I've read mostly positive posts about Dr. Ortiz and OCC on this and other forums. A few people don't seem to like his "celebrity" status and I did find some older complaints about their bands. Anyone out there with bad experiences or complications with their sleeves from him?

Awesome, because I don't have one! Thanks!

Jimmysgirl,

 

I called Dr. Waldrup in CA and his assistant told me cost for the surgery center was $3,000 - 5,000 and his fee was $22,000!!  The total for a gastric wrap from Waldrup would be $$25,000 to $27,000!  I guess he charged less for the repair...

Hi everyone! Sorry for posting so much, but my nerves have set in. My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) and we are arriving in San Diego same day. OCC is picking us up at the airport at 7 am. My question is: for people arriving same day, do they take us straight to OCC or first to the hotel to check in and drop off our bags in our room (my husband is coming with me)? I'm hoping hotel first because that would be so much easier than carting all our stuff around - then I could take only what I think I'll need for the hospital stay. Thanks!

I was supposed to arrive the day before but my original flight was cancelled and I had to drive 5 hours to another airport to catch the last possible flight into San Diego. And of course that flight was delayed so I got in at 1am....too late for the OCC shuttle. So I (and another OCC patient and her husband) stayed in San Diego and went back to the airport to meet the OCC van at 7:30am. And yes, they took us straight to OCC. The other 3 patients of the day were already there and had completed their preop labs and consults and exams, so the other late patient and I were the last two surgeries of the day.

 

My sister had arrived the day before and was already at OCC when I arrived. She had stayed at the Marriott the night before. We just kept my stuff in the lobby while I did my preop stuff and we brought it back with us when we went to my room. I pulled out the stuff I wanted for overnight (which was pretty much just my iPad, phone and toiletries) because I wore the same clothes home the next day that I came in. She took my suitcase back to the Marriott when they took all of the other travel companions back there around 6pm. All I had was a carryon so it wasn't a big deal.

 

You will do great! And ask any questions you want. That's what we're here for.

I'm here at OCC. Found the shuttle van and crossed the border with no trouble. Wifi works just fine. IV is in and I'm just waiting my turn. Met Dr. Ortiz and he's super nice (and cute). My husband really liked him. So far so good. ????

Surgery went well, according to the doctor everything was as expected. Was nauseated when they brought me back to my room but they gave me some antinausea drugs and it's been good since. I've been walking a bit, but am incredibly dizzy so I have to use a walker.

Edited November 15, 201411 yr by sprocket

hey sprocket!! Your in good hands!! I had my surgery on sept 2nd with Dr. Ortiz, and everyday is getting better.

Remember to take it easy, and try to get your liquids in small sips. 

Im curious about what time do you return to the airport after surgery I'm booked for a jan 7th surgery and I'm trying to look at flights and i know they say to have a flight after 3pm but i worried about not having enough time to check in and stuff if i have to take a flight at 350pm

You will have plenty of time. My sister, who met me in TJ, had a 12 o'clock flight and she made it on time. I originally had a 3:30 flight, but since we got there so early, I flew standby on an earlier 2:00 flight.

Edited November 15, 201411 yr by Kindle

Im curious about what time do you return to the airport after surgery I'm booked for a jan 7th surgery and I'm trying to look at flights and i know they say to have a flight after 3pm but i worried about not having enough time to check in and stuff if i have to take a flight at 350pm

I'm scheduled January 9th! Our paths might cross?

We might???? are you coming the day before?

Yes, arriving late though.

What time?

Our flight out on Monday is at 3:30 and they've said it won't be a problem.

Thank you for letting me know