tobysgirl

I had a gastric sleeve done with Ortiz/OCC in April 2016. Excellent experience - very easy and virtually pain-free. They arranged everything from pickup/drop-off from the airport, overnight stays at a local hotel, food while at the hotel (broth, ice pops for me, meals for my travel companion) plus a private room with television at the surgery center with really attentive staff. They even scheduled my final check-out test on Sunday when they were normally closed because I had to fly out early for a family emergency. It was so easy that my only regret is that I didn't do it years sooner.

Burn that bra! I wish I could burn mine. I think I've worn a bra nonstop for the last 40 years. It must be great to be able to go without one.

I went to Mexico with a companion but would have been ok alone. There were two women who had surgery on the same day as me and they were traveling alone. My surgery center arranged for pick up from the airport, transport and checking at the hotel, transport to the surgery site, overnight stay at the surgery site, transport back to the hotel and transport back to the airport. At the hotel they arranged for meals and Snacks. There was very little time on my own -- just when I was at the hotel for sleeping. Whenever I had to go someplace I was with someone from the surgery center. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This. It took about 3-4 weeks for people to first start to notice. At seven months out, I look like I've had an extreme makeover. I'm a 5'1 woman. I've lost 50 pounds and people ask about my "transformation."

Luisadoris - Glad you are getting help. Hope you feel better soon.

My craziest post--op reaction was that I actually ordered the pizza. Had one bite and put the rest in the freezer. I find myself still ordering quantities of food I can never eat and then hoarding it or giving it away. It's really crazy because I can never finish the leftovers. And my freezer is stuffed with leftovers I can barely identify. My dog is super happy though with his new menu.

I'm two months out and drink shakes a lot - for one or two meals a day. It's just easier and I never get that full icky feeling I get so quickly with regular meals. I'm also having a hard time adjusting to not drinking and eating at the same time so I'd rather not eat. But I'm working on getting over that. My doctor is ok with the Protein shakes for now. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This. I discovered this very thin line during my puree stage and it was awful! During the puree stage I could eat anything I could blend to a smooth consistency. My program recommended blended ground meats or soft foods with Protein powder mixed in. Mashed potatoes weren't recommended because of the carbs but they are on my brother's list (different surgical team).

I made the ricotta bake and liked that a lot. But mostly I ate cottage cheese, yogurt, hummus and tofu plus chicken broth with unflavored protein.

That's great! Did you change up your exercise routine or diet? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am not an old timer but I'd still like to answer your question. I've lost 25 pounds so far. If I lose 60% of my excess weight I will still live longer than I would have otherwise. Heck, if I never lose more than this first 25 pounds, I'll still live longer. Before surgery, my heart hurt. It would jackhammer at night. I couldn't walk up and down steps properly when I woke up in the morning and my hands would be numb. My blood pressure would skyrocket most afternoons. I had shortness of breath frequently. Today, after just 25 pounds, that's all gone. My hands aren't numb when I wake up. I can walk up and down stairs. My chest no longer hurts. My blood pressure is normal. It's not just about weight loss it's about gaining years on your life. Your father wants you around as long as possible. The surgery will help with that. I may never be thin - although I'm working hard to lose more - but I feel like I'll live to see my family grow up and get old. It's absolutely worth it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Mine was 57 minutes with a couple of hours in recovery afterwards. When I woke up after surgery I didn't realize the operation was already over. It was quick and painless. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I struggled with reflux before surgery, especially if I ate too late before bed or if I ate certain foods. After surgery, I haven't had any reflux issues. I hope this continues. I'm six weeks out. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was out and about almost immediately. I had surgery in Mexico on Friday, flew home on Sunday, did a friend's eulogy on Monday and back to work on Tuesday. I didn't have a lot of recovery time but it was ok. I think all of the walking and getting around helped me recover quicker. I was determined to get back to my friend's funeral and luckily the surgeon cleared me to travel back early. BUT I didn't have a tube and I didn't have staples to be removed. Everyone's recovery is different. Check with your doctor. You'll probably be good to go.

I didn't need an extra pat down at airport security. Before I had so many bumps and bulges, I'd have to get patted down to make sure it was all me under my clothes. Today, the machine blinked ok and I could just go on my way. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congrats! Isn't it great to be on the other side! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Two of my favorites came from suggestions on this board -- blended turkey chili with no beans and blended corned beef hash.

I ddin't have any complications but I just wanted to say -- so sorry that happened to you. How are you feeling now?

Hello Watch.Me.Lose.It., I'm experiencing the same thing as you. I'm four weeks tomorrow post op tomorrow too. My time pre-op and first couple of weeks were so sweet watching the scale fall day by day. Now I'm stalled. I'm learning to "trust the process" but it's hard to do when I'm weighing daily. I've decided to stop doing that for a few days. I'm encouraged though by reading old posts where members were in the same position as we are in the beginning but then when you look at their signature you can see that they went on to steadily lose. I know that will happen for us to if we stick to the plan.

The first surgery i ever had was getting my gallbladder removed when I was in my late 30's. When I was on the stretcher outside of the operating room, I pleaded with the doctor to cancel. He wouldn't cancel and I survived but I still remember that "fear to my core" feeling even today years later. It's normal to be afraid. Every surgery carries risks. For my weight loss surgery, I wasn't afraid. I thought I would be. I thought I should be but I never had that feeling. I had two motivations though that carried me through. First, I felt like I was heading toward a major cardiac event from being obese. Second, my baby brother was scheduled for surgery and I felt compelled to do it first to let him know it would be ok. That sounds kind of odd but it's how I felt. Good luck with whatever you decide. I'm three and a half weeks past surgery. I don't have shortness of breath anymore from normal walking and my heart doesn't pound in the middle of the night. I've only lost about 20 pounds but I already know that my health is greatly improved.

I had lots of reasons that should have been the straw -- not being able to walk up or down stairs normally in the morning, my heart jackhammering at night, my blood pressure spiking randomly. But those issues were more like the kindling. My brother telling me he was going to have the surgery and asking why I just didn't go ahead and do it was the spark that I needed. I had all of the reasons but it was like I was frozen until he said something to me. His words lit a fire under my butt and I just moved forward.

Uh... yeah! Where in the heck is Cher? LOL. I'm three weeks post-surgery and needed this reality check too!

This x1000. I could drink a lot more than 4 ounces immediately post-op. I had absolutely no pain or discomfort. I started wondering if I even had surgery. Or if my surgery failed. As soon as I had more solid food though, I quickly felt the restriction.

I took gas-x strips, unflavored protein powder and hand sanitizer. I wish I had remembered my chapstick. Everything else was handled. I was a at OCC (Dr. Ariel Ortiz) and they provided all the prescription meds and arranged for chicken and beef broth, popsicles and bottled water at the hotel.