barrbdoll

question for you both..... did you pre-op diet?? If so, how long and what was your diet??

Best of luck to you both!!!! My surgery is in 5 days!!! YAY!!!

I'm not really nervous..... at least not yet... I am more anxious than anything. So much of this is mental and I have have always tried to be upbeat and positive about everything in my life and this is no different. This will be my first major surgery so I have mentally prepared myself that there will be pain, some nausea probably,etc..... I trust my surgeon 1000000%!! I have no other health problems, no kids and I work from home so I am just hoping that I am one of the folks that bounces back rather quickly. Best of luck to all of us!!! 6 more days!!! YAY!!

I agree 1000000% with you Caradina... When I first read the post I was like WOAH!!! I couldn't believe that Dr. Ortiz would perform a sleeve for only a 30lb weight loss.. Once I clicked on the posters profile I saw her other postings which mention that she had a band operation prior.... then I was like.... WELLLLLLL.... that explains it! I'm a mother hen too.... your comments are always welcome as far as I'm concerned!!! All the best! Em

I am having my surgery done with Dr. Ortiz next week and what this post did NOT mention was that you previously had been banded in Mexico and it's not working...... That is a HUGE part of the story here and you leaving that out would make other readers question Dr. Ortiz's ethics. Dr. Ortiz deserves better than that as he is an excellent surgeon... one of the BEST! When asking for advice on the forum please make sure you tell the whole story...... If Dr. Ortiz agreed to perform your revision surgery I would not worry.. You are in good hands!

I don't want anything that looks like a stuffed animal. I don't have any children but I can see why those that do would choose that route. I just want a regular shaped pillow.. just smaller...

Thanks for the info....

Hi Everyone... In one week I will be sleeved!!! I've heard that having a support pillow is recommended and I was wondering if someone that has one could tell me the size. My mother wants to make one for me. I will be traveling to Mexico for my surgery so something not too bulky would be great! Thanks in advance!!

My surgery is also on April 16th!!! YAY!!!

I have been watching my carbs on my pre-op diet.... I had a choice of diets to choose from but I know my body and watching carbs is the fastest way for me to loose the 15 lbs that I committed to losing prior to surgery. If I do shakes I mix them with unsweetened Coconut Milk from a company called "So Delicious". Only 1 carb per serving and you can add some splenda if you want your shake sweet. There are also other products such as Calorie Countdown which only has 35 calories and 2 carbs. Also, I buy an Almond/Coconut milk combo that Wegmans sells.. I think the brand is called Almond Breeze. Even though I can drink regular milk I prefer Almond or Coconut milk versus regular milk. Plus it's more nutritious!! I'll never drink regular milk again!!! Too many options that taste better and are more nutritious!! btw.. my surgery is April 16th and I have lost 12lbs on my pre-op diet. Wishing you all the best!!

you don't want to mess around with a potential blod clot. I would go to the doctor if the pain is still present.... They can scan to see if there is a clot present.

Dr. Ariel Ortiz of Obesity Control Institute is also a member of the American College of Surgeons plus his center has been given the honor or being a "International Center Of Excellence" . Not only that, Newsweek honored him as one of the top 15 Bariatric Surgeons in America... Choosing a surgeon is a big step..... My sleeve surgery is with Dr. Ortiz on April 16th and I could not be more confident in my decision..... But as some of the fellow posters have said... there are plenty of qualified surgeons to choose from... totally your call!! All the best!

Welcome to the boards Kisha!! I will be sleeved April 16th by Dr. Ortiz and am super excited!! Wishing you all the best!

Are you on any meds?? It could be a reaction... I once woke up to a fuzzy tongue (years ago - no WLS) and it freaked me out!! Call your doctor and get their opinion!

Wishing you a successful surgery and speedy recovery!!!! My surgery is on the 16th and I am getting excited as well!!! Keep us posted!!! Emily

most folks are very helpful when traveling... If you ask a flight attendant or even a nice gentleman around your seat I'm sure someone would help you. While walking is always the best you can always request a cart or wheelchair to get you from one gate to the next. It all depends how you feel. btw... I traveling to Mexico for my surgery too.... April 16th!!! Best of luck to you!!!

My surgery is April 16th with Dr. Ortiz and I purchased my tickets on Southwest. For $10.00 more per ticket you get advanced boarding which will more than likely get you A seating meaning "first dibs". I also chose Southwest because they were one of the few carriers that had a non-stop flight back to Baltimore. I don't mind connecting going out but coming home I didn't want to have to change planes. I think I may also pull the "surgery card" when I get to the gate....

YAY!! thanks for posting this!! I will be in your shoes soon (April 16th). I am using a different doctor though... It's funny you mention a pic of your stomach! I was hoping to actually see my stomach!!! LMAO!! Guess we are both freaks!! Oh well.... I was going to go to school for Forensic Pathology so that type of stuff always interests me! btw... I am about an hour from Landover! Right outside Hagerstown! Make sure you post after your surgery! Would love to hear how everything is going!!! Wishing you allllllll the best!!!! Emily

oops... I think I figured it out.. duhh.....

Lissa.... how do you get your BMI ticker to show on the bottom?? I thought I did it right but it just shows a link.... Can you help me??

Thanks for posting your story!! I am flying into San Diego April 15th and my surgery is the next day with Dr. Oritz at Obesity Control Center in Tijuana. I can't wait!!! Glad you are feeling better. .I splurged and paid extra for a non-stop flight back into Baltimore. Only two carriers had non-stop flights but I'm just glad I was able to find one. I didn't care about connecting going out but I wanted to make sure I was comfortable on the way back. My surgery is on a Monday and I am flying back on the Friday after so hopefully I will be feeling pretty good by then! Oh.. as far as bathing suits?? Check out the suits on alwaysforme.com. They are super cute and very figure flattering!!! Very high quality too!! All the best!

All the best on your surgery!!! Mine isn't too far way... April 16th!!! Please let us know how you are feeling tomorrow if possible!!

Hello Ladies!! I'm Emily from PA and my surgery date is April 16th in Mexico with Dr. Ariel Ortiz. I'm currently trying to drop about 15 lbs before my surgery. I'm already down 6 lbs and and am pretty much just watching my carbs, eating lots of fresh salad and lean Protein. Mr. Doctor doesn't require all liquids until 3 days before. Best of luck to you all!!

I am also on a pre-op diet but my Doctor gives me 3 options.. 2 shakes and a slim fast or other shake, 2 weeks of Atkins (phase 1) or all liquids. My surgery isn't until April 16th but I wanted to start early (I need to lose 15 lbs minimum). I have been watching for about about 7 or 8 days and am down about 6 lbs so far. I've been pretty much watching my carbs, eating lots of fresh salad, grilled chicken, turkey or fish and I ALWAYS have the weight watcher veggie soup readily available. It's basically a free food and always hits the spot when I feel hungry. I have to go on all liquids 3 days before surgery so that alone should make me drop a few lbs. This whole phase is definitely mental for me. You just have to keep your mind "in the zone".... We are all here to support you!!

I too am having my weight loss surgery done in Mexico. My company specifically excludes weight loss surgery for whatever reason yet they will pay you CASH to quit smoking!! It's crazy!! The researched WLS for almost 8 years before making my decision to get the sleeve! I am so happy that I waited. Like you said.. the timing just wasn't right but now everything is aligning and nothing is stopping me! Off to Mexico I go.... April 16th is MY day!!! Best Of Luck!!!