dietingqueen Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 I just returned from OCC due to what I thought was reflux/problems and most likely a band slip. Unfilled Feb. 18 totally but still experiencing this burning in throat and mouth (tongue, sometimes lips)..that I THOUGHT WAS HEARTBURN. local lapband quack gave me nexium and never called me back when I was in distress. Dr. Martinez (saint), Dr. Romero (saint), called me back quickly several times to try to help me. We all pretty much were sure slippage so I came down last Friday. Prepped for surgery in case then sent for endoscope and comprehensive barium swallows to find out MY BAND IS FINE! Had another gawd awful test where they stick a tube thru your nose down to jesus' (so to speak) and YOU ARE AWAKE AND NOT PLESANT. THEY SEnd you another doc for the endo and this test - the second test was my choice to check esophogus and he is sweet as pie but I love it when I ask him - If we need to stop can we" and he says "No,we don't stop, just remain calm' LOL My undying respect and love for Mrs. Ortiz - an absolute angel who carted me around all day to the doctors - so kind and nice to me - like my mother - even took me to the bank! Rene in the office who could not have been nicer to me too and so on top of all my last minute arrangements and helping my husband make it to the Lucerna to be with me. The drivers - the office staff - and all the doctors - as I sat there boo hooing like a baby - holding my hand - comforting me like you can not believe. The nurses are also angels - so gentle - loving - caring. If ANYONE HAS DOUBTS ABOUT GOING TO THE OCC - GET OVER THEM QUICKLY. You are in better care than I think you can ever receive in the states. And, even if you have good after care in the states - whenever you need Occ THEY are there for you. 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Anyone can email me privately but know this - OCC is beyond number one in my book. The patient is everything to them - you are number 1 in their eyes and you feel it. I still don't know what is wrong with me but Dr. Martinez suggested some additional tests to have done in the states and i can eat solids again, etc. I did not see Dr. Ortiz on this trip but he also called me during my earlier distress and he is also a saint in my book. Honestly these docs and nurses are sooo competent and caring. The competency is critical but the caring is hard to come by (in the states IMO). Just wanted everyone to know. mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetdeck Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Wow Mary, Sorry to hear of all your troubles, but am so happy to hear that you were so well taken care of at OCC. Please keep us posted. SJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim2BSlim Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 I am so sorry you are having those problems. Kudos to the staff at OCC for helping you out. I can't wait to meet them. I hope you feel better really soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaVA Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Mary -- I'm so sorry you are having this trouble ! May you be completely well again very very soon! The OCC angels are gifts from God, I think (and I'm not that religous!). I'm glad you were in their very capable hands. Dont give up ! You are your best advocate when dealing with doctors who are not associated with the OCC ! Keep us posted....we are thinking about you!!!! Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lna228 Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Did you have to pay for this? I always wondered if something were to happen what they would charge. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dietingqueen Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 The current cost for band removal is 3500 - which is only hospital costs - they don't charge surgeon fees. Since I didnn't have surgery they will charge me for the transportation back and forth for me and my husband (it would have been included for me and for both of us if we had been traveling together) and they might charge me for their services - I haven't settled the bill so to speak with Rene but he said they would most likely be mailing me a check (or wire, whatever). I have no concerns at all re: getting my money back - they are very ethical and I am happy to pay for whatever fees they charge for the surgery prep, exam, etc. I don't think I will 'owe' anymore than 500-600 at the most. mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacklynrae Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Thank you for your story it is beyond comforting to know you think so highly of this surgeon. It puts my mind at ease!! Thank you soooo much! Hope everything is getting better and you can be back to normal in no time! Good luck and God bless, Jacklyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giggy Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 <_<you couldn't be more accurate. The people at OCC are so amazing. I haven't been back for my fill yet but i was so impressed by the professional staff and the care that I received at the time of my surgery I'm anxious to go back for my fill. They were all wonderful giggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dietingqueen Posted March 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 Dr. Martinez used to do the fills (may still do them) but the last few times I had Dr. Romero and/or Dr. Acosta. Dr. Acosta did my last unfill in February and left a little in (unfill due to refulx and being too tight) - I still had a little throat clearing the night after the unfill so to be safe I went back ON SUNDAY MORNING AT 9;00am and Dr. Acosta met me at the office. Then he dropped me off at the border! Again, very impressed with that type of patient service. The office is closed on Sundays but I spoke to both Dr. Martinez (late Sat. night) and then met Dr.Acosta early Sunday morning so I could fly home later Sunday... I had surgery in Nov 2005! They are always going to be there for patients. You will feel very safe and be in good hands for your fills. My only advice is trust them on the amount - don't try to be too tight so 'the band does the work' - as this will backfire. Better to be loose with a teeny restriction to remind you to stop or to help you eat less. A too tight band will only cause problem.s Also, don't rush coming home too much to see how you react to the fill. My last fill was in July (in Utah) and it was fine until around December and it just tightened up (I think for a lot of reasons but mainly work stress.....?) and I waited too long to get the unfill (trying to find a local doc). Good luck with your fill - you are in good hands. mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparetire Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 I just returned from OCC due to what I thought was reflux/problems and most likely a band slip. Unfilled Feb. 18 totally but still experiencing this burning in throat and mouth (tongue, sometimes lips)..that I THOUGHT WAS HEARTBURN. local lapband quack gave me nexium and never called me back when I was in distress. Dr. Martinez (saint), Dr. Romero (saint), called me back quickly several times to try to help me. We all pretty much were sure slippage so I came down last Friday. Prepped for surgery in case then sent for endoscope and comprehensive barium swallows to find out MY BAND IS FINE! Had another gawd awful test where they stick a tube thru your nose down to jesus' (so to speak) and YOU ARE AWAKE AND NOT PLESANT. THEY SEnd you another doc for the endo and this test - the second test was my choice to check esophogus and he is sweet as pie but I love it when I ask him - If we need to stop can we" and he says "No,we don't stop, just remain calm' LOLMy undying respect and love for Mrs. Ortiz - an absolute angel who carted me around all day to the doctors - so kind and nice to me - like my mother - even took me to the bank! Rene in the office who could not have been nicer to me too and so on top of all my last minute arrangements and helping my husband make it to the Lucerna to be with me. The drivers - the office staff - and all the doctors - as I sat there boo hooing like a baby - holding my hand - comforting me like you can not believe. The nurses are also angels - so gentle - loving - caring. If ANYONE HAS DOUBTS ABOUT GOING TO THE OCC - GET OVER THEM QUICKLY. You are in better care than I think you can ever receive in the states. And, even if you have good after care in the states - whenever you need Occ THEY are there for you. 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Anyone can email me privately but know this - OCC is beyond number one in my book. The patient is everything to them - you are number 1 in their eyes and you feel it. I still don't know what is wrong with me but Dr. Martinez suggested some additional tests to have done in the states and i can eat solids again, etc. I did not see Dr. Ortiz on this trip but he also called me during my earlier distress and he is also a saint in my book. Honestly these docs and nurses are sooo competent and caring. The competency is critical but the caring is hard to come by (in the states IMO). Just wanted everyone to know. mary Hey Mary, I think we met you at the Lucerna! My sister Diane and I spoke with you the morning of our surgery. Glad to hear your band is ok, but I sure hope you can find out what the problem is. Thanks for all the reassurance > and for letting us "feel" your port One thing we noticed is that you don't have any real visible scarring. Do you know why that is? What can we do to prevent it? Thinking about you! > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dietingqueen Posted March 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Hey Hey Hey- I am so glad to hear from you! How are you and your sister doing? I hope OK - was hoping I would run into you at the Lucerna but we left pretty early. Yup that was me. Not sure about the scars but I had the surgery in 2005 and I think they just faded. Even my local docs say that - I didn't do anything to them in particular - just didn't mess with them with any special creams, etc. Did you post somewhere else of your experiences? Hope the surgery wasn't too bad. Going to some more docs this week - took a break - had a few days without the burning but now back so going to Ear Nose and Throat doc today - it's getting on my nerves now! I was getting a B-12 shot every week for 4 weeks than stopped when the band problems (which I guess weren't band problems) started but have been taking a multi, a b complex and calcium supplement since back). Maybe a sinus or throat infection? Hopefully will check that out this week. Good luck on your lapband journey... take care. mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dietingqueen Posted April 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2008 Hi everyone, may have finally figured out what the burning is...i'm now seeing an actupunturist and he said basically i am acidic - did ph urine strips and i was bright yellow off the charts acidic. Been on special ph balanced water (kangenwaterusa.com) and doing actupunture 3x a week and finally have a few hours of relief every day (and it corresponds to when my ph is closer to normal). I still have a little throat clearing even switching with decaf but it seems to be only in the morning. will give it one month to clear up completely or back to occ for possible band removal. i also want to wait until my burning in mouth is gone so that I 'm healthier in case i need surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now