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ellemarie

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Everything posted by ellemarie

  1. My daughter and I went in June of 2011 and YES, he is the real deal. AND handsome to boot. EVERYONE there was professional, the place was clean and beautiful, I could NOT have been more impressed. 1. What was the pre-op surgery testing like? First, we went to talk to the nutritionist, to insure we were aware of what we were doing and what was expected for aftercare, then off to the nurse to have our blood drawn, then EKG, extensive history and pictures. 2. Did you feel the team had your best interest in mind? ABSOLUTELY, we actually went down for one surgery and ended up with a different one. Due to our both having issues with blood sugar, one high, one low, they felt that the plication was not our best choice so we were switched to the sleeve, a decision I am thrilled we made. When I went into surgery there was written above them on a white board type thing, ALL of my allergies (I have a LONG list), they care more about the patient than following the HIPPA that would not allow that to happen in our OR's in the states. 3. How was your follow up care? Especially recovery in a hotel? Excellent, we were treated great in the hospital and when I sprung a leak from my drain early Sunday morning (surgery was Friday), it took one phone call from me and drivers were arranged, the hospital was opened (there were no patients there past Sat that week), a doctor and assistant were standing there waiting for me as the driver pulled up. We went up the elevator, he took care of everything, made sure I had HIS direct cell phone on me and said call anytime. 4. Any issues with discomfort traveling home by plane? No not really, we were TIRED, but otherwise no issues at all, we checked our bags so we didn't have to worry about them for the ride home. IF you have a long ride home I would recommend bringing some protein powder that you can mix to drink on the ride home. Gatorade was helpful for us because for the ride the sugar gave us more energy. We mixed it half water and half gatorade and sipped it. 5. Did you ever have to call Dr. Ortiz needing post surgical support? I guess for infection or other? Yes, we did have to call him but it was for a pre-surgical issue, I called planning to leave a message but instead was handed off to one of the wonderful assistant surgeons there and he answered all my questions AND made sure I had his number if I didn't feel I got my answers or if I had another one come up. When you leave you are given instructions and numbers for follow up as needed. Hope this helps, they are wonderful.
  2. For your sake i hope they can do it all in one day as well. BUT remember that nothing will be done there will compromise YOU! And the days of liquid diet may seem not worth it but it does help to shrink your liver giving Ortiz a bit more room to work so it is never for a lost cause. You are going to LOVE your sleevie!! Mine is my best friend. Keep us posted, sending good thoughts and prayers your way.
  3. Bella, my daughter and I both had our surgery (gastric sleeve) done on a Friday and we went to hotel on Sat afternoon. On Sunday morning I woke up drenched from my drain leaking. I hated to bother anyone but did call the doc on call because I didn't want to set myself up for an infection. He was SO SWEET about it, met me right away at the hospital, he made all the arrangements for me to be driven there and was waiting for us when we arrived. He took us right up took care of the problem, gave me extra supplies in case I needed them, told me not to hesitate to call back and he would be happy to meet us at any time if we needed him. I NEVER once felt like I was a problem and was grateful for him prompt, friendly yet professional demeanor. You are NEVER without care! They are great.
  4. Not too familiar with the band but just a thought. Are you always tired? If so look into sleep apnea, it can present as gas at night.
  5. They will def give you a good check up before you go. I can't believe how comfortable and taken care of we felt. I did have a minor problem with my drain on Sunday after surgery and they opened up the hospital just for me. They were so amazing, NEVER made me feel like I was a problem at all. Some of the most caring people I have ever met!
  6. Do a search for stapling techniques and see if you can find a site that explains it in laymens terms. We are not supposed to add links to the site as many people abuse that. In my VERY crude way I will try to explain, anyone else feel free to correct me if your understanding is different. Basically when you use non buttress (reinforced) staples one has a greater chance of leaks. Using a buttress type of staple minimizes this chance, using DOUBLE buttress staple lines reduces the chance of leaking even further. No matter WHAT a doctor does (Dr Ortiz uses this technique as it is the best one) if you abuse your tummy early on you can still cause problems. Sometimes things happen and leaks do occur (we all heal differently) BUT Ortiz does not release you from his care until he gets a post op leak test. It is done right there in his clinic, (not the most pleasant tasting thing I have ever had but far from the worst) the doc doing the procedure will watch as the liquid makes it's way to your tummy and if it is completely held within your tummy you are good to go. In the coming months your body will form scar tissue around this permanent suture line giving it even more structure and strength. It is imperative that you stay on the liquid diet during this healing process. Just because some people read about others that cheat and do well they sometime think they may do the same...that is when most people that end up with problems do, they don't follow the post op instructions and end up with issues, sometime right away and sometimes in the coming months. If you follow his instructions this is a simple surgery, seldom resulting in complications. I know that ANY surgery is scary and traveling out of the country is a bit scary as well. I personally have had a total of 10 surgeries in my life so can say with confidence that the treatment I received there was second to none. The ONLY regret I have with my surgery with Dr. Ortiz is that I didn't have it sooner. Good luck to you how exciting for you to be at the cusp of a whole new life!!
  7. We stayed at the Marriott, they had 4 or 5 English channels so that was nice. Sorry I was sleeve only so no advice there, except to say the sleeve was a breeze.
  8. It's not bad at all going across, they are real good with timing, they do this all the time. I do agree that a suitcase on wheels is vital. IF they ask you to lift it tell them you just had surgery they will do it for you. The line might look super long but it moves very quickly. I was in a super panic worried that something would happen and I would miss the driver on the other side...that of course did NOT happen. They were wonderful from the minute they picked us up until they had us safely back at the airport to return home. I could not have been more impressed.
  9. Congrats on your decision. You will be impressed with the docs for sure. I can't say enough good about them.
  10. I am having the SAME thing! And have already had the embarrassing moment too...twice! LOL I need to get to my gastroenterologist soon as it doesn't seem to be getting any better. In my case I had part of my bowel removed just about a year ago so am hoping that isn't going to be an issue, this did start with the surgery this time, I just keep hoping tomorrow will be better. I just have to plan my meals around my life now. If I have plans I just don't eat.
  11. I am pretty much able to eat anything. Tried steak last week and it sat well in my tummy. I have not tried pork chops yet. Milk and my tummy do battle, as does plain old water. I have to sip water still but can gulp ice tea. If I drink milk every few days and keep it to under 1/2 a cup I do okay...I LOVE milk and water so those were a disappointment for me. In time I know the water will go down better but I started all this with chronic gastritis so that didn't help. Each meal I eat my meat first (just a few bites is all I can do) then some veggies and the last few days I made potatoes and have had them but I know they aren't a very good choice. I would say that my meals are between 1/4 and 1/2 cup each. Soup I can manage a bit more if it is a broth based soup. I do eat four times a day because of my gastritis, I know that most people try to stay at three but this is what works for me and keeps me from getting so hungry that I eat too fast. That is PAINFUL!! LOL My head thinks I am hungry way more than my body does but honestly I haven't been truly hungry in the past 20 years!! I ate for comfort, loneliness, frustration, boredom, time of day, time of night, entertainment...seldom for energy and fuel. Working on changing that every day now.
  12. Gee, thanks! I am starting to believe that I look better, starting to stop the belief that it isn't going to work for me and beginning to see a future for myself that includes becoming involved in life again. SO exciting. You will be there before you know it.
  13. I started blogging to get my feelings out. I find that when I do that the emotional part of eating is better. I still have a long way to go to break down years of struggle but with the surgery and writing it is helping me get where I need to be. Be sure to set up a strong support system for after. There will be days when you wonder why you did this...those are the days that I am the most grateful. The days when all goes wrong and all you want to do is eat with blinders on to stop feeling pain, fear, frustration or what ever the topic of the day is, THAT is when the surgery is most important, literally you can't stuff your feelings anymore. Good luck to you, I am so happy every time I read about someone planning to get this done, the excitement of turning your life around!! I still want to pinch myself every time I think about where I was and where I am...only now when I pinch my fingers are much closer together. : )
  14. Yes, but we choose the lower carb type drink and we ended up switching to glycerna, they tasted better and didn't spike my blood sugar.
  15. Shell, everyone is different. My daughter and I had the sleeve done the same day, she can't eat most meats, I can. I loved milk but can no longer drink more than about a fourth of a cup, she hated it and now loves it. She does better with nuts, beans, and cheese, I do better with meat and a few veggies. It was by far the best decision we have ever made we both feel better and are getting more active everyday. Surgery was June 10th she is down 72lbs I am down 62lbs.
  16. My highest weight was 296 I was 291 when I started the preop. I am now just over 3 months out and have lost 62 lbs. Feel wonderful and so happy I made this choice. Best decision I have ever made.
  17. Thank you tx40! I do try. I belong to four different sites so I do far more reading than writing but I do want to make a point of posting here because I was SO pleased with the work they did for me and how comfortable they made us feel. Anything I can do to help anyone else feel good about the decision to have surgery and have it with Ortiz makes me feel like I am giving back a little.
  18. So far I am down 61 lbs and my daughter is down 70. We feel better than we ever have and our bloodwork is showing the changes in a positive way. Still the best decision we have ever made to come to the OCC for surgery.
  19. When we start thinking about the decision to have a bariatric surgery we are all about the research, wanting to glean every piece of info on how others have done, reading, holding on to the stories, trying to place ourselves there often unable to visualize ourselves with the same degree of success. Shortly after surgery many of us post either to share or ask the occasional question but then by in large we drop off. Why? Well I believe that we are all out there just living our lives. The drastic difference from our weight challenged bodies to our post surgical new stature allows us to begin living our lives again. We get so busy enjoying our new lives that we seldom come back to post and few of us have questions past the first few weeks post op. I just want to remind those of you that do read this that part of what we owe back is to come periodically and post...post for those that are scared, post for those that are uncertain about the whole traveling out of their home country to seek help, post for encouragement, post for the doctors that have given of themselves to give you this new chance at life, and post for yourself. Often in writing down our thoughts, our hopes, our dreams we are given the opportunity to view our lives differently. Something got you to where you are or were on your obesity journey and without being sure to address those triggers we can one day slip back into them. By staying active in a group either in-person or online you are giving yourself the gift of support. You may not "need" support right now but you can still "give" it. One day you will need it and then you will have made acquaintances that are standing ready to support and encourage you. So no matter where you are on your personal journey do your best to give part of yourself to others by posting, encouraging, sharing your fears and your victories. We are being given a new lease...what will you do today with that gift?
  20. I am now three months out and still so happy with my decision. My daughter has lost 70 lbs and I have lost 59. We are looking better, feeling better and enjoying this chance to get our lives back. No regrets at all.
  21. I can't believe what we have saved on groceries. It more than pays my loan back each month
  22. I have searched high and low but can't find the paperwork for the follow up lab work. Could someone please forward me a list of labs needed and the frequency? THANK YOU!!
  23. My daughter and I had the sleeve done (went for plication but changed our minds while there) we had surgery on a Friday and came home on a Tuesday. We did bring bags with wheels, VERY necessary for border crossing, and we packed light because really while in the room we only wanted to wear night gowns and dressed only to get in exercise or go to OCC. For the ride home we did check our bags so we didn't have to lift them, but honestly there are so many kind thoughtful people around in the plane having a nice gentleman lift them for us would not have been an issue. We had a short flight if you have a longer one please do get up and walk around and every 30 minutes or so, stretch your calf muscles.
  24. I would trust them to help you make the right decision for YOU. I ended up with a sleeve because it was best for me. If you go in with an open mind you will find them quite helpful.
  25. I have two videos on you tube as well. WISH I had a camera when I was in Mexico to show you how amazing we both felt! Here is my link: http://www.youtube.com/user/ellemarier#p/a/u/0/X06hW0fKWq8
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