My Banding Experience at the OCC on 4/3/2008

[doves1]

On April 2nd two of my friends and I flew in to San Diego from Kansas to have surgery at the OCC with Dr. Ortiz and Martinez. Our flight arrived on time and our driver, Fransico, was there to greet us when we arrived. We were promptly transported to the clinic and when we pulled into the underground garage Dr. Ortiz was there to greet us and help us out of the van! WOW -- is he h-h-hot or what? We filled out our paperwork with the assistance of Claudia, had our EKG's with Dr. Jimenez, and our nutritional consult with Dr. Miranda, and our blood drawn by the nurse. Each of these people were kind and respectful. After we finished this part of our pre-op we were transported to our hotel by Mrs. Ortiz who was so wonderful. The Lucerna hotel staff were very attentive and we loved Alonso. Since we arrived early in the morning pacific time, we caught a cab down to Revolution Avenue and shopped after eating our last meal at La Difference, a mexican restaurant that has a very authentic menu (Beef Tongue Tacos, Duck, fried grasshoppers). Now you know we did not pick those off the menu!!! When I asked Dr. Martinez about this menu he explained how that is a favorite restaurant in TJ and they had specialty delicacies and told me a few more aside from the fried grasshoppers that I can not remember. YUK! But I had chicken (yes, it really looked and tasted like chicken breast) that was smothered in a cheese sauce and it was delicious. We only spent about an hour on Revolution Ave. on this day before we decided to go back to the hotel and rest up for our surgery the next day. On the day of our surgery, Mrs. Ortiz picked us up at 7:45 a.m. and took us to the clinic. We then had our dental check up by Dr. Orveido so we could be cleared for surgery...they didn't want us swallowing any false or loose teeth! After this we were escorted to our rooms where we were given our gown, sexy paper panties, and compression stockings. Since I am a nurse I put on my own stockings and when the nurse came in to my room to do it, she grinned, pointed and said, "You do yourself?" They nurses do not speak much English but they are very sweet. We then got our IV's started and were given our medications. Nexium (dries out stomach secretions), Zofran (helps with nausea), and I think there was another one IV, plus we got two pills to put under our tongues, Ativan (for relaxation), and a BP pill. Not long after that Dr. Martinez came into my room and visited with me. I sure enjoyed this visit as it was very informative. He took so much time just talking and answering all my questions regarding lap band. When Dr. Ortiz came into my room he grinned and I told him he wasn't allowed. He asked me why and I told him it was because he was so handsome that he needed to leave (I think the Ativan was already at work!). He grinned big, came around to the side of my bed, plopped down on the couch, and told me I made him blush! I am not sure that is possible as I am sure he hears this often! Dr. Martinez is just as handsome.....actually they are all attractive and have personalities to match. When Dr. Romero put me in my room and gave me those paper panties, I joked and told him I expected Dr. Ortiz to sign them....Well, lo and behold, I got my paper thong panties signed "All the Best, Dr. Ariel Ortiz L". I got a laugh out of that one. I was the second person in for surgery between my two friends. I remember when they came to my room to pick me up and roll me into surgery. I remember laying on the table looking up at the lights and I remember not being able to concentrate anymore and I was out. The next thing I remember was trying to breath and feeling like I was suffocating -- my throat felt numb. But then I said to myself, relax they will take care of you, and I remember moving onto a different cart (maybe my bed) and then I was awake and up walking trips around the clinic. My two friends had a harder time recovering. I was up and moving and visiting. Dr. Acostos (?) and I had a wonderful visit. I ate my pop ice and had some broth. I slept well that night. A doctor and our nurse slept outside the patient rooms. The next morning we were taken back to the clinic where we relaxed and then went back down to shop on Revolution Ave. You can find some great bargains. We never felt in danger. I had more gas pains that night while sleeping but it was bearable. I would explain it as a tightening in the chest. GasX helps some. The next morning we got up and was transported back to the airport. The commercial line at the border is not bad....we made it through in 15 minutes. We had a 3 hour wait at the airport before our flight left. Since my return I have had less discomfort in my chest each day and am doing well. I have lost a total of 21 pounds since the start of pre-op so I am happy right now. I would also like to add that my patient care coordinator, Carolyn was very nice, patient, and helpful. Thank you to her. Now it is all up to me to make this band work. I can not wait to get a new outside me! Good luck to all you past and future bandsters. If anyone ever has a question about this procedure and the OCC I would be more than willing to answer them.

Gina (gigirn)

[doves1]

Hi Gina, congratulations on your weight loss...I too want to get the lap band, how much did you have to pay? can anyone get a payment plan? or did you pay cash? I hope one day i can do it also. Donna

[teyann]

Can you tell mw more about how you felt after surgery- The liquid diet, were you weak? I have two small children and need to be able to come home and back to my crazy busy life.

Tracy

[taras2girls]

That was a great post. I have surgery in 3 days. I appreciate knowing how hhhot everybody is.

Now I can be prepared. And I'm going to take my book to get signed. That was a great idea, Michelle.

Maybe it will give me the courage to ask for my panties.

Thank you Gina!

Tara