captainsgirl

greetings...I just returned yesterday from having the Lap Procedure done w/Dr. Ortiz and Martinez. I live in SD and I was freaked about the Mexico thing. LET GO OF THAT ONE...I feel like I am on Chapter one of my new life. I'm 54 and have struggled w/weight all of my life. This is a tool...a great tool...the support at the center is amazing. I just loved Dr. Miranda, the nutritionist...very logical and easy and kind and loving...Dr. Ortiz is a doll (and a hunk) - so personable and knowledgeable. THe staff at the clinic where the procedure is done is fantastic. I've never felt like I've been treated better in a hospital setting. Go for it girl! You've got nothing but WEIGHT to lose...don't wait!!!!

Keep in touch,

Isabella

So glad for you...keep up the great work. I'm having mine done TOMORROW...I'm so excited, nervous, thrilled! Will keep you posted.

Hi

I got banded just a few days before the mom's daughter and the other two ladies that are in this stream.  I had the pleasure of meeting them breifly while they were going through there post ops, and again when I had my IV cathedar removed.  Alhough I was not the typical patient, and found it difficult to get fluids down the first couple of days, I can say that I am doing just fine today.  I stepped on the scale this morning and am down 23 lbs, and its only been a week. 

I have finally come clean and started telling others about my experience with the medical staff.  If I were to do it all over again, I would not hesitate in a heartbeat.  The medical staff provided me top care, much of which is unheard of here in the states.  I personally think it surpassed any medical bedside manner that we are used to here.  I had an extended stay while waiting for some of the swelling to go down, and made a wonderful friend, (my nurse, carmelita) who stayed with me 24 hours a day for the entire weekend, while the others that I was banded with were off shopping and running around the wonderful city.

I too was hesitant at first.....but trust me....they ARE the best

You are doing so well. I'm so excited about hearing from everyone and they are all good experiences. I am going to TJ on October 25 to meet with Dr. Ortiz! I'm looking forward to it. This procedure seems so much less frightening than doing a full bypass...I just saw an acquaintenance who had it done and she ALMOST DIED - she popped a staple and was bleeding internally! That made me make an appointment immediately. How much total weight do you need to lose? Keep up the good work...are you able to eat/drink a little more now? Thanks again for replying.

Hi,

I just got back from accompanying my daughter to Tijuana to get her lapband, and I can tell you that the experience far exceeded our expectations.  Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Martinez, and the rest of their team are wonderful, caring professionals. The surgical center is clean and well staffed, and my daughter was up and walking around about 2 hours after her procedure was finished. 

Mrs. Ortiz (Dr. Ortiz's mother) works as the patient facilitator, and couldn't do enough for us.  She took us for the pre-ops, and to the surgi-center, and came back last night to take me back to the hotel.  She is a lovely lady.

My daughter and the other two women who got banded yesterday all did so well, we were all able to head home today.

I would say the only slight problem we had was with the language barrier.  All of the doctors, the staff at the office, and Mrs. Ortiz speak English perfectly, but a few of the nurses at the surgi-center don't.  I don't speak a word of Spanish, and my daughter only understands and speaks a little. Although sometimes it was hard to communicate with some of the nurses, there was always someone available who could help with the translating.

I would recommend Dr. Ortiz without any hesitation!

Thank you so much for your reply.It was very helpful. I just got off the phone with Sandy at the office, and am going for a consultation w/Dr. Ortiz later in the month. I feel very positive about this alternative to GPS...which is so severe and so serious. Thanks...and I hope your daughter does well and feels great.

Thanks again.

Today is 6 months post op for me and I have lost 57lbs. I am very happy. I was also very happy with the hospital and Dr. Ortiz and his entire staff. I eat roughl;y about 1200 calories a day.. I lose an average of 1-3 lbs a week. Not as fast as the Bypass but I was not ready to take all that comes with the bypass. ..the weight loss is slwoer then the bypas but healthier with less complications. Ortiz is very qualified and experienced.  Hope this helped..

Best of Luck to you

thank you both for your reply...I just spoke w/Sandi and Dr. Ortiz' office and was very impressed and have a consultation later in the month.

Thank you. Keep up the great work.

Hi all - I've investigated Gastric Bypass...and am a little nervous about going through such major surgery. Have just discovered OCC and Dr. Ortiz and would love to hear how everyone's experience of the hospital (was it clean, modern?) and how has your weight loss gone??? Are you losing regularly? Do you eat bites of things and get full? I'm in San Diego and going to Mexico would be so easy...and more affordable than doing the GPS out of pocket! thanks.