In case you are undecided about OCC

[drsteve]

For those of you who are reading this, and are unsure about choosing OCC for your Lap Band Surgery, here are my experiences so far.

First let me tell you that I am a Dentist, and know my way around health care, health care providers and surgery. I decided to have Lap Band surgery due to the non-invasive laparoscopic method used, and the fact that it is reversible. I called a friend who had the procedure about a year ago, and she spoke very highly of OCC and Dr. Ortiz. My initial reaction was great surprise when she told me she had it done in Tijuana, Mexico. After extensive research I decided that Dr. Ortiz and OCC was the best place in the world to have this procedure performed. My surgery was on October 22nd.

We were picked up at the airport and driven to the Marriott which by the way is very nice. The next morning we were driven to the clinic, I was seen by a Cardiologist, had a session with the nutritionist, an IV was started, and had blood drawn for pre-op testing. I was wheeled into the OR, met the Anesthesiologist, and the next thing I knew I was back in my room. My wife tells me all the Doctors were in to see me right after surgery, I was a little groggy and don't remember.

I stayed in the clinic overnight. The care was excellent, a doctor and nurse were right there, and I was driven back to the hotel in the morning.

Since I am home I have been on the post-op diet, not my favorite, but essential for healing. They also took care of my hiatal hernia during the surgery. I have had some gas pains, and some pain from the hernia procedure. I have called several times regarding the pain, and both Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez answered their cell phones, and Dr. Ortiz called me yesterday to see how I was feeling. I don't think that kind of care and caring is available in the U.S.

As you can tell, I highly recommend OCC for the Lap Band procedure, and Tijuana is fine, reminds me of Miami. Please feel free to contact me at skatz260@embarqmail.com if you would like to ask me about my experience with the band , Dr. Ortiz, or OCC.

Dr. Steve Katz

The Villages, Florida

[ladyhart77]

Dr. Steve,

Thanks so much for sharing your story! I leave a week from tomorrow and will be banded on the 11th. It was great to hear another wonderful and positive story about Dr. Ortiz and the OCC! Keep us posted on your progress!

[Pippabella]

Dr. Steve;

Thank you so much for your post. I am scheduled for December 21.. I am excited and your post made me feel even more confident that I made the right choice.

[uniqueladie]

Thanks for sharing Dr. Steve, I have been searching and searching and I keep coming back to Dr. Ortiz. I am a bit nervous about the surgery because I know it is a life change and since I am going to Mexico I am concerned by follow up care because I live in Oregon. I know I am going to do the procedure because it is a health necessity. Your report helps to ease my mind.

[AngieB]

Thanks for sharing Dr. Steve, I have been searching and searching and I keep coming back to Dr. Ortiz. I am a bit nervous about the surgery because I know it is a life change and since I am going to Mexico I am concerned by follow up care because I live in Oregon. I know I am going to do the procedure because it is a health necessity. Your report helps to ease my mind.

I called around to the local Dr.'s in the area before I left for surgery. One Dr. wouldn't take on a patient from Mexico, all the others were fine. I went with the best Dr. I found. It pays to get your ducks in a row.

[StephC2009]

Thank y for this thread. I am heading down in a little over a month and am really looking forward to it.

[Trav]

I'll echo Doc's comments, and add to them, I've done a lot of needlesticks when I worked for a blood bank. In the thousands (probably tens of thousands now that I think of it). The irony is, I hate needles. If you're worried about that, don't. They've got the best stick I've ever had. Back of my hand, first try, no pain...not even a pinch.

I'll also go on to say, that though the set up is designed for efficiency and time expedience, you never felt like they were herding you thru like cattle, like you would with NHS, or in a Canadian facility (no offense, Cannuks and Brits), but they took their time to answer your questions, get you in, get you out, and made you feel comfortable.

I went back to the hotel the very same day. (some stay overnight). They'll work with you as much as you want them to, educate you with what you need to know, or if you know what you're doing, leave you the hell alone. (like me haha)

At any rate, Dr. Ortiz is probably the best in the world, as far as I'm concerned. I've heard stories from other people who've got it done from other doctors, and it really amazed me the amount of irresponsibility these doctors were indulging.