Mackenzie

Hi everyone! I thought that I would write about my expierence at the OCC to help put future lap band patients at ease! I was SO skeptical about going to Mexico for surgery, paying by paypal, etc. Especially hearing my best friends reaction on having surgey in Mexico...however I still had faith in Dr. Ortiz and his team. My husband and I flew in from Florida on the 26 and was picked up right on time. There was another lap band patient on our plane who was picked up with us as well. It was about a 20 minute ride from the airport to the OCC where we turned in our original paperwork, signed some more papers, got out picture taken for our ID card, and then started our pre op. First of all, yes we had to wait a bit, but that is to be expected. Second, the blood work was a piece of cake, the heart and lung test was easy, and the meeting with Dr. Miranda the nutrionist was one on one and as informative as you want it to be. The clinic was very nice, looked just like it does in the pictures on the website. From there we went to the hotel. The hotel is nice...I would recommend to ask for a room on the quiet side! Since it was cool at night in TJ the hotel did not have the AC on and it was so loud to have the door open!!!! My husband and I dropped off our bags and went to the rest. since I had been fasting all day! (BY THE WAY, PEOPLE DO GET SENT HOME IF THEY DO NOT LOSE ANY WEIGHT! ALSO YOU HAVE TO FAST!!!!!! FYI). We got an appetizer and some pizza and for dinner I had a salad that was SO GOOD! The next morning Mrs. Ortiz picked us up at around 730 and off we went. We waiting a bit for the other patients to be released and our rooms to be cleaned and then we were called back one by one. The private rooms were great. The bed was comfy and there was direct tv (with HBO!) The place was spotless! I was instructed to change and remove my jewlerly. Then the nurse came in and started my meds. Ive always had a hard time getting an IV started and this was no exception! She tried 4 times, and finally got it! That was a bit painful. They also gave me some oral meds that disolve under your tounge. Dr Martinez and Dr ortiz both came into my room- they were so nice and caring. Asked if we had any questions and then just had some small talk with me and my hubby. I was totally at ease! Then I was ready. I walked into the surgery room and everyone was moving SO FAST! I layed down- they strapped my hands down and then I realized that he had already started my anethesia! I saw 4 of everything- then i was out. I did wake up rather quickly- i was still in the OR and they were just finishing glueing up my incisions- i also still had the tube down my throat. I was a bit startled about that. Then they wheeled me back into my room and I was pretty alert. I watched TV and then about an hour later I was helped by my nurse to get up and walk around. I did get a little nausua (SP?) after walking so they gave me more meds. That night I just enjoyed the TV and the nurses, and the comfy setting. After my 3rd bag of IV fluid, they removed the IV (but let the port in to give me one more round of pain med and anti nausea meds before being discharged) After the IV was removed I changed into my PJs and went for another walk. They gave me a sleeping pill and I went to bed around 11. I was discharged around 9 the next morning and taken back to the hotel by Mrs. Ortiz where my husband was waiting. Our flight home was at 1030 PM on friday and we got dropped off at the airport at like 1PM!!!! WE WERE AT THE AIRPORT FOREVER. I was a bit mad about that....-- after 24 hours of being in the airport, I am at home. SORE. I think that long day of traveling might have been a little much. I do have gas pains in my stomach and its very uncomfortable.. Ive been burping a lot, and its pretty painful. Sitting for a lot period of time isnt fun. I am very pleased with everyone at the OCC. I met a lot of nice people! I am struggling with not eating. I dont think Im hungry but its just emotionally hard. VERY HARD. I think that this struggle of not eating (well it will last for about 3 more weeks) and then I can eat again, but never like I used to...and that is something that is hard to think about.... I hope that this puts anyone at ease about the surgery, it was fun. I want to go back bc the OCC was that nice!!!! Good luck! Mackenzie

hahahaha- yeah its a chore! the smoking wasnt tooo bad- i think my brain was consumed with the food. If you dont own a scale (like me) buy one! it will give you a little motivation with every pound lost! And my tip for the smoking, do with it what you want, dont put yourself in a situation that you know you would want to smoke! For the first weekend i stayed home away from my friends and bars bc i knew i would want to smoke! this weekend I went to a friends house for a few hours and then went home, very proud that i didnt have a beer or a cigarette! I dont know how much you smoked...i probably smoked like a pack and 1/2 a week...so i wasnt a heavy smoker...really only on the weekends! good luck. i will post about my surgery next weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ps i did the slim fast optima shakes- the cappicino delight i really enjoy! i bought 2 more cases for my post op diet. and you maaaay want to start the pre op a little early to leave room for slip ups bc God knows I had them ;o)

MY SURGERY DATE IS WEDNESDAY!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED AND NERVOUS...NOT NERVOUS FOR THE SURGERY ITSELF, BUT FOR AFTERWARDS. FOOD IS AN ADDICTION FOR ME AND THAT HAS BEEN PROVED DURING THE POST OP DIET. I HAVE CHEATED (A FEW TIMES...) BC THE URGES WERE JUST TOO STRONG. I QUIT SMOKING WITHOUT A PROBLEM...BUT FOOD IS A DIFFERENT STORY! I HAVE LOST ABOUT 8-10 POUNDS ON THE PRE OP DIET WHICH IS BETTER THEN NOTHING, BUT IM STARTING TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS NO CHEATING AFTER 2/27! I AM SO SICK OF FOOD, LITERALLY, THAT IM ACTUALLY EXCITED THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EAT FOOD- ONLY LIQUIDS! I JUST THINK EVERYDAY THAT THE WAY I WILL FEEL OUTWEIGHS HOW FOOD MAKES ME FEEL BC IT ONLY MAKES ME FEEL FOR FOR A MINUTE. I CAN OVERCOME THIS- AND I HOPE THAT ANYONE ELSE BEGINING THIS JOURNEY, WHO FEELS LIKE ME, WILL REALIZE THAT THEY CAN DO IT TOO! GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!!! 2 MORE DAYS!

its feb 24th! where is the rest of the post! haha My surgery is wednesday and Im hoping that this will be the last post I read before heading out to TJ from Florida!

i think we all understand where you are coming from. I have told my mom, my husband, and my best friend that I am actually going to mexico. the other people that know think its in san diego. not that i CARE what other people think, but its extremely aggravating hearing OMG are you crazy-- MEXICO? My best friend thinks its a big hoax and that no1 will be there to pick me up! Good luck to you, dont mind those other people, just polietly tell them that this is a decision that you are happy with and you hope they can respect that. Good luck! Mackenzie

"shampoo" we may be on the same flight to san diego! hahah that would be funny. "kissyfur" my husband and I are both bringing medium sized bags. Im just bring comfortable clothes- a pair of jeans, sweat-pants, comfy pants... i checked the weather and its supposed to be like mid 70's and low 50's so ill bring a sweatshirt and long sleeves too. I read on here to pack as light as possible bc going over the border they had to xray EVERY bag and the lighter you pack the faster we get thru. We will both have a bit of space left in our bag in case we buy some stuff..sooo pack light! see you there! my surgery is the 26th (we leave on the 29th) but if your hubby is around he can hang out with us the night of your surgery! we will be just hanging at the hotel -mackenzie

my husband and i are flying back on the 29th(friday) but we land on saturday i just hope that the flight isnt full so we can spread out! I went to a weight loss camp a few years ago in la jolla cali and lost 30 lbs there adn then another 50 on my own by working out and eating right. then i tore all of my ligaments playing bball and couldnt exercise.sooooo i gained all of that back plus some haha Im 21 so im glad that i am doing this now bc i cant stand to wait any longer. how is the preop diet going for you? its been a little tough for me but ive lost about 10lbs...also had to quit smoking, drinking diet coke and drinking beer (for now at least) soo i think ive done pretty well.

oh thanks a lot, you too! i know its going to be a long trip back as we are flying on the red eye...not many good flight options unfortunatley but thats ok..im still excited! good luck ;o)

i am flying out of Sarasota on tuesday!!! I CANT WAIT! see you soon!

i am on zoloft and my surgery date is set. when you fill out all the papers for the occ you have to list the medications you are on.... no one called me back re: me taking zoloft so id imagine it will be ok. i think a lof of that has to do with what you eat, and how fast you eat it from what i have been reading

different places have different policies. I work at outback one night a week and adults are allowed order off the kids menu. Some places have it written above the kids menu items that you have to be 12 or under so that might be a place where the card would come in handy. Just be sure to leave a few extra dollars if you do order of the kids menu OR split a meal bc as a server that is my pet peeve!

if you bring someone with you the occ pays for the room that night as well

AFTER SURGERY, CAN YOU DRINK AS MUCH WATER AS YOU WANT OR DO YOU HAVE TO RATION THAT AS WELL?

i know a lot of things that i am happy to never eat again because i dont like the way they make me feel and I know how important it is to have every meal packed with nuitrients(sp)! However, i would like to know what has been a problem food so i can put that on my list too )

Dont be scared!! Being over weight/obese is much more dangerous than the surgery. Dr. Ortiz is very qualified- My surgery is next wednesday and I am 100% confident in him. I cant wait for food not to rule my life- also to be healthy, thin and adventerous....and once i get pregnant i want to be a cute pregnant person..not a whale! ) dont stress over it- send your deposit, book your ticket and be exicted!

Obviously cheetos and pizza arent practical for any healthy lifestyle...however I was just wondering what some of the foods that havent agreed so well with you and your band. Ive read pasta, and bread..but what else? Id love to learn from other people than making the same mistake! Thanks!

im am sure we will get a chance to meet! I am getting excited! when do you fly in? We get in around 10:30am to san deigo (im coming with my husband)

i LOVE the slim fast optima cappacino delight and the creamy milk chocolate!!! Very good!

My surgery is sch for feb 27 and im just wondering if everyones exp is like this....or if she was just unlucky? i guess i will just have to go there with a lot of patients!!!!

that last diet coke was great! my new found love is about a gallon of water a day plus a few glasses of unsweet tea or green tea- im suprised im not floating everywhere! I think that since Ive stopped drinking diet coke now I wont restart after the 6 month mark. I am not sure about smoking yet...we will see how i feel! As for beer, Im sure I will enjoy a bud light once in a while but not like i used to as I dont want any empty calories! Anyway- i cant believe that this is really happening. I dont think Ill believe it until I wake up from surgery! CANT WAIT

my surgery is the 27th. I cant wait! I have quit smoking as of 2/10 and quit drinking on the 10th as well- the doc. can tell if you have smoked a lot by your blood. and alcohol is a blood thinner which obviously you do not want during surgery! I think that just taking it easy, at home, is a good idea..bc i know if i am around my friends im going to want to drink and smoke...and eat! bc last night they drug me out to outback. I had a salad and grilled chicken with rice..but still. I am VERY nervous about losing this pre-op diet but sometimes the urges are just SO strong! i HATE It!

HAHA! hanna! that is funny, only because i know exactly how you feel! haha seeing your every day friends or every weekend friends is ok...but people you ahvent seen in a while!? no thanks! every time my friends come down from school, i just dread them seeing me. I cant wait. I slipped up a few times myself and i dont even own a scale- so im pretty neverous about losing all of this pre op weight! see you soon! Mackenzie

I am sch for Feb 27th and at first I was nervous..but then I realized what I should have been nervous about is my health! being overweight is SO much more dangerous then going through surgery. Dr. Ortiz has NO pending lawsuits against him and have never lost a patient(as i knock on wood). Lori suggests that you stay one extra day at the hotel and rest and then go home. My flight is back to florida so it will be a long day but Im confident that I will be fine. As for telling people, the people I have told are close friends, and I have told them all that it is in San Deigo. The reason i did that is bc i told one friend and she FREAKED OUT. I am 100% confident in Dr. Ortiz and his team. The only thing Im nervous about is the blood work the day before! ) Good luck- DONT WORRY! if anything be EXCITED because your journey is about to begin. What i do suggest is start the pre op diet like now. That way if you have some slip ups you arent freaking out, like myself! I also quit drinking diet coke and smoking and drinking and it was just a lot all at once. so if you do any of those you have plenty of time to start! haha I would even suggest doing a slim fast for breakfast and lunch and a regular dinner for a week or two since you are about a month pre-op if i remember correctly! anyway good luck. I find that browsing thru the forum helps to answer a lot of questions and give me a lot of knowledge!

Good question- i am wondering the same thing about how my hubby will get back from the hospital to the hotel and how he will get back to the hopspital the next day or if I will just meet him back at the hotel in the morning (as i hear you get released pretty early). Also, how long of a ride is it from the airport to the hotel? Ive heard its only a few miles but takes a few hours!!! I am heading out there on Feb 26, surgery on feb 27th and heading home late on the 29th! I CANT WAIT! Good luck to you too

So this may be a stupid question..however you can tell how confident I am in Dr. Ortiz if Im wondering if I can wear nail polish or not! Nail polish? Toe nail polish? Whats the scoop?! Thanks