Ok, I have paid my deposit!!! I am going to the amazing OCC!! The deposit is nonrefundable so it looks like I’m going through with it! The reality of it hasn’t really hit yet. This is literally life changing. But to be honest I’m terrified. I’m not scared of the surgery. That doesn’t bother me at all. It’s life after the surgery that scares me. How do I do “thin” or smaller in general? I’ve always been the thick or big girl. I know how to act and how to expect others to act when I'm big. So after this surgery when I lose a bunch of this excess baggage how do I adjust? Is anyone else scared of who you’ll become after surgery?

Welcome! I'm having my surgery at OCC as well. My date is Sept. 1. I know how you feel. The surgery itself doesn't scare me at all, it's how my life will be forever changed afterward. I'm not so concerned about being "thin" and having to adjust to that. I guess I don't really truly believe I WILL be "thin" yet. I know I will be thinnER. I just know I will never again be able to eat an entire pizza, or pig out on all-you-can-eat shrimp at Red Lobster, or eat an entire enchilada platter at my favorite Mexican restaurant. That's the part I'm having trouble giving up. I know that sort of thing it why I got to this point in the first place, but I've derived so much pleasure and comfort out of eating like that in the past and it's tough knowing I will never do it again.

Also, 6 days into my pre-op diet, I'm scared I won't survive then next 9 days, but that's a whole other story...

There are two drs with this last name. Why did you pick this dr. Better hospital? Better credentials? Less money?

There are two drs with this last name. Why did you pick this dr. Better hospital? Better credentials? Less money?

Ariel Ortiz and Elias Ortiz are two very different doctors. Ariel Ortiz has a more established reputation, but is more expensive. I chose Ariel Ortiz and Obesity Control Center for their outstanding international reputation and the fact that you have access to an entire support team for questions and information, including a patient coordinator, nutritionist, cardiologist, radiologist, and of course the surgeons themselves.

I also read the entire 80+ page thread on these forums from Ariel Ortiz' patients and after reading about all of their experiences, I knew he was the best choice for me.

Edited August 25, 201411 yr by JamieLogical

Yup, OCC sounds like the preferable option.. I am going to check in with them today.