trulytangledgrl

Tammy - Hey girl! I am glad to hear you are feeling better. I have been taking phazyme just because I am afraid if I don't that I will get horrible gas pains mid-day, and with my line of work, I rarely have time to stop at the store or what not. No worries about the 2 lb gain - we will drop it like its hot in no time hehe. It was so much fun meeting you and your hubby and hanging out a bit! Keep me posted on how you're doing!

I also went by myself - on May 29th thru June 1. Trust me, you have NOTHING to worry about. I was also very concerned about traveling so far by myself, but once I got to San Diego and was picked up at the airport (right on time might I add), I knew that everything was going to be okay. Everyone treats you so wonderful - they take wonderful care of you. The drivers, the hotel staff, the nurses/Dr.'s at the OCC, EVERYONE! They make sure that you are comfortable and feel safe. Also, like others here have said, you will meet a lot of new friends while you are down there. You will truly NOT be all alone - trust me. While I was there, I met Miriam (banded 1.5 yrs ago), her fiancee, tammy, karina, and many others. We had a great time and hung out together after banding. You have nothing to worry about - trust me! >

Well, its been 3 days since surgery... I have weighed myself cause I am wacko! I didn't expect any loss so I wasn't too disappointed when I saw that I have gained 2 lbs! MEH! I know I know - its because I am healing and they did pump me full of air to expand my stomach so they could see in there for my surgery. Its still frustrating LOL! Oh well. I am sticking to my post op diet - clear liquids... juices watered down, clear broths, and today I am allowed to add drinkable yogurt. Yay! =D> I do feel like some of the swelling/bloating has gone down today so that is a good thing, right?

Aw Caroline! I am so sorry to hear about your troubles. How are you doing today? Is it getting any better? It sounds as though Dr. O wasn't TOO concerned - if he was he definitely would have told you to either get back to TJ to see him or to get to your primary Dr. to get antibiotics! Just keep putting neosporin or hydrogen peroxide on it to make sure it stays clean, and put gauze and a bandaid over it to keep it covered and away from infection. Let us know how you're making out - thinking of you and praying for your recovery. YAY FOR PROTEIN SHAKES =D>

Dontondan - aw thats so sweet! haha. Yeah he (the anesthesiologist) was such a nice guy! I felt like I was in such good hands whils I was there. I had absolutely no questions in my mind that I would get the best care - especially after meeting everyone, and then with my experience with the anesthesiologist. I mean, he absolutely didn't have to sit there with me and make sure I was okay but he did... and its so true that Dr.'s in the states would NOT do that. Thats so great. Erin - I am glad that by sharing my experience it is helping you to feel more comfortable with your decision to go to OCC and have your surgery with Dr. Ortiz. I PROMISE you will not regret it. You will be so happy that you made the decision to have your surgery at OCC because they provide top notch care like none other.

Hey all! Thanks for such encouraging comments and responses! > Well, here is the play-by-play of my trip to TJ/Dr. Ortiz. My flight left at 6:30 am from Philly airport. Left right on time, all went fine with that. I flew into Minnesota, and my flight from there in to San Diego was an hour late because of high winds! Gosh! So, anyhow, I was anticipating that the driver probably wouldn't be at the airport, but he was! Fransisco was there waiting for me and I was so happy to see him! So, we get my stuff into the van, and then went to the commuter portion of the airport to pick up Miriam (banded 1.5 yrs ago) and her fiancee (who was there to be banded). They are so nice! Fransisco took us all to the Lucerna to check in, and told us that our pre-op stuff would all be done the day of surgery. Once at the hotel - no problems. The rooms were very nice - not what I would consider '5 star', but they were accomodating especially since it was only a 3 night stay. The beds were comfortable, and the room I was in was newly renovated. After checking in and getting settled, Miriam, her fiancee and I went out on the town for dinner. We went to La Cantina (the one everyone talks about) and then went shopping! Now, this shopping was QUITE a debacle. I mean, its crazy! People just hounding you everywhere you turn - I didn't like that much, but I did have the chance to purchase some pretty bracelets, necklaces, a cheap pair of sunglasses, and a pair of shoes. That was definitely an experience I will forever remember. Oh, lets not forget all the colorful dressed up cows/bulls. Plus I got to put my spanish to use a bit HAHAHA. SO... after much walking/exercise, we went back to the hotel to relax by the pool. This was nice, although the water was slightly cold. I got in for about 5-10 mins then got out! I am a whimp. Miriam's fiancee pushed her in. NOT FUNNY, man! haha. Okay, so... off to bed I go. Slept like a LOG! Woke up bright & early at 6:30 am to get ready and be in the lobby at 7:30 am for the driver. As soon as I got down there, they were waiting for me I didn't have to wait even a minute! The driver took my stuff, put it in the van, and off we went! The clinic is IMMACULATE! I was honestly shocked when I walked in because it felt like I was taking the internet tour LOL! It was so clean, so state of the art, and honestly I didn't expect it to look IDENTICAL to what it did online! Once Claudia the receptionist arrived, everyone got their photos taken and filled out some paperwork. I waited in the lobby for maybe 15-20 minutes before I was called back to talk to Dr. Miranda. She is SO nice, funny, talkative, and makes you feel relaxed. We had a great discussion about global warming and how scary it is what its doing to our planet! She went over everything with me in great detail, and I went back out into the lobby. I waited maybe 15 more minutes, then was called back to see Dr. Jiminez. He was also very nice/pleasant. He took a brief medical hx and did my EEG - all was good. Went back into the lobby, then waited to be taken to my suite. In about 20 minutes, one of the nurses came out and then took me back to my suite - again, gorgeous! It had a relaxing table fountain, a flat screem HDTV with Direct TV, the bed had beautiful linens on it. I was just in utter amazement at the care that is taken of this facility. I got a nice suprise when Dr. Ortiz came into my room to talk to me! He is sooo so so nice/funny He's a hunk, too! DAMN! #-o hehehe. He sat on the couch in my room and we talked for about 40-45 minutes! He saw that I got upset a little when talking about my weight, and he came over to my bedside and held my hand and just said that everything will be okay. I was so touched by his kindness. I was 4th surgery of the day, and the time just flew. Before I knew it I was done and back in my room resting. I was so out of it! The anesthesiologist said that I was crying a bit when I came out of anesthesia, and he sat in my room with me to make sure I was okay - how sweet! Seriously, I would never expect to receive care like that in the states. It was just so touching... these Dr.'s care so much about their patients. The nurses took great care of me - making sure I had NO pain or discomfort. They even let me sleep later the next morning because I was up throughout the night a lot with some pain. I went back to the room at about 8:30 - 9:00 am on saturday morning. I rested the majority of the day. I went to the hotel restaurant for some soup broth. Crossing back over to the states was a breeze - especially at 4:30 am! We drove to the border, walked through this building, they asked what we were bringing back from Mexico, and then were supposed to run our luggage through x-ray but didn't :-? haha I don't know. It was fine with me though cause it made things much faster! Flights back were quite uncomfortable... meh. Okay, I think that about sums it up. and I'm SPENT!

WOOOOOHOOOO !! Congrats nic!!! That is so exciting for you to be halfway!! I bet you are extatic! I know I will be when I get half way!! =D> Keep up the EXCELLENT work, girlfriend! Show 'em what ya workin with

HEY ALL! I am just reporting to you all directly from OCC - I AM A BANDSTER!! =D> WOOOHOOOO!! If I could do a dance I would. I am going to write so much more probably later on, but what I can tell all of you is that this place is BEYOND anything that you can ever imagine. It is gorgeous, immaculate, state of the art, the Dr.'s and nurses and all other staff treat you like you are royalty. EVERYONE is so helpful and caring - I can honestly say I have never received care like this in the states. I am so so so happy I came here to Dr. Ortiz. Dr. Ortiz came into my room and sat on my couch, and talked to me for about 45 minutes. It was such a pleasant relaxing conversadion, he is just an amazingly down to earth funny man. Really just are no words to do him justice. Anyhow, feeling much pain need drugs. hhahaha. I will talk to you all very sooon and give the FULL story play by play!! Cheers!

Yep, yep, and yep! lol! I got all of those things. Thanks for your help/suggestions. I think its just that I am so excited to go that I am afraid that I am missing something.... cause I packed pretty quickly. I have went over and over my list of stuff and I have everything in my suitcase, SO, here's to hoping that I have everything I need! :-? I will definitely keep you all updated about how things go once I arrive.

I AM PACKED AND READY TO GO!! Oh my gosh. I feel like there is something I am missing. Okay, so I packed lots of comfy clothes - mostly dresses and loose-fitting pants. T-shirts, tank tops, etc. I packed a pair of slippers, and clothes to sleep in of course. I bought some phazyme (most of you here have said that was helpful), my medicines, and a small bottle of shampoo, and my hair stuff. Does anyone know if the hotel can provide things like toothpaste/soap/etc?? I was going to get a tiny travel size thing of toothpaste, but I forgot. I packed my camera too so I can get LOTS of photos!! <---- me right now. lol!! I am forgetting something I just know it. OH YEAH, I also have all my travel documents... paperwork for OCC. Cash ($1's and $5's) meh. what else?

I just placed my order for the Emotional Eating Toolbox Kit - it is a bit pricey, but I think it will be well worth it.

It is definitely a HUGE comfort to know that if something does go wrong (that isn't any fault of my own, of course), that the Dr.'s at OCC are willing to fix it without any additional charges. This was one BIG concern of mine, and it puts my mind at ease to know that if I take care of my band, and do what I am supposed told to do by Dr. Ortiz, that nothing SHOULD happen, and if it does, the surgeons at OCC will take care of me.

syphnx - ME TOO! I am getting very nervous/anxious as we. I totally feel you on that and I am experiencing the same exact thing. I guess for me its a nervousness like 'am I wasting my money? is this going to be yet ANOTHER DIET that I fail miserably at?' etc.. but we are NOT going to fail! We will be successful and so happy that we made this decision I cannot wait to meet you! I will be seeing you I am sure, as I will arrive on May 29 for preops!

Hey all Well, I have basically been doing what many others have done for their pre-op diets. Dr. Miranda said I didn't HAVE to lose anything (due to the fact that my BMI is considered 'low' - 32), but that I could NOT gain A SINGLE POUND... LOL! So, needless to say that scared me into doing the preop diet anyhow. I have been doing 2 Slim fast low carb shakes (with 20 g of protein, 2 g carbs I THINK..., and like 190 calories), 1 lean cuisine/south beach diet meal/etc... and one south beach protein bar as a snack. My weight has fluctuated tremendously - one day its 198, the next its 194, the next 195, etc... but I have been staying around the same weight-range which is my goal. So, do what Dr. Miranda tells you to do, add in like 30-40 minutes of exercise (even if its just a walk) 5 days per week if possible, and you will be GOLDEN!

THANK YOU SO MUCH, LADIES! > I am sooo glad I have this forum to come to and vent all my concerns. I would be going out of my mind otherwise! LOL! <----- ME! hahahaha! Yeah, I emailed Dr. Miranda and bless her heart she emailed me back already! I was surprised since it is a weekend! She said not to worry AT ALL! She said that as long as I am dieting, it is helping clear my liver of the fat which is whats important, and she said if I gain water weight from my period that I should take calcium (??) never heard of that but I'll try it for sure! I AM SO FRIGGEN EXCITED YOU GUYS! Oh my god I cant believe I am getting banded in like 5 days!

Well, I have 5 days until banding! Woooohooo!! I can't believe how fast its gone by. My concern is that my weight keeps fluctuating. On my initial paperwork, I put my weight down as 195 (I had ben to the Dr. a week or so prior and that was my weight). Dr. Miranda said I didn't have to do a pre-op diet if I didn't want to, but she said not to gain a SINGLE POUND.... well, I HAVE been doing a pre-op diet, just not as strict, and my weight is fluctuating like crazy. I was down to 193, then today I am 198! I am so worried! Also, my Dr. scale always reads higher than my scale at home, so I am afraid that the scales at OCC will also read higher. I am just afraid that they won't let me get my surgery. I think I am about to get my period, so that might be the reason for the fluctuations... I don't know. I have been doing 2 slimfasts and 1 lean cuisine, and then a snack mid-day (generally a south beach protein bar). I am just worried. Really worried.

May 23 - walked 45 min May 24 - danced 1 hour May 25 - walked 35 min

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!! WOOT WOOT!! Get excited, the skinny train is comin to pick you up. =D> I will be going next Thursday and cannot wait!

Hey all! Congrats to all of us who have been doing the pre-op diet! LOL! I started mine on Sunday, and my surgery is next Friday. I don't HAVE to lose any weight but Dr. Miranda warned me not to gain a SINGLE pound and I am sooo paranoid! LOL! I am like oh my gosh I don't want to gain anything I am afraid if I do that I won't be able to get surgery. Also, I am really nervous because when I filled out my paperwork to send (health info), I had weighed myself on my home scale, and I just know that every time I go to the Dr. their scales show me as being higher than my scale at home. I am afraid when I go and they weigh me, I will be like 3-5 lbs heavier and they won't operate. I will just have to lose like 5-10 lbs I guess. yep yep.

Thanks Kim for the reassurance! I appreciate it! LOL! I really am confident in Dr. Ortiz - especially after reading everyone'e stories on this forum. I am more nervous about traveling alone than anything else! haha. I am wondering, though, is someone there when you arrive at the airport or did you have to wait a long time? I am nervous that they will forget me! LOL!

May 17 - Vigorous cleaning at LEAST 1.5 hrs. I was sweatin like crazy!! also on May 17 - walking 30 minutes

I will DEFINITELY be bringin my slippers! I am getting banded May 30th also! WOOHOO its gettin so close I cannot wait. I don't think I am going to bring make-up or shampoo because I am quite sure they will have shampoo there in the hotel, or be able to provide it if we need it. I am going to pack as little as possible. My goal is to ONLY pack a carry-on! I think I can do it. I need to remember to go buy some phazyme/gasX strips. I am going to pack mostly dresses and loose pants because I can't imagine that jeans will be comfortable especially for a plane ride. SO MUCH TO DO.. I am starting to get nervous

WOOOHOOOO I'LL BE THERE THE 29TH for preop stuff WOOHOOO its coming up sooooo fast. I can hardly believe it that NEXT WEEK I will be getting my band!!

I can totally relate to how you are feeling. I was (still am sometimes) feeling the same thing when I first scheduled my surgery. I just thought to myself 'what the hell are you doing? this is going to be a total waste of money - its going to be just like every other diet i have tried...' the list of bad thoughts goes on and on. I have the same fears as you - mostly about losing then gaining back PLUS SOME. I can generally lose weight up to a certain point (i.e. the lowest weight I have gotten down to is 180 and from there I tend to not be able to lose anymore, and then I get angry and sabotage my efforts by stuffing my face) and then I just gain it all back plus more. SO... I guess my biggest fear is that the same thing will happen - I will be able to get to like 180 and then not lose anymore, which will lead me to sabotage myself and gain everything back. I guess what you have to keep in mind with the band is that (as long as you keep up with fills) your food intake should be restricted and it will not be a pleasant experience to eat stuff you shouldn't, or to eat too much. So it should be much more difficult to gain the weight back, I guess. As long as you are following what the Dr.'s tell you and don't stretch your pouch out, the band will work. Here's to hoping.

WOOOOHOOO!!! I can't wait until my countdown gets to single digits! I purposely booked my days completely next week so that the days will FLY BY! I am a case manager I work with adolescents and kids, and I run around all day anyhow but I booked every single day solid so that I don't have time to get bored so that the days will just fly right past. I AM SO READY!