katie75009

No. I wouldn't worry. Drink lots of Water and make sure you are doing everything up to that point. My surgeon had me on clear liquids only for three days prior to surgery.

I would definitely encourage a tablet or smartphone with Netflix. I am a reader and thought I would read on my Kindle app. I could not focus well or stay awake well enough to read, but Netflix was awesome to have. I also downloaded google translate to my phone so I could communicate better with the nurses. You will need a loose fitting dress or something for the trip home. I brought gauze and dressing stuff for my own wound care. The hospital sent me with some, but I am pretty picky about it all and wanted my own once I was back in the hotel. I had a different doctor, so not sure how they do things. I would certainly take a longer charging cord for any electronics if you have one you could take. Also, you will need some small bills to tip your drivers and hotel staff who assist you. Pack light, and possibly in a bag with rollers so you don't have to lift it. Oh, and chapstick or some sort of lip balm. Besides all this, you should really only need some basic toiletries. Nobody is dressing up or wearing makeup while there. I certainly wasn't messing with any of it.

Wow. That's just awful. I am so sorry to hear it went that way for you. I do not believe that is typical, though. I have heard some complaints about the hotel, but my experience was completely positive. I have not previously heard anything like that about the hospital. All the nurses and staff were very professional when I was there and there were adequate rooms available for the patients and their guests.

I went to Mexico alone last August. It truly is a personal decision, but for me was very good. I did not have any adverse reactions to surgery and had a very good experience. I never felt alone or unsafe. There were several others who had traveled alone that I became friends with and a couple that I still talk to regularly. Read other people's experiences with the surgery facility, doctor and hotel that you are considering. And just like the other poster said, see if you can find a surgery buddy who is going to be there at the same time.

I may be wrong, but I do not believe that is Dr. Elias Ortiz. I believe that is the other Dr. Ortiz. There are two.

I have not had any issues. I have seen my general family doctor since I've been back and they were not shocked or condescending at all about Mexico.

I had surgery with Dr. Elias Ortiz last August. I went alone and had a very positive experience. Not one time did I really even feel alone through the whole process. A couple of tips, though... If you can, add the Google Translate app to your phone or Ipad. That was nice to have. I could communicate on a better level with the nurses. They understand basic care English, but there may be some things that need to be expressed that are not so basic. Also, Netflix. The television has a few English stations in the hospital and hotel, but not many. You will need some cash, small bills like 5s or 1s to tip your driver and bell hop with. Don't be shy! I made a few friends at the hospital and hotel that I'm still in contact with today. It's soooo nice to have friends who are traveling this road at the same place as me. We compare notes, chit chat and have gotten pretty close. Please don't hesitate to ask questions. Not just from me, but this is what this forum is for. :-)

I used Dr. E. Ortiz and alighterme. I had a wonderful experience. I am almost 8 months out and down 85 pounds.

I was a 44DDD last July. I've lost 85 pounds and am a 38DD now. I look proportionate and am not unhappy with them at all. I am wondering how they'll do - I have about 50 more pounds to go. They have lost some of their own perkiness, but still don't look too bad.

Your story almost mirrors mine exactly. I was with Dr. Ortiz last August. It was one of the best decisions I have made. And I remember feeling bad for others I met, and a little guilty, that I didn't even have any nausea. Im happy for both you and your wife!

My experience is the more soft/runny something is, the more I can eat. Once you move on to more dense proteins, you'll see yourself eating less. My surgery was August 3rd and I can eat almost a full cup of something liquid like soup, but only a couple of ounces of chicken breast.

You guys are killing me!

I would totally do it again. I've been frustrated a few times because I couldn't eat what I want, but eating what I want all the time is why I've been so unhealthy. Sometimes there are lows, when I feel like I'm unraveling a mess in my head when it comes to food. Over all, I know that I needed a serious intervention and my sleeve was that intervention. I'm about two and a half months out, now and including my pre op, am down 53 pounds. But its not just the weight. I all around feel better. I'm wearing clothes I never thought I'd wear. I'm sleeping better and have so much more energy. I'm starting to exercise in baby steps and its awesome because I actually have the energy, making it so much easier to motivate myself to get off my butt. I feel like I've gotten out of the downward spiral I was in for so long.

I had my surgery August 3, so am roughly where you would be going to Europe. I would choose to do the surgery before. I am completely recovered and feel better than I have in years. You will still be able to sample things, but you won't be able to pig out. Its awesome, really. You can choose to not order your own entree and sample from others if you're close enough to your family. Or take your leftovers back to your hotel. Either way, its a win. My vote is definitely for before.

Gummy bears. A lot of gummy bears.

I would caution anybody to do their homework. I would also caution anybody to be careful what to take as facts and what to take as here say. From what I've read of this thread, there's some of both.

I had my surgery on a Saturday in Mexico. I came home on Wednesday, was off Thursday and Friday. I worked from home on Monday a full day, and then back to the office on Tuesday. My normal schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays in the office and the other days working from home. I didn't have any problems. I was tired, but it wasn't awful.

I had surgery with Dr. Elias Ortiz two months ago today. He is very professional and skilled. I never once felt insecure or uncomfortable with him. It is scary to pick a doctor. I honestly prayed over it and picked the one I felt most comfortable about. I researched him as much as I could, and didn't find a negative thing about him. He spent as much time as I needed with me. The whole ALighterMe team was professional and exactly where they said they would be. My driver and contacts there were always available. I went by myself and didn't once feel alone unless I chose to be in my room alone. There are other sleevers at the hospital and hotel to chat with and get to know. It was an all-around good experience for me. My recovery was easy. In fact, the day I got back to the hotel, I walked to Walmart and did some shopping.

I have taken a bite or two of bread a few times. I've also eaten a small soft taco a couple of times. I definitely know when I'm full. I could see eating a breakfast burrito if it was really small. I haven't tried a hamburger, but have a hard time with ground meat. I try to stay away from breads, but don't always succeed.

I am two months tomorrow and I can turn up a water bottle and chug exactly 5 chugs. Any more than that and its uncomfortable. I've always been a water chugger, and those first few weeks were torture for me. Now I can feel satisfied with my 5 chugs. :-)

Also, the language barrier was no problem. The nurses understand just about anything surgery related. There was a chart in the room with common things that need to be said with the translation next to it. I also downloaded Google translate so I could type what I needed in English and it would speak it out for me in Spanish.

I went alone and was just fine. I downloaded a texting app so I could leave the phone off and use it only over wifi. I had no problems. When I woke up from surgery and got back to my room I sent my husband a text and he took care of letting anybody else know. Once I had all my wits back from the anaesthesia, I was able to use the wifi and Skype him. I was told there was a phone that I could ask for to call the states, but didn't feel it was necessary. I used Skype in my room at the Marriott and had no problems either. I would suggest if you have a tablet or smart phone, Netflix. Netflix was a life saver for me, especially in the hospital. With pain meds I couldn't focus well enough to read, but could watch a movie. The television is a bit limited at the hospital and hotel.

I'm almost two months out and down 47 pounds including pre op. I shave and it is waaaaay easier now. I can see much more (still not everything), but its much better. It doesn't seem like such a chore as before.

I second the extension cord for chargers. That was a life saver. And if you have Netflix, make sure you put it on a tablet or phone. I had it and it was awesome. I also thought I'd be reading, but with the meds, it was too hard to focus on reading material. The TV is limited. GasX strips are a must. You may or may not need them. I took too many and gave them away to others who needed them. I did not take water to the hotel. I could not drink very much and the two bottles a day they gave me were plenty. I also drank Gatorade and Powerade, which was suggested by my doctor. There is a gift shop through a doorway to the left of the check-in area at the Marriott that had drinks and popsicles. The popsicles from the dining room were not good at all, but the small gift shop had really good ones that weren't very expensive.

I'm August 3. Would love to find a sleeve buddy. I'll be at Midoctor with Dr. Elias Ortiz.