I am back from my surgery and wanted to give updates.
I/we (my husband and I) left on the 13th and was picked up by the medical van. There was another couple inside which was refreshing. We talked about how we found Dr. Ortiz and I told him about the vertical sleeve blog.
We arrived to the border and was told to get out of the van with our belongings and go through the X-ray and touch a button. If was it was green then we were in without having our bags checked. We passed and didn't have to show any ID. We waited for the van to pull around and literally in minutes we arrived at the OCC.
It was surreal reading and looking at videos on line and then boom! Here we were standing at the front desk. We checked in and Dr. Ortiz was buzzing around. He has a million dollar smile.
After checking in my name was quickly called and I was sent to the nutritionist. I liked her immediately. She took my height and weight and they asked a series of questions and calculated my weight goal. Then went through a presentation of info that was helpful. She basically referred to my new sleeve as a babies tummy. Which makes total sense. You have to eat slow, drink slow or you will throw it up. :) which is just like a baby.
I then went back into the waiting room and they called me again to meet with another Dr. He asked more health questions and did a EKG. I was good to go.
Then my name was called to get my blood work done. It's hard for anyone to fine a good vein but they did. She did not speak very much English but was super nice and got it on the first try and I was sooo happy.
Then I waited and they called my name and I got my room. I got into the gown, hair net, paper undies and they started the IV.
I was then ready to rock. I had help walking to the operating table. The removed my nail polish off of my right index finger and started the meds.
I woke up hours later and kept asking my husband, "is it over??". I asked this about three or four times. At 7pm my husband was told he had to leave and it's their policy so I can rest and sleep. I was so out if it! He didn't want to leave but he needed rest as well.
I woke up in the middle of the night and had to pee very badly and called for help. I was in pain and needed more meds. I was dizzy and feeling out of sorts. Once I got back into bed I was better and woke up to my husband at 7 am.
At that time I felt sore on my left side, throat was sore and felt tightness where the drain was in. All was normal. I stayed in the room for most of the day and then about 2ish they removed my IV and I changed into my clothes and went to the Marriott. I took sips of water and ordered broth and took easy the rest of the day and took the meds.
I woke up feeling still sore on my left side and my throat was better. I went back to the OCC they weighed me and made sure everything was on track. On the way back a bunch if us went to Walmart and bought a few things and then back to the room and I went to rest.
The next morning I took the shuttle and they did a leak test which I passed then they removed my drain!!! I felt SO much better. I was soooo happy!!!
We went back to the hotel and packed up and checked out. We got into the van and headed to the border. The driver has this down. He had a wheel chair in the back and told us to go to the front of the line and we did. Showed them our passport cards and then we were picked up taken to the airport.
I wake today feeling good and so happy this went well and look forward to being healthy!!!
Loves y'all !
