guate_mama05

Good luck Amanda! I can't wait to follow your journey! I think I will have the same hooray and WTH emotions too!

sheri3388 - I would call Lori or Carolyn and ask. Patients have different pre-op requirements depending on the doctor and their weight.

Best of luck! Excited to follow your journey!

Glad to hear things went well. Get some rest and let us hear from you when you feel better.

BrandNewMe17 the doctor at the OCC is Ariel Ortiz. Their website is obesitycontrolcenter.com. Lots of good info there and links to their YouTube channel and a patient forum. The OCC is also an International Center of Excellence which means the US Surgical Review Company has certified them through I believe a year long process that they meet all the requirements to care for the specific needs of bariatric patients.

I've noticed a few people talking about hospitals with ICU's. I remember reading a post about a lady's journey and a hospital with an ICU was one of her criteria. As she was walking the floor after surgery she walked past the ICU and it wasn't what she expected at all! I wish I could remember where I read the post. Just be careful with American (or perhaps Canadian) expectations. What is an ICU, OR or recovery room in the US may or may not be the same in another country. It could be better, near the same or not quite what you envisioned. I've chosen a Center of Excellence and the bathrooms are down the hall, not in the individual's room. Strange, not what I would expect, not bad, just different.

Thanks for all the details. Glad you are doing so well!

Trixie thanks so much for all those wonderful details. Just what I was looking for. The more I can read the better I feel! I too have insurance that would pay but I'm not wanting to jump thru all their hoops and I feel Dr Ortiz has far more experience than my options at home and the OCC will provide far better care than the hospitals here.

Awesome recap! Thanks is for taking the time and all the details.

I agree you ARE a rockstar! I don't think I could have done that! You go girl!

Here is a blog I've seen lots of people refer to for recipes and ideas. Maybe this will give you some ideas. http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/?m=1

I think you will be in excellent hands. I have 2 friends that used him last year and were VERY pleased. He is my choice and hope to schedule in June. Read the details about what a Center of Excellence entails on their website and that should give you some piece of mind. Here is a blog where an OCC patient gives details of her surgery. I know there others but can't remember the addresses right now. I'm guessing you have also read thru their forum too. http://hoosierfatty.wordpress.com/

GAmom that's awesome! I hope mine goes as smooth! Hope its all smooth sailing from here on!

You go Diamoneyed! I bet you look fabulous!

xaviergirl06 I'm a single mom too! All the comments your family has made don't surprise me. It seems like they are scared for you, haven't researched this surgery and Mexico like we have and most of all can't relate to the issues we have with our weight and how much we want change and to better ourselves for our families. I have a dear friend that told me about going to Mexico for WLS last year and the first thing I thought was MEXICO....OMG! I didn't say that to her because I wanted to support her. A year later....here I am, following in her footsteps! I have several family members that if they knew, would feel the need to give me their opinion without knowing what they are talking about. I briefly mentioned WLS last Thanksgiving and holy cow the opinions I got. I didn't even mention Mexico! They will all know after the fact. Fortunately, my mom is supportive and the one that really counts to me! Hang in there, we can do this and we will be MUCH better moms for it! The only downside I can see is I'm gonna be such a hottie, people are gonna hate me! LOL

bowgirl I hope you are having a better day today. I've been thinking about you.

Glad to hear all went well GAmom! Hope you both continue a smooth recovery!

Good luck!

I'm so glad you have your answer! I was going to say not to let the current stress deter you from your long range goal! I too have a 7 almost 8 year old daughter and I'm tired of being fat, out of energy, depressed and something hurting. I want to be an active mom and do fun things with her and stop being bad example of no exercise, not caring what I look like and being a blob! We got this! We can do it!

Tracy - I am hoping to book my surgery right as school is out too. Maybe we will be there together!

Emme thanks for sharing. I wondered how HR would treat an out of country surgery. I'm going to go that route.

Bree there have been several posters saying that a drivers license and birth certificate will work. Don't panic!

April 9th will be here before we turn around! Excited to follow your journey. I'm hoping to book with Dr. Ortiz at the OCC in June! Laurie

I love ATL too! I think it's very easy to get around! Good luck. You will be fine!

If you are taking medical leave, legally they can't ask anything regarding the leave. HR on the other hand will know to approve the leave but they can't share anything other than the dates you will be gone with your boss - it's all about HIPAA! On the other hand I understand nosy co-workers. Still none of their business but I do like the hernia surgery or just abdominal surgery. I am going to try and take leave. My Dr's coordinator said she would be happy to fill out the FMLA paperwork. We shall see how that works!