homersmomma

At Jerusalem hospital with dr almanza.

im going alone and my surgery is 10\10\13 im flying from dallas..

I went to Mexico myself. I chose Dr. Alvarez, in Piedras Negras. His Coordinator, Susan hooked me up with my "Sleeve Sisters", Nancy (from CA), and Linda (from KY) a few weeks before my surgery. It gave us enough time to get to know each other via email and phone calls. We each traveled alone and were scheduled for surgery the same day. We had gotten to know each other, so when we arrived at the Hotel, it was like meeting "new" old friends. We still stay in touch regularly, and have a weekly "3 way phone call meet-up" every Thursday evening.
Pack light. Arrange for the airline to have a wheelchair escort take you to the gate. They will help you board and put your carry-on luggage in the overhead bin. Ask for a pre-boarding pass and sit in the bulkhead if you can. (the first seat). That will give you room to stretch your legs and exercise them during your flight. (helps to avoid blood clots).
Don't take jewelry. I wore my watch and earrings only. I brought my I-phone, one credit card, and $50 cash. I only spent about $15, for a bowl of Soup, a few bottles of Water and tipped the driver. Wear something comfortable to fly home in. Sandals or flip flops so you're not messing with tying laces, etc. Something to sleep in at the hotel and a few toiletries. Don't worry about a hairdryer, Shampoo, etc (the hotels provide it). Bring a toothbrush, toothpaste and a hairbrush. Get some gas-ex strips and a chap stick. You probably won't feel like putting on make-up, so don't bother packing it. Bring a hoodie or light jacket in case you get cold on the plane. I had a private room and never worried about my belongings.
Hook up with your "sleeve sister (s)", and you'll never be alone. We walked together, had dinner (egg drop soup) the night before surgery together, and were always in each other's rooms once we were awake and walking around (the night of surgery). It was a great experience. I'm glad I didn't bring a friend or family member.... they wouldn't have been able to relate to the experience as my "sleeve sisters" did.

My date is sept 2......

I know what you mean. People can be so cruel. I have heard comments said about me by a__holes being funny for their pals and I have heard things said by those in my own family that cut the deepest.

Over the years there have been MANY straws loaded up on my camels back. I have researched bariatric surgery over the years and gone to a bunch of seminars, Following the sudden passing of my significant other who was also obese due to the complications of CHF, diabetes and heart disease at 48 years of age. Then in a few months time his sister at 50 for the same health reasons also obese. My own struggle with diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, joint and back pain. I was most unhappy with my most recent lab results. I knew that if I did not make a change now I would not be a part of my grand children's lives. Either due to my increasing co-morbidities or just being too fat to be involved in their lives.

Tired of avoiding going out in public with my family.
Tired of taking BP & Cholesterol meds.
Tired of avoiding taking pictures (I literally run when a camera is aimed at me)
My daughters have never seen me healthy or at a healthy weight.
Tired of not having a waistline and tired of my jeans looking weird on me.
I could go on

I am scheduled for September 4, right around the corner. Soo nervous

My experience was great. Do you have any specific questions I can answer?

Hi Everyone! I just made it back from tonight from San Diego after having surgery in Tijuana, Mexico on Monday, August 19th! My experience was wonderful!! Thank you Lord!! My sister (support) and I arrived in San Diego on Sunday, 8/19 and was immediately picked up at the airport by Raoul with A Lighter Me. He took us to our hotel in Tijuana after a brief stop at Mi Doctor Hospital to pick up a patient that had been released that day. She looked great and said she was feeling fine. We got to the hotel, Marriott Tijuana and it is beautiful!!The rooms are big, clean and had a bathroom scale. Everyone went over and beyond, the staff was so friendly. As a part of my package with A Lighter Me, the hotel provides 3 cups of broth a day and 2 waters per day (free) to the patient and a 15% discount to their companion at the restaurant. Since we got there on Sunday, there was a Sunday Brunch going on and it was fantastic!! My sister loved loved loved the food, and I loved loved loved smelling, looking and watching her eat and describe the taste to me. LOL!! It did not tempt me at all. I stuck to my 3 week preop and was not hungry. By the way, I lost 23 lbs during preop! Okay, so we get the hospital on Monday and got all of my preop test taken care of and was the first patient to have the surgery. There were several, but the others scheduled were coming in the same day. Everyone that was going to be assisting in my care came into my room to introduce themselves to me (my room nurse, the surgery nurse, the anesthesiologist, my surgeons Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Sanchez at some point before my surgery. Oh, my room had two beds, one for me and the other for my sister! Dr. Lopez also assisted in the surgery, but I met him after I left recovery. My surgery went well, I did have to my hernia repaired, which I suspected my happen because i was taking Nsaids up to 3 weeks before and on an empty stomach. Something you should never do! Anyway, I had NO PAIN, NO NASEAU, NO PROBLEM DRINKING OR ANYTHING!!! Of course, that did not stop me from taking whatever medication they offered, but I didn't think I needed it. The coordinator from A Lighter Me, Janese was there and boy did I see a lot of her and the drivers, Abraham and Eduardo for A Lighter ME! They were constantly in the hospital checking on everyone that was there and making sure we had all we needed. Not once did I have to look for them or contact them for anything because they were always around, even late into the night! So, I'm feeling good. I did not walk for a few hours after surgery because I was just to sleepy. The hospital is small, so don't expect any long hallways to walk in! Tijuana was nice and the weather perfect! I left the hospital and went back to the Marriott Hotel on Wednesday and within an hour my sister, I and another patient we met, went walking to buy a few souvenirs. We walked about a 1/2 mile from the hotel and came back and did not feel in any danger. There were lots of traffic and people walking, especially school kids. There are a lot of food trucks about and my sister purchased some tacos! She says that everything she purchased was absolutely delicious and she travels A LOT all over! Oh, I forgot, even the food in the hospital at the diner on the first was the best for her! On Thursday, our coordinators took us shopping near the border. Now, the storekeepers will converge on you like crazy!!! But we did manage to get some items. There is a Walmart near the Hotel within walking distance. The rest of my stay was uneventful, I felt fine the entire time, I walked and managed to eat some broth and drink Water and gatorade. I've not be hungry at all, but try to get in as I could while there. We check out on Friday and was taken back to San Deigo and our driver, Raoul took my sister and I to the car rental agency because we stayed an extra day in San Deigo. We went shopping and was out and I felt fine the entire time, no problems. My plane ride home was long, I had to switch flights, but flew a total of 6.5 hours home. I held a pillow to my belly most of the way, but otherwise, I was good. I'm home now, having a Isopure (it is so delicious) and I just wanted you all to know that all is well and you should feel safe to go to Tijuana. Now I just pray that my healing journey continues to be blessed. Thanks for reading this long post!!

It was me. My wife was there for support and help. My Dr was Dr Almanza. So far I've lost 53lbs. No complications and my life is changed. I no longer have sleep apnea or snore.

Congratulations! I will be having my surgery in one week also. I am so excited, but anxious too.

I can't believe 1 week from today is surgery day! It came so quickly. So excited and a little nervous too!

We are about to go have lunch together to discuss child care arrangements. She has two very active 5 & 6 years olds! My older two daughters are going to help out while we are gone! Our liquid diet starts Friday!!! We also start out medifast diet tomorrow. Today will be out last real food day!!! Lots of anxiety but really excited are you packed and ready to go? By the way I have a low BMI and so does Shannon. Mine is barely a 30 and hers is like a 34. I fear being judged for having this surgery but its my body and I'm short and stout and sick and tired of being sick and tired! Hope to see you there!

Hi Homersmonma! My best friend and I are scheduled September 2nd with Dr. Almanza! We are coming down from Slidell, LA on September 1st! Getting a little nervous!! How are you holding up?