Southern Oregon

great post. My experience is similar to yours.....satisfied with the end result (lol...the difference between my story and yours is that I didn't meet Ortiz until AFTER the surgery....which was/is still annoying), but talked to him a bunch the next day. Are you thinking about going back for plastics when your weight stabilizes? Not much on this site about Ariel Center.....I know that the OCC had a relationship with a dentist which is no longer, but wondered, since Dr. Ortiz is also plastics, whether that was an option for you.

Dottie, I am also a Dr. Ariel Ortiz patient (August 2012); wondering why you weren't considering the Ariel Center for plastics......I had originally chosen Dr. Ortiz/OCC because of the connection with Ariel Center, but now am re-considering and wondering if Dr. Saucedo, with doing so many, and haven't heard of any complications so far (other than seromas, which is a risk anywhere)....

I had sleeve surgery with Dr. Ortiz last August. The thing was helpful that is missing.....a heating pad. I had it on at the marriott as I was achy, then in the airport, I found plug and got much more comfy with the heating pad.... protein powders is another....I got the Unjury sample pack and the Nectrax sample pack...took two unflavored and several of the Nectrax so I could have something if I really didi get hungry. I think I added the unflavored to the chicken broth at Marriott.

how are you doing? all good?

I went by myself, and while I didn't venture out as I was tired and then post-surgery, very tired, I felt safe at the hotel. No problems at all.

tipped the driver from the clinic who picked me up at airport and took back - $30 as he got us back through border quickly. didn't tip the driver who took back and forth from clinic/hotel as it was hotel van. (note: when I checked out on first day and had luggage to the clinic, I did tip, but that was because of the luggage). Ate at hotel, had the free broth, tipped a buck each time.... did not tip the hotel cleaner as they did not EVER bring the Water like supposed to....and came very very late in the day (early evening) to clean room (the Marriott)

sorry it took so long for me to respond -- my ipad lost its log in informationand I could not remember it. I was sleeved by Dr. Ortiz on 8/13; experience went very smoothly. I found another patient on the same day on OCC's forums and we have become friends. I traveled alone and she had daughter who had VSG in February in Canada and her husband with her, so I had company during the days I was there in Mexico. Nursing staff was wonderful. First time ever that someone got a IV in the first time without hurting me....they were very attentive. Dr. Ortiz was informative and great to talk with. I have had a couple occasions to call them and have spoken with Dr. Soo, who is very nice. I think folks go with cheaper and there's a lot of talk about the other docs (and Ortiz is definitely not cheaper). His coordinator doesn't seem to be as involved as the other TJ docs, but then again, I didn't need her to be. I will be going back there in a year for the plastics and that was one of the reasons I chose OCC --- to establish a relationship for the next surgery to be done as well. Good luck!!

Magic Bullet works for most shakes if just you....if not, Osterizer. I also got a handheld Cuisinart for work and I kinda like it better. (it also is a mini food processor...).

get a second opinion from a different atty. Put 70 attorneys in a room and ask the same question, you get 70 different answers. If you will PM me your location, I have atty friends across the country and will try to put you in touch with competent local atty for you....

make a new account -- with a new email account. When you activiate the new facebook account, go in to your account settings and set all for friends only viewing. I have two accounts...my personal one, which only friends (not even friends of friends can see my posts, pictures, etc.) can view and then I have my business account -- which anyone can see, but no one can post to without my permission. The FB group is set to secret, so none of your postings will show in anyone's sidebar if you set your settings to the extreme....

just get the sleep, you have been through many steps to get to this point, you have done all you can and now it is in the surgeon's hands....hope all goes well in the a.m. and you think back on this and laugh as you dance through your new life, a skinnier, healthier you!!

okay, so I turned off noti fications in my email from VST as I didn't want my staff to be logging into my mail and being nosy, and then found out I see NO notifications at all, so thought everyone on the August Sleeve Board had totally stopped posting!!! So, how are we? Anyone have infections/leaks/worries? What are you allowed to eat at this point? or not? I am on full liquids until another two weeks (day 22 I can have soft food).....I am tired of Soup already!!!

mine centers around my left shoulderblade. I like your Glinda comparison though....!!!

oh, I hope you are feeling better! My best thing was to buy a heating pad and bring it....