2thdoc

My starting weight was 246 at 5'4" lost almost 15 pounds on pre-op diet. Had my sleeve surgery in Oct. 2011. Best decision I could have made. I had multiple medical conditions due to my obesity. High cholesterol, high blood pressure and type II diabetes had to use large doses of insulin to control. Also developed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease several months before surgery. Now ecerything is back to normal except the diabetes. I no longer have to use insulin though, just taking oral meds. After surgery I was up and walking in about 30 minutes. Had some really severe reflux/heartburn, kept me up all night. Was given a simethicone gel that was very effective. I have more energy now than I have had in years. I had so little energy I use to be need to sleep all the time, up to 18 hours per day on weekends. 2 hour naps after work everyday, then at least 8 hours of sleep at night. Now no more naps and not able to sleep during the day on weekends. Get up by 5 a.m. every morning and go to the gym for about an hour, then to work. I can hardly believe the difference. I was very careful to follow diet restrictions as directed for first 21 days post-op. I can now eat anything, just not very much of it. For example Smart Choice frozen entrees have a ravioli dish that has 6 raviolis, I have yet to be able to finish in one sitting. I have yet to feel hungry, I was always hungry before, due partly to the large amounts of insulin needed to control my sugar. Have lost a total of 73 pounds in less than 4 months. Recovery was unremarkable, had some nausea when I started eating solid food again. I have to be very conscious not to drink during a meal, this was a hard habit for me to break. It makes me have stuff bubbling into my mouth and has made me vomit several times. Appears I will probably need some surgery to remove excess skin on tummy and neck, not sure about other areas yet. I think you could not choose a more professional facility. They are very caring and concerned about your well-being. I was most impressed and I am a healthcare professional that works in a hospital. I trust Dr. Ortiz without reservation. So good luck with your surgery and prepare to enjoy the changes you will experience.

The border crossing was very easy, took under an hour. You need to keep the list of medications the center will give you just in case someone asks. No one asked why I had been there or requested documentation for the prescriptions. By the way none of the medications are narcotics so there shouldn't be a problem.