AnaA

Forget whatever that destructive monster called PEOPLE says. How do YOU feel? Do you think you've lost too much? I'm looking at your picture, albeit it is from a distance away, (and this is nothing more than another one of THOSE opinions) but you do not look "too thin" to me??

How do YOU feel about your weight? It is your perspective alone that counts. That said, and wiping ENTIRELY away all urges to instruct you to drink a frosting candy bar shake... I imagine all you have to do to gain weight is monitor your calorie intake and then increase it. I'm not going to write too much, because truly, on this website, yours is a high class problem. (not too terrible...) I hope you find a balance with your weight that is right for YOU and makes YOU feel happy.

Hi Mom2four

By having trouble getting more water down I am going to presume you mean that you're not motivated to drink water and not that you've just had your procedure and can't yet drink too much, so this tip goes under that presumption. ALSO, all the advice I give is from a plication perspective, so having had a different procedure please be sure to clear things through the OCC.

That being said, I have a great fool proof tip! I used this trick when I knew that I needed to start drinking more water but wasn't that 'into it' yet AND IT WORKS!

Take a vitamin water or whatever flavored beverage you are drinking (coffee works too) and get a 16 oz glass of water. Drink them both simultaneously. Take one drink of coffee and then 2 drinks of water. Make your flavored drink sips a little less intake than the water, it has more flavor so you won't need as much, you are mainly taking it in for the flavor. Make your water drinks bigger. When you finish the 16 oz glass of water fill it up again.

This works and you won't even realize that you are getting your water in because you will only remember having drunk the flavored beverage after! The reason that I suggest getting a 16 oz glass of water instead of a 32 oz container is because when you see the 32 oz water, especially being at a point you are not into it yet, you feel inundated by the sight of the thing. With a smaller vessel, you think, ok, I can finish that, all psychosomatic, and you do. That along with flavor in between gets you through it.

I bought a 16 oz flavored drink at walgreens for $2.00 that came in a glass bottle then just washed it after and it became my on the go glass. Already comes with a handy no spill lid.

And a protein shake is considered liquid so you can drink it right along side those two 16 oz bottles of water! It's perfect!

Good Luck

Hi TJones,

You look great! I am 8 months out and just wanted to add my 2 pence to it. I also have gained and lost the same 4 lbs (not 2) since month 6. I go from 158-162 lbs. However, it must be said that I have not exercised a bit. I am just about to start that journey now (ZUM BAAA!). I wanted to lose the weight before tightening up versus going all the way through it. Also, I am about to start leaning and greening it again just to kick start the metabolism. Continued success, you do look great

Hi Tami,

I had the plication procedure with Dr. Ortiz and it was clearly the best decision I have ever made. In 4 months and 10 days I have lost 57 lbs and I look and feel great! The OCC is a state of the art high function facility, professional and caring. I feel really good about my decision and would do it all again.

How long were you there?

I was there for 4 days. I had to stay over 2 extra days because I thought my severe gas bloating was something else and the OCC does not take chances with your health if you come to them and say you are in pain. It turns out, severe gas is what it was, and I was fine to go home, but they really do take care to check you and make sure you are healthy and safe to leave before releasing you.

Does he use a drain?

I had the plication, not the sleeve, so no drains for me.

Did you need a passort?

Bella's information was perfect regarding passports. Though, I flew in from California, and when I did use my Interntional passport, they gave me grief at the border and said that my husband and I should have had a US Passport Card:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html

If self pay when was your final payment due?

I put a deposit down and then paid the remainer before arriving at the OCC. I had to get a cashier's check and then fax a copy and bring the actual.

Anything else you would like to share

Just to reiterate again, I received great care at the OCC and when I was checking Dr.'s and Facilities out before making my decision, no one came close to Dr. Ortiz's qualifications and the reputation of the OCC.

Good Luck!

Hi Newgirl,

I haven't personally noticed a difference in absorption of medications, and I wasn't told anything specifically about that, but it's a great question to direct to Lori or Dr. Miranda at the OCC.

Hi Newbie,

I can attest to the fact that Dr. Ortiz and the OCC are the real deal. They are legitimate, professional, caring, concerned, and take NO chances with your health. Their facility is top notch and extremely clean and well ordered.

1. What was the pre-op surgery testing like?

I had blood work, an iv for blood work and vitals taken.

2. Did you feel the team had your best interest in mind?

Absolutely. They made sure that I was taken care of and comfortable and asked me repeatedly if I had any questions.

3. How was your follow up care? Especially recovery in a hotel?

I was in pain from the gas and I could not believe that gas could be so painful, so I ended up calling the OCC 1 day after I was in the hotel room and let them know that I was in a lot of pain and concerned something was wrong, in response, they had me stay 2 extra says, and each of those 3 days they brought me in for x ray monitoring on the machine, the barium drink one so that they could be sure there was nothing wrong with my stomach, then they drew blood and did work ups, each three days. I felt embarrassed actually because after 2 days I was feeling the gas tension release through walking it off and felt better, but they had me stay that last day and did follow up exams, with Dr. So, each day telling me, we do not take chances and have your health in mind and want to make sure you are fine before we clear you to go home. I felt well taken care of, like my health truly mattered to them. Recovery in the hotel was ok. Bare in mind the horrendous gas experience I had (others have not had this issue), I had everything I needed and the OCC was a phone call away. The hotel was luxurious and comfortable, not that I paid much attention to it because I felt yuck from surgery.. lol

4. Any issues with discomfort traveling home by plane?

I had no problems. I just had my arms crossed over my stomach and in the plane hugged a pillow to me. It wasn't because I felt I needed to, it was more of a security practice, I just didn't want anyone near my stomach so I protected that area.

5. Did you ever have to call Dr. Ortiz needing post surgical support? I guess for infection or other?

I have called anytime I have had a question. Mainly I call Dr. Miranda, but when I was filling out the post op questionnaire, one of my answers caused concern, and within 15 minutes of hitting send, my phone rang and Dr. So was asking me more detailed questions. As it uhm, turns out, I had misunderstood the question and there was no concern, but I was so very impressed with the rapid response to my mis-answered question.

Which pre-op diet are you doing and when is your procedure? Was the granola really high fat calorie wise? Without having heard back from you yet, if your procedure is say 1 month away or 2 weeks away, I imagine that as long as you buckle down and find more pre-diet snacks to help you stay on track it seems like you're ok?

For my pre-op diet I did the lean and green and found that the protein shakes 2X a day and the 1 cup of soup with as much greens as I wanted in between was really satisfying. Also the lean cuisine meal was satisfying for the calorie count.

Good Luck, pick yourself up, and get right back to it! You can do it.

Congratulations Meredith! You look great I agree that this procedure was the best. I watch what I eat, but I have had pizza, and I do eat pasta. I do not feel nor have felt as though there were things that are off limits, but I eat healthy and even when I eat pizza, it is a small amount due to the wonderful restriction. Having this procedure has changed my life for the better.

Pam, Playa Del carmen near Cancun! You lucky lady!! Have a great time! (who wouldn't... lol) I love knowing I don't have to worry about overeating! Congratulations on your continued success also

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Hi Mishell,

I have to proceed my response with the disclaimer that the decision to have gastric sleeve surgery is a personal one and only YOU can decide if that is what is best for you!

That being said, my perspective is this, unfortunately, there are 'popular' negative opinions in the US of Mexico. That manifests in all sorts of snide inaccurate ways, not the least of which is making the ridiculous presumption that "Doctors in Mexico are butchers". The reality is that there are some great Doctors in Mexico, there are some great Doctors in the US. There are some bad doctors in Mexico, there are some bad Doctors in the US. That is why it is important that as prospective patients of ANY Dr. ANYWHERE, irregardless of what country they are in, we do our homework on that Dr.'s credentials, success rates, and background. Yet how often do we do this with our US Doctors?

Personally, I did my research on Dr. Ortiz and the OCC before I decided to have my plication procedure. After the research I felt confident with Dr. Ortiz's qualifications, experience, and success rate. Because I felt confident with him, I had my procedure. The surgery center was top notch and they were very aware of my health and vitals throughout the entire process. Personally, I do not regret my decision. I have lost nearly 50 lbs and am near my goal weight. I look and feel great and I smile so much more.

Whatever your decision is, I wish you a happy future and great success.

Take Care & Good Luck,

Ana

Hi Varoman, I just received your email and emailed you back with my email so that we can chat about how you're feeling. Take Care!

-Ana

Hi Amanda

Before I decided to have my plication I reached my goal weight 4 times within 4 years. What got me everytime was sugar. It just seems to do something evil to my body. I cannot handle it. It shrinks my willpower and all sorts of other things. I also decided that i needed help to maintain a healthy weight and decided to have the plication. I felt nervous when I made the decision and then as there was 1 month between my decision and the date, I let it slip from my mind and just daydreamed about the outcome. But as it got closer, like within3 days I started to get really really nervous and definitely scarred. I kept thinking what if something goes wrong and i'm worse off then when I came in?? The 2 other women I talked to on the day I had my plication who were also having their plications were feeling pretty scarred too. In my opinion only I think it's a normal emotion considering that it is surgery. I have had surgery 3 times in my life and each time I have felt scarred and anxious.

Personally I have no regrets. For me, this surgery was exactly what I needed to be in control of my eating habits and therefore my health. Since my procedure in July, I have had a collective 5 tablespoons of sugar, and each time it was at only 1 or 2 table spoons at a time, then I would abstain from it again. I learned for me, that small sugar portions is necessary. The surgery allowed me to get a handle on that. Now I get my sweet urges filled with fruit, which thanks to abstaining on artificial sweetness tastes more than sweet enough.

Whatever your decision, take care of yourself and keep in touch with our family here.

Best of Luck!

Hello T, Welcome

You can see in my signature line the weight loss progress/stalls that I've had week by week, but here's a recap...

At 1 month I had lost 16 lbs also. The week after that (week 5) I gained 4 ozs, due to constipation, (THIS has been my hell to bear). Weeks 6, 7, and 8 I lost weight: (8 lbs total). Week 9 I weighed in at the same weight as week 8, so that's 1 week where my weight didn't budge and this week due again to heavy constipation it is looking like I am going to weigh in at the same weight as week 8 and 9, so that will be 2 weeks of no weight loss, but I am aware of why and am trying all I can to alleviate the issue.

Hope that helps. It's nice to have you here. Keep checking in with everyone here. It's nice to have someone posting

Take Care,

Ana

Hey Meredith!

I missed you! I was thinking where has that girl gone? Glad to hear that you've been vacationing and doing fantastic on your weight loss! I'm happy to hear you are not feeling deprived in any way.

GO GIRL!

*HUGS*

I will definitely give the thought of posting pictures some thought, thank you. I am pretty private, hence no pictures so far and great descriptions, but I might post 1 before/after when I reach my weight goal. I would not consider doing it before meeting goal. It's a psychological thing.

There is more detail in my Blog, so here is a mini briefing:

This is the end of week 7 for me. I lost 3 lbs!!!! At 185 I feel safely out of those nasty nines! It feels fantastic ALSO, today is VERY Special! I have now made it HALF WAY TO MY WEIGHT LOSS GOAL!!! WOOO HOOO!!! **victory dance** I have lost 36 lbs and have 36 lbs left TO GO.

My stomach has slimmed considerably! My jeans are roomie! I feel very Happy.

To Making it Half Way!

To another high loss week!

Cheers!

Hello Sn1980

Best recoveries for your procedure in 3 weeks! I was nervous too. Totally normal. Planning ahead is definitely the way to go. For my protein I drink a product called Syntrax Nectar. You can order sample packs or buy a tub of 1 variety at the Vitamin Shoppe. I ordered a sample pack first here: http://www.bjsbariat...SamplePack.html

That let me learn which my favorite was and then purchase at the Vitamin Shoppe. What I like about it is that it's 23 grams of protein and you can dissolve it in water in 10-16 ozs of water. I find it goes down very easily and I love the flavor.

The multi-vitamin that I take is the Bariatric Advantage Multivitamin with Antioxidants. You can find it here:

http://www.bariatric...apsule&expand=1

A one month supply is $19.25 and consists of 180 pills. Now here's the down side... You have to take 6 a day. Yep. 6! They are easy to swallow, made that way, but they are NOT chewables. There are a lot of other bariatric vitamins out there where you take 2, or that are chewable but I have compared all the ones's I can find against what I am taking now, and have yet to find one as chucky jam packed with the amount of vitamins these give me. I am SO open to recommendations!

You have time to work up to 64 ozs of water. This is what I did, the first week after procedure you are on liquids only anyway, so I just made sure I kept liquid on me alll day long. You may only be able to drink 4 ozs a day or 16 ozs, the thing is to get used to keeping liquid on you and taking sips as your new stomach allows. For me, during week 2 post plication I made sure to take in 32 ozs of water a day. By week 3, I was taking in 48 ozs a day and by week 4 I was taking in 64 ozs. of water a day and continue to do so. It doesn't take long. What I do, and you can see a sample of how I eat/drink according to time in my blog, but essentially my routine is like this: I get up and eat breakfast, take an hour off, drink liquids for 2 hours (this is where I drink 16 oz protein and 16 oz water), take an hour off, have lunch, take an hour off, have a second round of liquids for 2 hours (Here I drink 32 ozs of water) take an hour off, eat dinner, take an hour off, and finish my final 16 oz of water. Usually this is anywhere from 8-10 at night.

Hope that helps. Feel free to ask what you need to know.

Hi Ulta, Welcome,

Did you have your plication in July too?

So, when I was talking about having trouble getting my calories up that was back in Week 5, and it was my first week of going from soft foods where I was taking in about 800 calories, to full foods where I was advised the caloric intake would now be 1200-1300 regularly and 1500 if I was working out regularly which I translate, possibly mistakenly, as daily. Week 5 I was hovering between 800-950 trying to get to 1200-1300 because I have read getting too little calories can make you stall. During Week 6, I was able to maintain 1000-1100 calories. I am currently working on week 7 and now stay steadily at 1150. I find that 1150 (while not being 1200-1300) fills me up pretty well and makes the scale move.

I'm not sure, when I ask about the frequency of weight loss, which I did recently, i'm told that we all have different bodies and lose differently. I wait the full 1 hour before and after meals to drink, but haven't noticed my weight loss exactly burning up the charts like it did the first month. I do get in 64-72 ozs of water daily, and again, you can follow my weight loss in my signature to see my rate of loss. Not to say that following this ideally doesn't work! Quite the contrary, it's just my metabolism I guess. I am open to things that will speed things up too lol Maybe I should hit that gym a lot more.

Good luck, stay in touch and keep me posted.

Hi Karen, I had the plication, but I am supporting all WLS friends. Thank you for posting that fill infomration. What a great resoruce!

Hi Katie,

I gained 3 lbs post procedure too and when I asked about this, I was told that gaining 3-5 lbs. post plication is the norm since the body is bloated with gas. That went away within the first week and the weight loss was significant. I am aware that some people who have had the procedure have had literally little to no gas pain and I just marvel at that! It was QUITE the different story for me. The gas was so bad it hurt under my rib and at my left shoulder. It was pretttty intense the first 3 days, so much so that I thought something else might be happening, but as it turns out, all was fine, it was just tremendous gas pain. I honestly never thought gas could be so evil!

Also, I am a flipping sleeper, meaning that I go from being on my back to my right side to my left side, but the first week of surgery it felt super uncomfortable going from side to side, almost like I could feel all my internal organs falling downward in slow motion! That dissipated by the end of the first week to barely noticeable and that may be because I was determined not to let that discomfort keep me from sleeping how I wanted to. I would just prop pillows all around me and squeeze one to my stomach when I turned on my side.

I didn't have my ankles swollen but, hey, the gas pain was enough! Take Care Katie, best of luck and keep us all posted!

-Ana

Hi Lea,

Have you talked to the Doctor that performed the plication? I know when I had my procedure I was nauseated for the first 3 days, but I let my caregivers know quickly and was given anti-nausea medication that worked fine. Also, right after my surgery I was very sensitive to smells. I would get nauseated very easily and could NOT drink soup.The smell made me sick. During the first 3 days after surgery I only drank maybe 3 ozs a day and that was toward the third day.

Definitely get in touch with your doctor. Welcome to the forum and good to have you here Lea,

Ana

Hello, I'm just wondering what the best bariatric vitamins are for plication patients? I have been taking the Bariatric Advantage Multi Formula Capsuls since August and have enough until early September, but I am taking them 6 at a time and it's just too much to swallow! Is anyone taking a great bariatric vitamin that's chewable or easy to swallow and less than 6 a day?

Thanks!

Ana

ahhh bless you! I am going to buy some today! I took 4 tsp of epsom salt with water, that is also effective, but yuck tasting, so i'll get some MOM! Blessings Dolittle!

Hello Everyone, and Hi Donna,

I was plicated, but I have to agree that as a WLS family, we do share some commonalities and it is the solidarity and mutual support that goes far and counts for a lot. I am committed to keeping this blog going and am here for anyone who needs moral support. I'm currently scouring the board for constipation remedies.. anyone? anyone? and am going to start the metamucil capsuls tonight, but if anyone has a better option, please let me know!

Well. It was a frustrating week 5. I was severely constipated and gained 4 ozs.Grrr.

I don't normally track ounces, I just list the weight but for the sake of tracking, I gained 4 ozs. What is frustrating about that (more details in my blog) is that i not only went in the wrong direction, but also didn't lose anything during week 5. The abdominal distention wasn't fun either. Made it hard to feel good about losing weight because I couldn't feel the slimness.

I continue to drink 64 oz of water a day and follow the healthy eating habits and the 1 hour either side of meals before drinking.

I got some information from Dr. M about what to do for constipation so I am looking forward to implementing that solution. Well. Here's to hoping I have a better week!

Sheesh. :\

Yes, definitely Gas X strips or Papaya enzyme (for gas). I would also make sure that you stock your home pantry for the liquids etc. that you are going to need when you get home. You may not feel like running around and shopping for things after you get back.

Best of luck on your procedure! I look forward to following your great success.