CanGirl

I don't think that there would be any reason to do both. Choose one or the other. I went with plication because there was nowhere here in Ontario where I could get fills if I had lap-band surgery in Mexico. Having said that, I am two months out and down 17 pounds. I lost 12 pounds in a about 3 weeks and have only lost 5 pounds since. They say that I would have such restriction that you could only consume half a cup of food at a sitting. I have not found that to be true for me. I certainly do eat less but you have to be very committed to making the right choices and not eating mindlessly. I've been stressed with work, moving, and an up-coming law-suit so it has been difficult to stay focused. It is not a magic pill and the OCC doesn't claim it is. From what I've heard, when a lap-band is properly filled, a person can have an easier time preventing themselves from over-eating than with plication. Think about it and make your choice based on your lifestyle and research. I think this can be a great life-changing experience-if you are willing to commit. I am saying this more to myself than to you. I look forward to taking my own advice when my life is a little more settled. Best of luck S

I had a difficult time tolerating anything except gatorade in the beginning weeks. I have not had perfect eating habits but I have discovered greek yogurt and I love it. Very high in protein, low in calories and is great with raspberries (I buy then frozen) and sweetener. I have been having a lot of pain from reflux and I need to have something in my stomach when that happens. The yogurt helps a lot. I like to eat it before I go to bed. It's strange. Today I was struggling with wanting to eat more than my stomach can handle. I had a bit of discomfort. It's a real learning curve to know that perfect amount of food to satisfy my physical hunger and also my emotional hunger. Best of Luck.

Hi Feather, My Mom has loved her Juvederm so far and it has taken years off her appearance. It is temporary but she would love to get it again. It last from about 6-12 months. I am 34 but I had a furrow in brow since my early 20's. I have been getting botox in my forehead for a couple of years now. It takes a little time for the appearance of the furrow to lessen but within 6 months I had a much softer appearance. If you continue to get botox every 5-6 months over time the muscles weaken and the crease smooths out. I would highly recommend it. I love Botox and it's less expensive at the OCC and Ms. Martin and Dr. So do a great job. I am just beginning to get the lines (crow's feet) around my eyes when I smile but I got botox with Dr. So and I have no lines around my eyes when I smile. One of my friends said that "it is like being 12 again". Also, there is a product at the OCC which Linda showed us that you can apply to your eyelashes and they grow in thicker. We saw some pictures and there is a significant difference. My eyelashes are ok so I didn't go for it but there are a lot of people that I think would like it. I am not too sure about some of the other treatments offered there but I am sure there are many. I'm sure that if you reply to the first comment which is from Ms. Martin that she would be happy to let you know about some of the other treatments that they have to offer. Best of luck to you and congrats on having your Plication at the OCC. Everyone there is helpful and kind and all the doctors and staff are great. Take care, Sarah

I am a month out and down 15 pounds. I'm happy so far. I have heard of many people saying that they are eating 500-700 calories a day but I can't do that. I am having 1100-1300 a day. I am losing weight so I can't complain. I don't think the fewer calories is always better. Good luck S

I heard of this complication after I came home from having my plication at the OCC. I know that there was a doctor here in Canada who had a patient with this complication, however, I believe the doctor had very little experience performing the procedure. I know that none of Dr. Ortiz's patients have had this problem and he has performed several hundred plications already. I am not an expert but I believe that Dr. Ortiz's suturing technique is designed to ensure that this complication does not happen. Contact the OCC and I am sure they will be happy to explain it to you. I had my surgery on March 9th and have lost 15 pounds post-surgery. I am quite happy with the results so far. Sarah

I had my plication on March 9th. I did have gas pain but that was pain in my shoulders and I haven't had any gas pain after the first week. I also had gall-bladder issues since I was 14 and had my gall-bladder out 4 years ago at the age of 30. So, gall-bladder pain is often (but not always) triggered by something you ate. Often something fatty. Though when my gall-bladder was at it's worst, before I had it removed, it was chronic and very painful. It usually starts out as a weaker pain behind your right ribs and then intensifies until you think it couldn't get any worse, and then gradually lessens and the attack ends. It often means a trip to the ER because the pain can be so debilitating. It can take 12 hours and the area is often tender to the touch after for a couple of days. I am not sure if this is what you are experiencing or not. Now, I have been having some discomfort since my plication under my right breast area in the same generally area as my gall-bladder. It is worse when my stomach is empty. It is a strange sensation (which I could compare to a 'gas like" feeling). I have had some nausea as well. This morning I had this sensation and also sick to my stomach and had to take a couple of gravol. I have been thinking that the pain might be reflux. I had a similar pain before (though not quite the same) and my doctor said I had GERD and gave me some acid reducers. You should get it checked out but it might be reflux caused by the procedure. This is what I think it is for me but I will talk to my doctor again when I see him. Good luck. So for I have lost 15 pounds in 4 1/2 weeks. I have seen a lot of unhappy people with the plication too. I hope you have a good experience. Sarah

I do indeed like the results. Thanks again Linda. Hope to be back sometime soon. It's 4 weeks since my surgery and I have lost 14 pounds. Not bad so far.

In my next Blog entry I will talk about my Plication journey thus far but right now I wanted to mention some other features of the OCC that many people may not be aware of. On March 9th I had my plication surgery. While I was in the operating room my Mother spoke to Linda Martin a wonderful and beautiful nurse who works in the esthetics departments of the OCC. She and Dr.So perform non-invasive cosmetics procedures for family and patients at the OCC. So while I was in surgery my Mother, who is 60, went and had some treatments. Ms. Martin and Dr. So are highly trained and professional. Being a little older, my Mom has lost collagen in her face. She wanted to have some fillers around her cheeks and mouth to plump up those areas again. She also had some botox for the lines and creases around her eyes and brow. Mom loved the results and the next day when I was being discharged we both went back with Dr. So and Ms. Martin and I got some botox and Mom got some more filler. I love the results. I had been getting botox here in Canada for a couple of years because I had a deep furrow in my brow but Dr. So also gave me botox for crows feet and for the little lines in the forehead. The clinic I had gone to here in Canada had tried to do my crow's feet before but with no results. I am loving the results from the OCC. LOVE IT. I didn't have lines around my eyes YET but now I can't even make the crinkles around my eyes. It's great and NO ONE WOULD EVER GUESS unless you told them. I tell everybody because I think it's great. My Mom is also telling everybody about her Juvederm filler. She is loving it. They did such a great job. The filler lasts about 6-12 months so she is thinking about coming back to the OCC for surgery and wants to get more filler at that time. SO WHEN YOU COME TO THE OCC, WHY NOT DO THE ENTIRE PACKAGE AND GET SOME OTHER SPA TREATMENTS WHILE YOU ARE HERE. I highly recommend it. That's all for now. I will talk about the surgery next time...which by the way I am totally happy with so far. Sarah

Try not to worry too much. I am only a few weeks out of surgery but I lost 8 pounds for the first week and then didn't lose anymore for almost 2 weeks. Your body is adjusting. I figure I lost a lot of water the first week due to dehydration (I was very dehydrated) and then the next couple of weeks I had more fluids and then the 8 pounds was true weight loss. It has to work so don't fret. In a couple of weeks you will likely see some weight loss again. I am on day 24 and I am down 12 pounds but like I said I didn't lose anything after the first week for almost another 2 weeks. Best of luck Sarah

Congratulations! That is wonderful news. I'm sure the surgery will help you during pregnancy and after when you lose the baby weight. What a blessing. Best of luck. Sarah

I had the plication surgery a few weeks ago and had about 65 pounds to loose but I don't think there is a weight restriction. I saw Dr. Ortiz interview patients who had the procedure who certainly had 100+ pounds to loose. We are now considering it for my brother. He is on the wait list here in Canada for Gastric Bypass and could have the procedure paid by the government in the next year but the Possible complications are daunting. He has well over 150 pounds to loose. Best of luck. I am happy so far and am looking forward to the future. Hope you are too. Take care. Sarah

Yes, totally normal. My stomach was a little angry too for a while.

It could be gas pain from the gasses they pumped your stomach up with for surgery. I had the pain for several days after my surgery.