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'm laying on the bed at the Marriott.

Pooped.

Zero sleep last night and a day full of travel.

Time to relax before surg tomorrow

Night all!

Good luck tomorrow ladies

Good luck tomorrow ladies

Thanks we are at OCC now and just waiting .....

Good luck to you and Jamie... im thinking about you two... hugs

I'm in my room now, just waiting for the nurse to come hook up my IV then it's off to surgery. Catch you on the flip side!

Good luck to you and Jamie... im thinking about you two... hugs

Thanks !!!!!!! Excited! There are 2 ladies here who had the surg on friday. They are both doing awesome:)

I'm in my room now, just waiting for the nurse to come hook up my IV then it's off to surgery. Catch you on the flip side!

Still in the waiting room , tic toc tic toc

Still in the waiting room , tic toc tic toc

You and Jamie are in my thoughts :hugs:

Best wishes & prayers to each of you at OCC today!! I was there aug. 1 I can not believe the amazing changes in 30 days...do not worry for one moment, you all are in great hands & will do well!

I month after surgery I am 22lbs down and my clothes are in need of replacement!!

You all have so much to look forward to!

Good luck ladies!!!! Prayers headed your way!!

Well, I'm sleeved! Sorry for not posting earlier, but I just got my laptop going again. As far as I know, everything went fine.

A young male nurse who didn't look a day over 17 drew my blood for tests and put in my IV. He was very nice and did a great job. He also gave me liquid Xanax to calm my non-existent nerves.

Dr. Ortiz came in and chatted with me a bit before the surgery. We talked about bariatric vitamins, what foods to avoid even when I'm back to solids (he is not a fan of dairy in general it seems).

By the time they came to take me to the OR, I was pretty out of it from the Xanax and sleep deprivation.

They took me to the OR and the anesthesiologist introduced himself and then I woke up and the surgery was over.

That was definitely the worst part. Coming out of anesthesia. My mouth felt like it was filled with 100 cotton balls, I was drifting in and out of sleep, and I was moaning a lot. I don't know why I was moaning other than how torturous it was breathing in with my mouth so dry. So on every exhale I was moaning from the discomfort of breathing I guess? I also had a headache.

They came and put meds in my IV for the headache and I finally got some ice chips. That helped some with the dry mouth, but it's now hours later and even with sucking on ice chips and sipping water constantly, I still feel thirsty.

I've been up to walk to the bathroom a few times and I've walked around the room and down they hall some as well. Just sleeping on and off between walks.

I have a lot of burp-inducing gas, but it's not painful. I occasionally get a pretty strong cramp, but it always goes away quickly.

I guess that's everything. Oh, I am working on eating my second popsicle of the day right now.

Aren't the popsicles delightful!!! Lol. Glad you made it through welcome to the other side buddy.

Sleeves for everyone!!!!!

My cuz, my boyfriend and I are all done. I've had to stay a bit longer due to some vomiting. Nathaniel the young looking nurse came and gave me some meds to help but other than that I'm ok.

The worst of the pain was I threw up.

Everyone was nice and supportive.

DrOrtiz spent about 40mins with my group chatting. It was nice, he's a very energetic confident man.

Going back to the hotel soon I hope!

Thanks everyone

Hi everyone! I'm scheduled for my sleeve at OCC January 8th 2015! I'm so excited! Read this entire thread and it's really helping me feel so confidant in my decision! Keep posting, it makes all the difference for those of us pre op.

Congrats Swe_dee and jamieLogical. Glad to hear it went well. Wishing you guys quick recoveries. Very exciting!!!!