Welcome guest, you have 1 message! Register

Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Gastric Sleeve Member MamaDupa's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Linda
    Surgery date
    12/27/2012
    Surgeon
    Dr. Elias Ortiz
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Last Activity
    06-07-2014 07:33 AM
    Location
    Boone, NC
    Posts
    28
    Said "Thanks" 30 Times
    Was Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 13 Times

    Default Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz (not Dr. Ariel Ortiz) at Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana

    I used Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz. He goes by Elias Ortiz. He is PHENOMINAL! I wasn't ever scheduled with Dr. Lopez. My surgery date was December 27, 2012. I signed up with A Lighter Me with using Ronda. I couldn't be happier. My husband was sooo skeptical of Mexico and having surgery out of the US, but now he can't stop going on and on about the attention and care I received. Dr. Ortiz is about 30 years old, has done about 2000 surgeries and is the ultimate professional, you would think he is in his 40's! Also everyone in our group was very pleased. No leaks no infections with everyone and all walking within a couple of hours of recovery room exit. The service provided by Abraham (the driver) and Eduardo (local coordinator) is awesome. You couldn't ask for more. They will get you ANYTHING you want or need. A lot of other Dr. coordinators don't do this, but they will take you shopping the second day after hospital release, then take you to an excellent Mexican restaurant in Tijuana (at your cost, but my hubby had a combo plate and i had the most delicious broth and it cost $10.50US. They will take you to one of the open pharmacies where you can get antibiotics, male enhancements, etc.that are over the counter there. They will take you to a flea market in an indoor building, or anywhere else you want or need to go. The Marriott Tijuana is a very luxurious hotel and the bellman are top notch.

    Getting back to the Dr. and Mi Doctor hospital. Once you are checked in for surgery, you are taken to your room and given a gown to put on. If you have a companion, there is a bed in your room for them so they are with you unless they go on a walkabout lol. It is all very safe there. You get an IV, EKG, blood drawn for complete chem work up. It even types your blood and you will get a copy of all the labs. The anesthesiologist comes in, then an internal medicine specialist, then Dr. Ortiz. Maybe not in that order. Once your blood work comes back and is approved by the Dr. you are told what number you are in order for surgery. I was second out of 4. There are english tv channels mostly in the number 200 and up but they vary. If you get spanish commercials, wait until after the commercial are over because alot of the programs are in english! My husband was able to watch TV alot lol. Some of the nurses did not wash their hands and some wore disposable gloves. There is hand sanitizer on the nurses table in the hallway so maybe that is how they do it. When they inject three very large syringes into your IV they do it slowly so it doesn't sting, just feels a little cold. They will do it slowly if you ask them to slow down. This goes on every 6 hours during your entire stay. There is a very sweet Mexican nurse names Monserrat, who doesn't speak great english and there is another nurse named Samantha who has dyed blond hair and her english is perfect. She is really nice if you get talking to her.

    When my time came for surgery, about 2:30 p.m. I was wheeled in a wheelchair into the holding/recovery area and temp and blood pressure taken. Then I walked into the OR and got on the table. The anesthesiologist was there and said hi to me and was I ready and I said yes. He said I am going to give you a little something to help you relax so I said OK. I woke up in my bed after surgery about 6:00 with my husband holding my hand and talking to me!! I thought I would know when the Dr. would knock me out, but he wonderfully tricked me and was putting me out right then.

    When I came around I had some minor pain, very tolerable and I was just wanting to sleep and I didn't really feel much until around 8:00 when I had to pee. I raised the bed, my hubby helped me sit up and once I stabilized, we wheeled the IV pole into the restroom right next to my bed and I went. Got back in bed. I felt some gas, nothing bad, sucked on a gas-x strip and it started to move and come up. The next day and a half I probably used 6 strips. If you walk, it helps move it. You can walk around your room or the hallway. Once you are ready for your leak test number 1, you get a small (3 oz) bathroom dixie cup size of blue liquid they tell you to sip. It wasn't great but it wasn't as bad as some folks said. If you see blue in your drain, then you have a stomach leak. There were NO leaks in our group and from what I was told Dr. Ortiz has had no leaks in the last several hundred patients! The second leak test is different. You go downstairs and stand. You drink a clear liquid, two gulps while you are x-rayed and you can see the white fluid going through your esophagus and into your new NARROW stomach. I liked this part because I knew for sure the size of my stomach and the surgery was indeed done! I started to gag a little after the gulping and it hurt a little in my chest like pressure, but then it was gone as soon as it started. The Dr. turns you and you see the fluid moving. He tells you No leak! You will get a DVD of this and the report. When you go back upstairs you can have crushed ice and be sure to ask for the apple juice OMG!!! it is the best tasting I have ever had Martinelli's! Everyone was raving about it.

    The next day and a half went like this with constant care from the nurses, the Dr. coming in and checking you and you adjusting to your stomach GURGLING lol it is like there is an alien in there! When you are released they will take you to the hotel and tell you when you will go shopping. Dr. Ortiz came to my hotel room each evening then removing the drain.By the way if your companion wants to go anywhere while you are in the hospital, Abraham is available to take them anywhere they want to go. He and my husband when to a local watering hole and to Burger King. Mexico is just like the states, and very populated in Tijuana. Abraham took us to the airport or to a hotel in San Diego if you are staying there 1 night ten we caught the hotel shuttle to the airport the next day. It was an awesome experience. Now at 10 days out I have lost 10 pounds since check in at Mi Doctor! I had a BM on day 5 just after arriving home, no problems. I know this is a lot of info but when I was researching, this is what I needed to hear and wanted to read. I would highly recommend Dr. E Ortiz as he is exactly the same price as Dr. Almanza with a real hospital and recovery two nights there. There is so much personal attention and care and interaction with the Dr. afterward.



  2. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  3. #2
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    04/08/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Dahman
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Last Activity
    11-22-2015 04:41 PM
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    45
    Said "Thanks" 1 Times
    Was Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 7 Times

    Default Re: Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz (not Dr. Ariel Ortiz) at Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana

    Thank you. I like the detail. My surgery is in March and I am in that nervous, but still looking forward to it stage.



  4. Said thanks:


  5. #3
    Banned
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Christy
    Surgery date
    09/08/2011
    Surgeon
    Dr. Mario Almanza
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Last Activity
    02-16-2014 05:35 PM
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    2,454
    Said "Thanks" 645 Times
    Was Thanked 491 Times in 418 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 493 Times
    Blog Entries
    98

    Default Re: Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz (not Dr. Ariel Ortiz) at Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana

    Sounds like you had a very good experience! Great...it always helps to start out on a postive note! Good luck!!!

  6. Said thanks:


  7. #4
    Gastric Sleeve Member Socaldixiegal's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Surgery date
    02/11/2013
    Surgeon
    Dr. Ariel Ortiz
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Last Activity
    01-04-2017 01:33 PM
    Location
    Southern Cali
    Posts
    679
    Said "Thanks" 4 Times
    Was Thanked 177 Times in 156 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 3 Times

    Default Re: Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz (not Dr. Ariel Ortiz) at Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana

    Sounds like a great experience! I'm going to the other Ortiz, but the same hotel. Congratulations and thanks for the great info!


    Starting weight for lap-band = 252
    miserable 5 years later
    Starting weight for VSG = 229
    Pre-op weight = 219

  8. Said thanks:


  9. #5
    Gastric Sleeve Member Its_Me's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Jill
    Surgery date
    10/22/2012
    Surgeon
    Dr. Oliak
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    SoCal
    Posts
    3,099
    Said "Thanks" 145 Times
    Was Thanked 569 Times in 561 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 195 Times

    Default Re: Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz (not Dr. Ariel Ortiz) at Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana

    Sounds like a great experience - best wishes on your journey



    Start weight: 286 (8/28/12)
    Pre-op weight: 272 (10/22/12)
    Goal to weigh what my drivers license says: 225 (3/9/13)
    First goal weight: 199 (7/20/13)
    Second goal weight: 186 - 100 lbs lost ( )
    Third goal weight: 175 ( )
    Fourth goal weight: 150 ( )
    Final goal weight: remains to be seen

  10. Said thanks:


  11. Gastric Sleeve Surgery With Weight Loss Agents
  12. #6
    Gastric Sleeve Member marilynlw's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Marilyn
    Surgery date
    11/12/2012
    Surgeon
    Dr Lorenzo
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Last Activity
    01-02-2014 02:32 PM
    Location
    Oahu, Hawaii we moved from Ohio to wormer weather.
    Posts
    3,395
    Said "Thanks" 61 Times
    Was Thanked 742 Times in 711 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 1,174 Times
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz (not Dr. Ariel Ortiz) at Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana

    Congratulations you did it! Sounds like you are doing great. Wishing you continued success on your journey.



    Highest weight 440 lbs. lowest weight 9.5 lbs at birth
    Date of surgery weight 340
    12 week checkup 301 BMI <50 yeah!
    Weight on birthday 3/24/48 Goal 285 would be nice.

  13. Said thanks:


  14. #7
    Gastric Sleeve Member LealScott's Avatar
    I have had a gastric sleeve.
    Name
    Carmen
    Surgery date
    09/11/2012
    Surgeon
    Brian Wong
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Last Activity
    06-07-2014 01:08 PM
    Location
    Kaneohe, HI
    Posts
    1,182
    Said "Thanks" 3 Times
    Was Thanked 210 Times in 191 Posts
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 92 Times
    Blog Entries
    7

    Default Re: Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz (not Dr. Ariel Ortiz) at Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana

    So glad it worked out so well for you. I suggested my doctor tell WLS candidates about our forum and told her a lot of people had gone to Mexico for the surgery. She had nothing but good to say about going that route.



  15. Said thanks:


  16. #8
    Gastric Sleeve Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Last Activity
    09-05-2013 08:03 PM
    Posts
    8
    Said "Thanks" 0 Times
    Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
    Said "Welcome to Gastric Sleeve" 2 Times

    Default Re: Dr. Elias Jesus Ortiz (not Dr. Ariel Ortiz) at Mi Doctor Hospital in Tijuana

    thanks for all the info just what i was loking for

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •