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?

Exactly! I found I could not tolerate sweet after surgery. also I could make it thin with water and not lose the protein. the others were so sweet and thick. They made me ill.

Totally off subject, but has anyone heard from IndigoChild?  She was having some trouble back in mid December and I haven't seen her post since.  Worried about her! 

<p>Totally off subject, but has anyone heard from IndigoChild? She was having some trouble back in mid December and I haven't seen her post since. Worried about her! </p>

Last time I got a message was Dec 27 and she was not feeling well and was asking about Raven and I and how we were doing. I messaged her around New Years to check on her, but she doesn't come on here that often either. I'm concerned too! Hopefully she'll log on soon.

To my fellow OCC sisters in weight loss.....I hit my weight loss goal this morning!!!!!

I'm not able to communicate the appreciation I have for each of you sharing your struggles/concerns/victories on this forum. On the days when I am not at my best, simply reading your posts helps me get my mind right again. Thank you thank you for your funny stories and encouragement.

It's so motivating to watch each of you achieve your goals, whip your demons, and unleash your inner "skinny-bitch".

Cheers to you all and THANK YOU for just being here.

Congrats! And the appreciation is mutual.

HoosierGirl, congratulations on this major milestone and thank you for sharing it with us! I can only imagine how happy you are. Yay, Bat Team!!!

Edited January 17, 201412 yr by back2barb78

To my fellow OCC sisters in weight loss.....I hit my weight loss goal this morning!!!!!

I'm not able to communicate the appreciation I have for each of you sharing your struggles/concerns/victories on this forum. On the days when I am not at my best, simply reading your posts helps me get my mind right again. Thank you thank you for your funny stories and encouragement.

It's so motivating to watch each of you achieve your goals, whip your demons, and unleash your inner "skinny-b***h".

Cheers to you all and THANK YOU for just being here.

Congratulations! You are a major motivator and source of comfort not for just OCC'ers but for everyone on this forum. Thank you for your insight into this process.

<p>Totally off subject, but has anyone heard from IndigoChild? She was having some trouble back in mid December and I haven't seen her post since. Worried about her! </p>

Indigo messaged me yesterday. She's doing ok

Oh good! Glad she is doing well.

i have my surgery scheduled for this coming friday the 24th! i was determined to make a change and booked it in less than a week, did a lot of research and looked at every possible info on gastric plication. i made my deposit and booked my flight no turning back! ill be paying the surgery with my savings (6500$!). it a lot of money for me but im investing it in myself to feel better and happier with my my body. my current weight is 207 pounds (5'7) and BMI of 32.4 my goal weight is 135 pound, a good 70 pound to loose! when i spoke to carolyn she told me that the pre op diet was not really necessary for me, but i need to try to get closer to the 200 pound mark, so loose arround 5 pounds.

ill be traveling alone from Canada (am I crazy to do that?!) arriving on thursday the 23r in mexico and leaving sunday morning at noon. Really hope my surgery will go smoothly coz i have to be at work monday morning!

WY the surgery now? starting a new job, want to make a complete change in 2014 and really want to make things happen. Ive been reading all your post and its been really encouraging for me

wish me luck! on the road to a new me

To my fellow OCC sisters in weight loss.....I hit my weight loss goal this morning!!!!! I'm not able to communicate the appreciation I have for each of you sharing your struggles/concerns/victories on this forum. On the days when I am not at my best, simply reading your posts helps me get my mind right again. Thank you thank you for your funny stories and encouragement. It's so motivating to watch each of you achieve your goals, whip your demons, and unleash your inner "skinny-b***h". Cheers to you all and THANK YOU for just being here.

Congratulations!!! How exciting to hit your goal.. 9 more days until I'm sleeved, can't wait to be on the losers bench and get to my goals too

i have my surgery scheduled for this coming friday the 24th! i was determined to make a change and booked it in less than a week, did a lot of research and looked at every possible info on gastric plication. i made my deposit and booked my flight no turning back! ill be paying the surgery with my savings (6500$!). it a lot of money for me but im investing it in myself to feel better and happier with my my body. my current weight is 207 pounds (5'7) and BMI of 32.4 my goal weight is 135 pound, a good 70 pound to loose! when i spoke to carolyn she told me that the pre op diet was not really necessary for me, but i need to try to get closer to the 200 pound mark, so loose arround 5 pounds. ill be traveling alone from Canada (am I crazy to do that?!) arriving on thursday the 23r in mexico and leaving sunday morning at noon. Really hope my surgery will go smoothly coz i have to be at work monday morning! WY the surgery now? starting a new job, want to make a complete change in 2014 and really want to make things happen. Ive been reading all your post and its been really encouraging for me wish me luck! on the road to a new me

Congratulations Lila on your decision and best wishes for safe travels. And you are NOT crazy for going alone! I think a lot of people go from Canada alone. I would have been absolutely fine alone. You will get lots of rest not worrying about anyone else. When you go, you will be in a group that morning and kind of mingle that morning. You'll also be with the same people daily- sharing the same nerves and the same happiness when it's over and you're ok!

Lila - congrats on taking charge of your weight! You will do fine alone. There are many that go solo. I was at OCC last Feb 4 and have lost 92 lbs...my stats are sort of close to yours - 5'8" with a starting weight of 237. The staff at the OCC are top notch. I had a friend with me the day of surgery only. After she left, I recovered by myself and traveled home alone. The only suggestion I have is that you may still be pretty tired when you return to work since your will have surgery, little caloric intake and travel. Good luck and be sure to let us know how it goes!

Thank you for the encouragements, i really need it right now !i'm starting to get a bit paranoid, reading all sorts of cases of complications with dr ortiz, i know every surgery has its risks but i dont want to end up in a hospital bed! at least i'm aware of what i'm getting myself into. hoosiergirl & back2barb78 did you find a local doctor for a follow ups?

Thank you for the encouragements, i really need it right now ! i'm starting to get a bit paranoid, reading all sorts of cases of complications with dr ortiz, i know every surgery has its risks but i dont want to end up in a hospital bed! at least i'm aware of what i'm getting myself into. hoosiergirl & back2barb78 did you find a local doctor for a follow ups?

I had my sleeve done at OCC a month ago and I am doing great. My PCP is available for followup, but I haven't needed any. I've actually had really good postop communication with OCC with questions I've had with meds. I feel they are probably my best "first line of defense" since it's what they do and they know way more about the procedure and aftercare than my PCP. Actually, my OB/Gyn is on board as well and she will be doing my 3 month followup bloodwork since that's about the same time as my annual PAP.

I am also really curious as to what complication cases you are finding with Dr. Ortiz. I researched for 6 months before surgery and couldn't find anything serious. (Leaks, strictures, infections, etc.) Of course, I was researching gastric sleeve, not plication, so what you're finding may be different. Different surgery with different set of complications. PM me if you'd like.