment with the nutritionist before the surgery and be taught more about the special pre-surgery diet that I need to do for a month before the surgery. It can either be liquid of their own mean and green diet. I will also meet with the surgeon again for a more in-depth consultation. What sucks is that the 15 pounds I already lost do not count even though they are listed in my doctor's letter for the insurance company. I need to lose 30 pounds in the next 3 months. I know can do it, especially if I could lose 15 pounds in the last month.

Doctor offices get a cut of the sales of the bariatric advantage products. As for protein drinks with real high protein content... The body can only absorb around 25 grams at a time. You have to wait at least 2 hrs in between servings.

I LOVE Baritastic! It's a tracking app specifically for bariatric patients and it's the best tracking app I've ever used! It's tracks everything - food, water, exercise, steps, measurements, weight, bmi. There are even timers to remind you to drink or to wait to start drinking. Even inspirational quotes. It's the best!! Sent from my XT1585 using BariatricPal mobile app

I think everyone goes through this. But at the end of the day....Sadly, what it comes down to....is being more afraid of parting ways with your life, your health, your mobility, your ability to participate in the lives of the people you love. I get thinking that it's not that bad yet... And I totally understand the idea of....I did this well with diet, why have the surgery? Look at statistics. Research this question: What percentage of people keep weight off with diet and exercise alone compared to bariatric surgery? It's not a magic bullet. You can still regain. You might not make goal. But statistically? You will lose more weight, and you will keep more off permanently....with weight loss surgery. It's your best hope. It gives you the best odds. It's a safe surgery. You can do this.

I've been stalled for about 6 months myself and I still get stuck. But, I know why I'm not losing weight. I eat the same amount of calories I burn off. So, no weight loss. Funny how that works eh? So, if you want it to work, consume fewer calories than you burn. Count your calories. If you don't have restriction or near the green zone, find out why? Talk to your bariatric WLS nutritionist too. They have great insight into how you can make this work. Like Missy said, it's not going to make you lose the lbs if you don't use it properly. tmf

Thank you for your reply! Luckily I'm in Canada and covered by my Inuit status as well as MCP, the only thing I'll need to cover is my flights to and from the city in our province with the bariatric team. I had a referral sent in for the VSG procedure but hopefully this education process now will tell me if that's my best option. All my research says yes but the doctor's may give me other info. Yes! I'd like to start getting into the right diet so that it's sustainable!

Found this at the local bariatric specialty nutrition store. OMG it is absolutely delicious! Has a very gritty texture from the flax but it is so yummy. So much better than Peanut Butter.

How far are you out of surgery? Generally, you're allowed caffeine 30 days post op. Definitely, follow your surgeon's instructions. According to the ASMBS: Q Do I need to avoid caffeine after bariatric surgery? A: Caffeine fluids have been shown to be as good as any others for keeping you hydrated. Still, it is a good idea to avoid caffeine for at least the first thirty days after surgery while your stomach is extra sensitive. After that point, you can ask your surgeon or dietitian about resuming caffeine. Remember that caffeine often comes paired with sugary, high-calorie drinks, so be sure you’re making wise beverage choices. Are you taking your vitamins?

Hello, So I was at the hospital getting my IV and injections for surgery that was 30 minutes away. The nurses were having issues with my IV and they ended up trying 3 different times. As she was telling me how much the Heparin injection was going to hurt I started crying uncontrollably, shaking, turned ghost white and was having a major panic attack. I ended up telling them that I couldn't do any of it and I just wanted to go home because I was so overcome with emotions and felt like I was going to die at that moment. Before they gave me an IV I explained to them that I have really bad anxiety and they did not give me anything nor even offer it until I couldn't control myself and wanted to not be touched. I ended up going home because no one could reason with me in that state and I really regret it because it would have been over and done with but there was no logical thinking in that moment. I spoke to my bariatric program coordinator and she told me I have 6 months to make a decision and get anxiety treatment. I made an appointment with a psych to both talk and seek medication as well. My panic attacks are so random I never know what is going to trigger it and it has been a long time since I have been in a situation that caused it. I want surgery because I have unexplained infertility and have a bmi of over 45. I am 27 as well. Has anyone with anxiety issues chickened out and ended up getting it done eventually.

I keep seeing descriptions of surgery protocols that are very different. I am sure that mine for example is completely different than what is done in US. Maybe it would be interesting for those that are pre op to know the details so here it goes: Romanian protocols: 1. Initial meeting with surgeon that consults you and says if you might qualify for WLS; 2. 1 day full of blood tests, abdominal echograph, abdominal endoscopy, barium abdominal rays, body composition, cardiology (EKG and blood pressure, BP under physical effort , pulmonary tests (spirometry, rays), nutrition and psychological consult; 3. Surgeon consult when he determines if and what type of WLS is recommended ( for me gastric sleeve), describes surgery and course of treatment, schedules surgery date ( plus finding out if other interventions are required - they discovered that I have a big hiatal hernia that needed fixing) 4. Surgery protocols- standard is 4 nights , sometimes 5 of hospitalization. - hospital admission 1 day before, in the evening, for preparation: heparin shots, IV fluids - Surgery day and 24 hours post op in ICU (again, per protocol, even if you are ok) - that was horrible, with drain tube from surgery, nasogastric tube, bad pan or catheter for peeing, BP monitors every 30 min, so slim chances of sleeping- I felt no pain at all, just nausea from the nasogastric tube - next day in the morning transfer to normal reserve, got read of nasogastric tube and urethral catheter; I could walk just fine, minimal general pain ( like a muscle soreness after exercising), incisions painful if pressed - they offered more pain meds but I refused) - next 2 days just IV fluids, with antibiotics, dexamethasone for inflammation, pain meds, nutrients - day 5 discharged from hospital with following medication: heparin shots 1month, anti-acids for 1 month, ibuprofen syrup or kids for managing pain for 3 days, Debridat for transit and gas, bariatric vitamins and protein shakes for forever, hepatic protector for 3 months They make sure you make 8.000-10.000 steps per day and that you tolerate well the necessary fluids intake. Diet: clear fluids 1 day pre op and 1 week post op, then cream soups for 2 weeks, then mushy purees for 1 week, then soft food and solid food as tolerated. Prices: 1.000 usd for pre op analyses, 6.000 usd for surgeries ( I had 2-in 1, GS and hiatal hernia repair, and including 1 week, 1, 2, 3 , 6 months and 1 year controls, nutrition and psychological included), 400 usd medication for 3 months, including vitamins and protein shakes Time from diagnosis to surgery 2 weeks.

Hi, I'm new to this forum but would like to receive some feedback from those that have had gastric sleeve surgery in Mexico. I have been thinking about having this surgery and researching the surgeons in Mexico for quite a while now. I believe that I have narrowed my search to 3 doctors who specialize in this type for procedure. Their names are Dr. Juan Corvala who based on my research is one of the leading doctors worldwide in bariatric surgery. Dr. Jaime Ponce De Leon who also has performed extensive surgeries and Dr. Armando Joya..only negative information that I could locate on him was that one of his patients didn't believe that he did a good job at pain management. I couldn't find any additional negative feedback on him. Is anyone in the forum familiar with the work of these doctors are know anyone who have had any type of bariatric surgery with any of these doctors? Thanks.

You'll have a burger next year. I had a burger yesterday. No bun, topped with a small piece of cheese, onion, tomato and pickle. It was delicious! The best part? I was too full to eat anything else. You'll get there. I know it doesn't seem like it, but you'll be eating bariatric versions of normal food in no time.

I am one week postop. I was sleeved in Tijuana Mexico on Monday, June 15. I went through bariatric pal and my surgeon was dr. Jesus Lopez Dominquez. I want to add that though I was confident in my decision to go to Mexico I will admit that I was skeptical the entire time. When I set foot in the airport at San Diego to go home I knew that I had not been mislead in any way. My husband and I arrived in San Diego airport on Sunday, June 14. We had about a 10 minute wait before we were picked up. The young man who picked us up lived in San Diego and spoke english and was a very polite and friendly young man. He drove us the 20-30 minutes to the recovery house. We drove straight across the border in the medical pass lane with no waiting. The recovery house is a 2 bedroom apartment (it was a nice apartment). The BariatricPal staff worked out of the neighboring apartment. You will not be in the apartment alone. It is set up for two patients and their traveling companions. At this time, if they have overflow patients, they house them at the Hilton which is about a 10 min walk from the apartment. The difference between being housed at the apartment and the hotel is that at the apartment, you get constant and immediate assistance from the BP staff. If you want to go somewhere, they take you and have someone with you that will translate. if you need broth or other items from the store they will either have it delivered or they will go get it for you. The Hilton will not send someone down the road to buy you a Gatorade if you need one. If you are the type that would rather be left alone, the Hilton is for you. As for us, we enjoyed the staff and their company. We arrived in Sunday for a Monday morning surgery so my Surgeon came to the apartment on Sunday afternoon and gave me a complete description of what was going to happen and answered any questions or concerns I might have. On Monday morning a driver came to the apartment and picked myself and my husband up and drove us to the hospital. We were immediately taken to a room and given the usual gown and surgical hose to change into. My nurse, Karen, (who is amazing BTW) started my IV and took blood. The blood was tested there at the hospital. I was then seen my Dr. Trasvino who was the internal medicine doctor and he did the EKG and gave me the results of my blood test. He was very thorough and discussed any concerns he had about my general health. I was then visited by the Anesthesiologist. I don't remember her name but she was absolutely gorgeous and very kind and funny. They then walked me into the surgery room where there were 3 doctors, the anesthesiologist and two nurses. I was given a shot through my IV and that is the last I knew until I woke up in my recovery room. My husband had me up and walking as soon as I could get my legs under me and quite frankly I don't remember anything before 7 pm and my surgery was around noon. They did have a bed in the room available for my husband if he wanted to stay. I am kind of funny about that and we decided he would sleep at the recovery house because I really don't like being stared at while I sleep. It gave me peace of mind knowing he was resting well. While away from try hospital my husband always had someone with him that spoke english and showed him around. He even got to go to the beach which he enjoyed. I had around the clock care by nurses and doctors. The hospital I stayed in was small but was big on expertise and ability. The big thing that I noticed is that in America you have your doctor and you are his patient and no other doctors see you. In Mexico, every doctor there would stop in and check on me and make sure I was ok. I stayed two nights in the hospital and upon release on Wednesday we were picked up by a young lady who drove us to the radiology place and they performed a second leak test then she drove us back to the recovery house where we spent one more night While at the recovery house, my surgeon came to check on me and talk to me about the results of my leak test and also post-op care and answer any questions. I also saw the internal medicine doctor and the nutritionist came to the apartment and went over my post-op diet in detail. Thursday morning we were pickup and driven back to the airport a few hours before our flight. It took us about an hour to get back across the border. It was a much shorter line because it for medical vehicles. You do not need a passport but you will need either your passport or a picture ID and a certified copy of your birth certificate. I was never in pain. I was sore but not in pain. I never had any nausea and never threw up. I didn't have any difficulty swallowing. If I got the gas pain in my stomach or throat, I simply got up and walked. I never got the severe shoulder and chest pain I read so much about on the forum. My doctor didn't allow anything for 24 hours after surgery. No ice chips. No Popsicle. Nothing. Then 24 hours after I was given a Popsicle to eat slowly. They would bring me a Popsicle or ice chips anytime I wanted some. But that is all I was allowed until I was released on Wednesday. After I got back to the apartment, the staff had broth delivered to me from a local restaurant. It was the best broth I have ever eaten! Things I didn't know, that you might like to know: 1. You will be sharing the apartment with other people. 2. You can eat the day before surgery even if you are on a liquid diet. Just nothing 10-12 hours before surgery. However, you can't have cokes or too much bread product. When we went to eat on Sunday the BP staff with us was knowledgable to let me know what I could and could not eat. 3. You do pay for your own food. As patients we won't be eating much but your traveling companion will. Any broth delivered is our responsibility to buy but is very cheap. 4. Be prepared to walk. Everything is within walking distance of the apartment and you will be walking. If you want to take a taxi, you pay for it. And again that was not expensive. If you do take taxis a BP staff will go with you to translate. BP provides transportation to and from the airport and to and from the hospital. Anything else you either walk or take a taxi. But you won't be alone unless you choose to stay at the Hilton. 5. Pack sterile bandages for your incisions because they are not provided when you leave the hospital and you can't find them in Tijuana. 6. The comment "we own 2 luxury condominiums" in the initial package is misleading. They are nice apartments and one is occupied by staff. By American standards the apartments are middle of the line but clean. Absolutely not "luxury condominiums". 7. The comment "We pick you up in person at the airport not curbside like most other companies." We were picked up curbside after a 10 min wait. If I choose to have plastic surgery in a year, I will schedule it with BariatricPal. I have complete confidence in them.

Elektralite- I am right there with you in the jumping through hoops.. I have my surgery scheduled for June 13th at this point. I called insurance and they said it was covered under my plan with nothing to hold me back. Well, met my dr (ok, already know him.....we sit on the sidelines each week at our girls' :soccer: game). He is an awesome individual and calmed my nerves very quickly. We scheduled my date - hoping to do it the week after school gets out.....before summer school starts. (this date works best for me because I do daycare and my summer census is lower then than during the school year). AND suprise suprise suprise....insurance slapped me with their conditions....First of all they complained that we didn't submitt the correct information. So, I did my psych eval and did my nutritional eval like they requested.....and re-submitted everything. (we are trying to ignore the 6 mo doctor supervised diet that they are requesting). We also got a letter from my regular doctor that says this is the only answer for me - she does not suggest any other diet or drug because of other health issues. I have been to one support group meeting -- we are required to attend atleast 6 meetings post op. The group was small and very interesting -There have only been @ 40 LB surgeries at my local hospital - great success stories and very good after care :nanahump: . I just talked to the bariatric nurse and she thinks if the insurance company can get off their lazy :tape: asses and reply within the next week or so .....my surgery is still a go on June 13th. (otherwise the schedule is now full through August) I am extremely excited but starting to feel the crunch....If I am approved, I need to start my 10-day liquid diet about June 1st. That really isn't that far away. I also need to inform my daycare families about time off/get my mom to come for a few days to help with my three children, go shopping and the list goes on and on. I just wish I knew what was happening. Good luck at your journey of hoop jumping - Tracy

I went to my first required support group meeting last night. I have to attend another one next month. It's not as easy as I expected to get the surgery done. I'll pretty much have to jump through hoops - one more meeting, then see a bariatric internist, then a nutritionist, then on to the shrink, thennnnn onwards toward surgery, but only after I lose at least 30 pounds on my own. AHHHG! I'm sure this is all normal stuff that everyone has to go through, but dang, they want a lot. If I can lose 30 pounds on my own, why do I need surgery? That's the part that gets me a little confounded. If it was so easy to drop 30 pounds, don't they think everyone would have done it already?!?! There were some recent patients at the meeting. The bypass patients all looked pale, sickly, and shriveled - not to be mean, they lost the weight - great for them.. but the bandsters looked a whole helluva lot healthier. I also got to meet my surgeon, and he's sweet as can be. That was nice. Ok, well, I'm rambling.. just figured I'd pop in with an update. Hope everyone is doing well, two thumbs way up for the successful, *hugs* of support to those that aren't there yet (you will be!). El

Hello Everyone, I want to start off by saying I had the plication surgery with Dr. Corvala in Tijuana in July 2010. From July to mid December 2010 I had no problems. I had a quick recovery and had managed to lose 60 or so pounds. Then, in mid December, a serious complication occurred. I'm pasting below an email I sent to my patient experience manager, Courtney Talmadge, in response to an email from her asking what happened and how I was doing. "On December 21 I went to my local emergency room (Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, MO) with abdominal pain, pain in my left shoulder when I breathed in, and dry heaving. They did an xray and ct scan and found what they referred to as free air in my abdominal cavity. They also found that the contrast Fluid I drank for the procedure was leaking from my stomach into my abdominal cavity. At that time the attending physician told me I was being transported to the University Hospital in Columbia. I was transported by ambulance to the University of Missouri Hospital. I was met there by a surgical team from the bariatrics department. I explained the procedure I had received from Dr. Corvala. The surgeons told me that I needed surgery immediately to repair a perforation in my stomach that was allowing air and fluids to pass into my abdominal cavity. After I woke up from the surgery I was told that the perforation occurred because part of my stomach was not receiving adequate blood flow and perforated as a result. The surgeons explained that, in order to attempt to prevent future occurrence, the surgeons had loosened plication stitching. The surgeons put a tissue patch over the hole to prevent leakage and to allow the hole to heal. They told me and my family that the portion of the stomach where the hole had formed was white in color from being cut off from adequate blood flow for so long and that they had almost decided to resect that part of the stomach rather than repair it. They told me and my family that, in their opinion, it's very possible this will happen to me again in the future because of the damage to my stomach and other areas that hadn't been receiving proper blood flow. I was in the hospital from 12/21-12/26, spending my Christmas there. It took 4 days to rehydrate my body, because the hole that had formed in my stomach had let all the fluids I drank into my abdominal cavity. I had a tube coming out of my left side abdomen to drain the fluids for the duration of my stay. I had a tube coming up from my stomach and out of my nose to drain any fluids from my stomach for the first 3 days I was there. It was a horrific and traumatic experience for me and my family. At my follow-up appointment on January 7th I spoke with one of the bariatric surgeons at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO about what happened. He explained to me that, due to a technical error that occurred during my plication surgery, the plication stitching had not allowed portions of my stomach to get adequate blood flow. This caused a part of the stomach to start dying and a hole formed. Also on Jan 7 I had another xray with contrast to see if there was any further leakage. The results of this test show no further leakage but that my stomach is very swollen at this time. I am continuing to be monitored through Missouri Bariatric Services, a University of Missouri Hospital Clinic. I believe this to be a dire complication. I was told when I came to the ER that, due to the severity of my condition I was about 24 hours from sepsis and death. It is very important that Dr. Corvala, his team, and potential patients know about this possibility. This was not mentioned to me as a possible complication of the plication surgery. In fact, I had asked about the possibility that that folding and stitching could harm the stomach and had also asked about cutting off blood flow to the folded portion of the stomach. I was told plication procedure was done in such a way as to retain the health of the stomach and that blood continues to flow regularly to the folded part of the stomach. I was also told that the plication procedure was much safer because there was no risk of leaks because no portion of the stomach is cut away and there is no staple line. Potential patients thinking of getting the plication procedure should know the possibilities." It should be noted that I asked my surgeons here in Missouri if there was anything I did that could have caused this complication. They have informed me that this complication was not at all my fault, but due to an error committed by the surgeon (Dr. Corvala) during my plication surgery. If you decide you're interested in the plication procedure and go through Dr. Corvala I would suggest you ask him about my case. To be perfectly honest, I'm happy with the results of my surgery. My restriction is great, my weight loss has been what I expected. However, as noted above, I almost lost my life. I wanted to share my story because when the surgery was described to me it was being advertised as a safer alternative to other surgeries and that the risk for complication was very low. As noted above, I even asked Dr. Corvala about blood flow to the stomach with the plication surgery and was told that the blood flow would be retained and the stomach tissue would remain healthy. For me, this was not the case. Please feel free to ask questions. -Alexa Thompson

I called this morning and I have my first fill on the 18th with esophagram! The Long Island Bariatric Center will accept patients from Mexico. Their website is www.doryferraro.com.

Dee your story sounds similar to mine. I had my original surgery done in 2005. I have spent the last 15 years trying to figure out what my issue was. Unfortunately, I was having lower bowel pain so I never got to the right doctors to have the right testing done. I moved to a new state in 2021 and had a bad episode is what I call it so I went to my primary doctor who sent me to a GI doctor who finally ran the right test and saw I had a fistula. She then sent me to a bariatric doctor who saw like you that I basically had food and whatnot going in two different directions. So basically like I never had the surgery. I go on 3/28 to figure out next steps and a surgery. How has your recovery process been? I am curious on what to expect.