LoriBecky

Hi Kristie,

hard to know who is who on here, but we show that we spoke with a Kristie yesterday for a contact form filled out yesterday... if that wasn't you, it may be that your form didn't come through correctly. You can email me lori@obesitycontrolcenter.com for more info or call me at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81 and I would be happy to assist you!

Thought i'd give an update. Had a pretty rough day on Tuesday, not sure if just a reaction to the surgery or if I had a bit of a bug, very nauseous all day, but after a really good nights rest I was feeling much better on Wednesday. Oh... I did get out to watch the fireworks on Monday night. My family took a big comfy chair outside so I got to enjoy the 4th with my family

I'm moving around much better now, but of course, still fairly slowly, and not always completely straight Dr. Castillo had to do some extra work on my right side where I had previously had a hernia repair... let's just say I can feel it LOL I'm hoping his extra attention to that area may end the problems and pain I continued to have there 4 years after my initial hernia repair! <fingers crossed!!>

I'm really excited to a get little further info my recovery and I'm really hoping by next week I'm feelilng like being up and around quite a bit more!

My new shape is starting to show itself and i'm really excited! (so is my husband) its his birthday today by the way

I'll keep posting updates, and eventually pictures!

Remember... if you want information about cosmetic surgery at The Ariel Center, a Service of Obesity Control Center, call 1-866-376-7849 ext. 85 or email cindy@thearielcenter.com

I had my tummy tuck, internal corset and breast lift (and a bit of augmentation, too) What a wonderful experience to return to the OCC as a patient. They take such good care of their patients. I know this, but nice to experience it again! Everything went really well, and I can already see my new shape, although still swollen and pretty sore, i'm really anxious to see the outcome. I had my drains removed today.... that was an adventure in and of itself... ouch... but I'm sure by tomorrow I'll be feeling much more comfortable. Even at this stage of not being able to stand fully upright, and being really sore, i'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'll keep everybody posted about my recovery and I'll post some pictures when I can.

Any questions about cosmetic surgery or procedures at The Ariel Center, a service of Obesity Control Center call Cindy at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 85 or email cindy@thearielcenter.com - let her know Lori sent you so I know you are reading my posts LOL

Happy 4th to everybody! Heading home tomorrow in time for some BBQ and fireworks on Monday.

Please remember that as with any surgery there are risks and following the doctors recommendations are crucial. Problems after surgery are very rare, but if you experience symptoms you need to contact our after care doctors at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 5. If a patient fails or refuses to follow the doctors recommendations, and you experience a problem, that isn't necessarily a surgery failure.

It can be hard to do research on surgeons in Tijuana - really the only ones that are easy to find on an internet search are those with advertising dollars or with a huge US or Canadian following - that's just how it works, unless you search google mexico, sometimes its easier to find there. There are many great doctors in Mexico - in fact we refer to them for many things. Cardiologists, Cancer treatment, infertility, "female" surgeries. You won't find many of them on the internet, because they don't advertise that way, but Dr. Ortiz only refers out to the best. He only works with other doctors that have high standards, just like Dr.Ortiz has high standards. When it comes to anything to do with patient care, if he can find something better, whether it be new sterilization equipment or surgery tools, anesthesia, that's what he uses. The same goes for cosmetic surgery. If he finds someone that is better, that's who he'll work with. We still work with Dr. Mendez, but we use Dr. Castillo for specific body contouring procedures, especially after weight loss. In fact, I have been putting off having my tummy tuck for years now, because I just never had that comfort level until now. I am planning my extensive tummy tuck with liposculpture the end of June or first part of July! Dr. Castillo is amazing and very cautious and extremely detail oriented! I will be having my surgeries in 2 steps, because the tummy tuck is extensive, I'll go back to have the breast lift/augmentation at a later date. Its ALL about safety and quality, just like with Dr. Ortiz.

We never push anybody into plastic surgery, but of course, of course, of course... if you mention you are considering it, we want to make sure you know that we can handle it in house, in a hospital you know, with an anesthesiologist that you know (SUPER IMPORTANT, too!) in a Centers of Excellence facility! Why wouldn't we tell you that? And of course if you bring someone with you and share the room... we'll give you a better price.

Any questions on cosmetics? Call Cindy 1-866-376-7849 ext. 85 or email cindy@thearielcenter.com . She'll ask you to email her some pictures so she can have the doctor review and get you pricing... simple

You can watch the segment that aired this morning, 4/22 at 9am on The McMahon Group on AZTV 7. Just click the link below:

http://www.aztv.com/category/195810/tmglivestream

Dr. Ortiz segment starts about 19 minutes in:[

Eat-Exercise-Live Radio Show

Please take a look a the new site for The Ariel Center a service of Obesity Control Center. This site is dedicated to cosmetic procedures. The Ariel Center

For more information on cosmetic procedures at The Ariel Center please call 1-866-376-7849 ext. 85 or email cosmetic@thearielcenter.com

One of our patients asked me to post this to the forum for her - she is doing great

Wanted you all to have an update...as of last Friday I have

lost 30.2lbs since plication on Jan 27, 2011. I am so pleased with my

results so far. They are so noticeable in my face and the very best

part for me is the way my closes "don't" fit me and how my belt needs

to be in the very last hole. It use to live in the second hold. Look

out new clothes in much smaller sizes are in my future....Yaaahooooo!!

Not sure if the staff and doctor's will remember me, but I sure

remember them. You all are wonderful!!

Cheers, Katie

Hello my OCC Family! I need to apologize. I'm a bit behind in returning some calls and responding to emails. I was out from Tuesday night until late Wednesday night at an out of town funeral for someone that had been very important in my life. I don't want anyone thinking that I am ignoring my patients! I am about a day behind in my responses... and I do apologize for that. If you need something right away and you haven't heard back from me, please call me at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 81 so I can take care of you Again, I do apologize for any inconvenience my delayed responses may have caused. HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! Have a great weekend

Because Diverticulitis is in the intestine and we don't touch your intestine for the sleeve or plication, that shouldn't be an issue, but I'm happy to schedule a phone consult for you! Call or email me anytime

you can park at Border Parking

Here is a link (its pinned in the Fill topics area) that can really help! Getting to OCC for Adjusments

A Fill under Fluoroscopy is $100

if you want transporation the fee is $199

if you want the fill under fluoro, the transportation and a night at the hotel its $279

cash, cashiers check, or direct deposit only - no checks or credit cards

any questions? Call Gloria at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 2

prices subject to change, transportation is based on availability so call ahead!

you can use this link to order a spirometer from Amazon, in some states they require a prescription, so if you are a non-smoker with no other pulmonary issues, you can use the small water balloons and blow those up 5-6 times per day (use a new balloon each time)

While cardio can over the long haul increase your pulmonary function, this type of exercise will do the job we need it to do in a shorter period of time.

The reason for this on the sleeve/plication/bypass surgeries is because we have to intubate on these surgeries because we must put a measure device (32 bougie) to measure the pouch size. That is not necessary with the band surgery.

any questions, please let me know

here's that link: Incentive Spirometer on Amazon

You may be able to find a spirometer at your local pharmacy or medical supply store as well

Lindsay, not sure why you are jumping to conclusions but its starting to feel like you are attacking people for having a different opinion or for trying to explain why they are choosing the plication. This is a support area.

Dr. Ortiz sponsors the site, as nothing is free! But he has invited and included the experts in on www.gastricplication.org and tried to consolidate the research about the plication into one easy to read site where people can learn more about this procedure. Not sure why this bothers you, but I am very sorry about that!

The band and plication are both wonderful surgeries. Its all about personal choice. I have the band, I love my band, but if I ever had trouble, I would seriously consider the plication surgery! Our patients have done so well with it. Some of the revision patients from band to plication haven't seen as much intial weightloss, that is true, and we are working with them to figure it out. For some, its because they aren't used to just that "full" feeling, they are used to their bands being over restricted and PBing to know they have overeaten, so there is a learning curve. The feeling with the plication is different from the band, its a more natural full feeling, and they are having to learn how that feels and not push past it.

If anyone has questions I'm happy to assist.

I spent Monday at OCC getting some training, visiting with patients, having my band checked, meeting with the staff... getting my cosmetic surgery consult (yipee) and getting Botox. I have had Botox several times, but the care that Dr. So & Linda give and the attention to detail is UNSURPASSED! and the price is really good, to! If you are coming for surgery, for a fill, or just want a day of luxury, you really should come to OCC! The lady in the chair next to me was getting a non-surgical "face lift" with botox and juvaderm... amazing! If you want more information please call our cosmetic department at 1-866-376-7849 ext. 85 or email cosmetic@obesitycontrolcenter.com!

Lots of exciting things happening... stay in the know!

Twitter

Facebook

In an effort to stay better connected with you, and share some of the amazing stories we're privileged to hear every day, we've launched in the world of social media.

Twitter

If you use Twitter, click above to go to our Twitter page, and follow us. We'll be posting patient stories, updates on procedures, and valuable information you'll want to stay up to date with.

Facebook

If you're on Facebook, click the link above and "like" us! We'll also be posting some of the amazing stories we hear every day and valuable information you need to know. It's a great way to interact with us, and we'd love to hear from you, so like away!

[edit: working on the myspace link - seem to be having some trouble - but we'd love to see you on Facebook and Twitter!

bump

I applaude Dr. Ortiz and his professional staff at OCC! I'm a registered nurse, and was thrilled to see an immaculate surgery center, universal precautions and sterile technique being used without fail. We were treated like guests at a spa, and the procedure itself went smoothly. I will have no reservations about referring my friends and family to OCC for the gastric plication. Looking forward to a smaller me and better health!! Blessings!

Kari

I was asked to post this to the forum by one of our patients. If you have any questions about weight loss surgery, please call me!

Feel free to call or email me directly with any questions! I can set up a phone consult for you to speak directly with Dr. Ortiz if you'd like!

this is completely un-true! it does NOT say the plication is not reversable... They give information about the plication and Dr. Ortiz still says this is a reversable surgery. If anybody wants a picture of this from our lobby, just let me know!!

isn't awesome that you can get a full line of plastic surgery and cosmetic options right at OCC - where you know and trust the facility and doctors, we can even help you make hotel reservations at our reduced rate for your recovery stay!

just email cosmetic@obesitycontrolcenter.com for more information!

OCC now offers a full line of cosmetic surgery as well as botox, juvaderm, peels & facials! Email cosmetic@obesitycontrolcenter.com If you've already had surgery, you know Dr. O's standards and the quality of our facility... why not complete your transformation with us

Hi my band family,

i just wanted to reply to this one, as I have crossed the border in my own car, in the shuttle and on foot... most days, the shuttle is the fastest way to cross! I would never walk across again.... hated it, but that's just me. I felt much more secure (and much more comfortable) in the van! When my husband travels with me, I like being in our own car, but sometimes, the shuttle line is faster!! But I do like not having to get out and go through customs when we drive ourselves! Its a personal choice, but for me... I'd choose the shuttle over standing in that border line any day Starting just prior to Thanksgiving and through the New Year, the line at the border can get kind of crazy, so please plan ahead!!

For more information on Cosmetic surgery or other procedures including Botox, Juvaderm, facials, peels, please email cosmetic@obesitycontrolcenter.com! We are so excited to be able to offer these services in house, with a world class facility and surgeons that meet Dr. Ortiz' very high standards!

We have a great line of cosmetic procedures available at OCC! Botox, Juvaderm, peels... just email cosmetic@obesitycontrolcenter.com for more information!