LoriBecky

Don't miss out on OCC Webinars - featuring Dr. Ariel Ortiz and special guests that will help you #stayhealthy as you #stayhome.  Hear from the experts on how to stay active, eat right, boost your immune system, get updated on the newest information on bariatric (weight loss) surgery, healthy habits, how to eat to stay well, and not just survive, but learn how to THRIVE!  

OCC Webinars start at 1pm PST

You can register here to get all the updates and links to our new OCC Webinars

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/1815857683875/WN_EHadwxekSleEAWeOwHG5vQ

Great Live today from International Bariatric Club - featuring the world experts in bariatric surgery (including our own Dr. Ariel Ortiz!)

You can watch it again here - at in the last 10 minute so of the video - they discuss how weight loss surgery could be the only way to help those at higher risk due to metabolic disease that bariatric surgery can help resolve so that your risk of COVID-19 is reduced

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiKd5sw0qfI

Hi OCC Family - Dr. Ortiz needs your help! Online reviews are becoming increasingly important, and we would greatly appreciate if you could share your experience on yelp here https://www.yelp.com/biz/obesity-control-center-tijuana. Some tricks to help ensure your review 'sticks' are to review a few other businesses as well, make sure you have a profile picture, and add a few friends on yelp. If you really want a gold star, don't click on the yelp link, instead go to yelp.com, search for us, and leave a review from there. Thank you so much in advance for your time!

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/obesity-control-center-achieves-global-healthcare-accreditation-300948526.html  

Press Release - OCC gains yet another Certification - details at link above!

Dear Patient,

We know there has been a lot of information on the news about the border crossing between Mexico and California. While there have been several reports about closed borders we have only seen one incident when the San Ysidro border crossing was closed temporarily. Since we rarely use the San Ysidro border to cross back in to the US, this hasn't been an issue for any of our patients. We always allow ample time to prepare for any delays at the border. We would rather get you back to the airport early for your return flight then risk you missing a flight.

There have not been any delays coming into Mexico, only a little longer wait time at the border. Since almost all of our patients are taken through the Otay Mesa border crossing through the Pedestrian Ready Lane, the waits have actually been extremely short! Please know that our team is constantly checking on the border situation through the official website for the border wait times, as well as several social media sites that allow for real time views of the borders. If we see that wait times are longer then usual, we would take you across even earlier. Its why we tell you not to plan your return flight until 3pm or later on the date of discharge. This allows us plenty of time to get you back to the airport in time for your flight!

If you have any questions or concerns please contact your Patient Coordinator or call our Concierge at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 80 or concierge@obesitycontrolcenter.com

Hi Newleaf, we don't generally give 3 weeks off after surgery since most can return to work about a week after surgery.  But if you have a job that requires lifting or strenuous activiies and your job can't be modified, then our doctors can evaluate for more time off.    We fill out FMLA paperwork all the time.  Once you've booked your surgery and paid your $500 deposit to hold your date, then you can send us your FMLA paperwork!  For more information email coordinators@obesitycontrolcenter.com

Mexico has required FMM forms for traveling to Mexico by air for a long time, technically it was required for land travel into Mexico but was not being enforced. Lately the Mexican government has been enforcing this rule. When traveling to OCC for any reason, please make sure you have your Passport or Passport Card, plus have a stamped copy of the FMM form with you - you'll need to stop at customs coming into Mexico to have this stamped even if you are driving yourself, or walking across the border. The OCC Driver always stops at Customs and patients go through customs, but make sure you ask the Customs Officer to stamp your FMM form. Often they will try to waive you through, but ask them to please stamp your FMM form. You will not be admitted into the hospital without it (the law states we have to check for it now!). If an official asks to see your stamped FMM form you must produce it.

You can pre-fill out this FMM form online and print it as long as your passport is valid for more then 6 months after your planned travel dates, and as long as you are traveling within 30 days of completing the form. If your passport expires within 6 months you can't fill it out online and will have to complete it at the Customs Office.

This is a requirement for anyone traveling with you as well.

If you have any questions about the required documentation please call our concierge at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 80.

Here is the link to the FMM Form online - use the option for Land Travel: https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html#

We have a 5 year follow up program that includes phone calls from our team, follow up emails. A 24/7 doctor line that you can call or have your physician call with any questions. Most primary care physicians in the US are happy to do the follow up care you'll need which is really just annual physicals and blood work ups. If any of your follow up's with us suggest you need some testing done, we will let you know what that is and you can ask your US doctor to order it or return to us. I have been sleeved for over 4 years now and have never had any testing done that my insurance didn't cover.

Lucia Chavez, LNCA
Chief Nutritionist
nutritionist@obesitycontrolcenter.com
1-866-376-7849 ext. 86

So many great OCC Stories....We Invite you to share your OCC story others!!!!
THE OCC BEFORE AND AFTER CONTEST!
Share your Story and Win! https://obesitycontrolcenter.com/before-and-after-contest/ The OCC Testimonial & Spokesperson of the Year Award...
Is the way we thank to you for sharing your life changing experience with others.

We are pleased to announce that we have launched a new and unique product:

Enhanced Bariatric Nutritional (EBN) Protein Shake

We are very excited with its new and enhanced nutritional qualities, and we know you will be too!

In one serving, you'll get the best of VITALEPH´s previous protein shake plus 4 additional benefits:

• The best taste available. After 10 months of sampling for texture and taste, we are proud to offer a medically graded protein shake without the “medicinal taste”.
• More vitamin D to help reduce pill intake, yet meet the bariatric standard recommendation of 3,000 IU.
• Glutamine, a unique nutrient that fuels metabolism, repairs and maintains gut functions; which is especially important after a digestive tract surgery, such as bariatric surgery!. Glutamine plays a crucial role in preventing gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, our EBN protein shake is a great addition to anyone with digestive symptoms.
• Flax seed for its many benefits, including omega 3, essential fatty acids to fight off the proinflammatory state we are susceptible to, and fiber that has shown to lower cholesterol, reduce risk of cancer, and aid in digestive problems.

No other product comes close to these nutritional features. We keep our pledge to your health by providing clean and true ingredients, at the right dose.

Please visit us at caralnutrition.com, the space where medicine and nutrition intersect.

To a long, productive, healthy and happy life.

Lucía Chávez, Nutritionist

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Vitaleph Designer Nutrition is back in stock... remember, The American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery has determined that ALL Weightloss Surgery patients should be on Bariatric Vitamins and Supplements, for life! So lets stay well as we lose weight, and keep it off!

www.vitaleph.com

if you have any questions about your pre-op or post-op supplements email nutritionist@obesitycontrolcenter.com

Hello everyone. I am this close to hitting 50,000 views on my blog and I would love a little help from my forum peeps. If you haven't read my newest blog post, or have missed some or all of my previous entries, would you please take a peek... share with a friend who is considering the journey, or even post to your facebook or twitter. You can post the link to your social media or even email it to someone that is contemplating surgery.

http://www.occforum.com/blog/332-loris-blog/

I'm also happy to answer any questions! You can email Lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com for more info!

Thanks!

Before/After photo contest on the OCC Facebook page! Open to all OCC Bariatric surgery patients! Hurry, ends soon! Make sure to like our Facebook page and then submit your before/after pictures to our Facebook Message Inbox! Entries due by March 6th then contest will run from March 7th to March 15th (most "likes" wins) and winner announced March 16th.

https://www.facebook.com/OCCMedicalCenter/photos/a.10151125075299135.439007.74049904134/10152703620609135/?type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/OCCMedicalCenter

and as always we would LOVE to see you post your before/after photo's on Facebook! use the hashtag #occbeforeafter so we can see them! (contest participants need to message their before/after photos to our facebook inbox and include their full name and OCC surgery date)

Good Luck and let's see those pictures

One of our sleeve sistas started a support group on facebook where OCC Sleeve (pre and post) Patients can share pictures, support each other, and keep each other on track!

Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/758113717570254/

Join the conversation!

Hi Brianna, if you have any pre-op diet questions you can email nutritionist@obesitycontrolcenter.com or contact your coordinator directly. We are here to support you every step of the way, before and after surgery. I know it can seem strange to have to lose weight before surgery, but its all about a safe surgery! Remember, this is the last time you'll need to do it without your "tool" for assistance. You can do this!!

If you are an OCC patient your first move should always be to call our 24/7 doctor line 1-866-376-7849 ext. 5.

we have a general support area for plication - is this what you mean? http://www.occforum.com/index.php?s=730a0e6cd63bc254e7d45fbb81a37277&showforum=29

if you are looking for something else, let me know and I'll work on it

I put a link to a very interesting article in my most recent blog post - breaking the cycle of obesity, and pregnancy after weight loss surgery...

http://www.occforum.com/index.php?app=blog&module=display&section=blog&blogid=332&showentry=849

Great article on Comedienne and The Apprentice alum, Lisa Lampanelli and her success with her gastric sleeve surgery!

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/09/20/comedian-apprentice-alum-lisa-lampanelli-loses-80-pounds-surgery/70000814/1#.UFzTKo1mRD4

Want to get up to the minute news on nutrition, weight loss, supplements, and what is happening at Obesity Control Center - make sure to Like us on facebook, follow us on twitter, or view our videos on Youtube! This is the best way to stay in the "know"!

There are links on our forum homepage or on www.obesitycontrolcenter.com

Get involved! We want to hear from you and we really want you to hear from us!

https://www.facebook.com/OCCMedicalCenter

https://twitter.com/occweightloss

http://www.youtube.com/user/WeightLossSurgeryOCC

Join our OCC family on these fun social media sites!

I am in need of a favor OCC patients! I get questioned about the scars left from a sleeve or plication surgery. I have a picture of mine, but my sleeve revision is only 4 months out, so I need some of you that are more like a year out to email me a picture of your scars (or lack thereof) so I can show people that there is nothing to be concerned about!

If you would be so kind to play show and tell with me by emailing me your pictures lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com - don't worry, I won't share your name or email address, just your picture!

Thanks!

I am in need of a favor OCC patients! I get questioned about the scars left from a sleeve or plication surgery. I have a picture of mine, but my sleeve revision is only 4 months out, so I need some of you that are more like a year out to email me a picture of your scars (or lack thereof) so I can show people that there is nothing to be concerned about!

If you would be so kind to play show and tell with me by emailing me your pictures lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com - don't worry, I won't share your name or email address, just your picture!

Thanks!

Hi Auggie, OCC uses a 32 bougie for patients. This is considered the "gold standard" bougie size and most commonly used.

Here is a picture so you can get an idea of the size

If you have any questions you can reach me at lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com or 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81

http://asmbs.org/2012/06/new-studies-weigh-in-on-safety-and-effectiveness-of-newer-bariatric-and-metabolic-procedure-sleeve-gastrectomy-demonstrates-weight-loss-and-safety-comparable-to-more-established-procedures/

This study shows that the lesser invasive sleeve surgery produces very similar weight loss to the much more invasive gastric bypass surgery.