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Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the OCC



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Will anyone else be in Tijuana at the same time? I will be traveling alone and would like to have a sleeve buddy.

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I was there on 3/29. I went by myself, but got to know the other people who were having surgery the same day. I was nervous before the surgery and there were times when I would have liked someone to chat with, but I also was glad to have quiet and time to myself, too.

There's a forum for Mexico and self-pay-- you may want to post there, too and see if you can connect with someone that will be there at the same time you are.

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Hi guys I have my VSG scheduled in a couple of weeks with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC in Tijuana and would love to hear more of the experiences with them from any of you that may know anything and or may have had your procedure with him .... Just a part of a bit more last minute research ..... Thank you in advanced

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Hi. I went to dr Ortiz too. I went alone. Out of the seven people having their sleeve on the same day, five of us came alone. The hotel was nice and everyone was helpful and very friendly. On the day of your surgery they will sit u down with a nutritionist and do a EGK to make sure your heart is healthy enough for surgery. You will only stay there for the night of your surgery. Ask for lots of Popsicles . You will inhale them. The next morning I was sent back to the hotel with a bag of Meds ($160.00 extra) and a paper with instructions. The pain medicine is a joke so bring your own if you have any. You go back once for a bandage change and then u get your drainage bag out on day 3 post op. Try to walk when u can. It helps with the gas. ( they pump your stomach up with air for surgery. It looked like I was six months pregnant ) My stomach didn't go down for about 10 days. If you have anymore questions, you can email me directly jmo9121120@gmail.com. You'll do great.

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I did. It was pretty cool. They gave me some "lovely" stuff to drink and I immediately had an X-ray that I watched on a tv monitor.

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Anyone have any plastic surgery in Mexico? I am not even half way to my goal and wouldn't consider plastic surgery for another year or so but my arms were already very heavy both because I was overweight but also genetically...and now my arms are...gross! I didn't think I would consider plastics after this journey but I would love to wear sleeveless shirts!

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Anyone have any plastic surgery in Mexico? I am not even half way to my goal and wouldn't consider plastic surgery for another year or so but my arms were already very heavy both because I was overweight but also genetically...and now my arms are...gross! I didn't think I would consider plastics after this journey but I would love to wear sleeveless shirts!

 

Hi Covatila,

 

I was just recently sleeved and saw a lady from Louisiana there at same time that had an arm lift and breast augment and lift.... She looked amazing! Arms were so tiny.... And boobs so big!

Lol!!

Of course I didn't see her before so can't comment, but the end result looked very nice and she was thrilled! Dr Medina is the plastic Surg.

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Hi guys I have my VSG scheduled in a couple of weeks with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at OCC in Tijuana and would love to hear more of the experiences with them from any of you that may know anything and or may have had your procedure with him .... Just a part of a bit more last minute research ..... Thank you in advanced

Hi Leysi,

 

I was just sleeved by dr Ariel Ortiz on April 15/14

The other person posting here has given a good review of events.

 

I will add that the care is very personal and thorough and if you have specific concerns/ allergies be sure to bring them up at the time of the nutritionist/cardiology checks. You can ask to speak to the surgeons directly, they work in a team.... Ortiz and Martinez.

 

All protocols are as good as US and in my opinion the experience of the surgeons is better.

This is a CENTER OF EXCELLENCE designated clinic/surgeon so they have to pass very strict protocol checks to get this designation.

 

My brother is a Gastroenterologist and he told me to find a surgery center with this seal of approval for best practices/protocols !

 

DO NOT take the pre op diet lightly..... The day of my Surg they cancelled a person because they had not lost enough weight to be safe.

 

You will be in very capable experienced hands.

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Hey everyone.

Thank you so much for all the informative posts. Without them I could never have made the decision to book my surgery and pick my surgeon with confidence at OCC. Which I am excited to say is Monday August 25th.

I got instructions from Lucia today on pre op weight goal recommendations so I'm going to start right away and try to ease my way towards it and get into the Protein frame of mind. Let me tell you the one thing that gives me incentive is that in 4 months I will be given a tool to help me maintain any efforts that i put in now. That is really something to look forward to.

Anyhow thanks everyone, i look forward to getting to know you.

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Hi Guys! Okay iv been researching getting the sleeve done in Tijuana! But got confused that there are two "Ortiz" - iv been talking with Janese from a lighter me - and have been doing a lot of research on Ariel ORtiz- and I really really liked Ariel Ortiz!!! But then realized that a lighter me would really be with Dr Elias Ortiz.... - I called OCC today and now I'm just super confused on who to get my surgery done from - yes Elias is much cheaper with a lighter me BUT I don't want to just go with who is cheaper of course .... But on the same breath iv heard so many good things about the process and surgery with " a lighter me /Elias Ortiz. - would love some advise!!!!!

 

 

Also when getting the surgery done with a lighter me - what hospital are you in ?? Mi hospital? Iv researched Jerusalem hospital not to crazy about that hospital so want to be clear on what hospital I would be in with what doctor.

 

 

Nickole

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I haven't been to the mexico for surgery but if you search on here there is a lot of info on the dr's and hospitals that a lot of ppl like

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Hey everyone. Thank you so much for all the informative posts. Without them I could never have made the decision to book my surgery and pick my surgeon with confidence at OCC. Which I am excited to say is Monday August 25th. I got instructions from Lucia today on pre op weight goal recommendations so I'm going to start right away and try to ease my way towards it and get into the Protein frame of mind. Let me tell you the one thing that gives me incentive is that in 4 months I will be given a tool to help me maintain any efforts that i put in now. That is really something to look forward to. Anyhow thanks everyone, i look forward to getting to know you.

Thats awesome and i think its a great idea to get a head start. my surgery was 2/17/14 and i started preparing myself in october when i signed my paperwork and got my surgery date. i started making small changes like substituting 1 meal for a Protein Shake. i bought all kinds of Protein Shakes to find ones that i really liked. i stopped drinking soda and alcohol...i believe thats what led my post-op diet to not be as challenging. i didnt think the pre-op was too bad either. i dont lose as much as other people, but i am happy with my weight loss. i feel great and have no complaints about my decision, it was the best decision i ever made!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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