sprocket

I'm scheduled for 11/14. Can't wait - so excited!

Only 17 days until my surgery. It doesn't even feel real yet... after struggling since May trying to get my UHC insurance to approve surgery, OCC has seemed like such a breeze in comparison. I wish I'd known about them back in June when I received my 2nd insurance denial. So much time wasted. But, bright side, I think surgery in winter - at least when it's not boiling hot - is probably somewhat easier to handle. In other news - the 3 shakes plus greens gets old very, very quickly. But it sure works.

Perhaps if they are having problems getting a PCP to accept them as patients, it would be best to not start out with the "surgery in Mexico" bit. After the fact, the location where you had surgery is pretty immaterial. I had my gallbladder removed in 2006 (in the US), and while I certainly tell doctors that I had it removed, no doctor has ever asked the name of the hospital or where it was located.

In some of the OCC docs, I know they said they may have different requirements for people with higher BMIs. I don't know what your BMI is, but it may be because of something like that. I'm supposed to do the three shakes and greens for three weeks prior to my surgery date also.

You'll lose weight all over, so that includes face, nose, ears, etc. I can't wait to lose fat in my fingers and toes. However, cartilage continues to grow until the day we die - so noses, ears, etc. do get bigger the older we get, naturally.

You might want to check out this topic. Lots of good information regarding going to OCC, what to expect, packing list, etc. http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/261806-dr-ariel-ortiz-and-obesity-control-center/

I would stick with what you like and know. If you look at the Vitaleph shakes online and compare them to Premier Protein, they are similar. From what I understand, the NUTs recommendation to purchase VItaleph, is just that - a recommendation. They probably get some sort of financial kickback, so it makes sense for them. I don't think Vitaleph is a bad product, but it wasn't one I was willing to invest in at this point. From a previous post in this topic, someone said that OCC doesn't check to see if you purchased Vitaleph, so it shouldn't be an issue. The NUT hasn't ever asked me either.

The NUT also gave me a range between 13 - 26 lbs to lose pre-op. Equates to 5 - 10%. She asked that I check in with her (via email) weekly to let her know how much I've lost. Her email also said to let her know of any problems with the diet or if I wasn't losing, so we could discuss it.

I didn't buy the Vitaleph. Without being able to taste test it first, I wasn't going to invest that much money. I found comparable vitamins here at a local vitamin shop. If you are looking for a good protein shake, I'd recommend trying Premier Protein (Costco and Walmart have them). I really like the chocolate flavor. They come in vanilla and strawberry, too, but those flavors are too sweet for me. The ready-made shakes are the only way I can go, otherwise I don't drink them. So far the shakes during the day and greens for dinner method has been working for me with strategic use of low-sodium broth to curb any cravings. And lots and lots of water to stave off the hunger pangs and flush out the fat. I lost 5 lbs last week, so it seems to be working all right.

I've finally finished reading this entire thread/topic! So much good information and really calms the nerves. Like most have posted, Hoosier's blog and everyone's posts here helped me make my decision to schedule surgery with OCC after being denied by my insurance for not having qualifying co-morbidities despite a BMI over 40. I'm scheduled for VSG on Friday, 11/14/2014. So excited!! Working on losing the required pre-op weight now.