Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Dr. Ariel Ortiz at the OCC



Recommended Posts

Remind me again - i may have asked this, but I can't remember. If any of you traveled alone, when you were in the hospital that night, who watched your purse/luggage? was it locked up somewhere while you were in surgery and recovery?

 

Hi, I'm new - still in contemplation phase after getting bounced from the program in the province of Ontario, Canada.

 

I will be totally on my own doing this and would like to know the answer to this question, too, please.  So many of you are talking about bringing rather large amounts of cash with you.

 

Thank you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There was one gal in our group that travelled there alone. Not sure what she did with her valuables. You do get your own private room, so keeping your luggage there isn't a problem, and the clinic itself is very secure... Enter through a locked underground garage, then up a secure elevator where a key is required and then another locked, coded door to get into the surgical area and patient rooms. If you are going down the day before and staying at the Marriott, they may have a place you can store your luggage for one night since you will be back the next day. As for your $$$$, I guess I'd ask your coordinator (Lori or Carolyn) what your options are.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I went alone. Had my surgery on Nov. 21st. I brought a combination lock for my suitcase & locked it before I went into surgery. I removed some clothing so my purse would fit. In the hotel rooms there is a safe in each room.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh yeah, I forgot about the safe in the room. I put my extra cash, passport and ipad in the safe when we went out.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got out of the hospital yesterday and to the Marriott. I can say my experience so far has been great. No complications. I will say you have to walk alot. Walk walk walk. I asked Dr. Ortiz when I first met him, what can I do to get the drain out as soon as possible. He said a few things... eat the ice chips, walk as much as you can, and drink when you get done with leak test. I walked my butt off and had drain and IV removed the morning I left the hospital. I've walked to Walmart twice now and today was much easier than yesterday. Fantastic experience for surgery and recovery. I'll have to write up my experience in a full post soon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If memory suits me well, if traveling alone, the night you stay at OCC after surgery you need to ring all your belongings with you. Do not leave them in the hotel room because when you come back they may be putting you in a different room. I never feared the safety of my belongings personally.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I traveled alone, Dec 17 - 22, 2013. When you go to the hospital, you take your luggage with you. I put my purse in my suitcase under my clothes and just zipped it up. I had other stuff on top of my suitcase. I was very concerned about this before traveling. No one bothered anything. You and your possessions are very safe!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi, I'm new - still in contemplation phase after getting bounced from the program in the province of Ontario, Canada.

I will be totally on my own doing this and would like to know the answer to this question, too, please. So many of you are talking about bringing rather large amounts of cash with you.

Thank you.

I brought 450$ that was way more than enough. Just get lots of ones and 5s for tipping. I'm three days out still here. I would come alone in a heartbeat.between OCC and Marriott they petty much hold your hand through the whole process.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I got out of the hospital yesterday and to the Marriott. I can say my experience so far has been great. No complications. I will say you have to walk alot. Walk walk walk. I asked Dr. Ortiz when I first met him, what can I do to get the drain out as soon as possible. He said a few things... eat the ice chips, walk as much as you can, and drink when you get done with leak test. I walked my butt off and had drain and IV removed the morning I left the hospital. I've walked to Walmart twice now and today was much easier than yesterday. Fantastic experience for surgery and recovery. I'll have to write up my experience in a full post soon.

I hope you are feeling well. I will arrive on Sunday.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congrats Mazzers!! Glad all went well.

 

Happy New Year everyone! I can't even tell you all how excited about this year- vacations, horseback riding, and zip lining are all on my to-do list. So many changes with my body so fast is overwhelming but definitely welcome. Yay 2014!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Congrats Mazzers!! Glad all went well.

Happy New Year everyone! I can't even tell you all how excited about this year- vacations, horseback riding, and zip lining are all on my to-do list. So many changes with my body so fast is overwhelming but definitely welcome. Yay 2014!!!

Glad to hear from you and that things are going well. I made my mom read this thread before I had surgery and she now asks me "how's that barb2 gal doing?" :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Today start my 3 day clear liquids only. My surgery is Monday. I will arrive on Sunday afternoon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Today start my 3 day Clear Liquids only. My surgery is Monday. I will arrive on Sunday afternoon.

Good luck .... You are 3 days closer!! I'm a week away!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good luck .... You are 3 days closer!! I'm a week away!

I can't wait. I leave out on Sunday.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×