Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the OCC

[Vetniemeer 36]

Hey- one question. How much cash did you bring/ should I bring with me as far as money needed for incidentals at the OCC?

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Love the batcave and Poison Ivy, def...you'll rock that outfit by next Halloween :-) LOL

Re cash - I was v generous with tipping (or so I was told) but they did take such good care of us that I felt it was right. So make sure you have some $5's and singles for tip money, especially for the hotel concierge and drivers. I also had to pay $165 on checkout of the OCC for prescription meds (I thought it would be $125 - was pleased I'd taken enough). The lollipops from room service suck (IMO) so I bought iced popsicles from the little store in the hotel (cash). All in all, I think I took $200 in cash with me and I didn't have any left when I got home. We walked up to Walmart and around a few of the open markets too, so if you want to buy some trinkets, you'll want a few $$'s for that. I just did it for the exercise and didn't buy anything. Hope that helps. If you have questions or concerns, I'd be happy to chat with you over the phone. You can send me a private message with your number.

[HoosierGirl 780]

BAT CAVE!!!!! So funny!! Glad you were able to talk with them....and are excited again.

[back2barb78 890]

Thanks everyone. I assume they do all of their tricks in the Batcave with all their fancy instruments, gadgets, and state of the art gizmos. I hope they whip my tummy into shape with all their weaponry.

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[ringo4 38]

Getting closer to my surgery date. November 1st. Anyone veterans with Dr. Ortiz who want to give advice in what to bring? I'm trying to pack light...

 

[Vetniemeer 36]

Getting closer to my surgery date. November 1st. Anyone veterans with Dr. Ortiz who want to give advice in what to bring? I'm trying to pack light...

Congrats ringo4 - yes, pack light. Loose fitting clothes (I took far too many, not necessary at all) a couple pairs of pants, t-shirts and comfy shoes. I recommend pants with a drawstring and also a pocket, so I could put your "egg" (drain) into it and not have to hold it or secure it with the waistband, because you'll want to walk around as much as possible. Chapstick (lips gets dry after the surgery and all the tubes etc). Light sweater- the evenings can get cool. If you take sneakers, I couldn't bend, so no laces unless you have someone who can do them for you. I took the usual toiletries but the hotel does provide them so I could have left my Shampoo & conditioner home. I took a pillow with me for the return flight (for my belly) - my travel was long: 6 hr flight and 2 hr bus ride. Hope that helps - good luck with your surgery, you'll do great!

[back2barb78 890]

I have another question and its about the Enspira products. I started my 15 day liquid/leafy green diet today and just wondering who used Enspira shakes an who didn't. How are they? The Unjury products so far are okay. I don't want to take 4 Vitamins a day or mix a nasty Vitamin in my shake.

 

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[raven123 97]

I ordered the pre op package but it hasn't come yet. I'm using Premier Protein shakes with 30 grams of Protein and Unjury.< /p>

[back2barb78 890]

I ordered the pre op package but it hasn't come yet. I'm using Premier Protein shakes with 30 grams of Protein and Unjury.< /div>

 

Ok. Im also using the Premier and Unjury and also the Atkins shakes to mix it up. I'm not too fond of the Premier but the others taste fine. I think I'm going to get my Vitamins from Unjury and get Enspira shakes for the second week. I've been trying these shakes for weeks now-maybe that was a bad idea But I'm going to strictly adhere to the diet so I'll be as close to 10% down as possible.

 

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[raven123 97]

I'm working on sticking to the guidelines too. I agree about the taste of the Premier shakes. I'm using them for the high Protein count. right now my worst problem is that the Multivitamin I have makes me nauseous. I ordered the Vitamins form OBCC. I hope they are better.

[IndigoChild 27]

I have another question and its about the Enspira products. I started my 15 day liquid/leafy green diet today and just wondering who used Enspira shakes an who didn't. How are they? The Unjury products so far are okay. I don't want to take 4 Vitamins a day or mix a nasty Vitamin in my shake. {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

Hey Barb,

I ordered the chocolate Enspira shake just to get me started (I'm having one shake a day until I start my two week program hoping to jump start my weight loss...). The Enspira shake is ok... Just ok. It doesn't taste really that bad, but it's really hard to mix, clumpy. I bought one of those shake mixing bottles from Wal-Mart and it helps break up those clumps. One thing I did notice about the Enspira shake (I'm a label reader) is that the shake mix contains a form of colostrum... And just the idea... I don't know, kind of grossed me out! (I'm a NICU nurse...) Lol...

[HoosierGirl 780]

Getting closer to my surgery date. November 1st. Anyone veterans with Dr. Ortiz who want to give advice in what to bring? I'm trying to pack light...

 

Bring elastic waist pants to have something to tuck your drain into. I brought 2 pairs of jammies with elastic waist and two pairs of yoga pants. Obviously undergarments and shirts - oh and slip on shoes are great so you don't have to bend down to tie them.

 

If you are able to get to Wal-Mart near the Marriot, get some Vitamin Water and/or Gatorade G2 and leave in the hotel refrigerator so you have something to drink when you are back at the hotel. It goes down so much better than water!

 

Programs on TV are mostly in Spanish, but I did pay-per-view some movies. Should have downloaded a couple on the iPad. Oh and I wish I would have brought a nice long novel with me. Other than that, you will be set! Good luck!

[slvrsax 301]

I just paid my deposit and am completing paperwork for December surgery. I plan on using Premier Protein. I have to say - the pre-op gives me a bit of anxiety!

[back2barb78 890]

I'm working on sticking to the guidelines too. I agree about the taste of the Premier shakes. I'm using them for the high Protein count. right now my worst problem is that the multivitamin I have makes me nauseous. I ordered the Vitamins form OBCC. I hope they are better.

 

Yesterday I mixed a Premier with about 1/2 cup of coffee in the morning and it was ok. I'm doing that again today.

 

Yesterday I took my vitamins with my leafy greens and my tummy wasn't very happy. I'm taking 2 flinstone with Iron vits, one additional iron (no dog blood transfusions for me Hoosier), a colace twice a day, and a B12 ODT. I wasn't nauseous, but the vits just didn't sit well- like if you've ever taken an iron pill on an empty stomach but not as bad.

 

When I ordered my Enspira, the Multivitamins were sold out. Maybe that's why your things are taking a while. I ordered just one of each shake flavor.

 

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[back2barb78 890]

 

Hey Barb' date='

 

I ordered the chocolate Enspira shake just to get me started (I'm having one shake a day until I start my two week program hoping to jump start my weight loss...). The Enspira shake is ok... Just ok. It doesn't taste really that bad, but it's really hard to mix, clumpy. I bought one of those shake mixing bottles from Wal-Mart and it helps break up those clumps. One thing I did notice about the Enspira shake (I'm a label reader) is that the shake mix contains a form of colostrum... And just the idea... I don't know, kind of grossed me out! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> (I'm a NICU nurse...) Lol...[/quote']

 

Really... colostrum?! I'm an OB nurse! Most of the hospitals I've worked at are small so I do everything- bad babies... The whole shebang. I guess they heard it was liquid gold and wanted to put some in! BTW one of the places I work is Baby Friendly, and our LC is OBSESSED with liquid gold. That's so crazy

 

I've asked others already but since you're a nurse and you understand those days when you just don't get breaks, how long are you staying off work? Youre NICU, so you obviously dont work at a really small hosp, so just wondering. I'm not interested in going back to work too fast. I KNOW I will not have time to go off and SIP with patients laboring and walking in the door (small hospitals you literally have to do everything). I wonder if they are flexible with allowing you to take more than 3 weeks off because I know if I don't, I'm going to end up in the ED. I want to be as stable as possible before I go back to work. When Dr M said that I should've asked if they would let me take more while I had him on Skype- darn it.

 

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[raven123 97]

Today I took the Vitamin with the shake instead of Water before and it was much better.

I'm not too hungry today.

I like the idea of mixing the shake with coffee.< /p>

It's getting closer.