oliviam

Finally I am back to the land of the living! I had plication done on Tuesday February 15th with Dr. Ortiz at OCC. To start, the facility was very nice and the staff was absolutely wonderful. Some of the nurses there have had the surgery so it felt good to know that they knew exactly what I was going through. I got in early on Tuesday morning to the airport and went straight from the airport to OCC. They did all my pre op tests and surgery on the same day. I met so many from these boards there, it was awesome! After the surgery I had some pretty tremendous gas pains. They told me to walk and walk I did all through the night. I threw up a couple of times the first night but was discharged on Wednesday to the hotel. I stayed at the Lucerne and I highly recommend it. Very very nice, with very nice people, especially if you tip them! Wednesday night was pitiful, I threw up on the hour every hour, could not keep down my pain meds, the gas pressure felt close to a heart attack and I was ready to head right back into that center and have them undo every last stitch! My husband called the center on Thursday and they told me to come back in. While waiting to be seen in the waiting room, I saw many others who had had the surgery on the same day or after me and they were doing wonderfully. I think my situation was honestly the exception and not the rule. They did a barium test and they said everything looked great, just a reaction perhaps to the anesthesia. By Thursday night I was vomit free and had a good nights sleep and by Friday morning I felt like a new woman! We flew home Friday night and I have been great since. I am still on the liquid diet and for the most part I do not have a desire to eat unless I prepare a meal for my family or have to watch others eat. I have not weighed myself yet! I'm afraid! My mother suggested I weight so as to avoid being discouraged. I am still soooo bloated from being pumped up with gas and the swelling so I am going to wait it out this week and weigh in maybe next Monday, if I can stand it that long. I know many of you wanted me to fill you in so I hope this helps. Please, please, please let me know if there is anything I didn't mention that you would like to know!!!

I am also with Dr. Ortiz at OCC! I will still be there when you are having your surgery!

Does anyone know if there is any cell phone coverage in Tijuana,Mexico?

I totally know the feeling!

So....my surgery got bumped up to tomorrow and I am excited and nervous all at the same time. Any last words of wisdom before I head out tomorrow?

Thanks for the advice, I can use every bit of it!

Mine are 5 and 7 so a little older although I homeschool them so they are here all the time, and sadly no nanny for me! Did you have surgery in Mexico? I am and will be returning home on Friday. I figure I will have a day or two in MX for some recovery and then my mother in law will be here until Monday after I get back. Hopefully that will be enough time to get moving! If you did have surgery in Mexico, did you have cell phone coverage?

Holy Smokes! You have lost a ton of weight! Boy I have tried to do the 9 day liquid diet and have had to eat one meal over the last few days. I don't know how you made it two weeks! Good for you on your weight loss!

I also have two little ones and a husband so I am quite worried about what life has to throw at me once I get back home! Glad to hear you are coping well. So excited for you, really!

So loving hearing about your journey!

So loving hearing about your journey!

Dang girl! You are only like a week out right? You are doing great out moving around!

What kind of surgery did you have? And when, how much weight lost?

Thanks for the tips Genepha! I will do all those things!

That's true, its hard to know who's for real or not. I have spoken with Dr. Ortiz several times and had lots of interaction with Lori the patient coordinator. Of the 200 plications that he's performed only two did not lose the weight they desired to lose and no one has had complications from the surgery. He is not the cheapest but I believe that he is one of the best. I asked about his suture methods based on some things Dr. Watkins put on the boards and he totally made me feel comfortable with his methods and materials used. Good luck on whatever journey you decide to take! Get on here and update us! I'm off for plication on Wendesay!

I'm not sure that I would go for him, the gal on here that just had some pretty severe medical emergencies went to Corvala.

Way to go! Its nice to hear that you are not struggling through the liquid phase. I think we all hope this surgery will help us with the willpower issue!

Yes mam! You found the right place!

Yeah for you and your results Melanie! I am having the surgery this Wednesday. Do you feel like you are really have to exert a ton of willpower to not eat? I ask everyone that! I am hoping that this surgery is going to make it easier to make good choices and not have to constantly fight the urge to eat a Big Mac!

You'll be right behind us Amy!

Only 2 days! You are so lucky! I don't know why they have me on a nine day. My BMI is only 31 so I can't imagine that I would have that fatty of a liver. Oh well, I will just keep plugging along. Bummer about your fever! I am so excited for you though! You're on your way. Our surgeries are so close together you will be my guidepost along the way missy!

Why does it have to be liquid protein only though?

Thanks Dr Watkins! My BMI is 31 so I should have been good to go with a 7 day liquid protein diet right? Oh well, I added a few extra days.

So, the materials I got from my surgery center said that I could choose between two pre op diet options. I could either do a two week diet of two protein shakes and one low calorie meal (like lean cuisine) or I could do nine days of only liquid protein and all the green vegetables I want. My husband seems to be concerned with me getting in less than 1200 calories as that slows my metabolism down especially coupled with three weeks of no real solid food. Does anyone know why we need to do this pre op diet anyway? I can understand fasting before the pre operative testing but why for nine days!? Has anyone not lost weight on the pre op diet and had their surgery delayed?

So glad you're doing well! I'm sure the weight gain is just the fluids like you said. Do you mind my asking what your pre op diet was and for how long? I am doing this nine day liquid protein only thing and its killing me. I am having trouble understanding the point.