36 Years Old, Low BMI, 3 Kids Later and I'm Taking the Plunge with Ariel Ortiz, OCC - Mexico

Nothing too new to report. I'm doing really well with my liquids. I grasped for the first time yesterday that I will never be able to guzzle water again. I have to be vigilant about drinking small sips all day. I have times where I want to take a big gulp and that just really hurts. I do feel thirsty and can't totally quench it. One can of soup lasts about 6 meals which is pretty crazy. I am being pretty careful not to do too much at once. The thought of this isn't pretty but I have totally chewed and spit out a few things! I need to be better about my probiotics and protein. I hated the shake and probiotics I had so I'm just waiting for my new ones to arrive. I had my surgery Thursday and on Monday I was home with my 1 and 3 year old all by myself until the evenings when my husband gets home. I do more up and down than I would like to but I am very careful not to carry them. I think we've already taught my one year old how to crawl in and out of her crib...that one I won't appreciate soon! :) OCC only gives prescription pain meds for 5 days after surgery. I have been taking ibuprofen here and there. I'm not in pain but my incisions are definitely still sore with all my ups and downs. Attached please find a photo of my awesome group that all had surgery the day I did, my not so attractive photo of the incisions after 6 days, and a photo of Dr. Ortiz and I. (Note: In the group photo the gal on the far right had the sleeve one year ago. She looks amazing and has been such a wealth of information to me. She is 54!!! She brought her mom in to be sleeved. Her mom was a bit dehydrated and was back getting fluids so she sat in for her mom in the photo.)

I made it home this afternoon and I'm feeling pretty good! Head hunger has settled in but I know I'm not really hungry! I have to admit that the first couple days (Thursday and Friday) were very rough for me but that quickly changed. I think my body was having a reaction to the anesthesia so I was throwing up literally anything I tried to drink for the first couple days. Once that got through my body, it has been a 180. I am fine drinking water, popsicles, protein shakes/yogurt (today is the first day I'm allowed), and have been loving tea. For whatever reason broth just isn't sounding tasty to me. The warm tea soothes my tummy so much. Highly recommend. I caught Dr. Ortiz in the lobby the day after my surgery (I had to go back and be checked from my nausea) and really enjoyed him! He is a genuine caring man and truly the best of the best! I heard through another patient that he donates $1,500 of every surgery to a children's autistic hospital in San Diego that is named after his 10 year old daughter who has autism. Loved that! 5 of us had surgery on 8/20 and I was so blessed to be a part of a wonderful group. We all exchanged emails and spent quite a bit of time at the hotel and walking Tijuana. The day after surgery I was in my hotel room for the most part and walked in the halls. But the day after that (we were discharged Saturday AM after our swallow test even though they want you to book a flight for 3PM the following day) I went with some of the people in our group and we went shopping on Revolucion Avenue for an hour or two. While I was at the clinic I met at least 3 people that were there with either friends or family who had had the procedure themselves 1-3 years previously from Dr. Ortiz. They all looked great which was very encouraging. Referrals are the best piece of evidence. Even though I know I wanted to do this, I was really quite scared the day off surgery. I am bouncing around with my thoughts but I wanted to mention that Dr Martinez is also wonderful. When I was so nauseous the day of surgery (I was 2nd of 5 people), he saw me and he came and sat with me and talked in my room for at least 15 minutes. That impressed me. Kristen is who you meet when you first get there and also who discharges you - she is sweet and kind and wonderful. I met with the male nutritionist (forgot his name) and really liked him and the guy who did my EKG. Everyone was really great and there really wasn't a language barrier. I posted a few pics of me the night prior and will take a few of my incisions soon. There are 5 total. I did not need a drain. I am not in much pain - stay on top of your meds and all is great. It is a little weird to feel so out of touch with your stomach and not really know your limits but I know that will all come in time. It is so important to practice positive thinking. This isn't easy but I know it will be worth it and constantly remind myself and talk to those in my support system.

I fly out early this evening and will hopefully be at the Marriott by 10:30 tonight and report to OCC by 6AM. I'm so excited to have this past me. I'm truly so happy thinking about how this will change my life. As the hours get closer I'm trying to stay positive but find myself scared of all the "what-ifs"! I hope to post some before photos very soon and will continue to do so. I haven't been a rockstar on my preop diet. I've lost 6lbs of the 10lbs they wanted me too - not horrible and not great. The shakes were literally making me gag!!! I need to switch brands postop. I'm on liquid only diet now which is hard and I've been okay. I caught myself stealing a bite or two from family. Really working to have strength in the final hours. Prayers please! :) ?