New Here & Seeking Surgeon Reccomendations

**ShrinkingNikkiAZ** · 01-24-2013 09:15 AM

Hello All,
I am new here and hoping to make some new vsg friends soon.

I have been contemplating this surgery now for roughly the last two years. I've struggled with my weight my entire life and last year finally found out I had developed Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome which for those of you that know what that is know what a pain it can make losing weight when you have it. You name the diet and I've tried it! Most recently I spent $295 this past September on 6 weeks of HCG Shots and a Dr. monitored 500 calorie diet. Did I have success with it, yes I lost nearly 30 lbs in the first six weeks but have only been able to maintain about 20 of those pounds off with a more normal calorie intake, juicing, diet and excercise. I am so tired of battling this weight gain, obsessing over my latest yo yo diet and nearly killing myself at the gym for little to no results! This surgery is my last hope and I hope I am just as successful as the majority of you who have already been sleeved. If any of you out there are former patients of Dr. Fernando Garcia or Dr. Ariel Ortiz please post your warnings or rave reviews below. I've waivered back and fourth on a few different doctors over the past year or so, but am currently leaning towards one of these two doctors to perform my gastric sleeve procedure sometime between this March-Mid May. It's nice to meet you.

-Nicole

**NikkiT** · 01-24-2013 09:32 AM

Congratulations on taking these steps!! I wish you the best of luck!!

**ebonyalicia** · 01-24-2013 09:42 AM

Do it! It's life changing!

**ictgurl316** · 01-24-2013 09:46 AM

Good morning Nikki : ) This is a wonderful surgery, Its has really saved my life. I thank God everyday for a second chance at life.... Do your research on the sleeve.... THIS SITE IS A AWESOME SITE!!!! It came into my life at the right time... But you have to remember what one person went through having the surgery does not mean you will go through the same thing.... I had no problems with my surgery at all, and I'm down 100 Ibs : )) So the first suggestion is to make sure you and your doctors/surgeons are on the same page..... and keep all the negative people at a distant because they will bring you down.

GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS,
Shirley : )

**Texas Girl** · 01-24-2013 09:49 AM

Well, nothing but rave reviews here for Dr Ariel Ortiz. I was sleeved by him a little over a week ago and I was beyond impressed with both him and OCC. My comfort level with being at an Intl Center of Excellence was very high. Everything was extremely clean and sterile, they wore gloves, etc. etc.

The level of care that I received was second to none I've ever received here. Blew away the experience of having my gall bladder removed.

From the moment they picked me up in San Diego and took me across the border until the moment they took me back, it was spectacular. Oh, and the border crossing changed as of 1/1/13, so now you have to get out, with your stuff, and stand in a VERY long line to get back across. Our awesome driver got out a wheel chair, had my friend push me, and we were able to walk right past all the lines and go through in about 5 minutes. FABULOUS!!!

My post-op pain has been minimal and I had almost no gas pains. He really got that out of me, because I never had the shoulder pains and such that so many people talk about. Surgery was on Tuesday and by the time I went home on Friday, I felt almost completely back to normal! Incredible!

If you have any specific questions about them, feel free to let me know. Also, we have a group for him if you want to connect with other patients of his.

Good luck!!