Bring loose fitting clothes. I brought way to many clothes. I spent most of my time in my pjs in the room or wearing my most baggy capris and t-shirt.
Yes you will have a drain.
Sunday: I flew down to San Diego landed at 545pm driver picked me up outside rather than at the info desk as posted. His sign was taped to window of Van this was annoying because I was waiting inside and looking for a person holding a sign. Then I remembered to turn on my cell and he has sent me a msg telling me to come outside. He then drove us to Marriott where would be staying for 4 nights well me for 3 because I would spend 1 night at the clinic.
Monday:
Arrived at clinic about 7:15 am the hotel shuttle drove us there. Gloria at the front desk speaks perfect english and so do the doctors. Some of the nurses have a little trouble.
They had me meet with the nutritionist Dr. then the cardiologist for ekg. they weighed me, xray, asked more medical history, took a bunch of blood for lab work, then they took me to my private room which does not have a washroom, shared washroon down the hall a few feet. The rooms are pretty nice and the whole place is very clean. Nurse gave me a gown to wear and little slipper booties so no need to bring your own night stuff other than a tooth brush/paste. If you are bringing a friend they can wait in your room and reas while you have your surgery or go downstairs for a coffee. After I was dressed in gown the Nurse but in an IV and an IV port in my hand to administer drugs.
Then the two doctors Dr. Ortiz and Martinez who actuall do the surgery came and met me. Then the nurse took me into the operating room where a couple of anethesiologist were already prepping. They hooked me while introducing themselves and the next thing I remember I was back in my room and my sister was trying to wake me up. Throughout the rest of the day and night they come in and give you various types of medicine, pain, antibiotics etc. At one point they make you get up and walk around. I was fine so I just walked around to washroom and stuff on my own after that between nap. My sister returned to hotel about dinner time so she could eat there and spend the night. Hotel shuttle took her back.
Tuesday: Doctor comes around and gives you a prescription for various meds that costs about 156.00 us dollars which you must buy before you leave clinic to have at hotel and take home with you. Nurse shows you how to empty drain on your own at hotel. Its easy. Shuttle back to hotel.
Wednesday: Back to clinic to have dressing changed
Thursday: Back to clinic to have drain removed and xray and leak test. Then waited around for driving to take me back to San Diego airport.
The hotel gives you all the chicken broth and popsicles you want in room or in restaurant. I did some of both. They maids leave Water for you although they forgot a couple of time but we called and they brought it right up. My sister enjoyed the food at the restaurant and room service and the prices are reasonable. My sister is a bit of a candy addict, they didnt have much in the little store so she walked about 3 blocks up the hill to Walmart to stock up. The area around hotel seems pretty safe. The hotel has a nice pool area that we lyed around at for awhile but you cant swim with drain and the water is cold.
Any questions just ask.
