Cujo

check out my scar photo in the members photo gallery. That was a couple hours post-op. 6 weeks later and they have faded to the point where they look like cat scratches.

Good luck, you can do this!

My first fill is on Friday. I am paying OCC $279 for the fill, transportation, and 1 night at the lucerna. I'm flying down on points so I think the whole trip with food will be under $300.

Cujo, I'm heading down Thurs. for my fill and staying at the Lucerna with my daughter till Sat. Maybe we'll see you there. Will you be the one in the paper thong?

You bet, they are quite comfy and the side venting is great for those hot TJ days. LOL

Better cover your daughters eyes if I'm getting out of the pool. Yikes!

sorry Doug, I have no direct recommendation but I know there is a travelodge near the border which is a brand I like. I think the area is called 'Southbay'. I like expedia or trip advisor for this kind of research.

I'm heading down on Friday for my fill. I took the easy way and arranged everything through the OCC. pickup/dropoff, 1 night at the Lucerna and the fill for $279.00. I don't know if the Lucerna will allow dogs but I will ask when I get there.

Even with Dr Ortiz, it will depend on how much weight they want you to lose before surgery.

The basic plan is two Opti-fast shakes and a lean cuisine per day plus lots of green veg to keep you full.

The desire is to lose weight and shrink your liver so they have room to operate.

You can order the Optifast from the OCC website (they don't sell in in Calgary, that we could find) or substitute another meal replacement shake (we used slim-fast)

There is a slower program where you do the atkins diet for a longer period and there is a shake only option.

The dietian will review these with you and let you know which route to take.

So, I am curious. Do the men have to wear the blue "sexy" paper panties and the tight stockings too? If so, I would pay money to see a pic!!!

I expect a check in the mail.

We've had a few friends go down to the Varadaro area in Cuba. No one had rave reviews. Its usually cheaper than the Mayan Riveria since the slave labour keeps the costs down but I wouldn't go there. The Dominican is nice if you want a change from Mx.

I would add the caveat that a 'cuba' stamp in your passport may result in a major hassle if you try to enter the USA.

"My mom brought back viagra and tequilla."

Sounds like mom is getting lucky tonight!

You should watch the pharmacuticals you buy. Mx does not have a strong regulatory body and many drugs sold are not up to US or Canadian standards. I would check with the concierge at the hotel to get a referral to a good pharmacy.

the group in Calgary is not an OCC group but about a quarter of the members I met were from the OCC. Half were from the toronto clinic and then a smattering of other clinics.

I think we even had someone that had the band done in Calgary. Thats about as rare as a unicorn sighting.

look up "calgarylapbanders" in Yahoo groups for more information.

Where are you from Taz?

I wouldn't bother with a robe. I walked around in my paper diaper and hospital gown. It's quite the look. Take lose fitting clothes like sweats. Try to avoid wearing something that would require a belt.

the hotel is excellent and will provide a decent broth for your post-surgery meal. Take some buillion cubes or powder to have for the trip back, the airports have nothing for you to eat .

My needs were met at the clinic, I had a flat screen tv and a remote. what else is there?

You should be able to look around on the Friday. Actually, it would be good for you to walk around. Take a cab to Revolution Avenue and wander around the shops.

Thanks! How much of a deposit do they require?

I think its around $500. but I'm guessing.

My credit card is linked to our paypal so we got our points when we used paypal to pay the deposit and final balance. OCC charges another couple hundred dollars if you use the credit card via paypal so the points may not be worth the extra charge but it's worth considering.

Quote: "So when I get there from what I was told, I look for someone that has OCC on their jacket or something like that and they will give me a ride to the hotel."

Just wanted to confrim that you've told them your flight numbers and when you arrive. If they know you are coming, they will get you.

Once we arrived we did not see anyone with signs so we went outside to wait. The OCC van is gold with the OCC emblem on the side panel. It's easy to spot.

You might want to look for other fat people that also look lost. They will probably be going to the OCC as well. LOL

The driver is good at his job and will wait for stragglers. We drove around the terminal 2 or 3 times looking for other patients.

For the Friday morning, the driver will tell you when you get to the Lucerna on Thursday when the pick up will be (expect a 7:00am pick up)

You will also be told when the van is going back to the airport. They make sure there is plenty of time in case there is a line up at the border. We got an 11:00am pick up and our flight was at 4:00pm

The OCC has this down to a science. Don't worry.

Thanks for the replies. I thought of another question.

Do you pay when you schedule? Or is a deposit type of thing? How does that work?

There is a deposit on scheduling and then full payment must be received prior to surgery. There are financing companies available and there are a couple links on the OCC website for more information on that.

We used the paypal option for payment, but I think they also take wire transfers etc. You would get all that info in the introduction package

"She shut the door and said to me "now are you sure you got a band?" very condescendingly. ... You just never know what you get when you go someplace like Mexico to have surgery"."

My sister asked if Dr. Ortiz charged me extra for the hiatal hernia repair. I told her 'no, he took a kidney in lieu of payment'.

I don't think she knows I was kidding. It totally fit into her perception of Mexico.

Hey bigboiyvr

I'm doing the first fill at OCC as well. I think I have more confidence in OCC than the local guy and they do not use flouro in Calgary. I like the piece of mind of having them look inside.

Won't flights be expensive flying Thanksgiving weekend out of Vancouver?

Hey BandGroupie.. Dawn.. missin you! I got this information in an email re: a lapband conference... thought you might be interested...

If I got the same email, I would add: Its on October 3 - 5th and its in Dallas, TX

This is with a weekly reduction in medication. As I reduce meds, my blood pressure stays steady. You can not imagine how surprised I am by this. I was never given the expectation that this could happen so fast.

Are you adjusting your meds with medical supervision or just winging it yourself? I have been wondering when I should start pushing the family doc to get me off my 5..no 6 different BP and chorestral drugs.

I'll be there. I get my first fill on the 25th and my daughter and I are staying till the 27th. I'll be the fat guy of course, but the one whose clothes are starting to be quite baggy on him.

I guess I will be the other fat guy, less baggy clothes but no hair! Leaving on the 27th too.

First fill on the 26th. Flying on 'points' so its only costing the ground transportation, Lucerna and OCC costs. (with food that will be around $300) I'm pretty pumped to start feeling some restriction, the weight loss has slowed since I started on solids on the 5th.

Maybe it is the water, I dont drink enough. I have only had 8 ounces today and I am not even thirsty.

I bet if you increase the water intake the pounds will drop off. You need to flush the system before you go into starvation mode and shut down completely.

Also are you eating the green veggies as suggested? It keeps you full and help shrink/detox the liver which is the purpose of the pre-op diet.

I'm on day 13 post-surgery. I had a weird night last night, and want to know if other folks have had this happen. I really, really wanted to feel something crunchy in my mouth, so I bought some Doritos Sweet Spicy Chili. I put one in my mouth, sucked off the spices and spit out the cracker into the kitchen sink.

Been there, done that. Licked some salt and vinegar potato chips the other day. Last night, I was chewing on a pork chop and spitting in the sink. It stopped the urge to eat real food so I'm not going to beat myself up about it. Friday is my day 22, so I have been imagining what I should eat.

Stay strong and you will get through this stage. Remember that there is potential for long term damage if you swallow something too big, keep to liquids for a few more days.

OCC's diet is much simpler: following the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Silly

week one

clear liquids

juices, broth etc

week two

full liquids - add your cream soups

add a drinkable yogurt

week three

add one protein shake a day

Day 22:

Solid foods

No "mushies" phase

Listen to the man himself:

I don't know if I could have handled getting banded at the same time as my wife. We were both pretty cranky on the pre-op diet, had we done it together, I think I'd be buried in the backyard now.

Now I get to sit, sipping my broth, watching her mow the lawn. ...No wait, I did that before I was banded too! Nevermind.

Also remember that the outcomes even out in about 18 months. So consider the band a slower but safer procedure.