Calbris2

Can anyone tell me the address of the new clinic. I haven't been there since late October. I'm getting a fill in the morning and Renee was supposed to E-mail me the location but I haven't recieved anything. thanks!

Hi Jennifer, I always just go out front to catch a taxi but I look for "Libre" taxi. They are orange and white. Mrs. Ortiz and the office staff told me they are the best. She even walked me down to the corner to flag one down on one occassion. They come from all over. If you miss one, another will be along any second. They usually charge about $3.00 because they use the meter. The others charge $5.00 flat. The one at the Lucerna charged us $5.00 to go to the office from the hotel. When I realized it was right across the street I felt really duped. We could have walked there! You live, you learn! Doris Bruestle 08/04/04 208/162/128

Hi Marilyn! I've had several fills and unfills. My last unfill Dr. Martinez took out .4cc and told me the most I could have is .2cc put back in at a later date. That was in late November and I will be going back Feb. 4th for (possibly) my final fill. I don't think I ever feel full like before the band but I feel what they call a soft stop. Examples of a soft stop are: drippy nose, (that's what I get), left shoulder pain, burping, and hiccups. If you don't catch your own soft stop signal and stop eating, you will have what they call the hard stop. That's the golf ball feeling and sliming. Not a good thing. We all know what happens after that! Once you get to the right restriction you are supposed to not be hungry between meals for at least 4 hours. I don't think it's a full feeling, more like a satisfied feeling. I feel very restricted during the day but from early evening till about 9:00 I am ravenous! That's why I'm going back in Feb. I hope this will do the trick. If I were you I'd go back and get a fill too. Doris Bruestle 8/4/04 Drs. Ortiz & Martinez 208/162/128

Thanks Debby! I just checked out the site. Dr. Martinez highly recommends him. I've still got a few pounds to go before I'll be ready for any surgery. I just wanted to get a few quotes so I can compare with local surgeons. Thanks again!

Can anyone tell me the name of the Dr. that they recommend at Obesity Control Center for tummy tucks? I forgot to get a business card when I got my last fill/defill but I think Dr. Martinez said his name was Quero, or something like that. I know it started with a "Q". Any info would be appreciated.

Val, Were you the lady from Utah? I remember someone wearing some cute capris that was there with her husband and daughter and she was having her surgery the next day. Was that you? Or do I have my capris confused? LOL! Anyways...I hope you're doing OK. They sure were busy on Monday. How many of you had surgery on Tuesday? Try not to worry about the slight gain. I'm sure you're just retaining fluids for a spell from the surgery. You'll be dropping quite a few pounds very soon but don't freak when you start solids and put some back on. It happens to everyone. I think I lost over 15 pounds the first 2 or 3 weeks on clear liquids. I had an extra week of clear because of a hiatal hernia. When I started full liquids and solids, 7 came back! Hope to hear from you soon. Take care! PS...Did anyone tell you that you can also have sugarfree popscicles? They may not even have to be sugarfree. I can't remember!

Calgirl, You must have got there right after I left. I asked a couple of the ladies if they were Calgirl. I'm glad the directions were helpful. I'm hoping my fill is going to be OK. It feels like it might be too tight but I'm going to baby it and be very careful and hope it loosens just a smidge. I've been on a plateau for 2 months so I want to try to ride it out. Since I stayed the night, Dr. Martinez had me eat a little dinner that night. He told me to have a little fish and a little rice and let him know in the morning if everything was OK. It was. Then I had to go back to liquids for 2 days. I think I'm still a little swollen or I'm just not used to so little filling me up. I've PB a few times since being back on solids so I'll go back to liquids for a day and try again! Wish me luck!

I took my 7 year old last year and just got back from a fill today. He was fine both times but he's just one child. My husband took him swimming during the afternoon and that helped to wear him out. I slept while they were out and was able to join them at dinner for some broth. Walked around the pool area several times and when I was ready for bed they hung out on the other bed watching TV and playing game boy. The hotel did not charge extra for my son either time. If your husband thinks he can handle them then I would bring them. My husband felt much better after he got to meet the doctors and learn first hand about the procedure. The whole experience was completely the opposite of what he would have been imagining if he stayed at home. It was a very positive experience for us. Good Luck !

Hey Calgirl! I'm having a fill Monday also, at 10. Rene called me on Saturday sometime after 4? I also received an E-mail confirmation later in the evening. I usually don't see the E-mail till I'm already back. Are you staying the night? We're staying Monday night and leaving Tuesday. Dr. Martinez wanted me to stay a couple of days to make sure my fill is not too tight but I could only stay 1 this time. I've been too tight before. Hope to see you tomorrow!

Kimberly, I forgot to tell you. On the way back you must buy your trolley ticket out of vending machines after you come out of the border crossing. Buy the one for $2.50. It's also good for the bus. The machines are located right in front of the trolley tracks. Once again...good luck!

Kimberly, There's a sign outside of terminal 1 at the curb for bus #992 along with a bus schedule. The bus never seems to be exactly on time when I've gone down but they come through about every 10-15 minutes. Have exact change (Ithink it's $2.25). Ask the bus driver for a transfer ticket which is good for the trolley to San Ysidro and let him know you want to get off at American Plaza. That's the main trolley/train station. Look for the signs that say blue line/San Ysidro. Trolleys come by every few minutes. I've never taken the Mexibus after the trolley. I get off the trolley and go across the walking bridge, walk through the revolving gates and there are dozens of taxi drivers about 50 ft. in front of you. I ask them how much(quanto) to either the Lucerna or the Nextel building. It should not be more than $5.00. For your return it's a little bit different because the taxi has to let you off at the border crossing for pedestrians. It looks bad because the line of people seems soooo long but it usually starts moving pretty fast once your half way through it. Once your through you just do the same thing (trolley/bus) in reverse! It's a little intimidating the first time but it sure saves you a lot of money! I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Hi Calgirl! I've done the bus/trolley thing and return home the same day several times. It works out fine for me if I schedule it well. I come in on the first flight from San Francisco which arrives around 8:15. This gives me some leeway if I schedule my appt. for around 10:30. I had trouble with the trolley once where it had to stop for about 30 minutes then back up several stations to have us get on another track but with the extra time I had allotted I was only a few minutes late. They are usually running late anyway or as they say, "on Mexican time". I also try to make sure I have an afternoon flight back that is scheduled for at least after 3:00 in case the border crossing is really bad. Hope everthing goes well!

Melissa: When I went for my surgery we brought drivers license and birth certificates and I don't think we had to show them because we were with Jr. (he's the driver for Dr. Ortiz). The second time I didn't bring the birth certificates and we went to the border by trolley. Well, we had to cross the border by foot and they check ID but they also wanted birth certificate for my 7 year old since he doesn't have ID. They asked him if we were his parents and then admonished us to remember the birth certificate next time. I guess they have kidnapping concerns???

Bellagato, I've had several fills and 2 unfills with Dr. Martinez and I have found the aftercare quite the opposite of what you say was your experience. It might seem like a cattle call to you but it is a day set aside just for fills. Every time I have been there Dr. Martinez has been very thorough and spent quite a bit of time going over whatever my symptoms might be, what my diet has been consisting of and how he wants me to care for the current fill. Every appt. is allotted at least 30 minutes and the only people that I felt was in a hurry were the patients. The only stress I've noticed with Dr. Martinez is from having to wear that hot heavy lead apron all day. Sometimes he has had to take a moment to cool off. That thing protects him from the flouro but it makes him sweat profusely. I am very satisfied and appreciate his care.

My first post was for a fill trip on April 30th. I started to develop problems after about 2 weeks. I thought it might be due to my cycle so I tried to ride it out since I could still swallow liquids. I had previously had 1 unfill and this was my second fill since the unfill so I wanted to be sure. I did liquids for 3 days and things seemed better but then I developed a sore throat. I did have a cold but this is also a sign of indigestion...at least for me. I rode that out for another week and then went to my primary care physician to see if I had strep or something. Meanwhile, I had been PBing on a regular basis if I ate anything solid and had constant pain in my chest. My Dr. wanted me to have a flouro but the soonest he could get me in was this Thurs. but I had allready scheduled my appt. with Dr. Martinez for this Sat. so we both agreed that since I could still swallow liquids and that I am still getting nutrition it would be better to just have one flouro on Saturday. I'm at 2.5cc. I'm sure I'll be getting .1 or .2 unfill on Saturday. I can't wait! I will just have to stay on soups and protein shakes till then and we all know we can do that!

Hi Everybody, I've got to go back Saturday June 4th for an unfill. Would anyone like to ride together from the airport? I do the bus/trolley thing to the border. It would be nice to have some company.

Hi Karen! I'm going Saturday 4/30. I really should have gone about 2 weeks ago but my husbands days off didn't match up with the fill dates(Sat./Mon) until then. He stays home with my 7 year old while I run down to TJ. I've gained about 4 lbs. since my last fill at the beginning of March. My restriction seems to be less than before my fill. I've had 3 fills and 1 unfill. I hope this will be the one! Take Care, Doris 8/04/04 208/172/128

Hi Debby, My second fill was fine the first 2 weeks and then WHAM... I was super tight. I kept thinking that I wasn't eating slow enough or taking too large of a bite. I PB'd on a regular basis on things that went down easily the week before. I spent weeks trying to figure out the problem(resting my stoma, drinking liquids), trying different amounts and combinations of food. I finally made an appt. for a check-up/possible unfill when I started feeling some heartburn. I wanted to make sure my band was still in good position also. Well, the good news is my band was in good position still and that I made it back to get an unfill before I did any damage. There was alot of swelling so Dr. Martinez took out .4cc. Things were instantly better but I have relatively no restriction now. I've been waiting to see if I suddenly get more restriction but I'm sorry to say I will be going back to get a scosh put back in on the 5th. I'm thinking maybe half of what he took out,.2cc should do it. Hopefully that will be my sweet spot! You also won't know how good your restriction is after only 1 day because your only allowed liquids (full) for 2 days after the fill. Unless he gives you special permission to try solids? I hope this helps. Best Wishes, Doris 08/04/04 Dr.'s Ortiz/Martinez 208/173/128

Hi Michelle, I want to get a fill on the 23rd. I'll be coming from northern CA. It would be nice to share a ride from the airport and back. I haven't made any arrangements yet but would like to soon. I just had my first fill Sept. 18th and it didn't do much. I haven't gained but I'm not losing either! You can call me at (707)448-8405 if you want to work something out. Doris 8/4/04 208.5/195/128 first fill 9/18/04 1.5cc

Hi Michelle! Thanks for the information. I just wanted to know if I should stock up on a couple of things. Thank goodness it's not just clear! Doris 08/04/04 208.5/197/128

Hi, Can anyone tell me if Dr. Ortiz has you go on liquids after your fill? If so, how long, clear or full? I have my first fill this Sat. and I just want to be prepared. Thanks, Doris 08/04/04

I'm scheduled Sept. 18th at 10AM. My husband, son (7) and I will be staying the night before at the Lucerna and will probably head back to San Diego after my fill. I hope I get to meet some of you! Doris 8/4/04

Hi Julie! I called there 2 days ago to talk to Dr. Miranda the nutritionist and she gave me this e-mail address for her Dr.Miranda@obesitycontrolcenter.com. I would just call there directly if I were you. It's toll free. If you get a recording just leave a message including your phone number and they will call you back soon. I called during business hours (4:30) and left a message and they called back around 6:30ish? I think they close at 6:00 but it was the receptionist and she put Dr. Miranda on. I guess sometimes it's good when they go by Mexico time! Good luck Julie! Doris Ortiz/Martinez 8/4/04 208.5/191/128

Hi Everyone! I was banded 8/4 and because I had a hiatal hernia I have to extend the liquid phase of the post-op diet by one week which pushes everything back a week. Can anyone tell me if there is a difference between mushy foods and soft foods? I was hoping I could add mushy during the protein drink week. If there is a difference, could you please give me an example of mushy vs. soft foods? Thanks! Doris 208.5/195/128