Banded 10/1....mostly good-- some not so much..

[VickyR]

I wanted to share my experience, even though it wasn't perfect, in case others have experienced or might experience something simmilar.

First of all, everyone I met at the Lucerna and associated with the OCC was friendly, helpful and professional. Francisco was there to meet me right on time, and was very helpful. my luggage was lost, and he had to go back and get it later when it arrived on another flight. All the driving back and forth across the border he does would drive me crazy! He brought me to just before the border, and due to traffic slowing us down, had to go back to the airport to pick up the next people arriving. Mrs. Ortiz met us in SD and she brought me the rest of the way to the hotel. She is lovely and charming, and very helpful.

The Lucerna was fine, others disliked the harder beds, but they were fine with me. We got picked up the next morning, and after the pre-ops and dental visit (just a formality), and IV start it was into room 6 for a nice set of paper underwear, compression stockings and gown. I met several of the Dr.'s and assistants before Dr. Ortiz came in. I had all my questions answered, and wasn't really nervous. They gave me the standard Ativan tablet, and after that I really don't remember anything else....not going into thr OR, or returning. Not really having any pain afterwards either.

However, due to some unjust twist of fate or evil genetics, I have problems with motion sickness and nausea post anesthesia, and despite discussion about this beforehand, and attempts to minimize this issue, I was horribly nauseated, having dry heaves etc. They did a fluro to make sure the vomiting hadn't done anything to the band, and that was fine. The question was whether the nausea was just my physiology or due to gas, were the medications for nausea actually making things worse etc., but I ended up having to stay there two nights and never went back to the Lucerna, but left for the airport from the clinic. So anyway, all those others who have this issue are prone to motion sickness etc., make sure you let them know beforehand...who knows, maybe it would have been even worse. Everyne was VERY attentive while I was feeling so awful, and seemed genuinely concerned. There were Dr.s available whenever the nurses (who deserve medals for their care and the long shifts they work sleeping over etc.) were concerned. Josefa and Carmen, you are wonderful! Thanks to all the Dr.'s who helped me while I was feeling so wretched.

Anyway, after many hours of wishing for cyanide, and wondering how I would ever get home, I slowly did get better. The trip home was a little hairy, as I had optimistically come by myself. I wouldn't recommend it. Thanks to the fellow patient and her husband who helped me with my suitcase! I feel I was and am still about 2 days behind where I should have been as far as recovery based on others' experiences posted here. I am home now, still having gas pains off and on, but I'll take that any day over the nausea. I hope I never need surgery for anything again, because I will be really nervous about the nausea.

[Teri]

I wanted to share my experience, even though it wasn't perfect, in case others have experienced or might experience something simmilar.

First of all, everyone I met at the Lucerna and associated with the OCC was friendly, helpful and professional. Francisco was there to meet me right on time, and was very helpful. my luggage was lost, and he had to go back and get it later when it arrived on another flight. All the driving back and forth across the border he does would drive me crazy! He brought me to just before the border, and due to traffic slowing us down, had to go back to the airport to pick up the next people arriving. Mrs. Ortiz met us in SD and she brought me the rest of the way to the hotel. She is lovely and charming, and very helpful.

The Lucerna was fine, others disliked the harder beds, but they were fine with me. We got picked up the next morning, and after the pre-ops and dental visit (just a formality), and IV start it was into room 6 for a nice set of paper underwear, compression stockings and gown. I met several of the Dr.'s and assistants before Dr. Ortiz came in. I had all my questions answered, and wasn't really nervous. They gave me the standard Ativan tablet, and after that I really don't remember anything else....not going into thr OR, or returning. Not really having any pain afterwards either.

However, due to some unjust twist of fate or evil genetics, I have problems with motion sickness and nausea post anesthesia, and despite discussion about this beforehand, and attempts to minimize this issue, I was horribly nauseated, having dry heaves etc. They did a fluro to make sure the vomiting hadn't done anything to the band, and that was fine. The question was whether the nausea was just my physiology or due to gas, were the medications for nausea actually making things worse etc., but I ended up having to stay there two nights and never went back to the Lucerna, but left for the airport from the clinic. So anyway, all those others who have this issue are prone to motion sickness etc., make sure you let them know beforehand...who knows, maybe it would have been even worse. Everyne was VERY attentive while I was feeling so awful, and seemed genuinely concerned. There were Dr.s available whenever the nurses (who deserve medals for their care and the long shifts they work sleeping over etc.) were concerned. Josefa and Carmen, you are wonderful! Thanks to all the Dr.'s who helped me while I was feeling so wretched.

Anyway, after many hours of wishing for cyanide, and wondering how I would ever get home, I slowly did get better. The trip home was a little hairy, as I had optimistically come by myself. I wouldn't recommend it. Thanks to the fellow patient and her husband who helped me with my suitcase! I feel I was and am still about 2 days behind where I should have been as far as recovery based on others' experiences posted here. I am home now, still having gas pains off and on, but I'll take that any day over the nausea. I hope I never need surgery for anything again, because I will be really nervous about the nausea.

Vickey,

I am so sorry you went thru the horrible nausea problem. One good thing is that it's in the past and you can concentrate and keep thinking how good your going to feel and look!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just love Ortiz's staff. They are the best. (They know it too and are proud to tell you) It is the kind of care that you experienced with them that give them the credibilty they deserve. Glad to hear you are back and doing better. Good Luck on your journey.

Teri

[Dontondan]

I wanted to share my experience, even though it wasn't perfect, in case others have experienced or might experience something simmilar.

First of all, everyone I met at the Lucerna and associated with the OCC was friendly, helpful and professional. Francisco was there to meet me right on time, and was very helpful. my luggage was lost, and he had to go back and get it later when it arrived on another flight. All the driving back and forth across the border he does would drive me crazy! He brought me to just before the border, and due to traffic slowing us down, had to go back to the airport to pick up the next people arriving. Mrs. Ortiz met us in SD and she brought me the rest of the way to the hotel. She is lovely and charming, and very helpful.

The Lucerna was fine, others disliked the harder beds, but they were fine with me. We got picked up the next morning, and after the pre-ops and dental visit (just a formality), and IV start it was into room 6 for a nice set of paper underwear, compression stockings and gown. I met several of the Dr.'s and assistants before Dr. Ortiz came in. I had all my questions answered, and wasn't really nervous. They gave me the standard Ativan tablet, and after that I really don't remember anything else....not going into thr OR, or returning. Not really having any pain afterwards either.

However, due to some unjust twist of fate or evil genetics, I have problems with motion sickness and nausea post anesthesia, and despite discussion about this beforehand, and attempts to minimize this issue, I was horribly nauseated, having dry heaves etc. They did a fluro to make sure the vomiting hadn't done anything to the band, and that was fine. The question was whether the nausea was just my physiology or due to gas, were the medications for nausea actually making things worse etc., but I ended up having to stay there two nights and never went back to the Lucerna, but left for the airport from the clinic. So anyway, all those others who have this issue are prone to motion sickness etc., make sure you let them know beforehand...who knows, maybe it would have been even worse. Everyne was VERY attentive while I was feeling so awful, and seemed genuinely concerned. There were Dr.s available whenever the nurses (who deserve medals for their care and the long shifts they work sleeping over etc.) were concerned. Josefa and Carmen, you are wonderful! Thanks to all the Dr.'s who helped me while I was feeling so wretched.

Anyway, after many hours of wishing for cyanide, and wondering how I would ever get home, I slowly did get better. The trip home was a little hairy, as I had optimistically come by myself. I wouldn't recommend it. Thanks to the fellow patient and her husband who helped me with my suitcase! I feel I was and am still about 2 days behind where I should have been as far as recovery based on others' experiences posted here. I am home now, still having gas pains off and on, but I'll take that any day over the nausea. I hope I never need surgery for anything again, because I will be really nervous about the nausea.

I am so sorry you had such a bad time after the surgery with the nausea, but was happy to hear that they did take good care of you down there. I am not scheduled until Dec 6th and am right now deciding whether to take someone with me or not. You may have made the decision for me (just in case). Hopefully by now you are feeling better and on the way to your goal

Donna