Jenn

Just wanted to say Congrats !!!! My daughter Cassie had her's done at age 13 with the OCC. She is now 18. What a life she is living since she had it done. No regrets, and she is a proven sucess. She is the one in Dr. Ortiz book and the Oprah Show. We took other family memebers down to have the surgery as well and all of them are doing great and moving at thier own pace. Again.... Congrats !!!

The journalist said it is called Womens Magazine. Have you heard of it? Thanks Jenn

Hi Everyone, Just letting everyone know that a British Journalist contacted us and already did an interview with Cassie and I. The photographer will be out Friday afternoon. The interview went very well. He was very pleasant and he saw the Oprah Show. He said he also interviewed the girl that had Lipo to have her weight reduced. So it will be very interesting to see her interview as well. Paul (the jounalist) said he would send some copies of the magazine and we will put them on MYSPACE so everyone can see the pics and the story. Oh by the way, I get to do my own hair so I know I will look better then what I did on TV. LOL..... Love You All,

Congrats and truly enjoy yourself. Tell Dr. Ortiz , Dr. Martinez and the staff the Cassie and Jenn from the Oprah Show said hello !! You will just love them. They will take great care of you and your family going along. Relax and again truly enjoy yourself.

cant wait to find out the final results because Im ready

He is in favor of it on adults, on the show not for teens. THey glorified natural weight loss and put down those who chose another way. If my child gets a job in thier own way I congradulate them as long as they got it done. He did not care that Cassie was happy and healthy. He knows how minor this surgery.

AWH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is such a sweet compliment. I can't wait to tell Cassie. Thanks Jenn

Linda, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You !!! For those patients who met Cassie at the OCC during their surgeries, they would tell you she is young lady beyond her years. She is so kind to everyone being on both sides. Cassie was told over and over that this is a tool and she has to do the work. It was not just take her down, here ya go and your done. Mentally she was prepared because she had to want it and Dr. Ortiz interviewed her and he said she is definately mature and ready. Cassie has talked to other teens and so open about everything. Cassie did not want implants, or lipo she just wanted to be healthy and happy and that as a parent is all we want for our precious children. Thank you again Linda for your support and your respect. Jenn & Cassie

Hello Sunnee, You are so right !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOOK AT THE PERSON !!!, I don't think Dr. Oz has dieting in his whole life. When you never tasted chocolate how can you talk about it !!! Cassie showed her maturity on the show in front of millions. OCC and I are truly proud of her. Thank you for your support. Jenn

Hello Evette, I had compasion for some of the audience members because they did not understand what the LapBand was. For those who have never struggled over dieting they seemed to be out of touch and could not grasp what the real true ending to this story was. Cassie is Healthy, Happy and is not a damaged Teenager. She has lived a normal life. The surgery is reversable, minor and is only a tool to help you suceed. Dr. Oz was not supost to be on the show and did at the last min. There are erros he said about the lapband because he did not do his studing. The ore he was confronted the worse he became and he was mad after the show ended. For the Pediatrics doctor she was brown nosing him the whole way and it was like Dr.'s know best. Well if they do then why do they miss so many diagnosis! They had an interview with Dr. Ortiz but they cut it out. It was really funny!! Many doctors here in Colorado have seen Cassie and know she is the best and one doctor strted doing Lapbands just becasue of her sucess. I also told the Ped. Doctor "What makes you the expert now, because you did one Gastric Bypass surgery on a child that can not be undone so simple and now your the expert to say anything over Lapband. She said they first approached her and she did not want to do the Gastric on a child. But the money and benefits must of been worth taking it on because she she they had to talk her into it. I'm glad you are knowledgeable in the LapBand to see through Dr. Oz. HE is Oprah's puppet and Oprah has to promote him because that is her creation. Thanks for the support,Jenn & Cassie

Cheryl, We are there for Kelsey and for any future Teen Bandsters !! They deserve a normal life. I hope both are doing well and please tell them Hello from us and if they are in San Diego again, we are often there as well and we would love to meet them. Jenn

Hi Paula, Your comment gave me goosebumps. Over and Over they asked me to explain how I felt going into Mexico and just like most of you , your SCARED !!!!! Well I was too and taking a child there. But Cassie was not your ordinary child like you said Paula, she is very rounded and was ready. It is sad how the show cut Dr. Ortiz's interview out, because when we were on stage they did show it on a big screen but when it aired there was so much cut out. So THANK YOU. We love all of you guys and it has changed Cassies life and why should another teen not enjoy a teenage life of fullfillment and joy. Dr. Oz was very rude after the show. He angry that we were confrontational and he was not supost to be on the show, he stopped in at the last min. They asked us if we minded and who would of thought he would of started attacking Cassie. We just took Senior Pictures of Cassie and you will not beleive how fabulous she looks. The photographer worked for NIGHT line AND HE SAID She should do modeling and that he wants to do her portfolio. Everyone is different, that is how God made us and for him to judge her was ridiculous. Paula, Great big hug to you !!! Jenn

[color="#000080"] Darlene, Thank you for the support !!!!!!!!!!!! Jenn & Cassie [/color]

Cassie went through all kids of testing with Children's Hospital to see if there was an underlying issue. All tests showed negative and once again she was told to diet. If you see the amount of food that you eat with a lapband around 1/4 of usual meals per day. I now understand why it is such a struglle to loose the weight. Cassie's BMI had to meet Dr. Ortiz's requirements which it did. He asked to see records of all her testing and if she had any medical problems. He also ingterviewed her and tape the conversation between them because he wanted Cassie to know that this was a loife changing experience and the work ahead of her was not going to be easy that this was just a tool to help her but she was to do the work. After interviewing her, he said she was indeed ready mentally and she was mature for her age. To know Cassie everyone would agree. She is very mature and works hard at everything she does. After surgery Cassie was on a strict fluid diet. After that she was allowed softer foods which also included vitamins and she drank protein drinks. Whith such a loss of intake of food you need to supplement with the vitamins and make sure you eat healthy. Cassie eats healthy every day, yes we all sneak in a hamber here and there due to busy schedules , but what they diplicted on the tv was very inaccurate of what she eats every day. She eats very well. We did return to Mexico for her first fill because again it had not yet come to the US and no one knew anything about the LapBand. She was everyones lil pioneer. Her fill was quick and simply under xray. When she returned to the States a friend of mine who is a nurse watched her progress because the doctor she worked for knew that the FDA would approve it soon in the statesfor adults only. So eventually Dr. Smith from Colorado and several other doctors went to Mexico to be trained by Dr. Ortiz. Dr. Ortiz's requirements have changed some since Cassie had her surgery so you may want to talk to Lori the Coordinator. She is a lovely lady who will answer 150 questions if you have them. Cassie and I went in and actually witnessed a surgery. It is very simple, quick and very inavasive. It is just the hard work you must do afterwards. Your so used to eating solids and normal portions of food that you really have to have amind set on small, small. Your just feeding your body to survive. You also feel the fullness, like most people are affraid they will starve and have that starving feeling after eating like a normal diet does. 95 % of the time if you follow the rules and eat correctly you will feel full. Cassie sits at a table a eats so gracefully because she has to chew and take her time as the food goes down. For the rest of us, it is like we are like shoveling. She has taught me to slow eating down so my tummy will have time to tell my brain it is full. We eat so fast it does not have that time. We just received a letter along with many others on thanking us for being on the show and how they have gone to Dr. Ortiz and had the surgery and then taken their families in too (Which we took my sister in-law and nice in just 3 months ago) but the letters are so greatful and life changing.this was a re-air of the Oprah Show. It first was shown back in Feb. and I can not tell you how many people have gone to Dr. Ortiz and had the surgery. Casie had a normal High School life because of the surgery and we would never change a thing.

This is just one of the many letters we receive. I just had to share just one of them because it just brought tears to our eyes and we are truly greatful to all we have touched through the Oprah Show and just emails. Just wanted to let you know you and Cassie are an inspiration to my family and I. My son is 13 was up to 290. Him & my wife were banded by Dr Ortriz on 7/2 and I'm getting banded Thursday along with my sister-in-law. I read all about Cassie on the BLOGS and that's what made me look to Dr. Ortiz. Last night we watched the two of you on Oprah. Just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration and hope for us all. Mike Fishell

Well Michelle, Since I have personally met you I thought how beautiful of a person you are!!! I must also say you are so beautiful in your wedding pictures. OK, your just beautiful period !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! jenn

Wow !!! Will be the word you use when you get on the scale, when you see your friends, when you go shopping and for the rest of your life. Here is my Wow to you.... WOW YOU MADE THE RIGHT DECISION AND CONGRATS TO YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love It... these are great !!!

I like the name of Kittycats Cat ...LOL Reminds me of someone very special to me....hum one hint.. she was on the Oprah show. LOL

Cara, I just have to say that if Cassie saw your Avatar she would be kissing your Avatar all over. LOL

Were you sleeping when he told you that !!!LOL !!! I took my neice and sister in-law in and also actually witnessed a Surgery for the taping of the Oprah Show and he did stich.

You know I think the best part of this forum is just looking at all the smiling faces on the Avatars and how they have lost weight. So Smiley !!!! Love It !!!!!!

was an obese teenager. And in spite of a lifetime of diets - losing and gaining all the while - I am an obese adult. I don't think that story is unique, in fact I think its a plague. I had gastric bypass surgery last October and my only regret is that I didn't have it sooner. At age 12 I was 5 feet tall and weighed well over 200 pounds. I was attending Weight Watchers at that age - the only young person in the class - but nothing helped for any length of time. Subsequently I have spent a lifetime of struggle, emotionally and physically. My self-esteem, my enjoyment of life, my health and well-being have all been damaged along the way. Now on the verge of turning 50 years old - I was finally able to make a permanent change with surgery. I wish it had been an option when I was young. I think it's even more difficult to lose weight if you have been overweight from a young age. It's possible that I never learned good habits, but I don't think it was for lack of me trying or my mom trying. My 3 siblings have no weight problems, never have. Isn't it also possible that the mechanism that tells a person they are full doesn't work (never worked? stopped working?) in some people due to a physical, emotional, or unknown disconnect? Whatever the reason - I've never been able to maintain a weight loss for more than a year. And I've done ALL the diets from WW to Optifast to "boot camp" and everything in between. Again, not a unique story just a frustrating one. Dr. Oz's distaste for young people having this surgery seems a bit short-sighted to me. He cites the fact that no one knows what the consequences may be 20 years down the road... ability to have children, for example. But we do know what 20 or more additional years of obesity will do to a person. Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, back/knee/joint problems, fertility problems, dangerous pregnancies, sleep apnea, etc. plus all the resulting consequences AND costs of all that. Additionally there is the host of ongoing and compounded emotional issues. Isn't Dr. Oz's concern that there are unknowns down the road true for all "new" life-saving or life-changing procedures until they become accepted and considered the norm? Case in point might be that young football player, Kevin Everett, you had on the show recently. As I recall the cold therapy the doctor administered was controversial and not the norm. But that treatment is now credited for the miracle that this man can now walk. Are they worried about 20 years down the road? In addition, Dr. Oz doesn't seem to be taking into account that parents have been making serious (and often unwise) decisions about weight loss for their kids for many, many years. When I was young I saw kids around me whose parents sent them weight loss boot camps (some lost weight, most lost and then gained it all back plus), put them on diet pills (mostly over-the-counter and meant for adults), hounded them and berated them, while still others had their jaws wired shut!! Was that the way to go? Well, since we have the increased obesity problem we have - obviously not. Today, parents are making these surgery decisions for their children with the assistance of physicians. Like with any surgery there must be an individual analysis of costs, benefits and risk. I have no doubt that these all weigh heavily on the minds of the parents and the doctors. There will always be people who can lose weight on their own, or with the assistance of a diet, and keep it off. But it is abundantly clear that there are many millions more who cannot. Surgery is not everyone's answer, teen or adult, but dismissing it as an answer for anyone, teen or adult, is an equally flawed view. Reply