I've read mostly positive posts about Dr. Ortiz and OCC on this and other forums. A few people don't seem to like his "celebrity" status and I did find some older complaints about their bands. Anyone out there with bad experiences or complications with their sleeves from him?

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

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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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...

 

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!

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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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.

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.

 

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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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.

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...

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!

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!

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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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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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.

It's getting closer.

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.

It's getting closer.

It is getting closer!!

I can't swallow pills so taking 4 vitamins daily is so not my thing. I would have to mix them into the shakes. I'm not hungry yet either, but everyone keeps offering me food! It's weird! Cupcakes, candy, peanuts, cookies, chips (but one doctor I work with always gets his lunch tray and gives me his baked lays so that always happens), etc. What a mess!

I put kale in my salad for lunch since I looked online and it was the best leafy green but I don't think I want to do that again-not so good

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