back2barb78

I got myself a wig. It was great! I washed, deep conditioned, moisturized and sealed, and braided my own hair in 4 braids underneath so that if I wanted to I could wear it crimpy like I do sometimes. I ended up wearing my wig the whole time- and I woke up in recovery and it was still on- thankfully!! I braided it in two ponytails preop. I love it so much I'm still wearing it. {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

I'm sorry Cosmogirl! I never had that issue but I was also taking a multivitamin with iron plus an additional iron pill daily. You should mention it to your nutritionist. I think a lot of people have the opposite problem {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

The same happened to me on my preop diet- I lost lbs daily and toward the end it totally slowed down. I still lost my needed preop weight. Highest weight 333 Annual physical June 2013- 327 Start of process August 2013-325 Preop diet Day 1-319 2-317 3-313 4-309 5-307.4 6-307.4 7-307 8-307 9-306 10-305 11-303 12-302 13-301 14-300 15-299.6 Day of operation-299 Day 3 postop-300 (I wasn't supposed to weigh myself, but I had seen so many people gain like 10-15 lbs postop and wanted to see if I would too) {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

Luckyqueenbee, even though this is not an advice site, more of a support site, never sit at home and wonder what you should be doing or if something is 'ok' or normal. Call you Dr because that's what they got paid for- to be there for you, handle your concerns and to answer any major questions you have. They should have expressed that repeatedly before you left their service which I hope they did. Even if you feel like you are bugging them it doesn't matter. It's better for you to call them a million times for something minor than to sit a home even half a day with something major going on. No one on here can diagnose or figure out what's up with you especially not knowing your health history. No 2 patients are the same. I hope you feel better. {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

OMG.. I forgot another couple things I brought that was great- front closure sports bras! I got a couple from Walmart in different sizes; they were about 7 dollars. So convenient and so easy to put on. I have big boobs so I had to wear two to be presentable I will wear these for a while because I do have a small, small incision right at the bra line in the center of my upper abdomen. Also the elastic came in handy in the shower and under my clothes for the drain. It was well taped so you could let it hang, but I just tied it high on my waist for security. I also used the GasX strips late on postop day 1 in the middle of the night and felt better after. I had gas pain in my chest which I walked away.

No problem. I tried not to leave anything out, but if you have questions I'll be glad to answer. The discharge meds were 160 USD and I got two bottles of vitamins since they sold out recently and that brought my total to 220 USD. I took 900 USD with me, but I paid for the extra hotel room for 4 nights plus some food for my parents (they spent a small amount of money at the shopping center on their own). I paid for everything cash, including the 100 deposits for the rooms. Another person that went to a different doctor told me she used her credit card for the deposit and hadn't gotten it back and it had been almost 2 months, so I wanted to make sure there were no issues. I didnt spend any major money on myself, so if you're going alone you definitely don't need much money. You'll get all you need from the hotel. The popsicles are 1 in the gift shop. If I had gone alone, I don't believe I would've needed more than 350-400 USD, but that's including the hotel deposit. I came home with 324 (update- I ended up finding more random money in my pockets while unpacking). While I was at the hotel, I rested a lot and walked. The days seemed to go by fast. The day after surgery, you'll probably just sleep honestly. I didn't even drink much. You spend a lot of time waiting to be picked up/ dropped off and by the time you're done, you'll be ready for a nap After surgery, I didn't go out anywhere because I got everything I needed from Walmart the night before surgery. Im able to watch my home cable tv from my computer, so I watched my TV shows everyday. I brought gossip mags with me, but I never read one. I brought things with me to the OCC that I didn't use like the mags, my laptop, heating pad, my slippers. You really don't need anything to keep you occupied while there if you have someone with you and like I said they have great cable if your a TV watcher. I was glad that I brought my rose salve for my lips, some hair ties to put my hair in two braids, and my Vicks inhaler- I can't live without my Vicks. It was never cold there and the beds had an extra warm blanket, however I noticed when we all were done that night none of us had covers on. They took them all off of us and I'm assuming to prevent fever. I didn't get chilly until early in the AM and I grabbed a sheet from the bedding which they had on the couch. A couple things I'm glad I had were my cozy socks (they will have those blue hospital booties for all to put over their shoes and they stay on the whole time), my bath wipes to clean myself up before and after surgery along with my toiletries for AM care, and my emesis bags. I had so many secretions from my mouth and nausea, by morning I had emptied the tissue box at my bedside. No one else had this problem though, and to be honest I have a bad gag reflex normally so I knew I would probably need them. So glad I brought them. Some people say they never touched their makeup, but I wore my makeup daily except the day I went in because of the instructions and when we were released because I knew I was just going to go to sleep all day. I did fill in my brows though! At the hotel, I used my BP cuff and thermometer repeatedly. I did note that the first postop day my BP was really elevated, but the next day it was lower than my normal. I did see another person say the same on another thread with regard to her BP.

I'll be waiting to hear how things go! {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

I couldn't walk around there looking crazy! There so many handsome men and beautiful women around its crazy. There were also lots of people there that we met in the lobby of the hotel- skinny people a couple years out back for other things like fillers and dental work, etc. Looking at them and having them tell us how great things will be soon is still baffling. It is crazy too how good I feel. I'm not in any incredible pain. I was telling my mom my period is way worse. I wouldn't even take an Advil right now if I could. I almost did leave them there! My mom had a great time talking everyone's ear off (her fav thing to do) and my dad just sat watching whatever the next move would be. They're a mess {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

So today was the last day of my Mexico surgery excursion. We woke up this AM and went to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. My parents had the buffet which they said was delicious. It was only 25 US dollars which for a hotel buffet I thought was fantastic. Of course I had my complimentary broth and water and b-lined for the tobacco/gift shop for my delicious lime popsicle. I was supposed to be at the clinic at 930 but didn't get there until around 10ish. I will say I'm a go with the flow person so waiting for the drivers to come and go did bother some people, but it didn't bother me at all. At the clinic, we waited to all be seen and again Dr Ortiz comes through and stops and high fives everyone on the couches. Where that man gets all his energy, I have no idea! Whatever it is, I hope he put some in the Enspira vitamins!! I went into the X-ray room a short time later where I met Dr So. He said he was in for my surgery Monday and that everything in there looked great. I asked him about the staples in my stomach and there effect on future exams and he said the staples are made of titanium and would have no effect on MRIs, Ultrasounds, or any other scan I might have later in life. He gave me a cup of what tasted like pepto bismol minus the flavoring and told me to tap a sip. We watched as the fluid moved through my esophagus, through what looked like a really tiny tummy, then down into my small bowel. He told me to take a bigger sip the next time which I did and we watched again. Dr So said everything looked good and took me back to the EKG/exam room where he took off the dressing and took out the drain. The drain removal was just a bit uncomfortable and right at the end burned a bit. He said I was the only patient who he's ever heard want to keep it for a while longer. It was a safety net knowing everything was fine in there. He cleansed the area really well for me and put steri-strips over the drain site. Then I was good to go. We finally left the OCC after waiting a while for another patient to finish. We got to the border crossing and exited the van with our belongings. We exited the van at 1218 then were back in the van on the other side at 1250 so this day it wasn't bad. We did have a couple of wobbly people in the group, one being my dad, so I'm glad it didn't take too long. This trip is definitely not for the elderly in the family to make. I would definitely consider how many times you have to get in and out of the van, moving belongings, lifting, etc. when you choose who to bring with you down here. They have to get into and out of the van using a stepstool since the van is high off the ground. We are driving into Mexicoach right now! {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

I'm 3 days postop and I feel really good. Just trying to get my fluids in which is a bit of a challenge. The first maybe 24-36 hours I was having nausea, but I had none yesterday. Every sip I take, I get grumble guts (that's what I'm calling it). Just a lot of noise your body makes when you drink. Today I go back to the doctor to get my drain removed and have a leak test. I put a sad face because even though the drain is slightly uncomfortable, that's my safety net that everything's ok in there because I can see the fluid in the drain is a good color. I know- I'm the only crazy one who wants to keep the drain in longer! {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

That is wonderful and I'm sure is an awesome feeling. Congratulations!!!! {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

That really stinks Leslie Im sure even more than some of the lovely treats that have been discussed on this topic (hilarious BTW). With all of the emotional buildup to surgery day, I know it is devastating for it not to have happened the way you wanted. Keep your chin up and reschedule with a backup plan for your pet. Pick a cool date that has some significance in your life. Doing the whole preop diet only got you even closer to your goal weight and will help with your recovery! {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

Ooh you said Lawd so I know you're serious You will do great and be fine. He will give you strength to get through it! {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

So today it was back to the OCC for everyone. I got there with my parents at 12pm. Some of the others were already there and were still waiting. I went in and Tania checked my incisions and said they looked good. She took the old dressing off and cleaned them all. She told me to come back tomorrow for the leak test and drain removal. The group was large so since we came later, we waited for the driver to return for us since there wasn't enough room and I'm so glad I did. I was about to go downstairs with my parents to the coffee/sandwich shop (which by the way my parents are obsessed with-they already planned what they want tomorrow when we go back), when I spotted Dr Ortiz! I asked the person he had just finished talking to (which happened to be his lovely wife) if he was too busy to take a picture with me. She said of course not and went to get him. He's so sweet! He asked me for a kiss and I said I'll give you two and proceeded to kiss both cheeks! He told me to be diligent about taking my vitamins and to be sure to send him before and after pictures because he thinks I will have a great transformation. I truly hope so! He then introduced me to his wife who is absolutely gorgeous and super tall! They are both lovely people. Everyone at the OCC and the Marriott have gone out of their way to be polite, courteous, and helpful. I feel great so far and have no complaints. I got back to the hotel and went to the gift shop for a Popsicle. The gentleman at the register asked me if I was a clinic patient and showed me which one I could have, which was the lime-flavored one. Now I don't know if it's just that I haven't had anything tasty in a while, but that popsicle was delicious. They close at 4pm, so I have to go back in 30 minutes for another before they close! Also my mom said depending on how long they keep you tomorrow, we can always stay another day! She's having too much fun! {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

How is everyone doing? Raven123 and I are both doing well as are all the group that was sleeved on 10/7/13 at the OCC with Dr Ortiz/ Dr Martinez. {)i(} Sent from my iPhone using VST {)i(}

No problem! I will post everything that happens. I'll post again tomorrow afternoon when we all get back and tell you guys what happens. I was discharged with 4 medications- a liquid suspension antibiotic, a pain medication that is placed under the tongue to dissolve, an antacid in a capsule that you open, and a nausea medication in pill form that you can swallow or crush. None are that bad to take, however the antibiotic did make me nauseous, but honestly I think it's just me. That's been my only problem besides the gas in my chest and tummy. I did pack my own disposable emesis bags with me just in case and I'm glad I did. Still just discomfort at 2 of the incisions but only when I move- no real pain. The incisions are barely noticeable- I believe there are 4- 1 on either side of my belly button, one in the center of my chest just below my boobs, and the one thats covered where the JP is. The incisions have dermabond on them (a surgical glue). They should heal nicely.