Low BMI'ers - where'd ya go?

[zoekids 120]

I corresponded with Alvarez's coordinator and told her I'm 5'8", 192-3lbs, high risk for Type II Diabetes, depression, back/neck pain, GERD and they said no. That's just under 30 bmi. But I was as high as 202 lbs this time last year and I hate to gain 10lbs just to qualify. I mean, isn't that an unhealthy thing to do? In reality, I'm probably a 30 bmi some days and a 29+ on others.

The one thing that creeps me out is not having surgery in a hospital. Does Ortiz keep you overnight? Which of the doctors you all have listed do surgery in a hospital?

Thanks so much for replying and sharing. It's so helpful for us folks trying to get things lined up.

Dr. Ortiz will do as low as 28. I asked as I was still trying to lose weight before the procedure and didn't want to be out of the range.

Mary

[theosmom 9]

With Ortiz you fly to San Diego and cross over, is that correct? What kind of leak test does he do?

Hope you don't mind me asking.

[zoekids 120]

With Ortiz you fly to San Diego and cross over, is that correct? What kind of leak test does he do?

Hope you don't mind me asking.

Yes, the OCC van picks you up at the airport. Depending on what time you arrive, they either bring you to the clinic for pre-op testing or is early enough the surgery too or to the hotel for the testing and the procedure to be done the following day. The driver explains how to deal with the border crossing, which lines to get into etc. He makes it very easy. They also know which border crossing has the fastest lines. They must do a leak test during surgery, but then they do another barium leak test 2-3 days post surgery. You swallow a gulp of barrium they use some machine that shows your insides on a TV screen and you can watch it go down your new stomach and then into the intestines. It is pretty cool.

[theosmom 9]

That's great to know, thanks. I'm going to call OCC tomorrow and get the ball rolling. Was the Marriott pretty decent? I'm just so ready.....ugh!