newbiesleever

My experience so far: Since my mom and I are from Southern CA, we drove to the San Diego airport and parked there and went over to Terminal 1 where we were to meet the driver. We got there early like at 545 and the pickup time was 7. Our driver ended up being late so we were waiting 2 hours. Not a super big deal, was actually entertained by people watching. The driver picked us up and 2 other patients. When you cross through the Mexican border, since we are in a van, all of us had to get out and get our luggage, go through a building where they X-Ray our luggage and then hit a button, green means you're good and if it's red, then they'll search your bags. All of us were green. We left the building and waited for van to get the go ahead. This whole process didn't take too long, maybe 15 minutes. Off to the Marriott to check in. It is a very nice hotel, lots of staff and felt secure. Our room was pretty decent but the beds were hard as rocks. I'm sure I won't mind the next couple nights cause I will probably be out of it but I got no sleep last night, just kept tossing and turning, either from the bed or the looming of the surgery. Got picked up by the Marriott shuttle at 6:20 am to go the OCC, filled out paperwork, met with the nutritionist who was very informative. She weighed me, measured me, gave me my goal weight and went through the different phases of eating. Then met with cardiologist. Did good, was the first surgery patient of the day. Went to my room which is very nice and changed. The nurse gave me medicine, started my IV, met and talking with Dr. Martinez who is super nice! Off the OR! And Just like that I was out and waking up! The waking up part always sucks, cause you're thinking what's going on?! My mouth was super dry and I had a really bad taste in my mouth. I was coughing pretty bad so they put something over my nose and mouth to help. I haven't been in pain, just sore. If anything my chest and throat hurt. Pretty much all day, I've just wanted to burp. I wish I could let out a big burp and I feel like I would feel better. Lol Got up to walk a couple times. Mostly, I'm just tired and I'm sure not sleeping last night has something to do with that. So far the care has been great, I saw Dr. Ortiz briefly out of the corner of my eye when I was being taken back to my room. Said I did great. I didn't have my glasses on and I'm blind so I couldn't see him very well. lol Everyone's post on this board helped my make decision to come here and I just want to say thank you for that! I hope my post encourages others to do the same. You don't need to worry about the Mexico thing, you're in great hands and meeting other patients and being with them, makes you feel more comfortable.

I'm officially sleeved! So far, so good! Will write a longer update later

I'm so glad it went well VegasOne!!! I'm driving to San Diego in a couple hours... Getting more nervous and excited as the hours go by!

Thank you everyone... I'm off to San Diego later today! I can't believe I'm having surgery tomorrow!

Hi Nurselori!! I just wanted to check in and see how your surgery went! Hope you're doing well!!!

Ok great.. Thank you JamieLogical!

I have another question.. Lol... What does Dr. Ortiz use for the incisions? I had my gallbladder removed a few years ago and the stitches were dissolvable but I heard Dr. Ortiz doesn't use stitches. Do you have a wait a certain amount of time in order to take a shower? Only 6 more days!

Ok thanks everyone!! I'm exactly one week away.. I can't believe it's almost here.. Getting nervous and anxious as the day gets closer!!

Hey Everyone.. Does the Marriott Hotel have a mini frig in the rooms? Their website says they do but some people say they didn't have one.. Just need to know if I should bring a cooler or not.

Thank you Jamielogical! I know that it will be worth it in the end. My biggest problem/worry is feeling like I'm going to pass out. This morning I felt very light headed and my pulse was fast and just felt very faint... I'm hoping this feeling will go away after a few days.

Thank you the advice!!! I really appreciate it!! I plan to stick to the liquid diet as best as possible.. I will keep you updated and let you know how it goes!

October 6th for me!! I'm exactly 2 weeks away... I'm on day 2 of the pre op liquid diet and my mind is like what are you doing to me?!? Lol.. An array of emotions from nervous, scared, excited to second guessing myself.

Hello Everyone! I'm exactly 2 weeks ago from my surgery with Dr. Ortiz. I'm on day 2 of my pre op diet which I'm a little worried about... I gained a bit of weight the last couple weeks from eating everything I possible could. And its my birthday this Saturday so I have like 3 birthday dinners planned. I can't NOT eat, right? Lol... I originally planned my surgery with another doctor here and when discussing the pre op diet, he said I would only need to do 1 week of it because I'm a low BMIer but the OCC want's me to lose 15 pounds. I'm worried I'm not going to hit that or get close to it. Am I freaking out over nothing? I'm a low BMIer so I shouldn't have to lose that much weight before my surgery. I've been doing the protein shakes with beef jerky as snacks and I'm trying to do the best that I can but it's hard. I feel hungry an hour after drinking a protein shake. It's definitely setting in that I'm doing this... I'm mourning all the foods and soda I will never be able to eat and drink again.. My mind is all over the place. Nervous, scared, excited but also second guessing myself. I know 3 months from now, I will not regret this but in the moment, my brain is like what you are doing?!?! Any tips and words of wisdom would be much appreciated!!

Thank you Nurselori!! Now that I've started the pre op diet, its definitely feeling real. I'm still nervous, scared and excited but I feel like I'm mourning food right now and it's setting in that I won't be able to eat the way I used to which is good and the main reason why I want the sleeve but its like mourning the loss of a friend or something. I just have to remember that food is NOT my friend, food is fuel for my body. I know I can make it through this and 3 months from now, I will not regret it. I can't wait for that time to pass and live my new life! Please keep me updated with you surgery and let me know how it goes!!

I'm scheduled October 6th with Dr. Ortiz... Today is my first day of the pre-op liquid diet.. It's all starting to feel real now!

Thank you for your posts with tips for travel. It really helps us newbies! I'm getting sleeved October 6th at OCC!! My birthday is at the end of September so I know I will be having a couple birthday meals while on my liquid diet but I planning to be as diligent as possible but we will see how it goes... I'm looking forward more to the surgery then my birthday! Lol I'm just excited to live my new life!

I'm mourning my soda right now too... I've been eating pretty bad lately that I'm actually looking forward to starting my liquid pre op diet and cutting some pounds before my surgery... I've set the date, made the deposit but it doesn't feel real yet. I don't think it will until I'm in the car heading to San Diego! I keep reading posts and watching you tube videos to soak in all the information I can... I can't wait to have this surgery and start living my new life. I don't want to eat crap and feel like crap any more. I want to live a long healthy life and I know that in order to be the woman I want to be and live the life I want to live, I need to do this. I hope you pre op plan goes well for you! You are STRONG! We are all stronger than we think we are!!

Hi Niecybelle! You can call them up and ask what the prices are and they will tell you right away.. You pay a deposit and that goes towards your full price... There is a pre-op diet. They say everyone's is different. They want me to start doing Atkins right now but I haven't. I'm just going to do the 2 week liquid diet with protein shakes as my meal replacements... I had originally planned my surgery with a different surgeon here in California and he said since my BMI is lower that I really only need to do a 1 week of the liquid pre op diet.. I guess each surgeon is different on what they want. I've been eating like crap lately so I'm planning on following the liquid diet strictly for the last 2 weeks. My other doctor also said you have beef jerky in addition to the protein shakes, SF jello, SF pudding, and SF popsicles so I bought some of that the other day. Just trying to get ready for the pre and post op diet! I'm excited but it doesn't feel real yet! Hope that helps!

Hi Nurselori, I just placed my deposit down today for surgery at OCC for October 6th.. I'm traveling with my mom but I'm still scared and nervous! I think it's just normal. My mom is not 100% on board with going to Mexico but she's coming to support me. She's very paranoid about Mexico and the safety but its just going from Point A to Point B, from the airport to the hotel and to the OCC. Try to read the "Dr. Ariel Ortiz and The Obesity Center?" Forum on here. Its has like 113 pages but it is SO informative and it helps me put my mind at ease that I'm doing the right thing. I keep second guessing myself but I want AND need this surgery. I haven't heard any negative reviews for Dr. Ortiz and the OCC so we WILL be fine. I just need to keep telling myself that. POSITIVE THOUGHTS. lol... I think I will feel a lot better once I'm there and see the place in person and meet the staff. Almost one month away! 2 weeks away from starting the pre-op diet. After I paid my deposit today, I was thinking, ok, it's real. I'm doing this. No going back now!

Hello Everyone! I just joined this board. I'm a newbie.... I originally scheduled my surgery with a different surgeon near me but after some time and research, I am going to go ahead and book my Gastric Sleeve surgery with Dr. Ortiz at the OCC for October 6th. I'm nervous, scared, excited! I'm traveling with my mom. We are from Southern California so we are driving to the San Diego airport and parking there so we don't have to worry about driving in Mexico. My mom is not 100% on board with me having the surgery in Mexico. A couple weeks ago, I didn't even consider the idea but after researching and reading these boards night after night and watching the youtube videos, it seems like the best option for me. I feel like it won't feel real until I'm actually there. I was wondering if you guys have any advice on the surgery, pre-op, post-op, what to bring for the overall trip and to the hospital. Did you any of you have any problems with Marriott or the OCC? I can't seem to find a bad review about Dr. Ortiz (which is a good thing). I told my mom about these boards and reading it first hand from someone's experience and she was like, how do you know if they're real? Lol.. She's a little paranoid. Any advice would be much appreciated. I will continue to read these boards every night to put my mind at ease!! Also, how do you feel about telling others about your surgery? I was planning on telling my close friends and family but now that I'm going to Mexico, I have only told one close friend. Everyone is so judgmental about Mexico and I don't want to tell anyone that I'm having surgery in Mexico so I don't have keep justifying it to everyone.