Dolittle

I'm one of those WLS patients that has issues getting in my daily required intake of protein. Right now I'm in the 3rd week of the sleeve post-op diet. To me,, protein shakes are something to be desired, tastefully speaking, most are just tolerable. The other day I went searching on-line and found www.unjury.com and ordered their 5 star tasting, 21g protein chicken broth mix. I have never posted anything like this before, but when I find something good, I'll tell you about it. I found the 21g protein chicken broth to be exactly as advertised and it does taste like chicken cup o soup without the noodles. I may order their unflavored protein, so I can add it to other things to get my protein in. I'll keep you posted on that product when I get it and try it. If any you forum members have tried it, please post your opinions on this product or other brands of protein.

I went and looked it up after I signed off the forum. Yes,, Mikke's post was pretty harsh,, maybe from lack of oxygen from blowing on that horn. lol

What's a "didgeridoo"?

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of October. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of September. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

Homework and other WLS Forums Everyday I get future weight loss surgery (WLS) patients asking about my experiences with the OCC, Dr. Ortiz, the surgery and my post surgery lifestyle. I always tell them to “do their homework”. By that, I mean get out there and look at other websites, plus our OCC Forum. I personally have posted my lap band and recently my band to sleeve revision surgery experiences here at the OCC Forum and on the Vertical Sleeve Talk forum. I’m a firm believer if I can help a patient by blogging or writing my testimonial at this Forum or other forums, then I feel I’ve helped. So, I’m urging all OCC patients to get out there, post “Your Story” and help others who are doing their homework. Here are a few forum links you can go to post “Your Story”: www.occforum.com www.sleeveplicationtalk.com www.verticalsleevetalk.com www.obesityhelp.com www.gastricsleeve.com And for Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/OCCMedicalCenter www.twitter.com/occweightloss Also, this is a good site for informational videos: www.youtube.com/weightlosssurgeryocc

It's been 11 days since I had the sleeve revision. I'm feeling like I'm just water logged. All I have been doing is drinking. It's kind of hard drinking so many fuilds. Between water, protein shakes and brothy soups, I'm floating!

You know, I don't know if they do or not. You can call the OCC clinic and ask. Last Oct I had a dental implant done at Dent-Art with Dr. Lugo. Then came back in Jan for the crown on the implant. Implants are a two part process. First trip is the implant, 3 months later you have to have it crowned. I was very satisfied with the implant done at Dent-Art, great price too.

Ask Dr. Ortiz,

I'm one week out and back home now. Feeling pretty good and excided that the surgery and trip are behind me now. I'm amazed, I really do feel pretty good, it was alot like my lap-band surgery back in 2007.

I got to try my first liquid yogurt last night. I can say it was OK, but it made my insides churn a little. Kind of felt like I was building lots of "GAS" lol. Doing good and feeling pretty good too. Met a group of nice ladies that were heading over to the OCC to have their surgery today. Wished them great success and told them that this surgery was easy. They all had smiles.

While here for my revision surgery, I got to meet Dr. Castillo. He was very personable and very professional. I personally talked to him concerning several issues I have and might elect to have done in the future. So far I have yet to hear any complaints from previous patients. And after talking to him I feel very comfortable that Dr. Ortiz has selected a quality Plastic Surgeon to represent the OCC. If you have any questions concerning Plastic Surgery, feel free to call the OCC and talk to Daniela, she's the The Ariel Center patient Coordinator.

Dr. Ortiz has restarted the Dental Clinic. All patients coming into the OCC will get a free exam and consultation. Check it out when you arrive. There's always something new going on here at the OCC.

It´s been 4 days since surgery and everything is going well. I haven´t been hungry. I´ve been drinking vitamin water and today I get to do some liquid yogurt. I´ll be going back to the OCC today to have my drain looked at and possibly removed. I´m a little bored, so feeling pretty good, last night I walked down to Revelution Ave from the Marriott,,, piece of cake. I took a taxi back, didn´t want to over do it, but I felt good.

OCC has a couple computers in the back near the patients rooms for your use. The Marriott has a computer room for guests only. I can't remember if they have Wi-Fi, but I'm thinking they do.

Well, the big day is tomorrow, I have my bags packed. If all goes well, I should be at the OCC clinic at 8am tomorrow. I'm suprised, this morning I stepped on the scale and I was down 12lbs. The scale never lies, the pre-op diet does work, but its not fun.

As soon as you cross the border your AT&T service quits at ground level. Sometimes, while at the OCC or hotel Lucerna,, and depending what floor your on, you can pick up the AT&T towers in the USA. At the Marriott, no AT&T service. The OCC has phones and computers you can use. The Marriott has a computer room free for guests.

For some time now, Dr. Ortiz and the OCC have been "tweeting" on TWITTER. Dr. Ortiz just loves to "Tweet". He posts helpful hints, tips, pre-surgery and post-surgery advice. Check it out at https://twitter.com/occweightloss Dr. Ortiz's goal is to make your weight loss surgery a successful one. He wants you to be informed and he tries to give you access to information on several media forums.... The OCC Forum, Twitter and Facebook are some of those. The more information you have, the more successful you'll be. Let us know what you think here at the OCC Forum and at other Internet forums. Posting your success helps "wannabe" WLS patients make informative decisions.

It's a big step in your life. Change for some is very hard to do.... and this is a major lifestyle change. Don't feel your the only one thats went through this feeling. The surgery is easy and when that's done, you'll look back and wonder why you had all that anxiety. The best part is when the weight starts to fall off and you find yourself feeling a lot better about yourself. Think POSITIVE!

You know, I've been here at the OCC Forum for years...I never knew this, but the OCC is on Facebook. Go check it out at www.facebook.com/OCCMedicalCenter. It's loaded with lots of information and comments from patients and other people interested in WLS. I found that there are over 44,600 likes--I'm impressed that there's this much interest in the OCC and WLS. If you feel open about your OCC Weight Loss Surgery journey, share your experiences with others who are seeking information. As I've always said, "Do your homework". What better way to do your homework than to hear from patients that did theirs.

So far the pre-op diet phasing into total liquids seems to be working. I'm having an easier time making the switch to liquids. This weekend I'll be running over to my local Sams Club and picking up a couple cases of protien shakes for the big push before my surgery.

Even though I'm scheduled at the end of the month, I'm opting to start phasing into the full liquid diet. Since the Fourth of July has past, I figured it wouldn't hurt to start now. Yesterday I did liquid soup and some yogurt. Stayed away from any solids and anything with fat in it. So far,, its going OK. As you know, two weeks before your surgery is when you really toe the line. I'll keep you posted. I'm also making sure I get my daily bicycle ride in. One, this make your lungs stronger. Two, burns calories. A win-win.

Times have changed since I had my lap band surgery in 2007. The OCC has refined their system and added numerous patient questionaires, pre-op diets, post-op diets and etc. Back in the old days, you called the OCC and set your surgery date, sent them some down payment money and brought the rest on your surgery date. You then showed up on your scheduled surgery date,, answered a few questions, did some lab work, talk to the heart doc, talk to the dietician doc and you were lap banded. Now, having raised their standards of professionalism and excellence, they have really raised the bar to new and higher levels. Its a win-win situation for all the parties involved. More paperwork means more info from me the patient. Thus, more info for them to make my lap band to sleeve journey a more successful one. The paperwork didn't take too long and it was easy to send via their web links. I'm hoping if everything goes as easy as this, my surgery should be a walk in the park!

I was lap banded in March 2007. This was a major life changing decision and I had anxiety like I've never had before. The lap band surgery was a breeze and the anxiety disappeared, as did my weight. I never anticipated how much success I would have with the band. I ended up losing close to 100 pounds in the first year. As time went by, I ended up leveling out on my weight loss and my body adjusted, my metabolism changed and slowly I was gaining weight. My band has been a great tool, like a friend that kept me in check with my eating. But, it's time for my lap band to go. Several reasons factored in to my decision to go with a sleeve revision. One of the biggest is what I mentioned at the start of my blog. Some of the other reasons had to do with aftercare. I had lost my fill doctor up in Chicago, he moved on to a teaching position in Cininnati OH and being a Mexico band patient, I couldn't find many American doctors to touch me. This alone was turning into a major pain in the butt. But, I really didn't need any fills any more. I had reached my sweet spot and the band was working, but my weight was just creeping upwards. I really needed to eat less. The band worked, but I always felt hungry. The bottom 2/3rds of my stomach wanted more and slowly I would eat more often. With this and my metabolism being at turtle speed, I was slowly gaining weight and heading back to my old life. There was also the thought something might happen to my band or my stomach because of slippage or erosion. I didn't have any of these issues, but would I in time? So,, I'm not going back to the old me. I've had a big taste of the good life. With 100 pounds gone and really enjoying the new me, why would I go back to the old me. So, I've done my "HOMEWORK" and have decided to go with a sleeve revision. I'm scheduled at the end of July. Do I have any anxiety, not really, been through it in the past. I made good choices with the band, such as going to the OCC and having Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez as my surgical team, so why would I have any need to have anxiety or think twice about this decision. I'm really looking forward to this!

Gloria at the OCC office gave me some info. There's a parking lot near the crossing that has CCTV and an attendent on duty 24/7 for $7 a day. She sent me a email with a map. Looks like it might be a winner.