Jenn

Hi Everyone, Wow, the message board for the Oprah show is down. I will email Eric the producer that handled our story and see what happened. Maybe I can get an inside scoup. Good Morning OCC, Jenn

Hi , This is Cassies mom. I had some girly surgery done after having 5 children. The doctor botched the job. I went to another doctor to fix it and he said no, you need to go to your orginal doctor. I even offered to pay. He still said no. They dont want to get go in and try and fix someone elses problems because they can be held responsible as well if something goes wrong and can not be fixed. So then you are blaming both doctors. Just some information. Jenn

Hi Everyone, Ok Cassie woke me up to watch the KKTV Channel 11 News In Colorado Springs. So I turned the Tivo on rewind and watched it. She said mom, you wont be disappointed. The hype they put on it I was so affraid. But it was a great peice.

Im not sure what his specialty is. But he talks about so many different subjects, it would take a life time to be an expext on the human body. I would never go to a Orthapedic Doctor to have a baby, or an Eye Doctor to cure a cold, how can this doctor be an expert in so many fields and give these people advice. Thank you for Your support. We just want the word to go out about the band and there is a less evasive proceedure. We want teens to look at the alternatives and not give up hope that life on this earth is worth living it to the fullest. And what ever path they choose, they will have made a decision with complete confidence because they knew their options.

We just got ours set up as well. The local news channel is airing cuts as well. GO OCC Bandsters and Future Bandsters!

We are aniticipating your Banding on March 25th. Please keep in touch. GO DARLENE !!!! Jenn

Oprahs Producers saw Cassie on Dr. Ortiz's website, searched her name on MYSPACE , sent her an email, she screamed, LOL, we thought it was fake, we called the number and here we are.

Thanks Jill, We are really nervous how this is going to air. Our local channel here is already showing previews and it says desperate mom. We had to get the word out there for these teens. We are not saying this surgery is for every teen but we are saying please take a moment, review the information, the disipline you must do and make a decision with your parents. Anxious , Jenn

Thank you Pammie, If you check your local station they are previewing the show already. It is amazing how they put it together. I am truly anxious to see what they air.

Hi, I know it is not the band, but when we shot the Oprah Show, one of the ladies in the Limo with us who had gastric said she did just fine with her pregnancy. She said she was loosing weight with her preg because she got preg. soon after her surger. But she said everything went fine. Also not that Cassie has lost 80 pounds her port sits close to the top of the skin. Her fat layer is gone and Dr. Ortiz said this is normal. Hope this helps ease some worries.

The show airs on Monday. Yes, this show was hot. All other shows where pushed to Feb 18. We wished Dr. Ortiz was there. First we arrived to a side entrance at the Harpo Studios. When we went in they confiscated our phones and cameras and checked our bags. We where then brought into "The Green Room" We waited and several people came in and out to greet us. Some of it was releases, going over the script and then we had our hair and makeup done. Yes, it was quite delightful. They actually airbrushed our foundation on. That was fun. After we relaxed they came in with audio packs and set up all the mics on us. Then a group of people came, it got exciting, everyone was telling us good luck, have fun, people we don't know, but part of the Oprah's crew. Amazing, I can only say as we entered the studio. Everyone in the audience looked great. Cassies boyfriend and his mom where seated in the upper level. I watched Cassie begin to look for him and what a big smile she had when she saw he was there and made it in. The day before the show was canceled and they where trying to bring in the previous day audiences. Also before we arrived into the actual studio the audience was told the story line and handed green cards to ask any questions. The producers went through those cards, but we are not sure if any of them where read on stage. They sat all of us in the front row at first. There was a lady on the stage telling the audience how to react if you do have a question to wait for the mic to come to you first and then begin the question. Then a gentleman asked if he could come up stage and sing a song for all the ladies. The PR lady said that would be fine. He was dressed in a fabulous dark grey suit. As he began to sing, everyone was mesmerized He could sing. Then others began to introduce there single moms, grandmothers and tell their stories a bit until we where ready to shoot the show. The show was taped not live. All of a sudden there was a surprise guest to sit in on the show. He was not originally planed to sit in but he wanted to. Dr. Oz. Right before Oprah came out, we all know that hall way, they asked Cassie and I to sit on the couch. Yes the Oprah Couch. Cassie was seated right next to where Oprah was going to sit. We where the first to go on the stage. Then Oprah came out. The applause was loud and everyone began to stand. She was amazing. She dressed simple, and brightly colored orange sweater, at which she made a comment on how bright it is. She had Croc shoes to match and dark brown / blackish colored pants. She was very pleasant when she arrived on stage. She said "Hello" to us before the cameras began to roll. She looked at the her Producer and said "Are You Ready?" and he nodded yes. Oprah began to read the teleprompter, then a short video of our trip to Mexico was played. Cassie and I both could feel ourselves balling up, and it took a lot to hold it back , but in the nick of time, there was Dr. Ortiz on the Video. It brought laughter through out the audience and put huge smiles on our faces. "The Chicken & Sombrero" comment ! As Oprah began interviewing us Dr. Oz began to try and shut Cassie and I down. You could tell when he went to talk about the Band he had no clue. He should of done some research. He was trying to explain the band to Oprah but Cassie and I would jump in. Then we went to break. Another Teen named Mac with his mom was brought onto the stage. He as well had the lap band. There was another doctor sitting next to me who did Gastric on a 17 year old who is featured on video. She was from Children's Hospital and was asked to do a Gastric ByPass Study on Children. So she did her first surgery on a Child. It's amazing how they do one surgery and they are experts on the band. I mentioned this is your first study and it is in the beginning of the trial stages. Your probably asking why would I say that to her, well as many of you said, there may be a heated discussion. There was. But not with Oprah, just the two doctors. Dr. Oz said that Cassie will probably have problems later in life and then began to say that all the teens on the stage have an underlying problem and that the lap band is not the solution. I was appalled !!!! So where the other mothers. Before I left the stage I had other comments to make to Dr. Oz. When I approached my seat I was complimented how I stuck up for my child and all bandsters. This argument between the Dr. Oz and the other doctor was not over. I raised my hand and Oprah said, After commercial Jennifer. Oprah asked why not wait? I replied, because with obesity there is a lot of damage that happens. Her knees where starting to become painful she slowed down in sports and I wanted to avoid diabetes not to mention a full body lift. Mentally she was just starting to get verbally abused by children at school. So after Dr. Oz stated that each one of these children have mental problems and that is why they are obese I looked at him when Oprah gave me my chance and I told him. ( I hope this part airs and they don’t cut me out) Before my daughter had surgery she was happy, she did all kinds of sports, everyone loved her and she loved herself. There was no mental issues with my daughter she loved life. I stopped the damage before it she was scared to the point she was damaged by hurtful people. I could hear the other mother a few feet from meet. Ya Ya. nodding her head. The father of Mac turned again and was Kudosto me ! By this point Dr. Oz had about enough of me. Then the Doctor from the Children's Hospital stated agreeing with Dr. Oz, stating that this is pretty young to have children doing this and they could be damaged. Then the doctor from Children's Hospital began to say if we can teach these children how to eat properly we can wipe out obesity or eliminate obesity. Then Oprah slowly turned to her, and I saw the look on Oprah's face that look was "Are you an idiot!" Then those words of humility. She said something in the way of "Really, do you really believe we can eliminate obesity!" I thought get her Oprah. SCORE for the bandsters. Then the doctor dug herself in deeper by saying something like we hope to eliminate Trauma Centers as well. By this time I was on Dr. Oz's list. My true opinion is that Dr. Oz is too much Mr.. Hollywood. He did not like anyone contradicting him. He is a doctor and I am nothing. I looked at Cassies face and she was furious over his statement that there is an underlying problem and that is why she is obese and so are other kids. I then turned and looked up in the audience to see the faces of Cassie's boyfriend and his mom. They were angry! Cassie held her own. She stated to him "So your feel it would have been better for me to have my heart give out , and have diabetes?" I'm very proud of her. When the show ended all the kids where up on the stage and had their pictures with Oprah. There was so much chatter in the hallways returning back to the Green Room over the controversy. No wonder this is airing so quickly on Monday. After the taping we were told that the snow storms had our flight delayed. So as we entered the limo to be taken back to the hotel to await the next flight out we were pleasantly greeted by one of the other guests from the show who was on 17 magazine for loosing the weight on her own. She was a pleasant girl and her family was great as well. When we arrived at the hotel Omni it wasn but 45 minutes we were told to get back into the limo to catch our later flight. Well we kept hearing that flights had been getting cancelled. As we entered yet another limo, there was another guest from the show. This young lady had gastric and so did her mom. We had some great conversation in the limo over what had taken place. One of their stories was how they left the Harpo Studios and in their limo was the Children's Hospital Doctor. They told us how they where heading back and the Dr. wanted to stop to go shopping so the doctor and her rep. had the limo pull over at some shops. They had taken so long shopping away and leaving the other Oprah guests in the limo that they had to have another limo come to pick up the girl and her mom. Well we finally made it to the airport, went through security and arrived at our gate and as we are looking at our flight status, it turned to Cancel. Oh my goodness. I quickly got on the phone to Oprahs producer Eric and he got us a great hotel near the airport and new tickets for the following day. We slept very well that night and the next day , Firday we arrived home. Home Sweet Home

Oprahs Producers did a web search and found the OCC and her picture. They sent her an email through her My Space acct. Left there number. We called thinking it was unreal. But it wasn't. They flew Cassie and I out to San Diego. They first started filming with me and what brought a mom to Mexico. We got into to Mexico, I wrapped up and then Cassie took it from there with Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Martinez and Staff. Then we both wrapped up together for the ending in TJ> Now we fly Wed. to Chicago and interview with Oprah on Thrusday. There will be two other teens on the stage as well. One Gastric, One naturally dieted and then Cassie , accompanied by parents .

Hi Darlene, The story line is of two things, how could a mother become so desperate as to take her child to Mexico, and then the out come which is Cassie. So First they shot me and then they shot Cassie. They had us relive the whole experience. Now we go to Oprah's and tape with her and they will bring that footage into the interview. Cassie is doing great. She found a fabulous outfit to wear. She is really excited. Today I found my outfit and finally got a babysitter to stay with her 4 siblings. They are sad that they can't go to the taping. And for all you Bandsters and future bandsters, when Cassie and I get to the Omni Hotel we are going to jump up and down on the beds screaming, GO OCC BANDSTERS !!!!!

Hi everyone, I am Cassie's mom Jennifer. I want to give you a bit of an insite of what I was told that the show would be about. I was told that there will be other children on the show who have lost weight in thier own comfortable way. One child who is 17 years old just got Gastric Bypass a few weeks ago, another child lost it on his own , and I know there will be Cassie. They started our interview off with filming me taking Cassie to TJ. The main question is why? I explained everything to them. The Producer assured me that they will not be taking any sides that they are only sharing what is out there. I hope this calms your fears. We do not know when the show will air. We fly in Wed. and shoot on Thursday with Oprah. Please keep us in your prayers and hope all goes well. Thanks Jennifer (Cassie's Mom) PS> Oprahs BDay is tommorrow.

This is Jenn, Cassies mom. They said two to three weeks for airing. Not exact date. We still have to tape with Oprah on Thursday.

Hi everyone, I am Cassie's mom Jennifer. I want to give you a bit of an insite of what I was told that the show would be about. I was told that there will be other children on the show who have lost weight in thier own comfortable way. One child who is 17 years old just got Gastric Bypass a few weeks ago, another child lost it on his own , and I know there will be Cassie. They started our interview off with filming me taking Cassie to TJ. The main question is why? I explained everything to them. The Producer assured me that they will not be taking any sides that they are only sharing what is out there. I hope this calms your fears. We do not know when the show will air. We fly in Wed. and shoot on Thursday with Oprah. Please keep us in your prayers and hope all goes well. Thanks Jennifer (Cassie's Mom) PS> Oprahs BDay is tommorrow.

Hello Lidi, I am a mom of a bandster. I too went through all the confusion on what to do. But first and foremost is knowledge. I researched and researched. Dr. Ortiz in fact did train many doctors in the U.S. My daughter was only 13 years old and she was the 2nd youngest patient Dr. Ortiz had done surgery on. Now almost 3 years later Cassie is still doing fabulous. You can check her pictures out on Teen Bandster. Make a decision that is comfortable for you. In the end the only people who know you is you. I had to make a tuff decision for my child and I had a lot of prayers I did not make the wrong decsion. We both felt comfortable after meeting Dr. Ortiz and reading any and all material we could find in regards to the Lap Band and Dr. Ortiz . He is a terrific Doctor. Hope you find your comfort zone and make your decision with ease. Jenn