I've read mostly positive posts about Dr. Ortiz and OCC on this and other forums. A few people don't seem to like his "celebrity" status and I did find some older complaints about their bands. Anyone out there with bad experiences or complications with their sleeves from him?

Hey everyone! Just wanted to stop in and post a progress update. I am three weeks and two days out and down 35 pounds/ 2 sizes. I am gradually getting back in the routine of foods and was wondering what some of you guys were eating to get the protein in. I do my best with the shakes still, but it is quite hard for me to take in that much liquid at times...constantly sipping water though. I have given the thought to maybe getting some unjury powder. Just want to be sure I'm getting the necessary protein

I ordered the Unjury from Socalmom recommendation.... Looks like it comes in all different kinds, and sales lady said the strawberry, clear, and chicken can be used during the clear liquids stage.... Hope they taste ok

So I'm a little over 6 weeks out...so far, I can eat anything. But this week I found my first food that my stomach doesn't like- I made a simple corned beef hash. Corned beef, frozen tater tots, some cheese.....I thought when I ate two bites of it on Monday that I just wasn't in the mood for it. Then today I ate 2 bites and I feel sick again! Boo! Oh well lesson learned do you have any foods that don't agree with your new stomachs?

So I'm a little over 6 weeks out...so far, I can eat anything. But this week I found my first food that my stomach doesn't like- I made a simple corned beef hash. Corned beef, frozen tater tots, some cheese.....I thought when I ate two bites of it on Monday that I just wasn't in the mood for it. Then today I ate 2 bites and I feel sick again! Boo! Oh well lesson learned do you have any foods that don't agree with your new stomachs?

I have a sleeve of steel... Most things don't piss it off, really dry chicken is a baaaaaad time though. Actually starting to worry its stretched out these almost five months post op, my restriction feels way down. I know it'll relax over time but it seems early for it to be this food friendly.

So I'm a little over 6 weeks out...so far, I can eat anything. But this week I found my first food that my stomach doesn't like- I made a simple corned beef hash. Corned beef, frozen tater tots, some cheese.....I thought when I ate two bites of it on Monday that I just wasn't in the mood for it. Then today I ate 2 bites and I feel sick again! Boo! Oh well lesson learned do you have any foods that don't agree with your new stomachs?

I cannot do potatoes...nauseating

Hello OCC Ladies. I've been researching doctors for almost a year. I've now saved up enough money to pay for the procedure in full and I'm wanting to book a day and follow through with it! I'm a teacher and would like to do this early June when school is out. I actually called a local surgeon this week to see what he charges for self-pay. He's about double what Dr Ortiz charges. Any thoughts? I am ready to do this! But for some reason, I am a big chicken!

Hello OCC Ladies. I've been researching doctors for almost a year. I've now saved up enough money to pay for the procedure in full and I'm wanting to book a day and follow through with it! I'm a teacher and would like to do this early June when school is out. I actually called a local surgeon this week to see what he charges for self-pay. He's about double what Dr Ortiz charges. Any thoughts? I am ready to do this! But for some reason, I am a big chicken!

I am partial to dr Ortiz. See how much experience this other surgeon has. For me, that's what it came down to. I was sleeved by Ortiz, no complications. My husband has sleeve scheduled in a month. That's how much I believe in Ortiz. Also look at Newsweek July 27, 2011 top 15 bariatric surgeons. If you need a copy, I can email you a copy.

Hello OCC Ladies. I've been researching doctors for almost a year. I've now saved up enough money to pay for the procedure in full and I'm wanting to book a day and follow through with it! I'm a teacher and would like to do this early June when school is out. I actually called a local surgeon this week to see what he charges for self-pay. He's about double what Dr Ortiz charges. Any thoughts? I am ready to do this! But for some reason, I am a big chicken!

I say if u have time off in the summer, go to Mexico! Dr Ortiz and the OCC was great...and it was nice to get away and enjoy the sunny weather I stayed for a week and enjoyed the Marriott and the warm weather

I am partial to dr Ortiz. See how much experience this other surgeon has. For me, that's what it came down to. I was sleeved by Ortiz, no complications. My husband has sleeve scheduled in a month. That's how much I believe in Ortiz. Also look at Newsweek July 27, 2011 top 15 bariatric surgeons. If you need a copy, I can email you a copy.

Briangie if you don't mind I would love to get a copy if it I've search but no luck I'm scheduled with Ortiz May 9 and based on the research I've done I feel good with the decision but fear of doing a procedure in Mexico is inevitable . The more research the better .... I've also been searching for the infamous appearance in Oprah but have also been unsuccessful again if you wouldn't mind sending it to me it would greatly appreciate it . My email is leysi23@yahoo.com

 

Thank you

Hello OCC Ladies. I've been researching doctors for almost a year. I've now saved up enough money to pay for the procedure in full and I'm wanting to book a day and follow through with it! I'm a teacher and would like to do this early June when school is out. I actually called a local surgeon this week to see what he charges for self-pay. He's about double what Dr Ortiz charges. Any thoughts? I am ready to do this! But for some reason, I am a big chicken!

I did the VSG with Dr Ortiz in February & it was a wonderful experience without any complications. Staff at Clinic & Marriott were wonderful. Good luck!

Thanks for your responses! I appreciate them. I will keep you posted on my decision!

Leysi, hope you enjoyed the Newsweek article. I bought the magazine from amazon, just to have something for the Mexico haters. Dr Ortiz has way more experience than anyone else on that list!

 

Are any of you all members of FB groups like "THE GASTRIC SLEEVE SUPPORT GROUP", "THE GASTRIC SLEEVE GANG", or "THE SASSY SLEEVERS"? I am and they have lots of discussion there, but I want to know if there is a group about Mexico sleevers? Or better yet, one about Dr Ortiz patients specifically? On these other groups there are sometimes some Mexico haters. Like "I would never go to a foreign country and have surgery by choice..."

 

Let me know if you know of a FB group for Ortiz patients.

Brieangie I absolutely did it incredibly made me feel even more secure of my decision to go with dr Ortiz thank you . See you there lol keep in touch ....... I can't wait for May to get here yikes

If anyone else wants a PDF of the Newsweek article, email me at briangie@ymail.com and ask. I'll send it to you.

I wrote this for someone but thought I would share with everyone here also.

We were picked up at the San Diego airport. Driver spoke good English. We don't speak Spanish. Border crossing was a breeze. Hotel has pool and hot tub. Staff spoke good English and they take our credit and debit cards and US money. Walmart is up the street from the hotel. We took a taxi up the hill post op and walked back to the hotel. It's like a mall there. They have a Starbucks and a GNC and lots of other stores. Walmart took US money. They also had a sample table. Tequila samples!!! Lol. Hubby had one of those. Like they have sample foods here in the US....there is a really pretty koi pond in the center of the shopping center. Turtles in there too. The tortilla soup and chicken broth at the Mariott are delicious. There is a small store for drinks and snacks in the hotel. And a restaurant. Across the street, hidden by trees, is a small convenience store. They have drinkable yogurt there. If you are up to it revolution street is a nice tourist place for gifts and lots of free tequila shots! Also there are pharmacies there where you can buy antibiotics and other meds without a prescription. There is a small pharmacy on the walk from Mariott to walmart. Looks about the size of a snack shack, so don't miss it. Take liquid Tylenol with you. It worked better for me than what OCC gave me for pain. But I had to buy the Tylenol from the pharmacy and the directions were in Spanish! OCC is nice. Very friendly staff. They speak great English too! Love Dr Ortiz, Dr So and Dr Martinez specifically. Dr Ortiz is a very charming guy. And took time to chat with patients. They sent my hubby back to hotel with all other "companions" about 4:30 pm. I wasn't fully awake yet. He was concerned that I would want him to help me put my clothes on before he left cause I had only paper on. Honestly, my modesty was gone at that point. And a female nurse helped me later. But the 4:30 part was disappointing cause in the states my hubby gets to stay with me. Then in the morning they took us to the hotel. Everything is relaxed, so you just have to ask anything you want to know. Like when you leave OCC ask when you will be coming back. Then when you get to the hotel, tell the driver when you need to be at OCC and ask what time the shuttle leaves. Like I think it leaves at 6:50 in the morning for all the patients getting surgery that day. You all meet in the lobby, and the shuttle takes you to OCC. You might not be first. You may want to have a book or something to do while you wait. I also took lots of $5 bills to tip the drivers and hotel staff. I really don't know what a person is supposed to tip, but I liked everyone so much, I wanted to give them something. Also, drain comes out on day 3 I believe. OMG, the relief. I felt so good we crossed the border, rented a car and went to Coronado beach for the day! And prior to drain coming out I had gas pains. Once that drain was out, it was all gone! When they have you do the barium swallow to test for a leak on your final day, watch the X-ray monitor! You can see your new tummy and how fast liquid passes through it. There are some beggars on the streets there. We dressed very casual and tried not to look well off. No one seemed dangerous or threatening. We had a really nice time there. If you have any concerns or questions post op, OCC has a dr on call 24 hrs a day, so call! I have actually spoken to all 3 doctors since coming home. That was probably in my first 2 weeks post op though. I had no complications, I'm just a worry wart. You also have access to call or email the nutritionist whenever you need to! No extra fee!