COCO

Hello everyone,

I was banded on 6/29/07 and must say the whole experience was awesome. The entire staff at OCC was personable, caring and above all extremely professional. The staff at the Lucerna was equally as great! I can not say anything bad about any part of my experience. The surgery was a breeze, my husband said I was back in about 30 minutes. I would do it all again tomorrow and highly recommend the OCC to anyone considering going out of the country for the procedure. I am looking forward to my new start.

Coco :-h

Hi Kristy5567,

Thank you so much for your post. I did not even realize that was an option. My insurance covers it (Humana) but they give you such a run around and I did not want to deal w/ that so I just paid for it. I was just banded 6/29/07 (yeah!!!!) I am going to submit a claim and like you said the worst thing that could happen is that they deny it. Thanks again for that bit of information. I'll let you know how it turns out!

COCO :-h

Hello new journey,

June 29 is approaching quickly. I'm starting to become nervous about the actual procedure. I went to the store today and purchased some items for my trip (gas-ex, sucrets,) etc. I have tried to stock up on some needed liquids for the post-op phase. I'm hoping to get more direction from Dr. Miranda in regards to the different phases. We are not arriving until late on the night of the 28th, so I will be having my pre-op testing and surgery on the same day. I hope I pass all my tests. I'm sure I will, thank God my only problems at this point is my weight. Well, I hope everything is going well for you. See you in TJ.

CoCo :-h

Hello new journey,

I hope everything is going well for you. I am hanging in there and anxious for the 28th to arrive. Its coming quickly! How are you doing w/ the pre-op diet? I am down 20 lbs and counting. Keep in touch and hang in there.

CoCo :-h

Hi new journey,

June 29th is approaching fast!! I can't wait. I have made a personal decision to not tell anyone about the lapband. I have told two very close friends, my sister and my pastor. I am a very private person and this is a very personal decision. Maybe I will feel different later but right now I'll keep it to my self. Oh, my husband also knows! How is the pre-op diet going. I'm down 15 lbs so far. Keep up the good work. =D>

CoCo

Hi Coco. I'm scheduled for surgery on June 29. I'm also very anxious about the entire process. It would be helpful to share our thoughts and emotions are we get closer. I live in the L.A. area. So I'll be driving down on the 28th. I'm going with my sister as morale support.

Hi New Journey,

I just saw your post, I have not logged on for awhile. I am extremely happy to find someone scheduled for the same day. Are you as anxious and as exicited as I am? I can't wait. I will also be arriving on the 28th w/ my husband. Will you be staying at the hotel (Lucerna) since you are w/in driving distance? How are you doing w/ your pre-op diet? It has been a constant struggle for me. This week I have had to step up my game and get serious about it as we only have about 14 days or so. Worse case would be for them to say I have to reschedule as we already have airline tickets and money is not exactly growing on trees in our neighborhood! I'm even more nervous now just thinking about it. I can't wait to meet you.

CoCo

Millennium Medical

Kathie Gonzales

727-541-2675

Thank you, thank you, thank you! One less thing for me to worry about.

COCO

Hi, can you provide more info on the nurse practitioner in St Pete? Will she follow all patients or by referral only. I have not had surgery yet (June 29th) but wanted to find someone closer to home for the fills. To be honest, its the after care that makes me nervous. Thanks for the info!!!

COCO :-h

:-h

I am looking to coordinate sharing a shuttle ride with others who are going to the OCC in June (I need to get my 1st fill). If you don't mind sharing the info, are you arriving on the 28th or 29th?

I had never been to TJ only heard stories about it and not good ones. I was worried too, but it was a breeze! Are you traveling down there by yourself or do you have someone coming with for support? Everyone at the center is sooo Nice! The nurse Carmelita is the sweetest lady you ever meet. She doesn't speak much English but when she smiles, you can just feel the love. Surgery only takes about 15 min according to my husband. The night before the surgery you are going to get to eat what ever you want! My advice to you is pick some thing good..... that is easily digested. It will help with any discomfort you have the days following surgery. I had pizza of all things and WhiteDove had Mexican food we both were constipated and had lots of gas pressure. The discomfort is not bad and you will not be hungery. Drink lots of water and if you feel you need something more, make jello water. There are coffee makers in the rooms @ La Lucerna so you can heat up H20. Walk walk walk..... We walked up and down Revelution Blvd the day after and did San Diego Zoo the day after that!

You will do Great!

Hi,

I am scheduled to arrive on the 28th. I am traveling w/ my husband. We have not made flight arrangements yet. I am ok w/ sharing a ride. Thanks for the info, it helps to ease my fears. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. What foods are easily digested?

COCO :-h

Coco,

Thanks for getting back to me. This is turning out to be easier than I could ever have hoped. After taking to other Drs in AZ and other states I was told I was probably be looking at a year to 18 months before I could have surgery. Today I talked to Carol and I am scheduled for June 18th. I am thrilled.

Just like you I have some weight to lose and I'm hoping it goes easily. How are you doing? I know your surgery is on the 29th right? Good luck to you I hope all goes well. Stay in touch.

C

Hi C,

All is well for me. I'm sort of struggling w/ this pre-op diet but other wise I am doing fine. I need to lose 30 lbs. How about you, how much weight do you have to lose? How's that going? So, June 18? Your a week or so ahead of me. You will have to let me know how it goes. Keep in touch and let's encourage each other during this pre-op phase!!!

COCO

Hello

Sorry I am not scheduled for June. Not scheduled at all yet, but I would love to talk to someone who is at the beginning of this process as well. I have decided to have the surgery and i am very anxious to get this ball rolling. I have the full support of my husband but we don't have a lot of time or money. I was wondering if someone could tell me how long the process takes from contacting the center to having surgery and how many times you had to go down to TJ before surgery? Also what can I do to really get prepared for the consult. I have quit smoking and I have given up alcohol and caffine but should I also be trying to lose weight? I know this may seem like I am in a real hurry and in a way I am. I would like to have the surgery ASAP. Thanks for any advice anyone has.

C

HELLO C,

OF COURSE I AM NOT AN EXPERT IN THIS AREA BUT FOR ME, IT WAS RELATIVELY EASY. I HAVE NOT TRAVELED TO TJ AT ALL. EVRYTHING WAS HANDLED VIA THE TELEPHONE AND FAX. I SPOKE W/ LORI, SHE E-MAILED ME A MEDICAL PKT, I CONSULTED W/ THE NUTRITIONIST AND WE SET A DATE BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT THEY WANTED ME TO LOSE PRE-OP (I HAD TO HAVE ADEQUATE TIME TO DIET). I SENT MY $500.00 DEPOSIT AND THAT WAS IT.

YOU HAVE ALREADY TAKEN MAJOR STEPS TOWARDS PREPARATION FOR THE SURGERY. YOU SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF YOURSELF. I WOULD CONTACT LORI AND SHE WILL DEFINATELY GET THE BALL ROLLING.

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP ME POSTED!!

COCO

HI COCO, I'M NEW TOO!!! NOT SCHEDULED FOR JUNE BUT, SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY MAY 28TH. ALSO LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO CHAT WITH. I HAVE SOME ANXIETY BUT READING POSTINGS ON THE FORUM DOES HELP. GETTING REAL CLOSE TO MY DATE AND THE ANXIETY SEEMS TO GROW. ANYONE WITH ADVISE PLEASE EASE MY MIND.

TAM2BTHIN

HI TAM2BTHIN,

WOW!! MAY 28 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. ARE YOU TRAVELING W/ A COMPANION?

I'M STRUGGLING W/ THIS PRE OP DIET. ITS WEEK 3 AND I'VE ONLY LOST 6 LBS, THATS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE 30 THEY WANT ME TO LOSE. DID YOU HAVE TO DIET PRE-OP? I HAVE RESEARCHED PLENTY AND FEEL COMFORTABLE W/ MY CHOICE TO GO TO TJ. DEFINATELY LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES.

COCO

HI EVERYONE, I AM NEW TO THE FORUM AND WANTED TO KNOW IF ANYONE WAS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 29TH? I APPRECIATE ALL THE ADVICE AND INFORMATION PROVIDED VIA THIS FORUM. IT HAS HELPED TO RELIEVE SOME OF MY ANXIETY.

COCO