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Thank you for sharing your story...Im new on here I will be having my surgery feb 18th...I started off with one Dr. in mexico and ended up switching to Dr. Ortiz...Its a lil nerve racking..But I feel in my heart Im making the right choice by switching to him..Thank you Shawnie

Yes,, go with the fill. I always loved my band. I had great results with my band.

Yes, Dr. So mentioned it when I got my fill. I will have to think about it, but first I'll see how I do now that I'm filled. A good friend of mine was sleeved in April and has dropped 73lbs in 5 months. So I'm comfortable with the idea of getting the sleeve if it comes to it.

Sounds like your a candidate for the "Sleeve".

Thank you for sharing, I am only 1 month post op and getting there!!

Hi Taniaoc, Thank you for commenting. I chose plication because it was the safest, least invasive, easiest to recover and most "normal" type of surgery. I'm very thankful that is the route I chose because little to no risk. I understand how you feel but the way I ultimately justified it was "I'm gonna go down swinging" If something goes wrong, there is an equal chance for it going wrong in the states. I'm so thankful that I did the surgery. I went from a size 14 (not comfortably) to a size 6-8. While I'm 160 lbs I'm solid and can honestly say I look 135 lbs. I work out quite a bit but I did before. I try to eat healthy but admit I like occasional junk food. I eat a lot less. I love Pure Protein shakes. Lots of protein and vitamins, low calorie, low sugar and low fat. Probably the best I've had. I met someone one month after surgery and I really feel that the surgery has changed the way I see the world and the way the world sees me. Probably the best advice I can tell you is to eat as you have been advised to do. That's the number one reason for complications. I haven't had any complications. Is anyone going with you?

I am scheduled for a gastric sleeve on 4/10/15 and am in the same weight range as you and people tell me similar things about not looking like I am 80lbs overweight. I have the very same fears - what if something goes wrong and I never make it back to my family or what if something goes wrong post op! Can I ask how you are doing and why you chose plication?

Hi Debbest, I also am from Alberta. I had my surgery in March 2015 and am 2.5 weeks postop. I have been really pleased by how smoothly everything went. If you have any questions about what the process was, etc, I'd be happy to answer them.

Awesome! Excited for you. Mad my surgery on 9-2-14. Loving it!!!!

I had gastric sleeve surgery last Aug 2 and to date have lost 83 lbs. from 208 to 125 im 5'3" bmi 23 size 3/4 pants and mostly small shirts. and .I have followed the instructions to the letter and it takes about 2-3 mos for the swelling and your stomach to heal. There were times i hit a plateau but that didnt last for long. Im currently scheduled for a belt-lipectomy (lower body lift) for all the excess skin (never used spanx til after my surgery! at The Ariel Center on Aug 2, 2014 and then just one more surgery next year for a breast Augmentation and lift and inner thigh lift. Im so excited .I have complete trust in the Drs and staff at the OCC and The Ariel center and have never felt better in my life. I no longer have diabetes or high blood pressure and all my blood work cholesterol etc is completely normal. I Can only exercise in Pool or bicycling as i hav 3 types of arthritis and carpal tunnel in both wrists and hands but Im working on it.I would recommend this clinic to anyone seeking a professional and excellent team of Drs and Nurses down to the receptionist. They are awesome. I have managed to keep the weight off and only go between 5 lbs up and down but im sure one i have the next surgery i should lose some of the weight as i have alot of loose extra skin!Im available to answer any questions that I can , just message me here. Check out my profile getting ready to post some new pics taken in May and June of this year.Good luck to all ! It's the best decision I ever made!!

Hi, I'm from Kamloops. Having my surgery May 15. I have 92 lbs to lose. My motivation is to be more mobile. We love to hike, kayak etc. Beautiful British Columbia as you know is a big playground in your backyard. Originally from Sask, I just love it out here. But hiking with a backpack and carrying extra weight too is just too hard. My husband had to help me up the hill last weekend. So.... this is to my health and life of adventures. One of my nurses had this surgery 3 years ago and has kept the weight off. She can't say enough positive about her experience. I will post my journey to share with others.

I always tell everyone the same thing. Having WLS is a life changing event. Everyone has a range of anxiety. So, don't fret about it, just make a decision and live with it. There's a lot of info here at the forum, jump in and start reading. Good luck and just take a deep breath and relax.

I am a food masochist right along with you! Besides commercials that show at least one food related product what seems like every 15 seconds I actually have tivo'd The Chew. lol

The first few weeks were hard for me just stick to the diet I drank a lot of Gatorade and try some Popsicles that helpe me out a lot when you get to the next you won't be has hungry it will get better

Raalex1 Well my surgery went good its been 5 months since I've had my surgery I feel I still the same person but happier and I've lost about 83 pounds so far started at 251 and now I'm down to 177 I'm so happy I had the surgery it's changed my life a lot now I can shop easier i don't have to look for xxl anymore in old navy clothes I'm able to wear a large a medium I can eat whatever I want most of time but in small amounts but the food I use to like I don't like to eat it anymore like fast food is just nasty to me now soda I don't like anymore I'm do glad I had this surgery it's changed my life for the good

Thank you for your blog! My daughter has her surgery next week, so I find it all very interesting! Keep it coming please!

I love to hear these stories. We are so proud of your success and would love to have you send us your before and after pictures! GREAT JOB

You won't be sorry. Best care I have ever received! From the pick up at the air port in San Diego to the drop off 5 days later. Everyone was very kind and caring. The people at the Marriot Hotel treated all of us like royalty. Made us feel welcomed and special. I had heard a lot of stories about Tijuana. Most of it was good. They lived up to their reputation and then some. I would highly recommend the Obesity Control Center and Tijuana.

Good Luck with your new journey! Very happy & excited for you <3

feeling great for me ALWAYS includes pain, (if it involves exercise.) Also, good for you and Kyle! It helps to have someone walking the walk with you.

Paula - you are a week behind me, and I hit that wall last week! The fact is, you had surgery, and your body is recoverying. You also need to make sure you are taking in plenty of liquids. I was doing that, but I still hit a major wall! Dr. Miranda let me start mushy food a few days early and it has really helped... not sure if it was psychological or if it just helped, or if I am finally passed that too tired to get anything done phase... but by next week, you'll be feeling better, I promise! I'll keep praying for you and your mom, I know this has to be tough on both of you (hubby, too!)

Paula do not berate yourself for having mixed feelings about your Mom. Caring for a loved one with dementia is a very challenging experience. It is all the more difficult because she is your Mom. She looks like Mom but the disconnect is she is not the same person. I am so glad you are getting a month respite. Go ahead and "mullygrub" I can not think of a better reason. Marilyn

Hi Bree, Dr. Ortiz actually pioneered the band over bypass procedure that was recently performed on Carnie Wilson. I had actually emailed Carnie about the surgery over 3 years ago! The way the bypass surgery is done makes it very easy for the stomach to stretch out. Dr. Ortiz has been putting bands over bypasses for years to give that restriction back. Our band over's are very successful! If you want more info - you can email me at lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com or call me at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81 and I can try to get you in touch with other band over patients. Weight loss is hard, and your "tool" isn't performing like it used to, don't let your weight get really out of control before you reach out for help!

You are doing GREAT! As for the extra skin - if you do have a problem with that, which not all patients do, we can help you with that later... for now just focus on getting healthier and getting to your surgery date! I'm excited for you! I'm excited for me, too

im on day three of liquids... my stomach gurgles sound like they are singing the Anvil Chorus. The largest incision site from the surgery is mildly uncomfortable.. not so much painful (try having a baby, now thats painful.. this is nothin...) if i move a little sideways i think i can feel the tubing connected to the port shift.. now thats a weird feeling for sure. I keep reminding myself why I did this thing.. turning myself into a banded- borg.... I did it to survive. So the discomfort of watery diarrhea, drinking my meals and listening to the growls of my stomach are nothing compared to the social death sentence of obesity. I wont whine too much. I think I'll go eat a popsicle instead.

Thank you Michele for your encouraging words. I have been playing in the kitchen lately. Just discovered that I can have spagetti squash instead of pasta and zucchini manicotti is to die for! Why did we ever eat pasta? So delicious! I have been enjoying "The World According to Eggface". It's a blog by a woman who also had weight loss surgery and she was a cook so she now cooks for us! Quite inspiring!

I know this is hard to believe but it get's better. I haven't had junk food in over two years. I can't even believe I just wrote that. McD's chicken nuggest used to be a fav...I too am alone and have learned to "be" alone. My latest lesson is that the kitchen is not my enemy and I can take the time to cook and eat things that are good for me..this has been fun. I have been finding and making one or two new reciepes a week..you will work it out.. Michele

Hi Sarah, Thanks for posting - I go in on June 30th - excited and a bit scared but this is revision surgery for me...so I have been through this before somewhat. One question - on your energy level right after surgery - how long before you were "back to normal" with your energy? I don't expect to be Zumba'ing for about a month - but just walking ect? Thanks - keep up the great work! DonnaC in Seattle

If CDN doctors are charging thousands I suggest a weekend in Vegas. Get filled, get tanned and take in a show.

Have you checked into whether or not a HSA account would be usable for the surgery. If so, I would suggest you do an auto deposit into a HSA account of even a small pretax amount. It is amazing how fast that might add up. $20. a paycheck would be a good start and as it is pre tax dollars you are "cheating" the government on their share. Also, when I opened my ING on line account they gave me a $50 bonus for opening, look on line for offers similar to that to double your starting $ Just random thoughts but keep on trying.

i used to be a swimmer wow what that can do to your body long and lean is what my coach used to say, really good for your muscles, that would be my choice if there was a pool around, unfortunately i have to walk. wich i hate but need to do it right. keep up the good work its all gonna pay off. Your gonna look like a million bucks.

eewwwwww the first time I ever "slimed" and puked was when I took ONE bite of white rice. Well should have known cause everyone says don't eat it but of course I did anyway I guess just to see. Sliming feels like this: You eat either something too much, too fast, or the wrong kind of food. For me I slime when I eat meat that has been re-heated in the microwave because it's just too dry. Or when I've eaten bread or rice. I also find that I end up sliming or getting food stuck or puking when I wait until I'm STARVING to eat because it's much harder to control how fast I eat - so I try to avoid this by eating at the first point of noticing I'm hungry. It's like your food sits at the top of your stomach (and you can feel this sensation) It feels like something is stuck and that you are overfull - even though it may be just your first or second bite of food. What I mean when I say it feels like you're overfull - is that before the band, when I used to eat eat eat to the point of a dull pain in my stomach then this is similar to how I feel when food is stuck in my stoma. So then you start getting this warm, slimy spit coming back up into your mouth. It happens to me anywhere from 15-30 minutes after I eat. And then it's the waiting game to see if what you've eaten is going to go down or come back up. So usually about 10 minutes after trying to wait the sliming out - I just go to the restroom and try to relax my esophagus so whatever is stuck can come up without the heaving that goes along with puking. Sometimes it comes up like a slimy deep cough sound, sometimes I've had to puke and heave, and sometimes it just slimes back up without any harsh heaving. Either way - it's clear that you've slimed - because the consistency is slimy

Yea! Good for you, that was a bit of motivation for me.... I can't swim but I do need to get off my A!#@@! and get moving. Thanks for sharing

Woohoo and congrats on getting of your @-s-s!! Pretty soon you'll have a much tinier @-s-s to get off of. Dangling participles, aside... GOOD JOB!

Sometimes it's best not to tell everyone- get the time off from work for "personal reasons". No need to explain your surgery. Family and friends don't need to have an opinion. It's your decision only. It's money well spent and it's a pretty minor procedure- why all the "I'm afraid you'll die" talk? Have they read horror stories? Another reason not to explain or justify it to anyone. I told about 3 people I was having surgery and after 8 months most people don't know...I only have told those who asked "How did you lose weight?". I don't volunteer the information to anyone. It's just cleaner. Good luck to you and please keep us updated!