Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the OCC

[Cody's mom 247]

My phone won't work, I already tried to call someone!

[mrsbshe 21]

I am so sorry you are having such a bad experience. I know Janese told me to call Orlando if I had any issues, problems or complaints. Of course I don't know if you have already done that.

When my boyfriend and I first arrived we had trouble with our phones and getting on the internet as well, but, we finally figured it out.

I hope it gets better for you. Dr Elias Ortiz is a really good doctor so you should have a good surgery.

[csomyers 1]

Anyone heard how Cody's mom is doing today?

[Cody's mom 247]

Okay, I'm a live and well and surprisingly in absolutely no pain. There were moments of being uncomfortable, but that's to be expected. Dr Oritz is a fabulous surgeon but the care received at the hospital was below my expectations in areas I'll explain a little later. Just packing to get ready to go. Back to the hotel. Will offer a complete recount when I cam use an actual computer as I'm a one finger typer on these devices.

[lovelyme 21]

Very relieved to hear you are OK Codysmom. Several of us who are going to see Dr. Ortiz in the next few weeks are eager to hear the details of your surgery experience. 

[slvrsax 301]

An update.

Below is a studio picture from the dance studio I work out at. I'm the second over from the right next to the pregnant lady. I started at 280, 9 months later (as of today) I am 177. What a journey this has been! I'm not done yet. I have a formal event I need a full length dress for, I can find things in my size and I'm not the biggest size! Hopefully the picture will show.

[slvrsax 301]

The picture is showing a little funny, it looks stretched. Attached is another, it shows my before, this was taken back in June at 88 lbs lost.

[JamieLogical 8,684]

@@slvrsax I see you there in the first pic and you look great! Congrats on losing over 100 pounds! I can't believe you can't find a dress in your size. Have you tried looking online?

[Cody's mom 247]

Okay here is my story, please bare with me as the key board is Spanish and not all the same keys.
Dr. Ortiz is a great surgeon, you will not be disappointed, the facility he uses is a little old and run down, but okay. The nurse I had on shift when I was waiting was totally useless. I was told I was to be next at 1:30 and when I went out to enquire what was going on, he just looked at me with a complete stunned look and no attempt to help.. There was a lovely girl there from another company that went to try and find out what happened, and all she could offer was that another pt was sent in. I was at this point in total shambles, tried to have a shower to calm down, slipped in the shower and almost slammed my IV pole threw the plexi glass door and it was loud, yet he
didn't come in to check or offer a sedative or even change my empty IV bag. And when you've been npo for almost 20 hours, you are dehydrated and need those fluids. The other nurse were all okay, but certainly not the kind and compassionate staff I would have expected. There were a few that were nicer, but nothing exceptional and considering I was there alone, I would have thought they would have been a little compassionate. There is no nurse call in the rooms so if you need anything you have to get up. They say to walk, walk, walk but there is no where to walk except back and forth in front of the desk (ten feet by ten feet) and in the way of everything going on. You can go down to the 2nd floor and do laps around the waiting chairs, but there is no AC, so a bit hot, we were experiencing a heat wave.
The Marriot is wonderful, there you have kind and compassionate people, everyone! The rooms are nice, the workers fantastic, everyone from the doorman to the desk clerks to the waiters and waitresses.
How am I feeling today? Good, still a little stiff, but up walking, cleaning and caring for my wounds heading to costco.< br />What I would recommend, is have a list, soon as they put that IV in your arm and your settled, ask for a sedative it will help with the waiting because you might be last and not going in till 5 or 6 is a nasty waiting game. Bring books as most of the TV channels in both the hospital and hotel are in Spanish, and this is definitely a lesson in patience can waiting. I}m here to answer any questions, so ask away.. For those of you booked, you will all do just fine, yoú,re in good hands, I am going to speak to ALM regarding the nurse that was on shift when I had my misfortunate night, his care was horrible, at the very least had he checked my IV to see it was dry, he would have seen I was having a wee breakdown and could have sedated me. Also buy a pillow or two to bring and that you can leave behind, the ones at the hospital are horrible. For those that enjoy relaxing and watching TV, you might wish to enroll in the trial version of Netflix for the hospital, again there are only a few English speaking channels.

Had the Tomato Soup here at the Marriott last night added a little broth to make it thinner and it was a gift from GOD, it was so good, that and an ice tea and I was truly in heaven (it also cost about $9.50 US), but they are more than happy to pack everything up for you to take to your room when you've had enough. They do not have fridges or microwaves in the rooms, but someone said you can ask for a fridge, it would have been nice to have. Make sure to have lots of $1.00 and $5.00 for the door staff, baggage handlers, and $10.00 for the drivers.

Its very social at the Marriott you;ll have people to hang with, visit with, and go walking with, so if your going along  do not fear, you}re never alone, and those bring a guest, they'll always have someone to go eat or visit with while you}re in surgery. 

Using the hotel computer and it}s a little challenging..

Good luck all, remember there{s a Costco here, only a $6.00 cab ride, they have most things you{ll need at a good price (the heartburn meds are only $20 for 120 pills), one thing they do not have here is gas strips, I didn}t need them, but many people did, bring them from home.

Im leaving for San Diego this morning to stay for a night there and to tour around. 

Edited September 18, 2014 by Cody's mom

[slvrsax 301]

Thanks Jamie! Actually I'm finding things, I'm just completely overwhelmed with all the choices! Totally different from my wedding dress shopping experience, much more positive.

[jimmysgirl 10]

I had gastric plication with Dr. Ortiz about a year ago. I felt very comfortable with the facility, staff, etc. But, afterwards I was still hungry--like all the time. My general doctor suggested I get a test (can't remember the name, but you swallow barium and they can see the stomach) to make sure my stomach hadn't opened. What it showed was that the stomach wasn't in the shape of a banana, but the top part was completely open and the stitches started from the middle down. That's why I was still feeling hunger. I send the CD of the images to Dr. Ortiz per his staff's instructions and heard absolutely nothing back. Nothing. Apparently they are great but you better hope there are no complications because you won't get any support. I ended up having a plication revision with Dr. Waldrep in Thousand Oaks, CA. He folded the top part that Dr. Ortiz left open and added another fold. And, there was constant support, including a call from Dr. Waldrep every couple of days to check on my progress. Even though revision surgery is usually more complicated, the cost was almost on par with Mexico, so I really wish I had just had the procedure with Dr. Waldrep to begin with.

[Jess623 10]

Wow it makes me a little nervous for my car on the 5th but at least I now know what to expect.

How are you doing now that your home, Codys Mom?

[gtmikki 33]

After reading this post, I have scheduled my surgery for 12/19/14 with Dr. Ortiz. I am nervous, scared, and everything in between. But I know that I am doing the best thing for me. Thank you all for posting such great information.

[cassie_vsg 26]

Hi friends-

I’m having a dilemma. I am scheduled for surgery March 6 of next year. The NUT wanted me to lose about 45lbs before the surgery. I started Atkins on Sept 2^nd, and I haven’t lost any weight! I’ve been SUPER strict with everything I eat/drink. I completely cut out carbs, sugar, and caffeine! I thought I was doing well when I saw that I lost about 4lbs in 2 weeks. I was getting hopeful that I might actually be able to reach the NUT goal. But then I checked the scale yesterday I had put back 3 of the 4lbs! It’s very frustrating.

So my questions are…how many of you had a lot to lose before surgery? How did you do it? Did you take anything extra like diet pills or supplements? Any help is appreciated. I’m so bummed out about this!

[raven123 97]

Hi friends-

I’m having a dilemma. I am scheduled for surgery March 6 of next year. The NUT wanted me to lose about 45lbs before the surgery. I started Atkins on Sept 2^nd, and I haven’t lost any weight! I’ve been SUPER strict with everything I eat/drink. I completely cut out carbs, sugar, and caffeine! I thought I was doing well when I saw that I lost about 4lbs in 2 weeks. I was getting hopeful that I might actually be able to reach the NUT goal. But then I checked the scale yesterday I had put back 3 of the 4lbs! It’s very frustrating.

So my questions are…how many of you had a lot to lose before surgery? How did you do it? Did you take anything extra like diet pills or supplements? Any help is appreciated. I’m so bummed out about this!

I only had to do a 2 week diet but I used diet shakes and a salad for dinner. I like the Premier Shakes that have 30grams of Protein.< /p>