Soooo I just got my confirmation e-mail from my surgeon's office. Kinda freaking out right now, in an extremely good way. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, I have hope again. I had been so depressed for the past year, I had given up on myself; everytime I attempted a new diet, I'd lose 20 pounds and gain back 30-40. Since January 2015, I ballooned up from 2220-230lbs to nearly 275lbs. I stopped going out (except to work), gave up on my appearance (except for makeup; I used to be a makeup artist, so it's my creative outlet).

Anyway... I got approved for the surgery date I picked, guys! I asked for April 4th. Since 4 is my lucky number, I thought 4/4/16 was pretty much a sign from above that it's meant to be!

I picked Dr Ariel Ortiz at the Obesity Control Center in Tijuana as my surgeon. I had a phone consultation with him last week, seems like a great guy. Excited to meet him in 3 weeks!

I could bounce off the walls right now! STOKED!!!!!!

I went to OCC too and had a great experience! Congrats for making this decision to turn your life around. I think a lot of us can relate to having just completely given up for a while. The good news is, you didn't stay there and wallow. You found and committed to a solution and you are going to have your life back!

I went to OCC too and had a great experience! Congrats for making this decision to turn your life around. I think a lot of us can relate to having just completely given up for a while. The good news is, you didn't stay there and wallow. You found and committed to a solution and you are going to have your life back!

I am! It feels weird knowing that the "fat" part of my life is almost over. I've been overweight most of my life, I have no idea how it feels to be healthy. I've been humiliated and frustrated by my size countless times. I can't wait for my life to actually BEGIN.

I can't believe how many great comments I've seen about OCC. I was really paranoid at first, so I researched like crazy, and they really seem top notch!

Congrats on losing 100+lbs! That's INSANE! How did you find the experience? How was the transition to a new lifestyle?

That's my date too! And I too ballooned from 230-ish to 277 in a years time. I'm so ready to be trim and fit!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Congratulations! The same here..275lbs ...just got my stress test and Echo done today.....All I have left is the sleep study...fingers crossed.

I am getting my surgery in Texas next to where I live.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

I went to OCC too and had a great experience! Congrats for making this decision to turn your life around. I think a lot of us can relate to having just completely given up for a while. The good news is, you didn't stay there and wallow. You found and committed to a solution and you are going to have your life back!

I am! It feels weird knowing that the "fat" part of my life is almost over. I've been overweight most of my life, I have no idea how it feels to be healthy. I've been humiliated and frustrated by my size countless times. I can't wait for my life to actually BEGIN.

I can't believe how many great comments I've seen about OCC. I was really paranoid at first, so I researched like crazy, and they really seem top notch!

Congrats on losing 100+lbs! That's INSANE! How did you find the experience? How was the transition to a new lifestyle?

It definitely took some adjusting. I had the usual buyer's remorse in the first week or two, but felt a lot better once I could eat more solid foods and get more calories in. Then I had a little period once I was on solid foods where I was frustrated I couldn't binge eat to cope with my emotions anymore. I still wanted to binge, but I could manage so little food, that it wasn't satisfying. I had to learn to process my emotions without food. I'd say by about month 4 I was really in the swing of things and found my new "normal". Life's been really good since then!

That's my date too! And I too ballooned from 230-ish to 277 in a years time. I'm so ready to be trim and fit!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So am I! I've been ready MY WHOLE LIFE! haha

Where are you getting your surgery, if I may ask?

Congratulations! The same here..275lbs ...just got my stress test and Echo done today.....All I have left is the sleep study...fingers crossed.

I am getting my surgery in Texas next to where I live.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Awesome! Did you get your surgery date, yet?

I went to OCC too and had a great experience! Congrats for making this decision to turn your life around. I think a lot of us can relate to having just completely given up for a while. The good news is, you didn't stay there and wallow. You found and committed to a solution and you are going to have your life back!

I am! It feels weird knowing that the "fat" part of my life is almost over. I've been overweight most of my life, I have no idea how it feels to be healthy. I've been humiliated and frustrated by my size countless times. I can't wait for my life to actually BEGIN.

I can't believe how many great comments I've seen about OCC. I was really paranoid at first, so I researched like crazy, and they really seem top notch!

Congrats on losing 100+lbs! That's INSANE! How did you find the experience? How was the transition to a new lifestyle?

It definitely took some adjusting. I had the usual buyer's remorse in the first week or two, but felt a lot better once I could eat more solid foods and get more calories in. Then I had a little period once I was on solid foods where I was frustrated I couldn't binge eat to cope with my emotions anymore. I still wanted to binge, but I could manage so little food, that it wasn't satisfying. I had to learn to process my emotions without food. I'd say by about month 4 I was really in the swing of things and found my new "normal". Life's been really good since then!

That's extremely encouraging to hear. I binge a lot, too. Huge, ginormous portions and lazy food choices are my main problem. I know how to eat properly, and my parents raised me on healthy foods (just big portions) -- I'm so thankful I don't have to start from scratch and learn to like veggies.

I'm hoping to find a sport I like as a new emotional outlet to replace food.

Quick question... I'm going to call the OCC nutritionnist tomorrow, but what did you do for pre-op? Did you use the Vitaleph stuff they recommend? I live in Canada and I don't know if it'll get delivered on time before next Monday (2 weeks before surgery). Plus, it's expensive AF...

I'm in Canada as well and getting Surgery on 4/4/16 but I'm getting it don't here in Toronto at humber river hospital RNY...that's so exciting congrats!

I'm in Canada as well and getting Surgery on 4/4/16 but I'm getting it don't here in Toronto at humber river hospital RNY...that's so exciting congrats!

Awesome! Congrats to you too! I looked into getting mine done in Canada as well, but it was about double the price, and the bariatric surgeon in my area had really shitty reviews. Toronto must definitely have a lot more choice!

I am getting it covered by OHIP for free. If you go through your family doctor and qualify for it they will cover it.

I am getting it covered by OHIP for free. If you go through your family doctor and qualify for it they will cover it.

I'm in Quebec, sadly. Our waiting list (IF you get approved) is currently 5-10 years. Ain't nobody got time fo that!

Quick question... I'm going to call the OCC nutritionnist tomorrow, but what did you do for pre-op? Did you use the Vitaleph stuff they recommend? I live in Canada and I don't know if it'll get delivered on time before next Monday (2 weeks before surgery). Plus, it's expensive AF...

I didn't use the Vitaleph shakes, just the multi-Vitamins. I still use the vitamins, actually. I don't do their Calcium or B12 or probiotic (I use other brands for those), just the multi-vitmain. I buy the 4-bottle package once every few months. As for the shakes, I had the nutritionist email me some guidelines for calories, carbs, Protein, etc. so I could buy shakes locally or make my own.

Today was busy! I shopped for flight tickets, and after HOURS of research, I managed to find some that fitted all my criteria, dates and budget. I'll be leaving two days earlier than planned, so we can enjoy the nice Baja California weather a bit longer. I also arranged that my mom and I (she'll be accompanying me) have a day to explore San Diego before we fly back. We'll probably just do a hop-on hop-off bus tour, nothing too intense or crazy. A little walking will be good for me, too.

I went to the bank to wire my deposit and balance for the surgery. Got my receipts, it's done! All paid for.

Spoke with the nutritionnist on the phone. He said to start the pre-op today. I already had had quite a bit of carbs today, so I decided to officially start tomorrow. I sorta know what to expect, I've done Ideal Protein in the past, and it's very similar to the pre-op guidelines they gave me.

I also went to the GNC near my house (supplement store) and bought Vitamins, Protein powder and other supplements OCC advised me to get. That stuff is so expensive! It's insane! But it's for a good cause, right?

I feel like the pre-op diet is going to be LONG (already dreading the liquid post-op!). But I'm really excited to finally get sleeved. D-Day can't get here soon enough.

It feels great when you can start focusing on all the preparation and details. Makes the big picture seem less daunting and let's you just be excited. It sounds like you have a nice trip planned. Hopefully you'll be feeling pretty okay by the time you are back in San Diego for that extra day. You definitely won't want to do anything too intense. I stayed an extra night in San Diego on my way home out of necessity. None of the flights back to my home town left late enough in the day for the OCC shuttle to get me to the airport. So I had to stay at the Holiday Inn near the airport and take THEIR shuttle the next morning to catch an early flight. I honestly don't know how much sightseeing I would have been up for. I just hung out in my room and took a couple naps. I did sit outside for a little while, because the weather was amazing.