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?

I posted another thread but thought I'd ask here as well...

has anyone done Plastic Surgery at the Ariel Center at OCC? I scheduled a couple of procedures there based upon the good sleeve experience I had, but haven't seen much as far as feedback for the plastics part of the practice. I did have Juvederm with Dr. So while I was there in December and he was great but that doesn't tell me about his surgical skill.

Thanks!!!

Good question! I hope this gets lots of responses, I'm interested to see the answers.

I'm questioning my sanity right now...just booked my sleeve surgery for March 10! So excited and nervous all at once, but I know I need this, and more importantly, my three sweet girls and husband need this. I want to be my best for them!! HoosierGirl & backtobarb78 have been a driving force behind my committing to this surgery. Thank you so much for all of the useful and encouraging information! All of you have really inspired me...ready or not, here I come OCC! Lol anyone who will be having surgery the same day, it would be awesome to have a buddy

Ellie - wow! Good for you scheduling your surgery! The weeks before surgery are the craziest time of all...so many unknowns and worries about the diet, travel...so I completely relate to where you are at! You are giving yourself and your family the best gift. Today, I weighed 141. It's incredible how great I feel and I know you will too. Feel free to ask questions as you count down the days.

I'm questioning my sanity right now...just booked my sleeve surgery for March 10! So excited and nervous all at once, but I know I need this, and more importantly, my three sweet girls and husband need this. I want to be my best for them!! HoosierGirl & backtobarb78 have been a driving force behind my committing to this surgery. Thank you so much for all of the useful and encouraging information! All of you have really inspired me...ready or not, here I come OCC! Lol anyone who will be having surgery the same day, it would be awesome to have a buddy

I am leaving the 10th!!!! Going to be sleeved on the 7th.

Hey girls I have a question... I have a cold that is kicking my butt! What do you take to help that? I want to take NyQuil soooo bad!

Going to OCC March 6th and surgery March 7th there out of the Enspira multi vitamins so do u guys think that these would work? Folic acid calcium one a day women's and iron I'm excited I need to know if I continur these or stop and start something else. Surgery in exactly a month and 3 days.

I think your vitamins are great. I just took Flinstone vitamins with iron preop and extra iron.

So close to my pre-op goal of 260. I'm 264 right now, I've lost about 10lbs since last Monday but now I've kinda stalled. I think I'm eating too few calories. In the beginning of last week I was eating about 1000 calories but I'm not that hungry anymore and only eat about 600. Gonna add the greens back in my diet for the next few days and see if that helps lose the last few. I fly out on Saturday for San Diego and surgery is on Monday. Can't believe it's finally here!

Good luck to you Covatila! You'll do fine

I'm questioning my sanity right now...just booked my sleeve surgery for March 10! So excited and nervous all at once, but I know I need this, and more importantly, my three sweet girls and husband need this. I want to be my best for them!! HoosierGirl & backtobarb78 have been a driving force behind my committing to this surgery. Thank you so much for all of the useful and encouraging information! All of you have really inspired me...ready or not, here I come OCC! Lol anyone who will be having surgery the same day, it would be awesome to have a buddy

Ellie you saying that makes me so happy because of how supportive all the "OCC vets" were of me and my nervousness preop. I just knew I had lost my mind when I sent them my deposit and wondered what the hell I was thinking going to Mexico for surgery. I started having panic attacks right after and 100% this site, these women, particularly this thread has been amazing for me and snapped me out of it and from there it was nothing but positivity until the doctor was putting me under on the table. I'm happy for you and know you will soon be losing weight so fast you won't believe it! It will be life-changing for you and your family.

Ellie you saying that makes me so happy because of how supportive all the "OCC vets" were of me and my nervousness preop. I just knew I had lost my mind when I sent them my deposit and wondered what the hell I was thinking going to Mexico for surgery. I started having panic attacks right after and 100% this site, these women, particularly this thread has been amazing for me and snapped me out of it and from there it was nothing but positivity until the doctor was putting me under on the table. I'm happy for you and know you will soon be losing weight so fast you won't believe it! It will be life-changing for you and your family.

^^ This. I am so thankful for this thread. I personally never had anxiety or doubts. But in particular, Back2Barb's recount of her experience came at the perfect time, a couple months before I set my date at OCC. I printed it off and gave it to my parents to read. Here was a woman describing her experience that wasn't an ad or a paid representative. It was enough to help put my parents at ease, and that's a big accomplishment.

So thank you B2B

Just gotta say I totally agree with mouse! I called my mom and read B2Bs posts to her!!! Thank you for paving the way for us and putting our scared nerves at ease! You rock!

I'm so glad my posts helped. I'm happy to say too I am now nearing the 100lbs lost mark from my highest weight (5lbs to go!!). I remember looking at that weight ticker wanting to cry thinking how long it would take to get to my first goal of 220lbs. Now I'm 18lbs from that goal!! It's absolutely insane! I'm sitting here with my legs crossed which I started doing a couple months ago after not doing it for years. I'm so happy Best decision I will probably ever make in my lifetime. I'll be going back to the OCC in May to get an EGD done. Hopefully Dr Ortiz will be there so I can get another photo for comparison.

Edited February 16, 201412 yr by back2barb78

I'm so glad my posts helped. I'm happy to say too I am now nearing the 100lbs lost mark from my highest weight (5lbs to go!!). I remember looking at that weight ticker wanting to cry thinking how long it would take to get to my first goal of 220lbs. Now I'm 18lbs from that goal!! It's absolutely insane! I'm sitting here with my legs crossed which I started doing a couple months ago after not doing it for years. I'm so happy Best decision I will probably ever make in my lifetime. I'll be going back to the OCC in May to get an EGD done. Hopefully Dr Ortiz will be there so I can get another photo for comparison.

Awesome!! What an achievement, you best give us pictures ASAP!

100lbs is my goal, I'm over half way there three months post op and I'm 8 pounds from Onederland!

I'm so glad my posts helped. I'm happy to say too I am now nearing the 100lbs lost mark from my highest weight (5lbs to go!!). I remember looking at that weight ticker wanting to cry thinking how long it would take to get to my first goal of 220lbs. Now I'm 18lbs from that goal!! It's absolutely insane! I'm sitting here with my legs crossed which I started doing a couple months ago after not doing it for years. I'm so happy Best decision I will probably ever make in my lifetime. I'll be going back to the OCC in May to get an EGD done. Hopefully Dr Ortiz will be there so I can get another photo for comparison.

Wow! Congratulations B2B! I am very proud and happy for you! Keep up the good work! You must be thrilled!

 

I'm questioning my sanity right now...just booked my sleeve surgery for March 10! So excited and nervous all at once, but I know I need this, and more importantly, my three sweet girls and husband need this. I want to be my best for them!! HoosierGirl & backtobarb78 have been a driving force behind my committing to this surgery. Thank you so much for all of the useful and encouraging information! All of you have really inspired me...ready or not, here I come OCC! Lol anyone who will be having surgery the same day, it would be awesome to have a buddy

Ellie you saying that makes me so happy because of how supportive all the "OCC vets" were of me and my nervousness preop. I just knew I had lost my mind when I sent them my deposit and wondered what the hell I was thinking going to Mexico for surgery. I started having panic attacks right after and 100% this site, these women, particularly this thread has been amazing for me and snapped me out of it and from there it was nothing but positivity until the doctor was putting me under on the table. I'm happy for you and know you will soon be losing weight so fast you won't believe it! It will be life-changing for you and your family.

 

I'm questioning my sanity right now...just booked my sleeve surgery for March 10! So excited and nervous all at once, but I know I need this, and more importantly, my three sweet girls and husband need this. I want to be my best for them!! HoosierGirl & backtobarb78 have been a driving force behind my committing to this surgery. Thank you so much for all of the useful and encouraging information! All of you have really inspired me...ready or not, here I come OCC! Lol anyone who will be having surgery the same day, it would be awesome to have a buddy

Ellie you saying that makes me so happy because of how supportive all the "OCC vets" were of me and my nervousness preop. I just knew I had lost my mind when I sent them my deposit and wondered what the hell I was thinking going to Mexico for surgery. I started having panic attacks right after and 100% this site, these women, particularly this thread has been amazing for me and snapped me out of it and from there it was nothing but positivity until the doctor was putting me under on the table. I'm happy for you and know you will soon be losing weight so fast you won't believe it! It will be life-changing for you and your family.

B2B-you have taken the words and thoughts right out of my head and mouth. I'm having a hard time conceiving that it may be possible for me to lose a substantial amount of weight, even like 50lbs. It's just crazy to me that a medical procedure can turn your life around that much. My plane tickets are booked, and I'm sooooo excited I know you were super prepared for your surgery, so I was wondering if you may have some pointers on what I will need to pack? At the end of this week I will be starting my preop diet...nervous about it but I'm determined! Also, what kind of medicines did they send home or give after. Pain medications tend to be very rough on my tummy, so I'm concerned about that with just having had surgery to create a new stomach...I just don't want them to make me sick, and in the past they have and I was unable to take them. However, if my recovery goes as good as everyone says, then I will hardly have any pain

Ellie, I wouldn't worry too much about the pain meds. None of it was narcotic and all I needed postop was liquid Tylenol. I'm going to PM you my packing list. It's a bit much and I know you won't need it all