homersmomma

Congratulations and I am wishing you a speedy recovery!

I checked my bag after I removed important items like my tablet. I had a smaller bag that my purse and tablet would easily fit in.

I had a talk with my PCP before I even made arrangements to go to Mexico for my surgery. Happily he was alright with my decision. I did receive some pain meds before I left Mexico and so far I have not had to take a single one.

This was something offered from the clinic I went to. I paid $20.00 and we took a route reserved for medical transports. About passports and so o I found that if you live in a state that issues an enhanced DL you will only need that and an official certified copy of your state issued birth certificate.

Make it a point to bring your PCP into the loop. They are going to be your best medical support once you return home.

I had my sleeve done on the 3rd of September and I guess I lucked out. I had a very good experience and I felt very well taken care of while I was there. 1) I knew what I was getting into. 2) I know enough Spanish to get by which really helps. 3) I am not afraid to ask questions.

I have osteoarthritis of both knees and hips and at three weeks post op and the amount of weight that I have already lost I have seen an improvement.

I was thinking you meant the line to get back into the US. Most places offer a fast track pass for a fee that will get you around the extremely long line at the border.I can tell you that the lines to get back into the country are at least two hours long. Take the fast track it is worth it.

I also had surgery with Dr. Almanza everything was as mrsjumbo says. No recovery house ,however, now you go to the hotel Ticaun.

I live in McAlester. I am hoping to start a support group in my area.

I am considering coordinating a WLS support group in my area since there doesn't seem to be anything in my area. So far, I have one other person interested. I live in McAlester, by the way.

I researched going to Mexico and I researched local surgeons accepting self pay patients for many years before I start decided that the time had come to make it happen. I decided to go to Mexico in the end purely based on the finances. I do not regret it at all. I have now lost 60 pounds that I hope to never see again. I already feel better and I am so much happier than I thought thought I would have thought. I love my sleeve already so much. It is the best gift I have ever given myself.

I certainly was not in my comfort zone. Usually the patients left the hotel in groups. To do a little sight seeing or shopping for souvenirs. I decided that was the safest thing to do. Other than that I stuck close to the clinic and hotel so I wouldn't end up getting lost. More than anything.

So, here is my weird question. What is the deal with dill pickle juice? This is a major craving I am having since the sleeve.

Gas X strips.

That is awesome. I feel proud for you!

It's all going to be worth it. I believe in you!

I am glad that you will have someone with you.

Well, I am back home from my trip to Mexico. I am going to try and give an honest review of my experience there and my thoughts about Having the Gastric Sleeve in Tijuana. I Arrived and called the coordinator about being picked up at the airport. I was picked up by the driver in a large black Cadillac Limo. Isn't that the way to go....Fancy. No wet bar, however. Joking. He took me directly to the clinic to do my EKG and get blood work. My first impressions, yes this is Tijuana, yes this is a strip mall with a porno shop and office max, and yes it is small. These are things I knew going in. Following the clinic I was told my pre surgery instructions my pick up time and taken to the Hotel in down town. It is a nicer upscale place. I will come back to that later. After a rough nights sleep due to jitters and all I got up showered and started waiting. I decided to go down to the lobby early to wait for my ride and I met another patient and her companion. I traveled alone, and I will say more about that later. We headed out to the clinic and got prepped for our surgeries . I got to be second that day. Honestly, I was scared and I nearly backed out up until the very end. But, if I wasn't worried and scared about something like this no matter where I was I would be crazy. Just think about it. I woke up in recovery feeling sore and groggy and knowing after this it would be all down hill. I was taken to my room to rest. Which I did with intervals of sitting up, coughing, gagging, walking and so on. Word to the wise here. having worked in a hospital, coughing is really important to help clear your lungs following sedation. Hold a pillow to your abdomen while coughing, vomiting, sneezing ect.. to avoid popping your stitches or staples. Besides your abdominal muscles are weakened. Do this at home also. I ended up staying an extra day as there were no surgeries scheduled so we got an extra day of IV fluids and This whole thing can go well in my honest opinion if you can advocate for yourself. Ask questions, Ask questions, ask questions. What is in my IV, what medicine are you giving me. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Now the clinic......it is clean, they are cleaning all the time. Have you ever heard of a cleaner called Fabuloso? You may want to familiarize yourself with that smell as they use that to clean. Some people are not affected by smells but once you have a gastric surgery you might be. There is an air freshener they use that can also bother you. Prepare for this. Most of the nurses are male there is one nurse, her name is Lupita and she is great she drew my blood with one stick and I admit that I am a hard stick. She started my IV with one try too. I hate being poked. However, most of the people taking care of you will be male. Learn a few useful phrases in Spanish it will be valuable to you n the long run. I and my group where taken to the hotel and shown to our rooms and I will tell you my one fear. I was afraid to eat or drink anything in Mexico because I did not want to get sick. I have heard of people getting sick from something in the water. I did bring bottled American water to brush my teeth with and drink. Maybe that's just me. The restaurant is adjacent to the lobby of the hotel and I could not stand the smell. There is a nurses station with a direct line and you can call them with whatever you need. Such as changing your dressings after you take a shower or if you need pain medication or if you have any questions. I almost forgot the leak test. They give you this tasty blue fluid to drink and then off to the radiology center where they hand you a cup of barium to drink, that stuff was terrible. But no leaks.

I know the liquid diet is a very daunting prospect. However, you can do it. I didn't think I would be able to do it and whenever I thought I was just going to go crazy with hunger I buckled down and had a hot cup of decaf tea or bullion and got through it. The reasons for the pre op diet varies from practice to practice. Mine was to shrink my liver and decrease some of the abdominal fat that could cause complications during the surgery. Honestly, I wanted to improve my chances of success by doing anything I could.

Taking that first step can be so hard. Like they say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This is only the first step on the journey for the rest of your life being what you want it to be.

It might be a good idea to see if your Surgery Coordinator might be able to introduce you to a Sleeve Sister also scheduled on the day you are having surgery.

Sorry, I forgot. I got a list of suggested items to bring a long like a heating pad and I dutifully packed it and I never used it.

In my case I did not have to bring any dressing supplies for my wounds. I did however purchase American bottled water to have on hand at the hotel to drink and brush my teeth. There is soap and shampoo, and wash cloths available at the hotel. I brought my own shampoo and conditioner because I like my hair bouncing and behaving. If y'all know what I am saying Honestly, I packed the things I would normally take along for any other trip. Just don't over pack because you are going to be lugging a suitcase or duffel bag through the airport and you will have a weight restriction on how much you will be allowed to lift. Just something to keep in mind.