SoCalDixieGal

And it was so cool to meet you this morning!

Had a not so great day today, but met Tami88! Was feeling great this morning. Went for the morning checkup and we were all talking about how much better we felt than anticipated. Out of the blue I started feeling very dizzy and faint. And out of nowhere i started crying. Thanks so much for another patients companion who helped me quickly get assistance. Was taken back to lie down. Turns out my blood pressure had quickly gone whacko. Normal 120/78 to 148/78 in about 10 minutes. Not fun. Then of course throw in nausea. Postponed the chemical peel for tomorrow. I'm back at the hotel resting and feel normal. Focusing on getting in fluids. Walking periodically but resting more.

Yeah, whenever someone asks me what my goal size is, I tell them I don't have one. They are so arbitrary.

Couldnt take pics at the border crossing (that's heavily frowned of in all countries), but here are two photos from my room at the Tijuana marroitt. Sorry it may be blurry, blackberry isn't the best camera, but there's a beautiful club and fancy houses up the hill. The other direction looks like Los Angeles to me. And excuse my sloppy word use (working off an iPad).

Also, bring a small pillow, like a travelers neck pillow. I'm finding very helpful to hold against my stomach during the shuttle trips and the periodic coughing, which hurts! I almost left it in my friends car for when she picks me up but am so glad I brought it. And pack some earplugs. I'm getting traffic noise in my room. If you don't already have some they are typically sold in the airport convenience shops. I never leave home without!

Just an FYI majority of Mexico is also laparoscopic. But, to the insurance, get a copy of the policies legal coverages. It should be a pretty big document. My policy clearly stars that life threatening emergencies resulting from non-covered procedures ARE covered. They use plastic surgery as an example. Also, get your primary are doc on board. Mine will write any blood work or other tests as may be needed in the future. I initially started out going to the US surgeon who did my band over five yrs ago. I was very anti-Mexico. Then the price difference was enough to make me start doing research. Just had my surgery yesterday. The facilities are great and the amount of personal care is remarkable. I'm now in a posh hotel room and will be driven back to the doctors facility daily for checks. I'm actually getting more care here than I did five yrs ago. Definitely choose what you are comfortable, but don't let stereotypes out weigh credentials!

Congratulations on your journey! The surgery is only one aspect and it seems you're ackeling the rest. Blessings to you, a bug virtual hug and may the rest of yor journey be as sweet!

Thanks everyone! Eyesight is nearly 100% feeling pretty good. The drain bag is pretty gross but it's doing it's job! Only in occasional pain and I'd rank it pretty low, although I do have a very high tolerance. Do get the sharper gas pains if just sitting so I've been packng my room. Havent yet wanted to leave my room so am making do with room laps. Doing pretty well with getting in liquids. Yes tiny sips but they are going down just fine. Little nasea but there's a prescription for that. Total meds was about $150 US. Using my spirometer as instructed. And really just hanging. I do like the NUT as she just has a basic, no fad approach to nutrition. After she covered everything, I asked what the % breakdown would be. She recommends about 30% fat, 40-50 carb with then 20-30% from Protein. Huge proponent of fruits and veges. not a proponent of Atkins style "dieting" need to break out of the fad, quick fix diet mentality and about mindful healthy eating (that last bit is from me!) Well, time for another nap, but gotta say, feeling pretty good. Oh and in hindsite, I probably would have kept the hotel an extra night just to avoid checking out then back in. If you're not solo this isn't an issue. At OCC the only thing I used of mine was this iPad and my blackberry for texting. Nothing else. Could have left it all back in the room. Oh and I did brush my hair.

Went into surgery I think around 9 and I wasn't the last one! Everything went well. Had some nasea but they took are of that quickly. Was pulled up around 1:30 am to get up and walk. A bit wobbly but I'm sure being tired contributed. Sore getting in and out of bed of course. Up again on my own around 5 am to use the bathroom. Darn iIV fluids! Up again at 7 and they were beginning to get folks moving again. M drain tube leaked a bit all over my gown and some on the bed but they got that tresolved. I did have quite a bit of drainage but according to doc the color is good. They are keeping the woman who had some respiratory issues and turned out she had a heart condition too. Complications were not from the doctors and she seemed to be doing better this morning. I'm back at the Marriott now. One weird side effect for me is my eyesight is shot. Distance which is always ok s good, but near is very blurry so hard to read the forums. Doc said that sometimes happens. I'll be able to post more when I an see better! Thanks for all the well wishes, they are greatly appreciated.

Yes, I plan on sharing my concerns. Especially as it is now 7 freakin 30

6:30 and still waiting I apparently am the very last surgery after everyone is exhausted for the previous 6 ops. Being a band conversion doesn't make me confident in this. The tone is not set well.

Thanks guys, I think the biggest annoyance is that nobody has said anything to me. Only info I got was from IV nurse and that was over 5 hours ago.

4:24 and still waiting. My "calm" pill they gave me five hours ago has worn off. Now I'm just irritated. Mostly about the uncommunicated increase in patient load.

Yep doing the solo route. And still waiting. Bring stuff to do! If you're lucky and first that may not be necessary, but I've been entertaining myself for five hours

Still waiting. Drugs made me a bit loopy. Hopefully soon!

Yeah, I kinda figured they'd time manage the patients better. But I guess things can change based on how folks medically stack out. There are a few here not in the best health today. I've all by electronic toys spread around me so I'm content. There is one girl who is shocking the other patients. She's thin. I thought she was here for plastics but nope sleeve. Although I heard revision but it's not band. She really looks great. The other patients are doing eye rolls but heck, we don't know her story. I didn't want to pry and ask so we've chatted about other things. Perhaps a bypass to sleeve revision? Is that even possible?

And no, I wasn't happy to see the high numbers today!

I think I'm last. It's nearly noon and was told about 20 min ago there were 3 before me. There is at least one plcation. I now have my IV. Was also told each are about 45 minutes so figure just under 3 hours to wait. I do feel sexy in my hair net, thigh high white compression stockings, paper underwear and sexy gown.

Yep, all in same surgery. Just had the x-ray barium of band and it's in good shape. So that will make things easier. But they won't let me keep it. Has to be disposed of, which medically I guess makes sense. Just sitting in my room waiting in my turn.

Arrived bright and early at OCC. nice facility. Lots of waiting. Saw dentist, nutritionist, cardiologist and had my band x-rayed to make sure there werent complications. Now in my private room. It's 10:40 and got here at 7. So be prepared to wait! Room is nice and comfortable. I think bathroom is down the hall. No idea where in the surgery queue I am but they are doing a heavy load today - 7. I was told they do 6 but today is 7. Nit overly thrilled about that. Haven't met the doc yet. Surprisingly calm.

Another way to look at it is how much food do you eat NOW to not be hungry? Full is going to happen a heck of a lot sooner! The big issue think many of us deal with is eating while not hungry. No or one is going to remove that!

I think reality shows and those like The Biggest Loser have done all of us a disservice. Perception of magic, throw in envy, ignorance and people's tendency to just be rude and viola you have ridiculous comments.

And good riddance to my band tomorrow! After over five years it's time to say goodbye and hello to a WLS that works. Although call me crazy . . . .I'm going to ask to keep my band (not in me!) I want to finally see exactly what I've wasted so much time, money, energy and frustration.

I just crossed this afternoon and it's a breeze. There's more security right now because there's a man hunt going in for a killer in So Cal. Rather advanced going into Mexico you have to get out of the van, enter a very nice security building, have your luggage x-rayed, and meet up with the driver just outside the building it isnt scarey at all. Very nice, modern and super clean. Nicer than a lot of our airport TSAs! The Marriott is very nice and lots of folks here. There's some embassy thing going on right now too. The area around the hotel feels like any other city. I'm heading to the hospital/surgery center tomorrow and the driver picks you up from the lobby. Folks are so caught up in Mexico stereotypes but so far it's been very nice and comfortable. Nothing to worry about.

On time airport pickup and an easy border crossing. Marriott is quite nice. Been upgraded to a nice view (platinum Marriott status). I killed some time in the lobby for a bit and now I'm enjoying the first of what will be many bowls of chicken broth in the restaurant. It is good. Also a nice cuppa tea. There's a big buffet across the room. I think it would be harder to travel with someone and watch them eat and drink. Course being pre surgery I'm currently starving and pictured about a hundred ways to kill the guy in the lobby with a piña colada and snack mix. Since I'm traveling solo, I'll check out in the morning and meet the van at 6:40am then recheck into the hotel when I return Tuesday. I'm surprisingly calm.