Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the OCC

[Kindle 8,667]

Lila921, my "follow up" has been with my PCP. I've had labwork twice with her since my surgery. I live near a major hospital that does gastric procedures, so if I would've/ do have any complications related to my sleeve, I will head straight there. I looked at the threads you posted and they would make me nervous too if I were in your position. I did not choose the option of the plication because it is "experimental" still. This is not a surgery performed regularly here in the US and the sleeve is tried and true. People have gotten gastrectomies for aged now for other reasons. Plication didn't make sense for me personally because I don't understand how you can portion off that part of the stomach but still maintain the integrity of the tissue that isn't being used. That was just my personal medical thought process. I'm not saying it isn't safe, but it seems to be that there would be way more chances for complications with that than with a sleeve. If you eat/drink too much too soon, pop there goes a stitch- or a stitch may go for no reason at all! Stitches in your forehead or finger can pop! It is what it is. I didn't need that huge stomach! It's done me no favors for many years now. Good riddance

.

I also had concerned with the sutures used for the plication. Not only about popping, but also "cutting" into the tissue. If a lap band (wide, soft piece of material) can erode into the stomach after being in you for years, why wouldn't a thin, sharp piece of "string" do the same thing?

[gastricsleever 259]

I had lettuce with flavored vinegar as a dressing (found garlic and raspberry) Lots of spinach. Either plain, with Unjury Protein cheese sauce or mixed in with beef broth and Unjury unflavored powder for a very yummy "hamburger" Soup. I also steamed green Beans and mushrooms. I dipped sliced zucchini, red peppers (I know, not a green veggie) and broccoli in the Unjury cheese sauce and had the same veggies steamed in a little chicken broth one day. Take advantage of the veggies you can eat now, because you won't be able to for a long time! I had both the Unjury and Syntrax unflavored powders. They were about equal... The Unjury maybe mixed a little better. Key to mixing is make sure your liquid isn't too hot and I used a Blender Bottle with a wire whisk ball and never had clumping issues. Available on Amazon. I have an individual smoothie blender, but the blender bottle mixed just as well and easier cleanup. I mixed it with chicken broth, beef broth, Mexican tortilla soup base and Hot and Sour soup base for a break from the shakes. Any of the RTD shakes were too thick and sweet for me. I always added Water to thin them up. Also mixed the vanilla protein with 16-20 oz of water instead of 8. I.d have a huge cup of coffee in the morning, consisting of 1 Premier Protein vanilla shake and 8-12 oz Decaf coffee. Oh yeah, and PB2 was great. I mix 1-2 tablespoons with my vanilla Matrix powder and 20 oz of water. Very yummy. Also good mixed with a chocolate RTD shake. Variety was the key for me. I couldn't have just drank vanilla or chocolate shakes everyday. I must have been OK with my preop choices because I lost 22 pounds in 16 days. (I was supposed to lose 12 in 14 days, but was paranoid and excited so I started 2 days early.). Good Luck!

Thanks for all the helpful info! I never thought to mix coffee with the protein shakes! Also, I def need to re-order Unjury before surgery and when I'm post-op. I can't order till Friday when I get paid so hopefully it arrives in a few days! Lol what is Matrix powder, another Protein Powder?

Wow 22 lbs?! I'd love just to lose 15 to meet my 10% goal :/ What was your starting weight, if u don't mind me askin?

[Kindle 8,667]

Syntrax Matrix powder. It's a blend of different proteins...whey, milk, egg and wheat gluten. Got it on Amazon. Supposed to be "sustained released" I got a 5# bag when I started preop and still have plenty left. I make a shake with it every day. I mix up the flavor by adding PB2 or any number of Mio or Dasani flavor drops. ( the Mio tangerine makes it taste like a dreamsicle). I also started adding plain drinkable yogurt to my matrix shakes for even more Protein and Probiotics once I was postop.

 

I was 238 the day I started preop and 216 day of surgery. I gained a bunch during surgery (was 221 1 week post op), but have lost that plus 9 more total. (I only weigh once/week so I don't get crazy with the numbers)

[back2barb78 890]

I also had concerned with the sutures used for the plication. Not only about popping, but also "cutting" into the tissue. If a lap band (wide, soft piece of material) can erode into the stomach after being in you for years, why wouldn't a thin, sharp piece of "string" do the same thing?

Very true

Edited January 21, 2014 by back2barb78

[nolagirl 36]

Hello,

I did 2 Protein Shakes daily. All the fruit and veggies I wanted and a can of chicken Soup for dinner. Usually I ate 2 prices of fruit a day mostly apples a few ban and kiwis. I also had avocados. I lost 15lb in about 2 weeks.

[nolagirl 36]

Oh I had yogurt also as a snack when I was hungry

[MouseOnTheMile 186]

Hello,

 

I did 2 Protein Shakes daily. All the fruit and veggies I wanted and a can of chicken Soup for dinner. Usually I ate 2 prices of fruit a day mostly apples a few ban and kiwis. I also had avocados. I lost 15lb in about 2 weeks.

Did you go to OCC? When was your surgery? None of that stuff was approved by the NUT for my preop.

[SO.READY???? 17]

Alright guys!!! Made my deposit!!!!!!!! Dr.ortiz with OCC HERE I COME!!!!! So excited!!!!!! March 7th can't come any faster?

[lorileejackson 5]

I am scheduled for march 16th with DR. Elias Ortiz is this the doctor you went with how did it go and how are you doing now

 

[lorileejackson 5]

I am currently scheduled for march 16 with DR otiz is anyone else going around this time. I have been waiting for three years I couldn't be more excited

[nolagirl 36]

Yes I went to OCC

Everything I ate was approved except the fruit. Which all things considered seemed a small indulgence lol. We were allowed all the green veggies we wanted I always kind of lump fresh fruit and veggies together.

[Christian Zaccone 243]

3 years,, wow what happened. Did your paperwork get lost? HAHA that was a joke. Im very happy for you and you will be psyched when you see it all melt away... Im here for u

Christian

[gastricsleever 259]

Hey guys- wondering about the wi-fi and phone service at the TJ Marriott. So I have AT&T, I am assuming the charges will be more expensive for texting and calling from Mexico? But I can limit my texting and use email on wi-fi instead to contact people. What did you guys do when you were there and if you used your cell phone, were the fees extravagant!?

[back2barb78 890]

Hey guys- wondering about the wi-fi and phone service at the TJ Marriott. So I have AT&T, I am assuming the charges will be more expensive for texting and calling from Mexico? But I can limit my texting and use email on wi-fi instead to contact people. What did you guys do when you were there and if you used your cell phone, were the fees extravagant!?

I used email and Skype only.

[Kindle 8,667]

Hey guys- wondering about the wi-fi and phone service at the TJ Marriott. So I have AT&T, I am assuming the charges will be more expensive for texting and calling from Mexico? But I can limit my texting and use email on wi-fi instead to contact people. What did you guys do when you were there and if you used your cell phone, were the fees extravagant!?

My sister arrived the day before me and she said the wifi worked the day before at the Marriott but wasn't working the morning I arrived. It also wasn't working at OCC that morning. Apparently it was a widespread outage. But it started working later that day and we had wifi at both places for the duration of my stay. You need a different code for each device at the Marriott and you get that just by calling the front desk. If you really want to call and text I would suggest checking with AT&T and finding out what international plans are available because your charges will rack up fast and furious without it. I turned my phone to airplane mode so no texts or calls would sneak through. If you have an iPhone, iMessages work over wifi and don't go towards data. My sister and I were able to FaceTime the night I was at OCC at no charge. I think Skype would work over the wifi as well. The rest of my communications with the States was done via email.