Vetniemeer

I had my sleeve in Aug and am very pleased with the results and am happy to recommend the OCC. Dr Ortiz and Dr Hernandez are terrific and despite Dr O's celebrity status, he's a good surgeon with tons of experience and that's the key. Can totally understand your nerves, skepticism and hesitation - I think everyone felt the same way who chose to go to MX for the surgery. Do your research, speak to people, speak to the OCC and go with whomever you feel comfortable. I have no regrets. Good luck!

none, they go by your weight loss because if you stick to their pre-op diet, it will shrink your liver a little. I think. One of the ladies who had surgery on the same day as me, hadn't lost as much as they requested but they still did the surgery because her EKG came back strong. You should be fine.

Surgery at OCC on Oct 11...anyone else going on same?

Congratulations - that's outstanding! Please share your diet plan with us, mine is moving much slower so perhaps I'm not eating the right things. Thanks

Congrats ringo4 - yes, pack light. Loose fitting clothes (I took far too many, not necessary at all) a couple pairs of pants, t-shirts and comfy shoes. I recommend pants with a drawstring and also a pocket, so I could put your "egg" (drain) into it and not have to hold it or secure it with the waistband, because you'll want to walk around as much as possible. Chapstick (lips gets dry after the surgery and all the tubes etc). Light sweater- the evenings can get cool. If you take sneakers, I couldn't bend, so no laces unless you have someone who can do them for you. I took the usual toiletries but the hotel does provide them so I could have left my shampoo & conditioner home. I took a pillow with me for the return flight (for my belly) - my travel was long: 6 hr flight and 2 hr bus ride. Hope that helps - good luck with your surgery, you'll do great!

Love the batcave and Poison Ivy, def...you'll rock that outfit by next Halloween :-) LOL Re cash - I was v generous with tipping (or so I was told) but they did take such good care of us that I felt it was right. So make sure you have some $5's and singles for tip money, especially for the hotel concierge and drivers. I also had to pay $165 on checkout of the OCC for prescription meds (I thought it would be $125 - was pleased I'd taken enough). The lollipops from room service suck (IMO) so I bought iced popsicles from the little store in the hotel (cash). All in all, I think I took $200 in cash with me and I didn't have any left when I got home. We walked up to Walmart and around a few of the open markets too, so if you want to buy some trinkets, you'll want a few $$'s for that. I just did it for the exercise and didn't buy anything. Hope that helps. If you have questions or concerns, I'd be happy to chat with you over the phone. You can send me a private message with your number.

Cute, isn't he?! Haha. So pleased you're excited again....I'm sure you won't regret your decision!

Indigochild - hoosiergirl went on her own and loved it (sorry to speak for your hoosiergirl) and her blog and comments gave me great comfort before I went...that said, I didn't go alone, but there are many there that are unaccompanied. Once you're there - you're not alone - you will meet many people at the hotel, all in the same boat, just not all going to the OCC. Don't be shy about going up to chat with folks - granted not all big people are there for surgery, but really, the vast majority are. Look around the lobby, around the pool and in the restaurant, you wont be short of finding a "sleeve-family" member. Also, contact the OCC and ask if you can intact any others scheduled for the same day. Sometimes you can get their email address and establish contact. My sleeve-sister at the OCC on the same day has become a new good friend - the positives from our decision to be sleeved and take back our lives are many and some unexpected. Good luck to you, you are in good hands. p.s. Batman and Robin also have Wonderwoman (Dr Victoria) - who was the doctor on call post-surgery all night. She's gorgeous inside & out.

Good idea, thanks. Yes - I was there in Aug and she accompanied me for mine, which is what made her decide but unfortunately I can't go with her so she's going alone.

My mother is going on October 13....anyone else going at that time? I'm not sure I can go with her so I'm hoping to meet others who might be going around the same time.

Prune juice helped me and its natural so no side effects etc. someone else suggested apple juice but that didn't work for me. Good luck!

Which iron supplements do y'all take? Any recommendations? Thanks

Yes, the Dr said to take the acid reducer for 2 months - plus I've always been on them, however, I am not getting in all my fluids so that could be a big part of it. Thanks for the advice :-)

Glad to hear you're doing well. It's normal not to have a BM for the first week, apparently, prob bc we have nearly nothing going through. Make sure you're walking enough, the cramps might be some residual gas. Congrats on being sleeved!

Good luck with your surgery and see you in the losers circle in October!

Thanks Cherbear. Actually I had already emailed Lucia, the Dr's, Gloria and Lori - but I guess the renovations are now happening in the OR so Gloria is a little behind because she couldn't get to the records etc etc. long story short I phoned again today and Gloria will try to get them to me in the next couple of days. Fingers crossed. :-)