MimIN

Reading back on the previous posts I am kind of embarassed, lol. When I panick there is no hiding it. I must admit that the first 10 minutes or so I was at the clinic I was still apprehensive. Carmelita didn't have the plug ready for my IV thing and I was bleeding all over the joint, I almost got up and walked out but my friend Kim kept me at bay reassuring me that it was an accident and could have happened to anyone. Dr. Ortiz is great. He has a great bedside manor, he sat in my room like we were old friends as he explained the process. My friend Kim that came with me has a morbid curiosity for things of gore (jk) and asked if she could come in the OR and watch - with my permission Dr. Ortiz said YES! I thought that was very cool and was comforting knowing she was there watching over me every step of the way. Carmalita kept me laughing as she constantly doted over all of us there. I sent her into a panic a few times as a flailed my IV hand around, maybe afraid of a repeat of our first IV encounter;) Over all it was a wonderful experience and I would do it again tomorrow. Right now I am sitting at the Kansas City airport awaiting my connection - now I can't wait to get home! (2 more hours)

I was banded 9/27/06 by Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez. This was by far the best experience of my life. I was in and out in no time at all. All the staff were fantastic, esp Carmalita and Sandra. They both kept me entertained. It is really hard to believe that finally after all the work and wait I am banded! I love everyone at OCC, this has changed my life.

I didn't die:) However I am here in Tijuana at the hotel with time ticking by and I'm nervous, but it is an exciting nervousness. I was suppose to have pre-op today but apparently that was changed last minute and we were brought directly to the hotel. Hotel is modest but nice and all the staff are great. The change in plans gave me a chance to heat to Revolution street and do some shopping. So far so good, I've had a ball bartering prices for stuff I totally don't need and even found a dentistry place that does flash tooth whitening for $50! that is 1/10th the cost it is back home so my friend and I are heading back to Revolution street Thursday:)

Today is a better day. THanks everyone for your supportive replies; I know I'm just being stupid. I do know this is what is right for me. After going home I had a long talk with my boyfriend, we decided money doesn't mean anything if your not happy and I'm not happy so no matter what happens with job etc this is the right move for me. I am fortunate to have him as my voice of reason. I am still nervous but I wouldn't be me if I wasn't. I always think the sky is falling, lol.

Anyone getting banded on or around the 27th? I will be arriving from Indiana on the 26th for pre-op, surgery on the 27th and home on the 29th...

Here it is, today marks 1 week until surgery. I faxed in a a copy of the certified check today and after I hit send I thought to myself "What the h#ll am I doing!?!" All my savings... POOF gone, for what?? So then I go into panic mode, call my boyfriend who tells me to make up my d*mn mind and decide what I want. I know this is what I want but the lengths I have taken to get here are unreal. I have fibbed to my boss about why I will be gone and I haven't told my lead anything. I am afraid the timing is bad as the company I am contracted out with is hiring in all the IT teams including mine and if I'm not here and they decide to interview us... I could come back to some helpdesk person sitting in my seat b/c I wasn't here to defend my territory! It is to late to cancel surgery and I already almost had to reschedule due to some work crap but I made it through that. I am incredibly stressed right now and all I want to do is curl up on the couch with my bud's Ben and Jerry and wish it all away But I can't even do that! Anyone else go through anything similar before surgery? Miriam

Thanks all for the responses. I am glad to hear that lack of communication isn't insight of what is to come. To me (and everyone that goes down this road) this is a very important life changing decision and I want to be informed along the way. I need to know where I stand, what step is next etc. I don't need coddling but I need to know that I'm not just a number if that makes sense. I don't want to be taking steps into the 'unknown' I need to be informed or there is no way I am going through with this. I was spoiled with a local surgeon's office who called me with every development of new information but when my insurance denied me for a third time that is when I looked into self pay in Mexico (self pay here is 22k). Lori, In the after booking letter that was emailed it states: I will be contacting you in a few days to assist you with any questions you may have, obtain any missing information and assist you with your telephone consult with our nutritionist, Dr. Miranda. I did not receive this contact. I had emailed Dr. Miranda with a question and asked about the consultation, she said that Carolyn schedules conference calls and copied drortiz@obesitycontrolcenter.com. So that is where I got the information about scheduling conference calls. My surgery date is scheduled for the 27th arriving on the 26th for the pre-op testing (and shopping!). So far so good except a slip up last night with a bite of pizza but down 9lbs, easier than I thought!

Frustrated! When I first signed up for this I was very excited. I spoke once with Lori and because I had done my research I didn't have many initial questions. I sceduled my date, got two documents, paid the deposit and that is it. Nothing is explained, I get half explanations to full bodied questions and I feel like I am not important anymore because I've already been recruited. This may be my perception but I am very prompt, organized and direct. I expect confirmation of receipt of items and information because in my line of business that is what you do. I expect if I leave a voicemail I get a call back. If I don't get confirmation I assume something is wrong. In my world that is how it works. When I have to constantly follow up and keep on someone it grows old quickly. What is aftercare going to be like if I can't even get an answer to a simple question or a conference call scheduled?? I am having second thoughts, I don't want this to be something I will regret. Has anyone else experienced a breakdown in communication at OCC? Miriam

Hi All, I have started the pre-op diet early as I want to make absolute certain that I lose the 13lbs required before sugery. I am on day three, down 4lbs (all water weight I am sure) and happy to see after just a few days I'm almost 1/3 of the way there but... I AM STARVING. I know a lot of it is head hunger as I sit here (like right now) thinking about bagels and cream cheese or a sausage mcmuffin from McD's (my two breakfast staples) as I sip my EAS low carb chocolate crap wishing I had real food. It doesn't stop here tho... Lunch time I can smell the array of different lunches throughout my cube h*ll and my tummy starts to grumble or the worst "Hey Miriam we're going to lunch are you ready?" to which I have to say "NOPE I'm not hungry" (LIE!) and continue to sip my shake and eat my dry tasteless salad. I am getting headaches from h*ll and assume it is the lack of caffine and my body going through fat intake withdrawls *snicker* and I continue to day dream about shepards pie from Mickey's and pizza. When I go home it is the same thing. My significant other comes home and asks what is for dinner and I like the doating wifey like person I am and make him whatever it is he is asking for (usually high carb/fat crap) and continue to sip my shakes. I am never satisfied and always hungry and always fighting my other 'self' to not endulge in my old guilty pleasures, I'm in this for the long haul but... Does this ever get easier? Miriam

I have a date! I will be arriving Sept 26th and surgery Sept 27th. I am so excited!

I have a date! Sept 27th!!

For my first fill I will be going back to Dr. Ortiz but for long term maintanance I do want to find someone local (or incase of emergency). I am not to far from Chicago, maybe 120 miles or so.

Hi Pammie! I don't have a date just yet - I am waiting for a reply from Lori:) I had to wait for funds to become available - I found them and now I'm ready to go! (I wish I was leaving tomorrow) Hi Laura! I have read a lot of horror stories about Dr's preforming bariatric surgery in Mexico. I have researched Dr. Ortiz for the last few months as I was keeping the idea of mexico in my back pocket until I ran out of appeals with my insurance company. Initially I was terrified to even think about going to Mexico but after talking with people, reading forums like this one and then reading his book I am sold. Hi Cleo! Thanks so much. I am hoping that once I get my date I can find someone that will be there at the same time. I will be flying solo unfortunatly but still very excited. I've been to Tijuana several times (party trips, shopping but never for medical) so I am looking forward to going there with the pace moving a little slower.

Hi THere, I was wondering if anyone knows of a Dr that will do fills on a Mexico banded patient? I have called a few and so far I have been told No by every one:( Miriam

Hi All! I just wanted to introduce myself. I am Miriam and live in Indiana. I like many of you out there have battled with my health insurance just to be denied several times and am now looking to go to Mexico to have the procedure. So here I am, scared and excited and can't wait to be banded! Miriam