BANDED ON 3-25-08 BY DR. ORTIZ

[fat2nrml]

HELLO ALL!!!

I WAS BANDED BY DR. ORTIZ IN MEXICO 6 DAYS AGO. I TRAVELED BY MYSELF FROM PA., AND I MUST ADMITT I WAS A LITTLE AFRAID [AT FIRST.] MY FLIGHT INTO SAN DIEGO WAS DIVERTED TO LOS ANGLES DUE TO FOG. THAT WAS A PAIN BECAUSE I THEN HAD TO TAKE A 2.5 HOUR BUS RIDE BACK TO SAN DIEGO. I CALLED RENE FROM LA AND TOLD HIM OF THE PROBLEM AND HE ALREADY KNEW! I SAID THAT WE WERE TAKING A BUS AND HOW LONG I'D BE AND WHEN I ARRIVED AT SAN DIEGO AIRPORT, TWO MINUTES LATER A DRIVER SHOWED UP WITH MY NAME ON A PIECE OF PAPER. I WAS RELEIVED BECAUSE I HAVE'NT TRAVELED MUCH LET ALONE BY MYSELF. HE TOOK ME STRAIGHT TO THE LUCERNA HOTEL [WHERE EVERYONE WAS SO, SO NICE AND HELPFUL!!] I GOT MY ROOM [WHICH WAS VERY CLEAN AND VERY NICE.]

I GOT A WAKE UP CALL AT 6am AND WENT TO THE LOBBY TO MEET MRS. ORTIZ [DR. O's MOM] SHE CAME A FEW MINUTES LATER AND 3 OF US WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE CLINIC. THE OCC LOOKS EXACTLY AS IT DOES ON THE WEB SITE! VERY NICE, CLEAN AND PROFESSIONAL.

I WANT TO ADD THAT ON THE PLANE RIDE IN, I DID NOT TAKE DRAMAMINE AND I GOT MOTION SICKNESS. UNFORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T GO AWAY THE NEXT DAY. I FELT TERRIBLE! I WAS FIRST TO SEE DR. MIRANDA AND SHE ASKED ME RIGHT AWAY IF I WAS OK. I EXPLAINED ABOUT THE PLANR RIDE AND SHE WAS CONCERNED. THEY IMMEDIATELY TOOK ME TO A BED AND TOOK MY BLOOD SUGAR, GAVE ME AN IV AND GAVE ME DRAMAMINE. THE NURSES DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH VERY WELL, BUT THE TECH'S WERE THERE TO TRANSLATE. THEY MADE ME FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE AND AT EASE. IT DIDN'T TAKE VERY LONG AND MY TUMMY FELT BETTER. THEY THEN GOT ME A GOWN AND PUT THOSE LOVELY PAPER PANTIES ON AND THE LITTLE NURSE, I THINK HER NAME'S CAMILLA, PUT ON MY STOCKINGS. THAT POOR LITTLE WOMAN, HOW SHE HAS TO STRUGGLE WITH ALL THOSE PATIENTS EVERYDAY, I'LL NEVER KNOW!! #-o

DR. MARTENEZ CAME IN TO DISCUSS THE SURGERY WITH ME AND WAS VERY NICE AND SPOKE VERY CLEARLY. ASKED ME SEVERAL TIMES IF I HAD ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYONE ELSE, BUT I'VE HAD 2 OTHER LAPROSCOPIC SURGERIES AND GOT SICKER THAT A DOG AFTERWARDS. I TOLD DOC ABOUT IT AND HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE PAIN MEDS THEY GAVE ME, AND THEY WOULD TRY TO PREVENT THAT. [THEY MUST NOT GIVE THE SAME KINDS OF PAIN MEDS AS THEY DO IN THE STATES.] HE WAS RIGHT THOUGH... I DID NOT GET SICK!! NOT ONCE, I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL QUEEZY AT ALL!!! I WAS SO RELEIVED BECAUSE I THOUGHT IF I STARTED HURLING THAT I'D HURT MY BAND.

THEY THEN SHOT ME UP [THROUGH MY IV] WITH SOME KIND OF RELAXER.... NICE AND CALM. DR. ORTIZ THEN CAME IN AND SAID " SHE'S GIVING YOU THE STUFF THAT WILL MAKE ME LOOK BETTER TO YOU CAUSE I'M AN UNGLY MEXICAN". OH MY GOD!!!! THIS GUY IS GORGEOUS AND IT WASN'T THE MEDS, TRUST ME!!! HE SPOKE TO ME FOR A MINUTE AND SAID SEE YOU INSIDE. DURING THIS TIME I WAS GETTING SLEEPY, SO NOT MUCH MEMORY. I DO REMEMBER BEING ON THE TABLE AND A GUY TELLING ME THAT HE'D BE TAKING CARE OF ME AND THEN THAT'S IT. I WOKE UP TO A NURSE TALKING GENTLY TO ME TELLING ME I WAS DONE AND I DID GOOD. I REMEMBER GIVING HER HAND A SQUEEZE AND THANKING HER. I REMEMBER SLIDING OVER IN MY BED AND OUT AGAIN . I SLEPT FOR A SHORT TIME AND THE NURSES CHECKED ON ME AND THEN IT WAS TIME TO WALK. I THOUGHT I'D BE OFF BALANCE AND QUEEZY BUT I WASN'T, I ACTUALLY FELT PRETTY GOOD. THE NURSE WALKED ME AROUND 5 LAPS AND BACK TO MY ROOM. THEY BROUGHT ME BOTTLED WATER AND A POPSICLE AND A JUICE BOX. [NOT ALL AT THE SAME TIME]

I SLEPT PRETTY GOOD THAT NIGHT AND THE NEXT DAY THE NURSE BROUGHT ME BROTH AND DOC SAID I COULD HAVE COFFEE [THEY DON'T WANT COFFEE DRINKERS TO GET HEADACHES] I SIPPED BOTH OF THOSE AND THEN IT WAS TIME TO GET READY TO GO BACK TO THE HOTEL. MRS. ORTIZ WAS WAITING, WE GOT PAIN MEDS. AND THEY GAVE ME 2 DRAMAMINE FOR MY FLIGHT HOME. I MET AND SPOKE TO A FEW OF THE PATIENTS THERE AND I HAD A REALLY NICE EXPERIENCE OVERALL. ON THE RIDE BACK TO THE HOTEL I RODE WITH LAURIE AND HER FRIEND ROBIN. AFTER WE GOT TO THE HOTEL WE ALL WENT SHOPPING TOGETHER ON REVOLUTION AVE. HAD A NICE COUPLE HOURS, MEXICO IS BEAUTIFUL!! I WAS EXPECTING SLUM, IT HAS "BAD PARTS OF TOWN" JUST LIKE ANY CITY. WE WERE A LITTLE STARTLED BY TWO TRUCK LOADS OF POLICE WITH MASKS COVERING ALL BUT THEIR EYES, RIDING AROUND WITH RIFLES. THE SHOP OWNERS SAID THEY WERE "GOOD GUYS, PROTECTING US ALL". BRING LOTS OF MONEY LADIES!!! OMG, THE JEWELRY AND PURSES!!

WENT BACK TO THE LUCERNA, SHOWERED AND SLEPT. WOKE UP AT 10:30pm. TOOK A PAIN PILL, SHOWERED AGAIN AND SLEPT TILL MORNING. MET FRANSISCO IN THE LOBBY AND HE TOOK ME TO THE AIRPORT. VERY NICE MAN AND SPEAKS VERY GOOD ENGLISH. THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WENT OFF WITHOUT A HITCH.

TO ALL PEOPLE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT GETTING BANDED BY DR. ORTIZ..... NO WORRIES, IT'S ALL GOOD!!! I CAN'T SAY THAT ALL SURGERIES DONE IN MEXICO [OTHER THAN DR. O] ARE OK, BUT IT'S TOP NOTCH WITH HIM!! ANYONE WHO MAY WANT MORE INFO. OR JUST HAVE QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO ASK. YOUR BANDSTER BUDDY, DARLENE :-h

[Bobbi]

Darlene - Congrat on you surgery. It was a great experience down there, I would recommend it to others. Sorry to hear about you airsickness, but thanks to Dr. Ortiz's staff for helping you. Now is just healing and starting to feel so much better!

[fat2nrml]

Darlene - Congrat on you surgery. It was a great experience down there, I would recommend it to others. Sorry to hear about you airsickness, but thanks to Dr. Ortiz's staff for helping you. Now is just healing and starting to feel so much better!

YES, THE HEALING PROCESS!! I'VE READ ABOUT PEOPLES TERRIBLE GAS PAINS...... I HAVE THEM TOO, BUT I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TOO BAD! =D>

I NOTICED TODAY THAT MY INCISIONS ARE STARTING TO ITCH A LITTLE [THE GLUE'S STILL ON THEM] THEY SEEM TO BE HEALING UP NICELY. I BRUISED PRETTY GOOD THOUGH.... ALL BLACK, BLUE, GREEN AND YELLOW.

DOES YOUR INCISIONS HURT MUCH?? THE ONE WITH THE PORT IS MY TENDER ONE, NOT BAD THOUGH.

ONE DAY AT A TIME, HUH???

[jktbnelson]

HELLO ALL!!!

I WAS BANDED BY DR. ORTIZ IN MEXICO 6 DAYS AGO. I TRAVELED BY MYSELF FROM PA., AND I MUST ADMITT I WAS A LITTLE AFRAID [AT FIRST.] MY FLIGHT INTO SAN DIEGO WAS DIVERTED TO LOS ANGLES DUE TO FOG. THAT WAS A PAIN BECAUSE I THEN HAD TO TAKE A 2.5 HOUR BUS RIDE BACK TO SAN DIEGO. I CALLED RENE FROM LA AND TOLD HIM OF THE PROBLEM AND HE ALREADY KNEW! I SAID THAT WE WERE TAKING A BUS AND HOW LONG I'D BE AND WHEN I ARRIVED AT SAN DIEGO AIRPORT, TWO MINUTES LATER A DRIVER SHOWED UP WITH MY NAME ON A PIECE OF PAPER. I WAS RELEIVED BECAUSE I HAVE'NT TRAVELED MUCH LET ALONE BY MYSELF. HE TOOK ME STRAIGHT TO THE LUCERNA HOTEL [WHERE EVERYONE WAS SO, SO NICE AND HELPFUL!!] I GOT MY ROOM [WHICH WAS VERY CLEAN AND VERY NICE.]

I GOT A WAKE UP CALL AT 6am AND WENT TO THE LOBBY TO MEET MRS. ORTIZ [DR. O's MOM] SHE CAME A FEW MINUTES LATER AND 3 OF US WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE CLINIC. THE OCC LOOKS EXACTLY AS IT DOES ON THE WEB SITE! VERY NICE, CLEAN AND PROFESSIONAL.

I WANT TO ADD THAT ON THE PLANE RIDE IN, I DID NOT TAKE DRAMAMINE AND I GOT MOTION SICKNESS. UNFORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T GO AWAY THE NEXT DAY. I FELT TERRIBLE! I WAS FIRST TO SEE DR. MIRANDA AND SHE ASKED ME RIGHT AWAY IF I WAS OK. I EXPLAINED ABOUT THE PLANR RIDE AND SHE WAS CONCERNED. THEY IMMEDIATELY TOOK ME TO A BED AND TOOK MY BLOOD SUGAR, GAVE ME AN IV AND GAVE ME DRAMAMINE. THE NURSES DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH VERY WELL, BUT THE TECH'S WERE THERE TO TRANSLATE. THEY MADE ME FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE AND AT EASE. IT DIDN'T TAKE VERY LONG AND MY TUMMY FELT BETTER. THEY THEN GOT ME A GOWN AND PUT THOSE LOVELY PAPER PANTIES ON AND THE LITTLE NURSE, I THINK HER NAME'S CAMILLA, PUT ON MY STOCKINGS. THAT POOR LITTLE WOMAN, HOW SHE HAS TO STRUGGLE WITH ALL THOSE PATIENTS EVERYDAY, I'LL NEVER KNOW!! #-o

DR. MARTENEZ CAME IN TO DISCUSS THE SURGERY WITH ME AND WAS VERY NICE AND SPOKE VERY CLEARLY. ASKED ME SEVERAL TIMES IF I HAD ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYONE ELSE, BUT I'VE HAD 2 OTHER LAPROSCOPIC SURGERIES AND GOT SICKER THAT A DOG AFTERWARDS. I TOLD DOC ABOUT IT AND HE EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE PAIN MEDS THEY GAVE ME, AND THEY WOULD TRY TO PREVENT THAT. [THEY MUST NOT GIVE THE SAME KINDS OF PAIN MEDS AS THEY DO IN THE STATES.] HE WAS RIGHT THOUGH... I DID NOT GET SICK!! NOT ONCE, I DIDN'T EVEN FEEL QUEEZY AT ALL!!! I WAS SO RELEIVED BECAUSE I THOUGHT IF I STARTED HURLING THAT I'D HURT MY BAND.

THEY THEN SHOT ME UP [THROUGH MY IV] WITH SOME KIND OF RELAXER.... NICE AND CALM. DR. ORTIZ THEN CAME IN AND SAID " SHE'S GIVING YOU THE STUFF THAT WILL MAKE ME LOOK BETTER TO YOU CAUSE I'M AN UNGLY MEXICAN". OH MY GOD!!!! THIS GUY IS GORGEOUS AND IT WASN'T THE MEDS, TRUST ME!!! HE SPOKE TO ME FOR A MINUTE AND SAID SEE YOU INSIDE. DURING THIS TIME I WAS GETTING SLEEPY, SO NOT MUCH MEMORY. I DO REMEMBER BEING ON THE TABLE AND A GUY TELLING ME THAT HE'D BE TAKING CARE OF ME AND THEN THAT'S IT. I WOKE UP TO A NURSE TALKING GENTLY TO ME TELLING ME I WAS DONE AND I DID GOOD. I REMEMBER GIVING HER HAND A SQUEEZE AND THANKING HER. I REMEMBER SLIDING OVER IN MY BED AND OUT AGAIN . I SLEPT FOR A SHORT TIME AND THE NURSES CHECKED ON ME AND THEN IT WAS TIME TO WALK. I THOUGHT I'D BE OFF BALANCE AND QUEEZY BUT I WASN'T, I ACTUALLY FELT PRETTY GOOD. THE NURSE WALKED ME AROUND 5 LAPS AND BACK TO MY ROOM. THEY BROUGHT ME BOTTLED WATER AND A POPSICLE AND A JUICE BOX. [NOT ALL AT THE SAME TIME]

I SLEPT PRETTY GOOD THAT NIGHT AND THE NEXT DAY THE NURSE BROUGHT ME BROTH AND DOC SAID I COULD HAVE COFFEE [THEY DON'T WANT COFFEE DRINKERS TO GET HEADACHES] I SIPPED BOTH OF THOSE AND THEN IT WAS TIME TO GET READY TO GO BACK TO THE HOTEL. MRS. ORTIZ WAS WAITING, WE GOT PAIN MEDS. AND THEY GAVE ME 2 DRAMAMINE FOR MY FLIGHT HOME. I MET AND SPOKE TO A FEW OF THE PATIENTS THERE AND I HAD A REALLY NICE EXPERIENCE OVERALL. ON THE RIDE BACK TO THE HOTEL I RODE WITH LAURIE AND HER FRIEND ROBIN. AFTER WE GOT TO THE HOTEL WE ALL WENT SHOPPING TOGETHER ON REVOLUTION AVE. HAD A NICE COUPLE HOURS, MEXICO IS BEAUTIFUL!! I WAS EXPECTING SLUM, IT HAS "BAD PARTS OF TOWN" JUST LIKE ANY CITY. WE WERE A LITTLE STARTLED BY TWO TRUCK LOADS OF POLICE WITH MASKS COVERING ALL BUT THEIR EYES, RIDING AROUND WITH RIFLES. THE SHOP OWNERS SAID THEY WERE "GOOD GUYS, PROTECTING US ALL". BRING LOTS OF MONEY LADIES!!! OMG, THE JEWELRY AND PURSES!!

WENT BACK TO THE LUCERNA, SHOWERED AND SLEPT. WOKE UP AT 10:30pm. TOOK A PAIN PILL, SHOWERED AGAIN AND SLEPT TILL MORNING. MET FRANSISCO IN THE LOBBY AND HE TOOK ME TO THE AIRPORT. VERY NICE MAN AND SPEAKS VERY GOOD ENGLISH. THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WENT OFF WITHOUT A HITCH.

TO ALL PEOPLE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT GETTING BANDED BY DR. ORTIZ..... NO WORRIES, IT'S ALL GOOD!!! I CAN'T SAY THAT ALL SURGERIES DONE IN MEXICO [OTHER THAN DR. O] ARE OK, BUT IT'S TOP NOTCH WITH HIM!! ANYONE WHO MAY WANT MORE INFO. OR JUST HAVE QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO ASK. YOUR BANDSTER BUDDY, DARLENE :-h

Hey Darlene,

I'm probably the biggest motion sickness baby that you will ever meet...what I found that works wonders for me is meclizine. You have to ask the pharmacist for it (they keep it behind the counter). I was out on a deep sea fishing boat for 8 hours with 5 foot waves and felt completely normal. Dramamine never seemed to help me. So, if your interested in the future give it a try.

Kari

[fat2nrml]

Hey Darlene,

I'm probably the biggest motion sickness baby that you will ever meet...what I found that works wonders for me is meclizine. You have to ask the pharmacist for it (they keep it behind the counter). I was out on a deep sea fishing boat for 8 hours with 5 foot waves and felt completely normal. Dramamine never seemed to help me. So, if your interested in the future give it a try.

Kari

Hi Kari,

Thanks for the info., I'll keep that in mind. I don't travel that much, but am hoping to go back to TJ for, at least, my first fill. I will ask about the Meclizine. Thanks again!! Darlene

[WAgal]

YAY DARLENE!!!! I'M GLAD YOU HAD AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!! SEE... YOU'RE NOT ALONE YELLING!!! LOL!!!!

HANNA

[lynna]

Congratulations!!! =D> I am glad you are doing well. Thanks for sharing. I am headed down by myself on Sunday, so it helps to know someone else just had a great experience.

[fat2nrml]

YAY DARLENE!!!! I'M GLAD YOU HAD AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!! SEE... YOU'RE NOT ALONE YELLING!!! LOL!!!!

HANNA

HEY HANNA!!!!!

[i'll quiet down now] LOL!!! Thanks for that, you gave me a chuckle! Darlene

[fat2nrml]

Congratulations!!! =D> I am glad you are doing well. Thanks for sharing. I am headed down by myself on Sunday, so it helps to know someone else just had a great experience.

Hello Lynna,

You'll do just fine on Sunday, don't worry!! I know that's easy to say, but it's true. Just listen to the Doc's and nurses.... walk, walk, walk and sip, sip, sip. I still have the gas pains in my shoulder off and on, but not bad. I feel sorry for alot of the ladies on here, they're really hurting. I'm sure you'll meet some other Lapbandsters while you're there to hang out with and\or shop with. I did and i had a really nice time. Best wishes and I'll be thinking about cha!! Darlene

[WAgal]

HEY HANNA!!!!!

[i'll quiet down now] LOL!!! Thanks for that, you gave me a chuckle! Darlene

Isn't it fun to have all this support here. Quite frankly, I know what you mean about laughing so much... it hurt to laugh the first week! So I hope I didn't hurt you!

My husband would watch me get on the computer (this was the first week then I would burst into laughter reading stuff and then I would say "ouch, ouch, ouch!" Then he would laugh at me 'cause I probably looked pretty silly or crazy from his point of view. I love reading everyone's postings... Sometimes I wanna chime in just to let you know I've been there but I'm satisfied reading and enjoying the camaraderie taking place.. Keep it up ladies... We are going to look fantabulous!!!!

Hanna

"If I help you, then I am helping myself!"

[fat2nrml]

Isn't it fun to have all this support here. Quite frankly, I know what you mean about laughing so much... it hurt to laugh the first week! So I hope I didn't hurt you!

My husband would watch me get on the computer (this was the first week) and burst into laughter reading stuff and then I would say "ouch, ouch, ouch!" Then he would laugh at me 'cause I probably looked pretty silly or crazy from his point of view. I love reading everyone's postings... Sometimes I wanna chime in just to let you know I've been there but I'm satisfied reading and enjoying the camaraderie taking place.. Keep it up ladies... We are going to look fantabulous!!!!

Hanna

"If I help you, then I am helping myself!"

Hey Hanna,

How are you feeling?? I'm doing pretty good. I noticed that my belly likes warm or hot stuff better than cold. Gonna try to stick to that!

I agree about the support here, I chose not to tell people about my surgery so I'm pretty much alone here. I only told my Hubby, 2 daughters and one friend. I did'nt want to hear any negative comments from people. Now I'm finding it very hard to keep my secret, I want to tell everyone! I told Hubby that I may come out with the truth to everyone soon. That makes me really appreciate the support here, no one else understands [or know's, in my case.] I AGREE, WE ARE GOING TO LOOK FANTABULOUS!! Shhhh!! Darlene