Trixie2012

M&C: try RealSelf.com They have tons of reviews of surgeons and procedures. People post about their journeys and there is lots of discussion about supplies. I'm thinking of PS within the next year and troll that sight often! Like VST there are reviews for doctors in the US as well as in Mexico, Dominican Republic and other counties. Plus lots of people have posted their before and after pics.

I'm 9 months out. The past few months I have dropped the most weight for the month during my cycle. I see a stall of several days then the day I start, boom! There goes a few more pounds!

Great job! If it weren't for your tattoo I may not have recognized you in the after photos! Congrats on your personal achievements!

9 months out 4/09: I have lost 83% of the excess weight I started with.

Hi Beth. I believe I replied to one of your posts. Plus I have posted the account of my surgery on here too. I am a real patient, not affiliated with OCC at all. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

I'm sure it would. My overwhelming anxiety just thinking about the possibility of telling them makes me fully aware I need therapy.

Bee, I am also an Ariel Ortiz patient & second Shelley's offer to speak to your personally if you like. Just send me a PM. I told no one except my husband and 8 months later he is still keeping my secret. I chose not to inform my family because I did not want them to worry plus I didn't need the drama. Interesting enough, I was in the car with my mother and two of my aunts last week. One of them announced their daughter has gone crazy and is seriously considering going to Mexico for sleeve surgery! The gasps and opinions started flying! It was so hard for me not to give my personal account but fear of being judged for either having my surgery in Mx or not telling my mother kept me silent. I feel for you. If there's anything I can answer about my experience to help ease your mind with your decision, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Found mine at Whole Foods.

I can only tell you my experience with the spirometer... I didn't purchase a spirometer before my trip. I was never asked if I had one or even instructed to use it while at OCC. I packed very light. You will be changing into a gown within an hour or so of arriving at OCC so you can easily wear the same outfit you arrived in on the following day for the trip back to the hotel. For overnight at OCC I took yoga pants to wear under the hospital gown. That way I didn't have to worry about flashing anyone! I needed my iPhone & charger, Chapstick & my skin care & toothbrush, etc. I wore flip flops to OCC so used them as slippers. I has a tiny incision just below my breasts where my bra would rub. Since I'm not very top heavy I elected to wear just my spanx tank top (under a shirt of course!) for the return trip to the hotel. I recommend that or a non-underwire bra for the first few days. A band aid could come in hand there too as none of the incisions were covered after leaving OCC. At the hotel I wore a soft cotton gown most of the time. One thing I took that came in handy was a lanyard for the shower. I wore it around my neck to hook my drain bulb on while showering. Otherwise you just have to hold it which could be really awkward while washing your hair, etc. Other than that just comfy clothes. My stomach was really swollen for a week or so I was thankful that I took some of my loosest pants with me.

Hi Beth! Here's a link to my story with OCC. I have been very pleased with my experience, with follow up contacts with OCC & my results as a whole. I would recommend OCC & Dr. Ariel Ortiz to my friends and family without hesitation. Best of luck to you! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/72280-occ-dr-ariel-ortiz-my-story/

Wheat Thins...Beware!!

I went to Mexico because I did not have the co-morbidities required for my insurance company to cover the surgery. My surgery at OCC plus travel expenses was less than half the out of pocket price I would have paid to have surgery close to home.

Sherri, I booked my surgery exactly two weeks in advance. It was recommended that I lose 12 lbs (10% of my body weight) in those two weeks. Geez!! I did a mixed diet of protein drinks and salads. Not exactly OCC's plan... The weight started dropping slowly then the last 3 days I did liquids only. I was shocked when I got there and had lost 15 lbs on my pre-op! Just commit to making whatever changes you can and I'm sure your pre-op weight will be fine.