Kindle

Yep, that's all I got. But keep the phone numbers on the preop checklist handy. I ended up speaking to Gloria a lot because my original flight was cancelled and didn't get in until the day of my surgery. She took care of everything and still had me (and coopspa) at OCC in plenty of time for surgery.

The "Pre-Operative Patient Checklist" they sent in the beginning instructed us to Email all our flight info and any extra hotel night requests to concierge@obesitycontrolcenter.com at least 10 days before arrival. I got an email confirmation back from them after doing this. If you sent everything but haven't received confirmation, give them a call at 866-376-7849 ext 83 or ext 90. Talk to Gloria... She was great dealing with my multiple arrival times and delayed flights. Also verify with her exactly what nights you need at the Marriott and what time to be at OCC. The OCC shuttle will pick you up and take you back to the airport. The Marriott van shuttles you from the hotel to OCC the whole time you're there.

I actually researched partial and total gastrectomies while looking into VSG. There's plenty of data out there concerning long term complications and outcomes. Even though these surgeries weren't performed for weight loss purposes, I'm not sure why the WLS community hasnt tapped into this resource to better inform potential patients. I know the long term studies help me make my decision.

I always mix it with a tiny bit of water or cool broth in a blender bottle. Then add it to whatever I'm making after cooling to 140 degrees. I end up drinking a lot of lukewarm soup, but never had issues with texture.

I had one for 3 days. Felt great to get it out. Turns out the "crampy feeling" I had was actually the drain. There is always serous discharge when tissue is disrupted (that's the oozing you get even on a little cut or scrape on your skin) the drain allows this to come out of the body. Not entirely necessary because your body will reabsorb the fluid. Also acts as a kind of leak test and/or internal bleeding alert since the characteristics of the fluid tells the doc what's going on inside. Total surgeon's preference if he puts one in or not.

I had my freak out moments 2 days before surgery and again day of, at the clinic, in my gown with IV fluids already going in. My sister volunteered to sneak me outa there and spend the weekend in TJ sampling tequila if I wasn't 100% sure. Needless to say, I stayed and am so happy and relieved to be on the sleeved side. You will be fine and jitters are totally normal.

More like street vendors and open storefronts. Typical tourist stuff....blankets, clothes, jewelry, leather goods, etc. oh, and a pharmacy in every block, so if there's any Meds you want to stock up on, find out what it is in Spanish. No Rx required. I actually got more pain drugs (which I dint need. I never even finished the ones OCC gave us) and a couple other patients got some Rx strength liquid antigas. 3 Others that were with us spoke Spanish so that made the drug shopping a lot easier. we also found a corner stand off the main drag that sold infused waters and homemade Popsicles that were delicious! Have no clue where it was, though!

Were you able to walk to the Walmart or do you have to take a taxi.? How are you doing kindle? Walked to it twice the day after surgery and once on day 2. It's about 3 blocks away, so it makes for a nice outing. The OCC driver also took us all to the Revolucion market area on day 2 after our dressing changes and we took taxis back to the Marriot.

Oh, I'm SO glad you are feeling better! I've been thinking about you. I'm actually feeling pretty good - never any nausea, minimal pain, and mostly bloaty, crampy feeling . Had to plow by driveway with my ATV this morning with no problem. I was hoping to have a full 10 days off work, but looks like I may have to put in a few hours tomorrow and Friday, so I'm glad to hear you were able to go back after 8 days. Merry Christmas!

You get your own room. There are two bathrooms everyone has to share, but it gets you out of bed and walking around. The night nurse took good care of us, even though she didn't speak great English. And in case you can't sleep, the English TV channel selection is better than at the Marriott. Everything went great when I was down there last week and over the weekend. If you find you need something and didn't bring it, you can always go to Walmart. I bought some pedialyte. I suggest picking up drinkable yogurt for your third day. It was such a nice change from broth and water. The Walmart plaza also has a Starbucks (for your companion) and a GNC where you can pick up small bottles of Isopure protein water. The Marriot staff and our driver were all really great. Good luck!

I just got back from there and an endoscope was never mentioned. We all got barium swallows on the 3rd day, which is standard postop protocol with no extra charge. Maybe they mean if you have complications and need a scope or extra barium swallow while you are there. I'd ask your coordinator about it. The only extra charge while I was there was $160 for meds.... 5 days antibiotics, 2 weeks anti-ulcer/anti-nausea, 4 days pain meds (which I only used 3 days) and 2 months PPI. We were also given the option to have a pathologist look at the removed part of our stomach for any abnormalities. It would be a $150 charge and I declined.

I flew back from Mexico 3 days post op (as did 3 other people that had surgery the same day) No problems. Doc recommended compression stockings ( which he gave me) and to get up and walk the aisle several times if it is a longer flight.

Thanks for the heads up, tami j. The cream soups I got are condensed so I was planning on mixing unflavored protein with water separately and then mixing 1:1 with the soup. Maybe I'll do something similar with the infused broths to cut the salty. Merry Christmas!

I didn't....

Same here. I was on on clear liquids only for 3 days, then "full liquid" day 4-17 (basically it's OK if it can pass through a straw). Starting day 18 I move to "pureed" which is applesauce/pudding consistency. This is the stage I can add scrambled eggs, refried beans, mashed potatoes and cottage cheese. Day 28 starts soft foods, including soft meats, canned fruits, and cooked, soft veggies. Day 40 is full solids. And with my surgeon's 0.01% complication rate I plan on sticking to it to a T.

I just picked up cream of shrimp, butternut squash bisque, cream of spinach, cream of mushroom, tortilla soup base broth, Chinese hot and sour soup base broth, beef broth and chicken broth. Plan on adding unflavored protein powder to them. I wasn't too concerned with calories since I will be eating so little. Even my nut said not to worry about calories at this stage.

Good luck with your surgery. I was sleeved on Friday at OCC and everything has gone well. Just got home today after a 5 hour drive from the airport. I've had almost no pain - more cramping and discomfort than anything. I was able to sleep on either side right away (haven't tried my stomach yet). Went shopping everyday and walked like crazy. It was nice to have three fellow sleevers and companions that spoke Spanish so we found some nice local shopping spots. I actually felt the best the day after surgery and then kind of tired the next two days. I took my last pain pill yesterday and I feel really good today. I never came close to getting enough fluids up until today, and I haven't even bothered counting Protein yet. Started drinking yogurt to replace normal flora as per the nut, and tomorrow I'll start working on protein. Merry Christmas...you will do great!

Wow. What a crazy experience. I just had my surgery with Dr. Ariel Ortiz at Obesity Control Center on the 20th. There were 5 of us that day and I was the last surgery of the day. My preop visits with nutritionist and cardiologist were quick and efficient. The nutritionist went over our whole postop diet and Vitamin schedule in detail and gave us a folder of info. The cardiologist explained the tests as he went. My meeting with Dr. Ortiz was probably the low point. Definitely full of himself and puttin on a show the whole time. He has no problem telling you what a great surgeon he is. Well, as long as it's true, I guess he can be as arrogant as he wants. Nurse came in put in Catheter (1st stick and I'm not easy), started IV fluids and gave some antibiotics and happy drugs. Walked to OR and hopped on the table. Couldn't tell you much about it because I'm pretty blind without my contacts. Chatted with the anesthesiologist before lala land. Woke up briefly and remember talking to my sis. Next time I was conscious was 3 hours later and my sis had already gone back to the Marriott. She FaceTime called me and we chatted for awhile. She says I was talking nonsense and was quite entertained. Watched TV until 11pm or so and then dosed off and on until morning. Got up to pee a few times and met fellow sleever zombies in the hall . There were only 5 of us there so it was pretty quiet. The nurse came in twice to give me antibiotics and pain Meds although I never had any real pain. I was up and headed to the Marriott by about 9am. They discharged us with a pile of Meds...everything we will need for 2 months. Walked to walmart plaza twice that day and felt surprisingly good. 2nd day I walked up to Walmart again before going back to clinic to have drain dressing changed. Then I and 3 other surgery patients and our companions headed to revolucion market area. I wasn't feeling as spunky that day so I went back to the Marriott for a nap after a couple hours. Actually, other than some gas pains, we were all doing well. One gal had a rough surgery and first night because she has bad reactions to anesthesia. She knew this from previous surgeries, so the OCC staff was prepared and she ended up doing fine. The worst part about the drain was probably figuring out how to sleep with it. I ended up pinning it to the front inside of my jammy's. That way I could sleep on my back or roll on either side without crushing it. (And yes, thankfully I've been able to sleep on both sides from the beginning) Back at OCC this morning for barium swallow fluoroscopy and drain removal. Felt great to get it out. I had been feeling bloaty and crampy, and turns out it was the drain. It was very quiet this morning since they are actually closed this week. We had Dr. So, a nurse, the office manager and coordinator taking care of everything. Got a medical pass and we all got through the border in like 15 minutes. I was even able to get an earlier flight home. As for the Marriott, the staff was great. Very friendly and outgoing. The broth Soup was decent and the pineapple Popsicles were yummy. Good selection at the restaurant for companions. We had one gal that did come down by herself and she did fine, but I agree with the OP about bringing someone along. Even though everything is taken care of for you, it is nice to have help if you just don't feel up to dealing with everything. I hope everyone on here has a smooth surgery. I am SO grateful to be feeling so good...no nausea and minimal pain. Started full liquids today and am loving the drinkable yogurt suggested by the nutritionist to help replace our normal GI flora. (OP, sorry to hijack your post like this, but I'm really exited about having surgery and wanted folks to hear that it doesn't have to be a bad experience). Wishing you success!

Try different flavored shakes....I added various Mio flavors to my vanilla shakes....orange, grape, pomegranate, pink lemonade... I had "coffee shakes" by mixing decaf coffee with a vanilla shake. Added unflavored protein powder to broth...beef or chicken or tortilla soup base. PB2 is awesome mixed in vanilla or chocolate shakes. I'm pretty sure I had something different every day. You can totally do this. I spent 16 days on my preop and lost 20 pounds.

I had lettuce with flavored vinegar as a dressing. Lots of spinach. Either plain, with Unjury cheese, or mixed in with beef broth and Unjury unflavored powder for a very yummy "hamburger" soup. I also steamed green beans and mushrooms. I dipped sliced zucchini, red peppers (I know, not a green veggie) and broccoli in the Unjury cheese sauce and had the same veggies steamed in a little chicken broth one day. I had both the Unjury and Syntrax unflavored powders. They were about equal... The Unjury maybe mixed a little better. Key to mixing is make sure your liquid isn't too hot and I used a blender bottle with a wire whisk ball and never had clumping issues. Available on Amazon. I have an individual smoothie blender, but the blender bottle mixed just as well and easier cleanup. Any of the RTD shakes were too thick and sweet for me. I always added water to thin them up. Also mixed the vanilla protein with 16-20 oz of water instead of 8. I.d have a huge cup of coffee in the morning, consisting of 1 premier protein vanilla shake and 8-12 oz decaf coffee. Oh yeah, and PB2 was great. I mix 1-2 tablespoons with my vanilla Matrix powder and 20 oz of water. Very yummy. Also good mixed with a chocolate RTD shake. Variety was the key for me. I couldn't have just drank vanilla or chocolate shakes everyday. I was also taking chewable Source of Life Gold multivitamin, calcium, and iron. I will add in sublingual B12 postop. My preop choices must have been OK cause I lost 20 pounds in 16 days.

Each shake container you get with the package has 15 servings, (look at the label on the website) so no, you don't have to order 5 of them. That being said, I did not use them. I drank Premier Protein, and got Unjury and Syntrax unflavored powder to mix in any SF liquid I wanted yo. Also have the Syntrax Matrix vanilla powder that I put in my coffee, or I added different Mio flavors for a variety of flavors. Oh yeah, and Unjury Cheese Sauce which I poured over spinach, broccoli, green beans, etc. thank goodness for our leafy greens options! I seriously never had the same thing as any other day. If you choose to buy RTD shakes from the store instead of getting the Enspira package, read the labels carefully. Get high protein, super low carb shakes. Things like Atkins, South Beach, and Ensure are more sugar than anything. Most of the protein powders are OK. Isopure drinks are also good and lots of flavor variety. Actually, with all the products I bought, including vitamins, I spent more than what the Enspira preop package cost. But I had a lot more variety to work with.

Oh yeah, and passport, and cash and credit card. Have plenty of $1 and $5 for tipping drivers, You will be charged $160 for postoperative Meds at OCC and you can pay cc or cash. The stores I've been to take American dollars, but you get you change in Pesos.

Search for the dr. Ariel Ortiz and Obesity Control Center thread on this forum for hundreds of posts that should more than answer your questions. I just has surgery at OCC yesterday and am feeling pretty good. No pain, just gassy bloaty feeling. Back at the Marriott now and have already been up to walmart plaza where I picked up some Isopure Protein Water at the GNC. Gonna take a nap while my companion has lunch. Then we'll head down to the pool area for some sunshine. Key things I brought...phone and charger, ipad and charger, toiletries, my spirometer, Chapstick, couple books, t shirts, a sweater, jammys, and lounge/sweatpants with pockets. The pocket is handy for holding your drain pouch. It all fit in a carry on which I will probably check for the trip home so I don't have to lug it onto the plane. you aren't supposed to lift more than 25# for 3 weeks postoperative. And no wheelchair for the airport. The more you walk the better. Especially when flying to reduce embolisms and edema.

Three day?!? I was on it for 16 days! I was hungry and whole time and had headaches the first 3 days. Was sleeved yesterday and now the preop is a destant memory. Buck up ... 3 days is a very short investment in you new and improved future.

Slvrax glad you got home without mishap. Coopspa and I were the last two surgeries and I slept for about 6 hours after getting out of mine. Missed seeing my sister before she left. Been up to pee several times and walk the hall. Almost through that first bottle of water and had a gasX strip cause I'm a little crampy. Not bad, though, just can't sleep, so I'm channel surfing.