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?

So nice to see so many Canadians on here. I am from BC and was sleeved on July 1st in Mexico. Good luck all

Ariel Ortiz at OCC is fantastic. I had great care, have had a great loss and no complications. With Dr. O. and his team, you will be very impressed with your results. Good luck!

I am going to Dr. Elias Ortiz as well on September 25th! I wish you luck! Keep us posted

Dr Elias Ortiz November 2nd. Anyone else around that date?

That's wonderful you've lost 9 already just follow what they say do and the weight will come off. I weighed 325 to start and I was 299 lbs on surgery day.

I've read a few places in the forum that the scale at DrOrtiz weighs MUCH heavier than others?

Is this true or are people trying to scare me!!!! LOL

I've read a few places in the forum that the scale at DrOrtiz weighs MUCH heavier than others?

Is this true or are people trying to scare me!!!! LOL

I actually think it was the opposite. I was at least 5 pounds lighter on their scale than when I had weighed at home 2 days earlier. And was 11 pounds more when I weighed myself at home 5 days postop. I figured the huge fluctuation was water weight (fasting preop and IV fluids/ swelling postop) but I guess it could have been the difference in scales. Huh, maybe MY scale weighs heavy

I've read a few places in the forum that the scale at DrOrtiz weighs MUCH heavier than others? Is this true or are people trying to scare me!!!! LOL

I don't feel like the scale weighed heavy at all, it was right on point with my scale at home.

Don't worry so much about the number, just do what they advise & you'll do just fine!!

I'm going to a lighter me Sept 13, anyone else going that week??? Surgery is on the 14th with Dr. E Ortiz, and I'm going alone.

Edited August 17, 201411 yr by Cody's mom

I'm going to a lighter me Sept 13, anyone else going that week??? Surgery is on the 14th with Dr. E Ortiz, and I'm going alone.

I was sleeved four months ago today (and am down 52lbs) I went through ALM and had Dr. Ortiz also. I went alone, flew in the day before surgery and stayed at the hotel. There wasn't anyone else being picked up at the airport when I was but I met people as soon as I got to the hotel. I went to the restaurant in the hotel for my broth that evening and was seated next to a group that were post op and leaving the next day. We talked about their experience, which calmed my nerves.

I brought some reading material and sat in the lobby, a lot of sleevers & supporters tend to hang out there so it's pretty easy to startup a conversation with someone. You will meet the people being sleeved the same day when you meet in the lobby for the ride to the hospital. Our little group walked to a nearby restaurant where the sleevers had broth and the supporters had a feast!

I had no pain after surgery and no gas issues (although it took one gal a couple of days to start feeling like her old self) We walked down the street from the hospital to a convenience store after having our IV's removed before we were picked up to go back to the hotel. We picked up Gatorade and juice to take with us and the next day walked up to Walmart. I really could have left a day earlier but it was nice to have that last day as a vacation to sit by the pool, read and nap.

Good luck!

Thank you so much!

Awwwwwwwwe thanks guys People were starting to make me so damn paranoid!!!

SweeDee, I was 300 the day before at home and 299 at the OCC. Like Ressa said just doing what they tell you, you should be good. There's no way doing the preop diet eating salads and calorie free dressing you won't lose weight.

Sweetdee when is your surgery date? We should be there around the same time.

My date is on September 2nd, starting the diet today, need to lose 15-20 lbs preop.. Are you getting the sleeve done? My parents are hell bent on trying to get me to switch to the sleeve plication but I don't like what I've been reading about people regaining their weight within a few months to a year.

I'm sleeving on Aug 31 I don't know enough and don't feel comfortable myself with plication. So I chose sleeve

I started my pre-op diet yesterday and I'm not gonna lie. It sucks pretty hard core already. I have a low-grade headache going, but don't want to take anything for it on an empty stomach. And I am super sleepy. I'm way more sleepy than hungry right now. If you offered me a choice between a pizza and a nap, I'd choose the nap hands-down. I'm pretty worried about having the energy to keep up with my workouts. Hopefully my body will adjust and I can make it through these last two weeks at work.