gigirn

Here is the directions after getting a fill at the OCC that they give to you to carry with you. Hope it is helpful. ~ Gina CAUTION: Is your band too Tight? It is if you...... Can't tolerate any solid food Can only eat "very small" amounts of solid food (painful and/or only a little stays down) Can't tolerate liquids (this is an EMERGENCY) Regurgitation of swallowed foods (PB-ing) Heartburn Night coughing or choking Repeated Pulmonary Infections. Constant upper abdominal pain worsened by eating or drinking. If you experience any of the symptoms above, Contact Us Immediately, they could appear immediately or a long time after a fill or for no apparent reason; if you decide to wait, there is a higer risk of complications. Obesity Control Center

Sylvia, You have done fantastic on your own. You should be so proud. You will not regret getting the band. It is a very useful tool. Since you are a Mizzou fan, I am assuming you are from Missouri. I am from Kansas -- Go KSU Wildcats (forget the Jayhawks)! As you know, you can find a ton of support on this forum. I just got back from having a fill at the OCC and it was just as great as the first time being there. Good Luck to you. GigiRn (Gina) :-h

Dawn, I replied to your e-mail. Hope to hear from you soon. We are all here to support you. Gina

Thanks for making me feel better about this, MamaMichelle. I just can't figure out what that burning is in my back. Any ideas? I also still feel so bloated....I thought that maybe this is why my back hurts because I am trying to hold my stomach in so my muscles are tired!!! Gina

Hey Ladies, I agree, Dr. Martinez was very handsome and was very easy to talk to. I so enjoyed my experience. It will be a week ago tomorrow already -- amazing how time does fly! Did any of you have a bad burning in your back, kinda between your shoulder blades (it feels like my back muscles are on fire). I didn't have any pain to speak of until Monday night when this started. I also have to ask....does thin liquids go right through to the lower stomach because I have a hard time sipping and I can not say I have any trouble drinking 8 ounces fairly quickly. They do not "stretch" the pouch do they? Gina

Jackynrae, Hello! Is this the Jacklyn from surgery on 4/3? This is Gina (the crazy one) who asked you for your e-mail address at the airport. It sounds like you are doing awesome. Are you all moved? I can't wait to talk to you some more. Keep up the great work, Gina (gigirn)

Hey Paula Bee! I will cherish those panties forever! I spent great time with most all the doctors! My two friends said I monolpolized them....but I am a chatter bug and very inquisitive. MamaMichelle....yes, take your book with you and try to get it signed. I left my book at home and never even thought of that. By the way, I was reading the post on "sipping water" and noticed that you said you are a "chugger" as well....I haven't had too many problems at all with liquids (I should say water/Powerade) and I am only one week out from surgery....can they stretch your pouch or do they flow on through without causing problems if your drink too fast? Gina

Hey Paula Bee! I will cherish those panties forever! I spent great time with most all the doctors! My two friends said I monolpolized them....but I am a chatter bug and very inquisitive. MamaMichelle....yes, take your book with you and try to get it signed. I left my book at home and never even thought of that. By the way, I was reading the post on "sipping water" and noticed that you said you are a "chugger" as well....I haven't had too many problems at all with liquids (I should say water/Powerade) and I am only one week out from surgery....can they stretch your pouch or do they flow on through without causing problems if your drink too fast? Gina

Yes, I did indeed get a signed pair of panties! I will try to figure out how to upload a picture of them and add them to my posts!!! Gina (gigirn MamaMichelle....I think I may need your help with this!

MamaMichelle, Thank you so much. You have done awesome. I hope I continue to lose like you are! =D> Gina

On April 2nd two of my friends and I flew in to San Diego from Kansas to have surgery at the OCC with Dr. Ortiz and Martinez. Our flight arrived on time and our driver, Fransico, was there to greet us when we arrived. We were promptly transported to the clinic and when we pulled into the underground garage Dr. Ortiz was there to greet us and help us out of the van! WOW -- is he h-h-hot or what? We filled out our paperwork with the assistance of Claudia, had our EKG's with Dr. Jimenez, and our nutritional consult with Dr. Miranda, and our blood drawn by the nurse. Each of these people were kind and respectful. After we finished this part of our pre-op we were transported to our hotel by Mrs. Ortiz who was so wonderful. The Lucerna hotel staff were very attentive and we loved Alonso. Since we arrived early in the morning pacific time, we caught a cab down to Revolution Avenue and shopped after eating our last meal at La Difference, a mexican restaurant that has a very authentic menu (Beef Tongue Tacos, Duck, fried grasshoppers). Now you know we did not pick those off the menu!!! When I asked Dr. Martinez about this menu he explained how that is a favorite restaurant in TJ and they had specialty delicacies and told me a few more aside from the fried grasshoppers that I can not remember. YUK! But I had chicken (yes, it really looked and tasted like chicken breast) that was smothered in a cheese sauce and it was delicious. We only spent about an hour on Revolution Ave. on this day before we decided to go back to the hotel and rest up for our surgery the next day. On the day of our surgery, Mrs. Ortiz picked us up at 7:45 a.m. and took us to the clinic. We then had our dental check up by Dr. Orveido so we could be cleared for surgery...they didn't want us swallowing any false or loose teeth! After this we were escorted to our rooms where we were given our gown, sexy paper panties, and compression stockings. Since I am a nurse I put on my own stockings and when the nurse came in to my room to do it, she grinned, pointed and said, "You do yourself?" They nurses do not speak much English but they are very sweet. We then got our IV's started and were given our medications. Nexium (dries out stomach secretions), Zofran (helps with nausea), and I think there was another one IV, plus we got two pills to put under our tongues, Ativan (for relaxation), and a BP pill. Not long after that Dr. Martinez came into my room and visited with me. I sure enjoyed this visit as it was very informative. He took so much time just talking and answering all my questions regarding lap band. When Dr. Ortiz came into my room he grinned and I told him he wasn't allowed. He asked me why and I told him it was because he was so handsome that he needed to leave (I think the Ativan was already at work!). He grinned big, came around to the side of my bed, plopped down on the couch, and told me I made him blush! I am not sure that is possible as I am sure he hears this often! Dr. Martinez is just as handsome.....actually they are all attractive and have personalities to match. When Dr. Romero put me in my room and gave me those paper panties, I joked and told him I expected Dr. Ortiz to sign them....Well, lo and behold, I got my paper thong panties signed "All the Best, Dr. Ariel Ortiz L". I got a laugh out of that one. I was the second person in for surgery between my two friends. I remember when they came to my room to pick me up and roll me into surgery. I remember laying on the table looking up at the lights and I remember not being able to concentrate anymore and I was out. The next thing I remember was trying to breath and feeling like I was suffocating -- my throat felt numb. But then I said to myself, relax they will take care of you, and I remember moving onto a different cart (maybe my bed) and then I was awake and up walking trips around the clinic. My two friends had a harder time recovering. I was up and moving and visiting. Dr. Acostos (?) and I had a wonderful visit. I ate my pop ice and had some broth. I slept well that night. A doctor and our nurse slept outside the patient rooms. The next morning we were taken back to the clinic where we relaxed and then went back down to shop on Revolution Ave. You can find some great bargains. We never felt in danger. I had more gas pains that night while sleeping but it was bearable. I would explain it as a tightening in the chest. GasX helps some. The next morning we got up and was transported back to the airport. The commercial line at the border is not bad....we made it through in 15 minutes. We had a 3 hour wait at the airport before our flight left. Since my return I have had less discomfort in my chest each day and am doing well. I have lost a total of 21 pounds since the start of pre-op so I am happy right now. I would also like to add that my patient care coordinator, Carolyn was very nice, patient, and helpful. Thank you to her. Now it is all up to me to make this band work. I can not wait to get a new outside me! Good luck to all you past and future bandsters. If anyone ever has a question about this procedure and the OCC I would be more than willing to answer them. Gina (gigirn)

Annie, Even though most of us here are patients of the OCC (Dr. Ortiz) it does not mean you are not welcome to join us. Please feel free to keep posting and become part of our family for support. I think that the person who asked you to state who your surgeon only meant to imply that others here would want to know so they weren't scared to go to Dr. Ortiz. Yes, he is wonderful. Again, I am sorry about your experience but you are right.....it could happen to anyone even with an experienced surgeon. God Bless, Gina

I am sorry to hear that you had to have a complication. I know that they can happen and praise the Lord that my went much more smoothly. What country did you get your band? I will pray for you to have a quick and health recovery. May God Bless you through your journey.

Ellabean, Wow! You have had great weightloss! =D> I wish you could go with us too. Keep up the good work! Gigi

Hi Tanya, :-h I am being banded on April 3rd as well. I can't wait!!! Good luck to you. Hope to see you in Mexico!!! Gigirn (Gina)

Hello fellow April Bandsters! I am not on 4-11-08 either. I am on 4-03-08 and I am soooo excited. I just wish the days away! Maybe we should start an April group as I believe there are usually only about 6 people who get banded on a single day -- at Dr. Ortiz's office. Of course you will bond with those 6 people during your stay I am sure! Good luck to all. Gina :-h