Jenn

Hi Victoria, Who did your band, what size do you have and what is your fill number at this point?

Hi Sunshine Girl, The Lacerna has a pool but no hot tub and the shopping is near the OCC. There are taxi's for every where you want to go and they are like $5.00 from Lacerna to OCC. I have not visited the mall but I think MAMAMichelle has and some of the other OCC's bandsters. Cassie and I went down to Revolution ( the place where they have all the lil ma and pop shops). They posted a website of the other hotel Camino Real on the "Announcements" so everyone can check it out. Jenn

How many fills have you had done and who did your surgery??

Hi Flan, Well it sound like your hanging around a bit. So you will have a head start on the healing process and walking not to mention some beautiful scenery. Good Luck and we will all be praying you have a fabulous trip home with hubby !!!

There is a pool ladies but not hot tub. The food is great and don't worry about a thing. Lacerna has been with OCC for a long time. I just talked to Rene and they are contracting with also another Hotel as well called Camino Rio. So you have both hotels. Camino Rio is closer to the office and closer to the shopping mall as well. So they felt that this may benefit the patients and their families. So if your choosing Lacerna, it can happen as well as Camino Rio. So ladies nothing to worry about.

There are Gas X Strips that you can take and they will help.

I've been married 20 years now and In my experience you do what makes both of you happy. Yes, my husband too is so afraid to fly but I have to understand his feelings as well. So it sounds like you are definitely considering his and for both of you to be happy and comfortable in just the decision you make would be to drive. Just pull over and walk as much as you can, every gas stop, every viewing point when you feel the need. I bet both of you will be Happy in the end that both of you were comfortable, him not having to fly and being there for you and you having him there for you. There is always pain associated with surgeries and you will get through it with him by your side .

Remember everyone is different when it comes to a fill. Your body is already having to adjust to a decrease in you stomach pouch and then to have already put a fill on top of it during the surgery is some what odd. Also remember that everyone gets fills at different times because some do not feel hungry and are not ready while others do feel ready. Not everyone is on a set schedule. There is also the bounce, your body seems to go into a storage mode right before you loose a couple of pounds. You sometimes will gain a pound or two and then 3 to 4 pounds down. Cassie had a fill done not by the OCC and felt no restriction, Dr. Martinez said the fluid was not properly put in and probably leaked out when pulling the needle out of the port. FYI Jenn

Hi Michelle, Oh my goodness I watched the video!! I wanted to see how someone else did the surgery. I must tell everyone on the forum that Cassie and I witnessed an actual surgery that Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez did while we were filming for the Oprah Show. Ok everyone, please listen up. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez are so much more gentle on you then what I saw from Dr. Malley's video. They handled their tools like they were touching butterflies. When I was in the operating room there was not as much manipulation going on as I see on this video.

In response to your question, I post for Cassie who is my 17 year old daughter whom I took at the age of 13 years old and was the 2nd youngest child done by Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez. She is mentioned on the Home page of the OCC and she is in Dr. Ortiz Lap Band Book. Cassie is a typical teen and she is busy with School, work and helping me with 4 of her siblings when I need her to. She gets on the her MYSPACE and the OCC Forum as often as she can to help teens . Cassie and I where just recently guests of the Oprah Show and it was based on Teen Obesity and I was asked why I would take Cassie over the border. I answer a lot of questions on Cassie's behalf because we deal with people every day, those that are parents trying to make the decision, those who are teens trying to make the decision, and those who have made the decision and need support. Cassie and I also filmed in TJ with the Oprah film crew . Also we went a few weeks ago and took two relatives down to have the surgery. We are a team, always have been a team. I remember things Cassie went through and we talk every day of her experiences and how it can help others in their decisions or struggles. After being on the Oprah Show it brought more information about the Lap Band to people who did not know about it and the opportunities that where there for them if they could not comply with insurance requirements. When Cassie and I go to the OCC we are there for everyone. We will talk and help everyone in any way we can. We want everyone to feel that they are not alone and make them as comfortable as possible. We have met many people through our experiences together and I can not begin to tell you how wonderful all these people on the forum are and how many lives the forum has touched, and we have touched. Thanks for asking, Jenn

Hey does cleaning 5 kids room count for anything ?LOL

Ok, I'm not sure what time line this question is.... but Cassie eats Pasta. Even Dr. Martinez confirmed with her how easy that will go down. Just a thought, not sure where everyone is in their time line. Ok, or you can use this info. for the future bandsters. LOL Jenn

Hello Neighbor !!!

Hey Wendy, What part of San Diego are you from.

Hi Dani, My daughter did it at age 13 and if she can do it you can do it !!! She is now 17 years old and has not regretted any of it. A lot of people hear the word LAP BAND and they think it is an easy way out. Let me tell you from experience of watching my daughter and other family members it is NOT !!! This band is to help you not cheat, to help you stick to your goals. You will still diet, or lets put it this way Eat Correctly and in Moderation. With regular dieting you can slip a cookie in here, a piece of pizza here and there but this will not let you until you are ready and when you are ready it will be in total moderation. So everyone on this forum will tell you the first few weeks it will be a lot of work but the pay off is tremendous. Good Luck,

So Excited for you all. Please tell Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez Hello from the Jenn & Cassie. They will take great care of you all. It will be the best care you could of ever imagined. Wish we all were there to hold your hands and cheer you on !!! Jenn (Oprah Show)

Hi Sage, I'm not sure how old you are... but Cassie had her surgery when she was 13 years old. In Feb. Cassie and I had been on the Oprah Show. We just took my 18 year niece and sister in-law down for banding as well. I just want to let you know that this is going to be tough, hard , not easy. But the end results are Happiness. The main saying is YOU EAT TO LIVE, NOT LIVE TO EAT. Remember those words and I hope they will make your journey through this easier at times. Dieting before always had a way out. You could cheat dieting, you picked up that small piece of cake, but with the band you can not. You will be on strict diet, but please remember, it is not for very long and you will get through it. Be strong and remember to turn to the forum, everyone is there to support you in anything you need. Jenn

Hi Everyone, Please wish Brittany a Happy birthday. This Lap Band has been tuff on her. First she has to deal with Lap Band and then a few days later her boyfriend has to go to Oregon to work for a few months. So I thought if anyone has a moment you can drop her a quick pick me upper. I really appreciate it for those who do. Jenn Member name: BrittB

Hi, Cassie and I just went over there like many times before. Your fabulous driver Fransico (Tell him Jenn & Cassie Said Hi from the Oprah Show) and he will take great care of you. The van is fabulous, the driver speaks very good english, and dresses nice. They will pull up to the border crossing area for vans and you will be instructed to hop out with your lugguage (remember small bag you can't lift heavy things) then you will proceed to the Agents who are really nice. They will check your passport or drivers licence, birth certificate and then ask you about your visit in Mexico, you just tell them about your medical trip and your bag will go through a scanner and out the door you go. Let me tell you, this is a simple and easy process and the agents are great. You will be just fine , not too worry. After you proceed out you will walk towards the end of the block and the driver will be there. Remember to listen to where the driver will tell you too meet. If he is not there, he will be there he may take a bit longer then you on getting through the line. Jenn

Let me know the details !! Would love to pencil it in. Thanks Jenn

WOW MIchelle, I will have to tell Debbie and Britt to look at these pictures. What inspiration !!!!

Cassie drinks Mountain Dew. It was funny because when we came to Shoot the Ophra Show they had this huge buffet of fabulous food and sodas. Rene asked Cassie what she wanted to drink and Cassie said calmly "Mountain Dew" The look on Rene's face was priceless. YOu drink soda " Rene replied. Then all of a sudden Cassie and I had this flash back 4 years ago of Dr. Ortiz " No Soda'ssssssssssss.. LOL