I got an email from Lori today asking me to join and share my experience with my Sleeve surgery, so here I am.

A little background: I got a band in Oct. 2005, and did not follow instructions very well. I thought the band was going to be the miracle cure; I still wanted to eat, and did eat too much. I eventually got over-filled and ended up not being able to keep down solids. I tried to get help from a gastric doc in Phoenix, but none would see me since I had surgery in Mexico. I even had one tell me he was trained by Dr. Ortiz, but his malpractice insurance wouldn't let him see me. After 6 months of throwing up I finally called OCC. By then the band had slipped, and I just wanted it off! Dr. Martinez removed my band in Oct. 2008 and I have let my body heal and, of course, went back to eating. In a year and a half I re-gained all of my weight and knew I needed help. I opted for a Sleeve because I wanted the same results but feared the band issues I had before.

I scheduled surgery on July 2nd, and had the Sleeve operation on July 12th. I was 272 when I scheduled, and 259 the day of surgery. Today I am 255, but have been on a steroid for my asthma. I anticipate that when I finish it in 4 days the scale will show it. But I am losing inches as evidenced by my clothes.

Surgery was uneventful, except that I was nauseated coming out of anesthesia. I think I needed more zofran! I had pain from the drain tube, but once they removed it Saturday morning, life was good!! The tape they used to close the incision came off the next morning, and I had to go the the ER to get the incision closed up, but that is the only issue I've had related to the surgery.

Today is day 10 post-op and I feel GREAT. But I have to say that I am doing EVERYthing I am supposed to. I am being diligent about getting enough fluids, drinking only clear or creamy drinks/soups and yogurt, and getting enough protein. I am taking a chewable childrens vitamin (for now), Viactive (calcium), and just added the B12 complex (a liquid from Spring Valley, found at Wal-Mart) and iron today. I realized today that Viactive has less than half the calcium Dr. Miranda recommended, so I will be replacing it soon.

Dr. Martinez called this morning (have you ever had a US doc call to check on you, or give you his cell phone number?). I told him I am taking in about 700-800 calories a day, and about 25 grams of protein. He said to increase my protein, which I did today by adding another slim-fast. I also saw my primary care doc in the US at his recommendation for blood pressure meds he discovered I needed during my stay last week.

My typical food intake right now is 4 oz. Activa yogurt for breakfast, slim-fast late morning, broth or creamy tomato soup for lunch, gatorade in the afternoon, and broth/soup for dinner, then another slim-fast in the evening. I am also drinking water and tea all throughout the day.

I have been so blessed to find OCC, the doctors, nurses and staff there. I have had 3 surgeries with Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez, and trust them completely. I have received exceptional care on every visit, whether it was surgery or fills, and from everyone I have interacted with. Dr. Ortiz is so positive and outgoing; he puts any pre-op concerns to rest. Dr. Martinez is the kindest doctor I have ever met. And Dr. So -- well, he's great, and those dimples!

I am happy to share my journey with you because I believe in my choice to have the surgery, and especially to have it at OCC.