This week is my two year anniversary of my surgery. Or "surgerversary". I am still down 100 pounds. I have been maintaining this same weight for over a year. I do need to have plastic surgery to clean up the loose skin. I have checked with one doctor, but I'm not too happy with him. Off to consult with a couple more.

Still eating with restriction. I don't miss the bread, pasta or rice. Or Pop. I have found lots of healthier choices. Especially zucchini spaghetti. The hard part for me was finding the sauce without thickeners! So, make my own.

Pork is not my friend, either. Really doesn't like me. So, no more pork for me. But I do like turkey bacon. And it's better for me. Less fat.

Many people have told me I look about 10 years younger now. I feel it! I love my sleeve and only wish I had done it years sooner!

13 months after surgery, and I have lost 105 pounds. I am happy and active again. I eat healthier now and have broken the old habits. My husband and I enjoy eating out together again, but make better food choices. I always end up bring home part of my meal for lunch the next day. Life is almost back to normal, just better! I am loving life!

It is really very simple. The OCC told me - No BREAD, NO PASTA, NO RICE, NO POP and watch my sugar intake. I keep my sugar intake to 50g for the day. Sometimes it may go to 60. Depends on the day. The no bread, no pasta, no rice rule was difficult but I knew about it before I decided to do the surgery. So, I have not turned back. Bread, pasta and rice were cleaned out of my kitchen before I left for Mexico.

My diet consists of protein first, veggies and then fruit. Drinks, like water and tea are only consumed half hour before or after eating. Never with food. I try to steer clear of potatoes and corn products.

I do use MFP - Free Calorie Counter, Diet & Exercise Journal | MyFitnessPal.com to track my food and exercise along with my weight loss. I try to keep my calories between 800 and 1000 a day. The use of a food diary is what will help me when I reach my goal and need to learn to maintain. The program will track everything from calories to sugar, salt protein etc. And keep an eye on my exercise, too. I need to learn from my past mistakes and make new habits. The surgery is only the beginning.

Google "The world according to Eggface" for amazing recipes. She makes cooking fun again.

Congrats!! you have had such good weight loss in 41/2 months. I've seen so many posts about stalls and losing slowly. Can you tell me about your diet and how many calories you are taking in? I'm just in the preop diet phase and have surgery in 2 weeks and want to make sure I'm following a good plan post op to maximize my weight loss. Thanks

No trouble at all. My after care was fabulous in Mexico. I arrived on Monday. Surgery was Tuesday. Stayed overnight. Back to the hospital every day for a check up and the drain removed on Friday. Returned home Saturday. Made an appointment to see my family doctor two weeks later, with my surgical report in hand, and gave him a copy. He was glad I took it upon myself to do something about my obesity. He gave me the blood work forms filled out according to Dr. Ortiz instructions and will keep an eye on my vitamin levels every three months. He told me to come back to see him if anything seems not quite right.

By the way - just a quick update - I have been successful at weening off the anti depressants and am fully drug free. Only vitamins. My walking has improved and so has my stamina. My doctor is extremely happy for me and proud of me, too. I was surprised at this. I really thought he would be upset that I did it without consulting him first.

Thanks kosiecat!! This is really helpful. Did you have any issues with aftercare once you got back to Toronto?

I had to break up my answer into three messages. The first part starts with My experience in Mexico. The second part starts with I had a drain tube. The last starts with wear good shoes.

Wear good shoes and nothing tight. Going home, my feet were pretty swollen. (FYI-you are pretty swollen all over after surgery because of the intravenous.) Very normal. Remember to take your meds as instructed. I bought my first bottle of Enspira from the OCC while I was there and started those vitamins right away.


Before surgery, I was on a CPAP machine to sleep at night, an anti depressant, celebrex for arthritis, stomach pill to help with the upset tummy from celebrex, high blood pressure pill and premarin for menopause. As of the day of my surgery I have not used my CPAP machine. Within two weeks, I was off my celebrex. Now, two months later, I am off everything except the anti-depressant which I only take every second day now. I am weening off it and it should be gone by Christmas. All I take now are my vitamins. I have lost 53 pounds so far. I couldn't feel happier!

I hope this helps you? Any more questions feel free to ask away! Good luck!

I had a drain tube with a plastic bulb on the left side of my abdomen and it was checked and emptied every day. The third day it was removed. That is uncomfortable but it is very quick and over before you know it. Only a couple of seconds of discomfort. After the drain was removed, we went shopping on Revolucion Blvd. All walking.


The next morning we left for home. The OCC van will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the airport. Follow your driver's directions for crossing the border. You do have to get out of the van and take all your belongings and go inside to cross the border. The driver will meet you on the other side. He lets you off right at the door and you just go inside, stand in line and talk to the border crossing guard, then go outside again.When you arrive at the gate for your flight, tell the airline reps that you just had surgery and they will allow you to load early. Someone can help you with your carry on luggage to get it in the above compartment. Don't take more than you need. We were told to bring a robe and never used it. Didn't even use my own night clothes in the hospital. Easier for them to do surgery if you wear their gowns. Pack light. It is a lot of walking at the airports and make sure your luggage is on wheels. You don't want to carry anything.

My experience in Mexico was amazing and I would do it again in a heart beat! I made my appointment with the Obesity Control Center and Dr. Ortiz and they did EVERYTHING else! They even picked us up at the airport and took us to the Marriott Hotel where they had us booked for our stay. The only night we stayed in the hospital, our companion paid a discounted rate for that one night in the same hotel room. Our companion also received a discount for all her meals in the hotel restaurant. All of our meals were covered by the OCC. Including popsicles and bottled water. The hotel provided for our transportation to and from the OCC every day.

The hospital stay was only one night for the Sleeve surgery. The nurse at the hospital is a real angel! Very competent and caring. On top of everything. I was worried about throwing up when I awoke after surgery and she told me I wouldn't this time. She was already administering the anti-nausea drug. I was up and walking in almost no time. The more I walked the more gas was passed through my system.

My flight from Toronto to San Diego was about $600 return and I did get the flight insurance in case something went wrong and I had to stay longer. Just to be on the safe side. Nothing went wrong.

Hi
I somehow missed your response and only now just saw it. Congrtulations on your surgery. I haven't had mine yet, i'm planning for December. I had taken dr ortiz off my list because i thought he would be too expensive but $7000 is well within my budget! Could you tell me more about your experience, who you booked though the hotel and hospital you stayed at, what kind of leak tests they did for you, how long you stayed at the hospital... anything you can tell me would be highly appreciated.

HI!! Thanks. The surgery is fairly close to scarless. 4 tiny incisions, no stitches, only second skin closure. I was treated better in Mexico than I ever have in Canada. The hotel I stayed in was fabulous, too. I fell in love with Tijuana, actually. I have my surgery transcript coming to my doctor, so he will know everything about it. I have notes to give my Doctor for blood work follow-up every three months until a year is up and then once a year. I signed an agreement not to discuss my surgery price, but I can say it was less than $7,000. I can totally understand why people go out of Canada to get medical treatment. This was my first time and it won't be my last.

How was yours? Where did you go?

Hey fellow Torontian!!!
Congratulations on your surgery. Can I ask how much dr. Ortiz charged you? Did you get what he calls the scarless surgery? How was your experience? And how did you handle post op care after coming back to Canada?

Thanks.