Dolittle

Hi everyone,

I am hoping that there is someone here that can relate to what I have been going through.

I am an old lap-band patient from January 2009, over the last few years, if I’m not careful or mindful of how I am eating I get stuck. And it SUCKS!! My husband hates it, he is concerned for me, having to get up from the table and 'throw the food up", it's not fun and it also hurts some times.

We are now going to have VSG done, he is a surgery virgin and I will have my band removed to make way for the VSG.

My question is, do VSG patients get food stuck like lap-band patients?

I've had the revision surgery,, I can say I've never heard of a Sleeve patient getting food stuck. I personally have never had an issue with this.

I'm traveling from Philadelphia, but I plan on spending a few extra days out in Cali just relaxing before I head back to PA.

I've heard the word "fills" a few times...what do you mean you go for your fills??

If your a lap-band patient you'd know this term very well. LOL.

A "fill" or "unfill" is short for a band adjustment.

All gastric bands have saline inside of them. The more saline you add to the band, the tighter it gets and thus gives you more restriction. The opposite happens when you remove saline.

Aftercare is one of the negitives of the gastric band. This is why the trend is now going towards patients choosing to go with the VGS or what is known as "the sleeve" or placition surgery.

I can say I really loved my band. When you have the proper fill and have hit that so called "sweet spot" the weight just flies off.

HELLO?! ANY ONE OUT THERE? Any one been back to the OCC for fills? Check ups?

I'm going back early Dec.

When I had my band, I still went back to the OCC.

Living in the Midwest, aftercare was becoming a major PITA. Then I started having acid reflux and other small signs of band rejection. Before the stuff hit the fan I opted to make the switch and went with the VGS (sleeve). So far I'm happy with the sleeve, but it's a different learning curve.

I'm travelling from Canada to Mexico for the surgery and I'm looking for info about being able to claim the surgery on my income tax return does anyone have info on this?

I don't know about Canada, but I listed it in the medical expense section of the US1040. You can also wrote off airfare, hotel expense, food and etc.

I've never tried the OCC's Enspira protein, but I've had reports that it's a good product too.

What's your opinion on it?

I'm one of those WLS patients that has issues getting in my daily required intake of protein. Right now I'm in the 3rd week of the sleeve post-op diet. To me,, protein shakes are something to be desired, tastefully speaking, most are just tolerable.

The other day I went searching on-line and found www.unjury.com and ordered their 5 star tasting, 21g protein chicken broth mix.

I have never posted anything like this before, but when I find something good, I'll tell you about it.

I found the 21g protein chicken broth to be exactly as advertised and it does taste like chicken cup o soup without the noodles.

I may order their unflavored protein, so I can add it to other things to get my protein in. I'll keep you posted on that product when I get it and try it. If any you forum members have tried it, please post your opinions on this product or other brands of protein.

A didgeridoo is an Australian instrument. But I would guess Mikke5Vancouver doesn't know what he is talking about since he told some other ladies and I quote:

I went and looked it up after I signed off the forum. Yes,, Mikke's post was pretty harsh,, maybe from lack of oxygen from blowing on that horn. lol

blowing a didgeridoo for one hour a day ....after six months will help your sleep apnea .

What's a "didgeridoo"?

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of October. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

This is the topic for those who are scheduling their surgery during the month of September. Posting in this topic gives you the chance to meet other patients that are going to be in TJ during this month. So lets hear from the soon to be Gastric Plication patients.

Homework and other WLS Forums

Everyday I get future weight loss surgery (WLS) patients asking about my experiences with the OCC, Dr. Ortiz, the surgery and my post surgery lifestyle. I always tell them to “do their homework”. By that, I mean get out there and look at other websites, plus our OCC Forum. I personally have posted my lap band and recently my band to sleeve revision surgery experiences here at the OCC Forum and on the Vertical Sleeve Talk forum. I’m a firm believer if I can help a patient by blogging or writing my testimonial at this Forum or other forums, then I feel I’ve helped.

So, I’m urging all OCC patients to get out there, post “Your Story” and help others who are doing their homework.

Here are a few forum links you can go to post “Your Story”:

www.occforum.com

www.sleeveplicationtalk.com

www.verticalsleevetalk.com

www.obesityhelp.com

www.gastricsleeve.com

And for Facebook and Twitter:

www.facebook.com/OCCMedicalCenter

www.twitter.com/occweightloss

Also, this is a good site for informational videos:

www.youtube.com/weightlosssurgeryocc

Do you know if they do Dental Implants?

You know, I don't know if they do or not. You can call the OCC clinic and ask.

Last Oct I had a dental implant done at Dent-Art with Dr. Lugo. Then came back in Jan for the crown on the implant. Implants are a two part process. First trip is the implant, 3 months later you have to have it crowned. I was very satisfied with the implant done at Dent-Art, great price too.

Is it safe to have dental work done at the same time as Bariatric surgery? ( i Realize its not happening during surgery, but even within a few days seems risky) I am in the veterinary field and we specifically do not do dental cleanings on our patients at the same time as other major surgeries because of the risk of infection from bacteria in the mouth being released into the bloodstream. Any dental patients have to be completely healed from previous procedures before proceeding.

Ask Dr. Ortiz,

While here for my revision surgery, I got to meet Dr. Castillo. He was very personable and very professional. I personally talked to him concerning several issues I have and might elect to have done in the future. So far I have yet to hear any complaints from previous patients. And after talking to him I feel very comfortable that Dr. Ortiz has selected a quality Plastic Surgeon to represent the OCC. If you have any questions concerning Plastic Surgery, feel free to call the OCC and talk to Daniela, she's the The Ariel Center patient Coordinator.

Dr. Ortiz has restarted the Dental Clinic. All patients coming into the OCC will get a free exam and consultation. Check it out when you arrive. There's always something new going on here at the OCC.

Thanks for the info. Is there WiFi available at the Marriott or OCC?

OCC has a couple computers in the back near the patients rooms for your use. The Marriott has a computer room for guests only. I can't remember if they have Wi-Fi, but I'm thinking they do.

Anyone try to use their cell phones while down there? I thought its so close to the US, maybe phones could pick up towers there without having to pay for a Mexico/international plan. I have AT&T.

As soon as you cross the border your AT&T service quits at ground level. Sometimes, while at the OCC or hotel Lucerna,, and depending what floor your on, you can pick up the AT&T towers in the USA. At the Marriott, no AT&T service. The OCC has phones and computers you can use. The Marriott has a computer room free for guests.

For some time now, Dr. Ortiz and the OCC have been "tweeting" on TWITTER.

Dr. Ortiz just loves to "Tweet". He posts helpful hints, tips, pre-surgery and post-surgery advice.

Check it out at https://twitter.com/occweightloss

Dr. Ortiz's goal is to make your weight loss surgery a successful one. He wants you to be informed and he tries to give you access to information on several media forums.... The OCC Forum, Twitter and Facebook are some of those.

The more information you have, the more successful you'll be. Let us know what you think here at the OCC Forum and at other Internet forums. Posting your success helps "wannabe" WLS patients make informative decisions.

I have research and thought about this surgery ( sleeve) for a year now. I have the money and the time to finally do the surgery. I should be overwhelmingly over joyed right... Not so much! I've become so frightened, no matter how many YouTube videos I watch the fear is over powering me. Fear of failure, fear of losing my security blanket called "fat" , my relationship with food is a big one, and fear of change. My heart hurts. I know I should be happy but I'm terrified. This is all making me see the negative hold that food has had on me for over20 years. Please help.

It's a big step in your life. Change for some is very hard to do.... and this is a major lifestyle change. Don't feel your the only one thats went through this feeling. The surgery is easy and when that's done, you'll look back and wonder why you had all that anxiety. The best part is when the weight starts to fall off and you find yourself feeling a lot better about yourself. Think POSITIVE!

You know, I've been here at the OCC Forum for years...I never knew this, but the OCC is on Facebook. Go check it out at www.facebook.com/OCCMedicalCenter. It's loaded with lots of information and comments from patients and other people interested in WLS. I found that there are over 44,600 likes--I'm impressed that there's this much interest in the OCC and WLS.

If you feel open about your OCC Weight Loss Surgery journey, share your experiences with others who are seeking information. As I've always said, "Do your homework". What better way to do your homework than to hear from patients that did theirs.

Boy, we've parked at the border for the day but not overnight. GET RENTAL INSURANCE lol

(The daughter will be here this weekend, I'll ask her what people do)

Gloria at the OCC office gave me some info. There's a parking lot near the crossing that has CCTV and an attendent on duty 24/7 for $7 a day. She sent me a email with a map. Looks like it might be a winner.

I'll be travelng alone when I go in July for my Lap Band to Sleeve revision. I'll have a rental car and need to find a place to park it for a few days. Has anyone used those pay parking lots at the border? Can you tell me and other future patients your experiances?

Hi Holly,

Does Dr Castio speak pretty good english? I am only a few weeks post-op with 40ish lbs still to lose but, I will be in Tijuana with a friend in August and would like a consult with him--sort of a "feasibility study".

I think if you call the OCC and talk to Gloria,, she can arrange a plastic surgery consultation.

Cosmed in my opinion is a choice I wish I would have never picked. A big mistake. I've had multiple after surgery issues. There's a lot more plastic surgeons out there doing a lot better work than Cosmed. It takes a little work finding them, but they're out there.

I enjoy reading the progress of the patients. I can honestly say it is one of the best things I have started and have all intentions of finishing. One June 1st it will be 3 months since my plication by Dr. Ortiz. So far I have lost a total of 52 lbs. I have 43 more lbs to go. I started walking 2 weeks ago and it seems to have pushed me along. Not trying to "blow my own horn", just want to motivate those that are considering plication as an option. It does work! It is imperative that you follow the instruction given to a "T" and you can not fail!

Great Progress,,, Keep up the good work!!!