Amber'sJourney

Surgery on 9/27
SW 216
CW 147
Loss 70 LBS
Goal:120

No, it did not include airfare That was the cost of all tests, the surgery, hospital and hotel stay and on ground transportation.
As for the language, I did go to another country It was something I was willing to do. And Dr. Lopez had, (at least with me during our consults) had
the interpreter present but he never actually used the interpreter. He spoke to me in english. If he faltered on an english word I think the interpreter would have piped in. I speak spanish but I didn't tell anyone that... sometimes you learn more by being quiet and just listening :ph34r:

I dont think PP was being judgemental. She was merely giving a personal opinion. I too have the same beliefs and it is AWESOME to know that someone will speak out and not be backed in a corner because their beliefs differ. In my opinion it was being supportive,just not what you all wanted to hear. I have a daughter who make rash decisions all the time and she tells me that she is so thankful that I tell her like it is because it helps her see the other side. That is the problem with our world today, "bowing out gracefully" and not standing up for what is right. All for the sake of not wanting to offend someone. Sometimes the truth hurts.Good for you BIOCHICK!

Do you even know if you ARE pregnant? Has a doctor checked you? I have to give my opinion...but I too believe in God's plan and murdering a child because you have acid reflux and morning sickness (both COMPLETELY NORMAL even without a sleeve) is the most selfish act I can imagine. At my fattest I carried 2 girls and was sick for all 9 months not able to eat meat at all throwing up every 15-30 minutes with high blood pressure and medicated heart burn plus max tums and nearly died giving birth BUT i would do it over a hundred more times because they make life worth living. It was after they turned 3 that I got sleeved so that I could spend even more years on earth healthy loving them. I cant imagine willingly flushing their entire lives ...a million smiles...down the drain over morning sickness and heartburn....

I didn’t think it would take me so long to sit down and write out my experience/review, but here it is finally! I am currently 4 weeks out. I began my pre op at 216 and on the day of surgery weighed 206. I am now 188. So at 4 weeks I have lost a total of 28 lbs. I think I would have lost more if not for my complications. Yes, I said the “C” word!
After researching Dr. Lopez and Dr. Osuna, I decided to go with them. I could not find any negative reviews. I confirmed that they were both Mexico Board Certified Surgeons. I reviewed multiple forums for complaints, complications and results. I was confident in my choice.
I scheduled with A lighter Me, they were having a ‘special’ and I paid 4500. I spoke with Ronda and then later after booking, Janese. I’ve always received a timely reply.
I chose to go to Mi Doctor Hospital as it was the main hospital Dr. Lopez does surgery at in Tijiuana. The other option was INT which was also 500 dollars more. Mi Doctor is a Bariatric Hospital, but it has a lab, blood bank and 2 OR’s and a small ICU. They have a cardiologist as well. Mi Doctor hospital is about 2 years old. The 3rd floor is where all the patient rooms are and the OR.
The morning of my flight, I received a phone call from Abraham (Driver and host with a lighterme.) He confirmed my flight information, asked me to save his phone number and gave me a description of the van and asked me to call him after landing. It was comforting to not have to worry about pick up!
I flew out with my sister and we arrived late in San Diego, Abraham was there to pick us up and he was pleasant and friendly. The drive was less than 30 minutes to cross the border (no stopping), and to get to the Hotel. We got checked in and were given instructions for pick up in the morning to go to the Hospital.
The morning of the surgery I was nervous... Abraham picked up my sister and I at the Hotel and off to Mi Doctor we went. Abraham stayed with us until I was all checked in. Upon checking in at the Hospital, they took blood work for labs, I received an EKG and met with 4 different Drs. The hospitalist, the anesthesiologist, Dr. Lopez, and the assistant surgeon Dr. Ortiz. Each Doctor went over my personal history and the procedure. I found Dr. Lopez to be intelligent and sincere. His english may not be completely fluent, but he did have a translator present to help with any language issues. I felt very comfortable going through with the surgery. NOTE: I do have lots of medication allergies and they did not give me any type of allergy Bracelet like they do here.
I would like to point out that Dr. Osuna was not there. Another surgeon Dr. Ortiz was there to be Dr. Lopez’s assistant for my procedure. I did not fully research Dr. Ortiz as Aligherme had told me clearly that Dr. Osuna was going to be my surgeon along side Dr. Lopez. Dr. Ortiz’s name was never mentioned to me.
I was the ONLY surgery of the day and was very pleased about that. I was rolled back to OR, sat on the table and I remember lying down and then its gets hazy... next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. Yes, I was in pain, but the good news is that by the time I was in my room I was no longer in pain, but I could remember having been in pain.
I almost immediately got up for a walk to help with the gas pains. I would describe the gas pain as severe discomfort and pressure on my chest. But I wouldn’t really say that it is true PAIN. My sister was there with me to walk the hall alongside me and I was still groggy from the OR so that was a good thing. Throughout the time in the hospital I never had to call for a nurse. They were often in my room injecting my IV with meds. I can’t tell you what they were because of the translation of meds etc. They would just tell me its for pain and nausea. Btw I never felt any nausea. They would offer something ‘to help you sleep’ which I was hesitant about because I didn’t want any sleeping medication. But after some effort I realized it was a liquid muscle relaxer, which I had no problem taking. I mentioned earlier having allergies. They are all to antibiotics. No life threatening side affects though. I was given one of the meds I was allergic to. I mentioned several times my allergies. Of course the name of the med was in spanish but on the second day I looked at it and realized the name was very similar to one of my allergies. They unhooked it immediately. (IV antibiotics.) At discharge I was given oral antibiotics as well. And yes the same med that I am allergic to. I brought it to Eduardo’s attention and he made some calls. Dr. Ortiz brought me the correct medication before I left. I was also given a ‘goodie bag’. Chapstick, Maalox, Antibiotics, chest xray CD, gatorade, Water etc.
On the table they do a leak test before you ever leave the OR. It’s a purple dye and I hear that some people throw it up in recovery, but I did not. Later, I was given blue barium to drink, this is another leak test. I drank it, no it wasn’t yummy but it could have been worse. If the blue dye goes into your drain, then its a sign of a leak. No blue in my drain Next I was given a chest xray. They wheeled me to the testing area and then I stood up between the xray machine and was given a clear liquid to drink which I found extremely gross. I could see on the xray my new stomach- it was tiny! No leaks.
My sister was a trooper during the 2 days in the hospital. She brought books, but there was of course a TV in our room and wifi. I was able to Skype with my family back home! My husband called several times a day on the 1-800 number. No, my cell did not work there. I was glad I did not go alone, but if you do, you’ll be just fine. We visited with other patients and never felt really alone.
After 2 nights in the Hospital we went back to the Hotel (Marriot), which was lovely, clean and I can’t say enough about how comfy the bed and pillows were! Of course there was wifi and a 1-800 number so that my husband could continue to call me and I skyped there as well. You are given 2 bottled waters, 3 bowls of chicken broth and 2 popsicles per day which is plenty. They had watermelon popsicles when I was there... and they were... gross. I don’t recommend those! My sister ate at the hotel some very yummy looking food! I loved the chicken broth, it was flavorful.
Once we were at the hotel Eduardo took us shopping with some other patients to local souvenir areas. Had fun but definitely overpaid on some things. I just didn’t have quite enough energy to worry about that, I just wanted to get a few souvenirs for my family. I sipped on Gatorade through the day and water. He also took us to a restaurant and I had some beef broth and my sister had yummy cheesy looking enchiladas.
On the second day at the hotel my sister and I went to the local shopping plaza (this time it was Abraham’s turn to take the patients shopping but we didn’t want to go to the same place a second day. He dropped us off at the Plaza.) And again I watched the sister eat. LOL. I wasn’t hungry but the food did look good. We also went to Walmart and there was a Casino next to WalMart and we went in for about five minutes and I won thirty bucks! We took a cab back to the Hotel. (4$) Later that evening my sister wanted to go to a pharmacy. Eduardo or Abraham made a special trip to take her there. (I can’t remember which one of them it was that time- lol).
The day before we left Dr. Ortiz came to take out my drainage tube and I will be honest- it hurt! It took about 10-15 seconds. Once it was out there was a great relief! Whew. He answered all my questions etc. BTW, Dr. Ortiz is completely fluent.
The morning we left for the airport, Abraham helped me with my bags. We crossed the border in good time. There is opportunity as you cross the border to do some last minute shopping as peddlers will approach the vehicles etc. I had some lime sorbet- which I ate less than 1/6 of a scoop and felt quite ‘full’. My sister had some tacos, which later came to haunt her! Warning folks, bring some pepto tablets for your guests and have them eat one before eating from the street vendors.
I was told that I didn’t really need a passport to cross the border. I brought all my documents, DL, BC, expired passport, marriage certificate, and my receipt for my passport card that I recently applied for. I realized that morning we left that my birth certificate was missing. I have no idea when it disappeared or how. I had all my documents together and it was the only one missing. I knew I had not left it at home because I had showed it to my sister sometime during our trip. So I presented my DL and expired passport that was in my maiden name. The border agent asked me which name was mine? I answered that one was my maiden name the other my married name and offered my marriage certificate to him, but he shrugged and didn’t really look at it. He handed me back my documents and that was it. We were waved over the border. NOTE: About a week and half after I got home I received my birth certificate in the mail with no notes or letter from: the state department. I can only assume it was turned in etc.)
So once at home, things were going just fine. I started to have a pain two days after I got home. Its low to the right, near that incision. (The only incision on the right side.) I’d rest a couple of days and the pain would get better. Then I would get up and pick up around the house and the pain would come back just as strong. I searched the forums and google and found an accurate description of what I was feeling. A burning, tearing pain in my abdominal muscle. Ok... likely caused from a pulled stitch. The only fix: rest. I emailed Janese and she contacted Dr. Lopez who said for me to take some pain medication like tylenol or tordol (that they sent home with us.) I used all the tordol already and so I took some percacet I had at home. But I only had a few and let me tell you they didn’t really touch the pain. A couple of days of rest and I felt I was getting better. However it went back and forth. Get out of bed for a day pain would return. On October 17 the pain was so extreme I thought I might pass out. I could not get out of bed. Eventually I had to (bathroom) and it took my husband ten minutes helping me for me to get off the bed. Two days later I went to the ER because the pain was so extreme and I felt like it wasn’t getting better and I was afraid that I could have a hernia. On arrival my HR was 144 (result of pain), they gave me a CT told me it showed inflammation likely from a slight tear to my muscle. They also gave me a shot of morphine which finally helped with the pain, my HR returned to normal. I also got one bag of IV fluids. And yes I was extremely dehydrated on top of everything else... I mean you try to sip anything while lying flat in bed... it’s not happening. (It was only in the past few days I realize: chew ice.) They prescribed rest. Sigh. Also gave me liquid pain med and zofran for nausea that often accompanies pain med. Two days later I was finally feeling a little improvement- meaning I didn’t feel like passing out! Then I threw up. Yep. The liquid pain meds finally caught up with my tummy, made me nausea and yes I was taking the zofran. I took a couple of steps back in recovery from that. Today is day 11 of being in bed. You would be amazed at what your abdominals do.... I’m tired of bed. I have a five, four and three year old and they miss their mommy. My husband has been doing everything on his own, while I lie here in bed. Yes, its getting a little depressing. My weight loss has been slower of course since I am basically inactive. BUT I am still losing, slowly. So I take comfort in that...
Also, I was not given any instructions post op to take an ant-acid from Dr. Lopez. I was having terrible acid and wrote to Janese who advised me that she had been on one since her surgery and that I might try it. I did and it made an amazing difference. Why didn’t Dr. Lopez suggest that? I don’t know. I wish he had as a part of post op instructions.
Overall would I do it again? Yes. I haven’t weighed 188 in 6 years. I’m still obese but I have a taste of being a healthy me again! I had complete confidence in the surgeon, Dr. Lopez. If I had had any misgivings or lack of peace, I was determined to walk away, even losing my deposit and airfare etc. I’m not healed from surgery yet. I am still dealing with a torn muscle. Sigh. I know this will heal. It just takes time, I have read anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months.
I do think that my discharge instructions could have been more detailed. I was told explicitly DO NOT lift more than 20 pounds and take it easy, rest. I think I should have been told NO bending, stooping or twisting. If I had... I don’t think I would have pulled and then tore an abdominal muscle. I was not prepared for this complication. I’m younger and I have young children, I think more often patients tend to be older with grown kids or younger with no kids. So ‘rest’ means something different to each of those groups.

I used ALighterMe, I had no issues, and they never bashed any other surgeon or company. I do know they had an issue with someone internal talking their database, I think it is all cleared up not, but I don't know. As far as Mi hospital, Dr. Lopez, Abraham and Eduardo, I felt the hospital was good, it was clean, and I never felt at risk. Dr. Lopez and Ortiz were really great, and friendly. Abraham and Eduardo went above and beyond. My mother was afraid to leave my side the entire time; she wouldn't even leave to eat. Abraham and Eduardo went out of their way to bring her food, and take great care of her. The day I was operated on, one of the ladies was supposed to have band to sleeve revision, she was in for over 6 hours, and her band had eroded into her stomach and was sitting at the bottom of her stomach. She had been 2-3 different surgeons in the US that had lied to her and told her everything was fine, her band was in place, which was why she had chosen to come have revision surgery. Dr. Lopez and Ortiz went above and beyond, and opened her up and removed the band from the bottom of her stomach (they didn't know it was there until they started her surgery). They could not sleeve her, but she was just grateful they had saved her life. (She scheduled to return later to be sleeved) I also felt they had saved her life. They took extra care of her, and kept her longer at the hospital and in TJ for her to recover since she had to have full open surgery. My understanding is that ALighterMe paid for her extra nights stays in the Marriott, and also helped her to reschedule all of her flights. None of this extra care was a part of her 'contract'. ALighterMe from my experience and everyone involved are upstanding, honest, caring people. When I was in TJ, I met many people with other companies, when we were there, we didn't care what coordinator we used, we didn't care what Dr. we were using, and we cared about EACH OTHER which is what we all should be doing. We are all in this journey TOGETHER, don't listen to gossip, and don't tear each other down. I recommend everyone do their research and pick a Dr. be confident in your choice, and help others to do the same. Please don't turn these boards into a gossip fest that scares people away from a lifesaving procedure for the sake of yourselves feeling like you need to hen peck each other.

I thought I'd jump in here. I live in LA I even had a consult with her same Dr. I was going to use the same hospital mentioned as well. Now all that being said the Dr. Is excellent one of the best in the country. The hospital on the other hand is a whole other story. My friend is a nurse here and begged me not to use that hospital and if I had to change Dr.'s just so I would go to that hospital. I haven't had my surgery yet but I chose a different Dr and and much better hospital.
As for her daughter being an attorney I believe she's telling the truth Louisiana is unique because it still follows napolianic law so to practice here is much harder and unique.
This state is very crooked its all about who you know. Welcome to the deep south. This state has even said multiple times it would re-elect a govenor who was found guilty of corruption. Smh.
Not to say there aren't some holes but I thought I'd give another Louisiana perspective. I've lived in several different places and traveled all over and can honestly say Louisiana is backwards in a lot. Just my 2 cents

What about the "yes whey" shots? They don't have collagen listed as an ingredient.

Good news from Dr! The test showed more improvement than they had expected so he is letting me go home tomorrow with my picc line and continued IV nutrition for a couple weeks. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, doc says if there was a leak to choose from this is the one you want....I have to say tho I am really tired of listening to and feeling my stomach growl.....

Hi, my name is Lauri and this is my first day on this board and I am still trying to figure everything out. I am just a little over 3 weeks post-op and doing fairly well other than I still get nauseated every time after I eat. It kind of takes the joy out of eating altogether, but I guess that can be a positive thing too since it will keep me from eating too much and too often. I started my research back in July after we got a windfall of money and I started looking for a surgeon that I could afford. I was lucky enough to find Ready 4 a Change and talked to alma there. She is a wonderful lady and my first of many great experiences with their company. I originally was looking at having a gastric bypass and they said that a gastric sleeve might be a better option. Hey, it was less money and less invasive so I was all for it!! I have been morbidly obese my entire life and even though I was attending Weight Watchers (and still am) I felt this was the chance of a lifetime to help me finally lose weight and get down to a more normal size and feel what it is like to be a more normal person. I still don't plan on being a runway model or anything like that, but if I get down to around 180, I will be a happy camper! I was disgusted with myself after reaching an all-time high earlier the year before of 422. I never imagined being over 400 pounds and trying to find clothes was becoming a real chore. This was heart-breaking to me because I am a real clothes horse.
I had done some yo-yo'ing weightwise, and had gained weight back after taking a break from WW, but when I made a committed effort to start back, I was at 390 pounds. This is the weight I started at when I started working with Ready 4 a Change. I set things up and we set a surgery date for October 4, 2012. Because of my high BMI, Alma suggested I do the pre-op diet for 3 weeks prior to surgery. This consisted of 2 Protein shakes a day and a salad for dinner with some kind of Protein on it. I managed to lose 13.2 pounds prior to going to Tijuana. I took this as a good sign and was proud of my progress. I was at 376.8 pounds going into surgery.
We had nightmare after nightmare getting ready for the trip. We had problems getting our passports and had to drive to Seattle from Portland the week before we left to get them and then they lost them. We had flight delays and problems with my mom's power wheelchair, but we made it to Tijuana! Everything seemed to be golden once we were there. The staff at Ready 4 A Change was so accommodating and helpful, I can't begin to say enough about them. Samuel, the driver from San Diego to Tijuana is a real sweetheart as well as his father, Samuel. Melissa or Meli, the coordinator along with Rosie was there to answer questions and get us settled into the hotel. The Tijuana Mariott is beautiful! They made sure we were set up for pick-up the next morning at 6:45am.
Surgery date arrived and I was excited! The staff and doctors went over the whole procedure with me and told my mom and myself what would be happening every step of the way. They made sure my mom was taken care of and had food to eat and a bed in my room to sleep in for the 2 nights I was in the hospital. Surgery was quick and easy and I was back in my room in no time flat. I was sleepy, but they reminded me that I needed to be up walking 20 minutes every 2 hours to dispel the gas that was used to fill the abdomen for surgery. I was a stubborn patient--I wanted to sleep, not walk! I begrudgingly did it as little as possible and I paid the price for it by being in more pain. It was nice to have my mom by my side to baby me and take care of little things when I didn't feel like calling a nurse. The staff was wonderful, although the language barrier got in the way from time to time. The doctors spoke pretty good English, but the nurses didn't speak as much. At the end of the day though, we figured it out. My biggest complaint came the morning after surgery when they wanted me to get up and take a shower. I was so weak and didn't know if I could make it, but I did and then they came in and changed my bandages. We repeated this again day 2. Dr. Garcia came in to see me and said that I had done very well with my pre-surgery diet and had the liver of a much smaller person. This made his job much easier. He said my surgery went well and I was free to go back to the hotel for another 2 nights.
We made friends with some of the other patients and arranged to go shopping and tour Tijuana. Things kind of fell apart, but my mom and I took a 3 hour taxi tour of Tijuana and went shopping on Revalution Street and brought home some souveniers. I ate some chicken broth finally and drank some Water and ate a popscicle. Eating was, and still is, a chore. Since surgery, I've gone back to Weight Watchers and the first week back I actually gained weight! I was up 2 pounds, but we figured it was all the fluids and everything they gave me in the hospital. The second week back, I was down 18.4 pounds and last week I was down 3.8 pounds. Altogether, I've lost 20.2 since surgery, but overall I am down over 40 pounds and it feels great! I am hoping for a little more loss this week and I'm going to try to start exercising more. Other than my discomfort with eating, I am thrilled with my surgery. My doctor in Mexico thought I could lose 100 pounds in 3 months, but I am thinking more like 60-75 pounds. I am just going to follow the diet and let my body do what it feels is right. As long as I'm not gaining, I will be happy. Thank you for reading my story and I look forward to being a member here.

I will try to make this short and sweet! Hi to everyone.......I had the dreadful lapband done in August of 2008. I weighed 200 lbs at 5"3', tiny frame. UGH! Right?.......had great success, No probs, was 123 by March of 2010. Soon the honeymoon was OVER. Pain, burning, constant reflux, draining of Fluid gave relief, putting back in never got to right restriction again. Gained 40 lbs back in year playing around w stupid piece of plastic. Could not tolerate the reflux and constant vomiting any more as of summer 2012. Am private pay so researched and found GREAT Dr. In MX who actually refuses to do anymore bands and specializes in revision surgeries. Flew down alone, was met in San Diego by awesome hospital coordinator who had my name on big sign. LOL! Had fun driver across the Yuha Desert. Was NEVER alone, treated like royalty. Removal of torture band and revision to surgery to sleeve was a success. Band had eroded, found giant floating hernia and tons of scar tissue, which was repaired also. I was at 180 lbs on day of surgery. Flight home not so fun, but had lovely Delta people meet me w wheelchairs at each airport, which I highly recommend. Oh! Surgery was on Sept. 24, 2012. My recovery was slow, about a month and half to get back to 100%, but that is just me. I am rarely hungry, have NO reflux issues whatsoever, and have lost 32 lbs. In spite of flying across the country, I live in SC, it was SO WORTH IT! I am SO HAPPY! I do have 20 some lbs to go but I know I will do it!

5 days after my sleeve surgery we had our annual big family christmas party. I went, drains and all. While everyone else was having wine, or coffee or something nice i was drinking Water and really struggling. My brother, the host, is a big tea drinker and connected me with the Safari Spice tea and I loved it. I have never been a tea drinker, but the herbal teas have converted me. I do usually put in a tiny bit of Stevia for sweetness.
Herbal teas aren't made from tea leaves so they don't have caffeine! i still drink them and of course we all have our own individual tastes. I am not a big "mint" fan so I tend to go for the ones that have a slightly spicey/cinnamon flavor although I like others too. There are lots of brands/flavors but here are a few I like:
-Celestial Seasonings Safari spice rooibos tea
-Yogi Egyptian
-Yogi bedtime
-Sleepytime (celestial seasonings??)
Some friends of mine told me to try a couple of others that I haven't yet tried though:
-good earth sweet and spicy
-Yogis Mayan Cocoa Spice
-Celestial Seasoning Bengal spice
I think I should like chai but the stuff brewed from the bags never tastes right to me.
I have also bought some teas from Trader Joes but they tend to be similiar flavors that I mentioned already.
Anyway, buy one or two boxes and just see what appeals to you!

I am over the moon! I have PCOS, and have struggled with infertility for years. I have an almost 6 year old daughter, and tried unsuccessfully for 2 years to have another child, before having my VSG surgery. I was one year post op 8/24/12, and I just found out today that I am pregnant! This was the first month we tried since my surgery, and I was only on 50 mg a day of clomid (I have been on up to 300 mg a day in the past). I have no words for how ecstatic, and terrified, I am. Please keep me in your prayers, and I will do the same for all of you!

amber its its in the post op part of the forums. look foward to seeing you over there

Have you tried Isopure? It's a clear Protein liquid in a variety of flavors. A 20 oz bottle has 40 grams of Protein. During the clear Fluid stage I had Decaf tea in the morning, then sipped about 1/2 bottle of Isopure diluted with Water and ice, then at lunch chicken broth or beef consomme (for protein) and more Isopure in the afternoon, then more broth at dinner and SF popsicles and SF Jello in the evening. This way you are getting lots of clear fluids and lots of protein.
I would make sure you are taking anti-nausea meds and a PPI like prilosec twice a day before meals.
Hopefully you will start feeling better, and when you add dairy or whey protein later (maybe in a week or two) see if that makes you feel worse or if you can tolerate it. You may now have an allergy that you have to work around. Alot easier to deal with once you get on solids, but for now, since hydration is primary and protein for healing you can focus on this.
Good luck!!

What post op group? Please direct me.

on the 12th here. you shouild join us in the post op group for september

I used to feel that way and then I started drinking a Protein Shake about 1 hour before bed and no longer feel nauseau in the morning. Give it a try - might work for you too! Good Luck!

hi
At 4 months out I posted about my vision that was so much worse than before the surgery.lately my eyes have been red a lot and feels quite dry as well.
Quite a few people said that they have found it too but dont know why.My dr said I was getting old and needed glasses..lol
Well,while testing for other issues I am having (I've been getting these point bleeds called petechiae on my trunk and my legs,my hands peel all the time,my mouth inside peels all the time) I asked him to test my vit A as well.He didnt want to at first as he says no one really goes low on A.
It came back VERY LOW!
So,if you think your vision is worse than before the sleeve,test your vit A.It might be low.
Now Im going to make him test my vit C as my other issues might stem from low C,simple to fix if you know what it is,very scary if you cant find the answers.

The Marriot and Mi Doctor Hospital, both have 1800 numbers that your family can call you on, free of charge. My husband called me several times a day and I also skyped with my family daily. Good luck!

Hi, I was at Mi Doctor in TJ. A nurse put in my iv and it was great- as in I didn't feel a thing! I've had quite a few iv's and it was a really good one. It also healed up much faster than others I've had after it was removed.
I never had to call for a nurse, they were in my room every couple of hours injecting meds into my IV. Other than the gas pains, I wasn't really in any pain. When I woke up in recovery there was pain but that was dealt with quickly- when I called out and looked up there was a nurse prepping a syringe to inject in my IV.
Language was not really a problem. Most of the nurses spoke some english and if they didn't and I had a question they would go get a nurse that spoke better english.
The Dr. checked on me everyday. There was also a night shift Dr. that came to check in on me.
I am posting a review tonight. Please read it It's much longer than this. Good luck!

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I also am booked with Dr.Lopez & Dr. Osuna through Ronda and A Lighter Me. My mom and I are going for surgery mid December in TJ, Mexico. We will also be staying at the Marriott and our hospital will be Mi Doctor too! ....Although we are paying ~$250 more than you did (the prices seem to fluctuate on a monthly basis?!)
So excited and so nervous as this day approaches. Its nice to read about someone at the same starting weight as I am, sometimes I feel maybe it's too low to consider surgery, but I can never seem to jump that 200 mark and keep it of on my own. Reading your experience really puts my mind at ease about what's to come! Plus, knowing that I need to be extra cautious with bending/twisting afterwards is great advice that I wouldn't have known the repercussions of before reading this.
I'm sorry for the allergy scare that you had to go through there, and I hope that you recover from your tear quickly so you can get back to your family

Sorry to hear of the problems you are having and hope you are feeling better soon. FYI...you had to send your birth certificate in with your passport card application and then the state department sends it back in a separate mailing from that of your card. I got my birth certificate back a couple days after I got my card.
Keep us posted on your recovery and good luck on the rest of your journey...

I fly out on the 2nd for surgery on the 3rd, your story was very detailed, thank you for sharing! It sounds like you are a real trooper, I have to say I will probably be terrified and think the worst if i have any pains! I can't thank you enough for sharing your experience! I hope your torn muscle heals well, and you feel more 'normal' soon!