Aphrodite1984

I am from Ohio, and I went to Mexico....by myself, to get surgery. This is my story....
***beep, beep, beep*** Its 3:50am and my alarm is going off. I wake up and make my way to the bathroom. A quick brushing of my teeth, and pull my hair back. Get dressed in the clothes I laid out the night before. I grab my suitcase that I packed the night before, and head out the door. I am on the road by 4:15am. I have to make a quick call to mom to let her know that I am on my way...and a few more reassurances (family is not so sure at this point). I make it to the airport by 6:00am. Check-in, security, find my gate, quick call to my fiance (who is overseas). I am so hungry! Check the clock....I am told I need to fast for at least 6 hours before my pre-surgery testing. I have plenty of time, so its off to Quizno's for (probably) my last mesquite chicken sandwich. Yum!...ok thats better. Soon enough its time to get on the plane.
When I arrive in San Diego the driver, Ernesto, is standing at baggage claim waiting for me. He is very friendly and grabs my suitcase and leads me toward the van that is waiting in the parking lot. When I get to the van, there is a family waiting in there. I wasn't expecting that. After exchanging pleasantries, I learn that Becky, the mom, had gastric bypass by Dr. Aceves almost 1 year ago and is down 148 lbs! She was there with her 13 year old son and her husband, Don. Don is there to have a LapBand placed by Dr. Aceves. Although I am sure of my decision, learning that Becky is an American nurse who had surgery in Mexico and is so happy about her decision that she brought her husband back to have surgery makes me feel even more certain that I am doing the right thing. Its about a 2 hour drive to the Mexican border, and I am enjoying the view of the mountains. I live in Ohio, and we dont have mountains :sad:
I am surprised at how nice the hospital is when I arrive. It looks brand new, and less "industrial" than the American hospitals that I have been to. More like a hotel. Ernesto shows us to the waiting room, and we are immediately greeted by Yolanda. She introduces us to Lucy and Sergio, the nurses that will be in surgery with us. Its now about 3:00pm. Don and I are given cups and sent to the restroom to "make a sample." Then, we are immediately taken to the lab to have our blood drawn. This was a bit complicated, and I knew that it would be. Nurses have always had a hard time finding a vein on my arms/hands. I dont know if its the extra subcutaneous fat or what, but its just a difficult process. Luckily I am not afraid of needles. First they try poking me on the inside of my left elbow....no luck. Then, my right hand....no luck. Then, my left forearm and BINGO! Blood. After that, I am sent to a small room with another nurse (I forget her name, but she was sooo nice). She tells me to put on a gown and I lay down on the table for my EKG. I am afraid that she will be shocked at my huge body, but she is so unphased. I guess she is used to seeing bodies like mine? I lay on the table with some wires attached to me for about 1 minute, and she says "Your heart works!" Then, its to the X-ray room for a chest X-ray....easy enough. All of this pre-op testing took about 1 hour. Then I put my clothes back on and Yolanda takes us up to another room to discuss the surgery.
She explains that we have to take an antibiotic tonight, and also gives us a sleeping pill to take that night. She explains everything that is going to happen, reviews the post-op diet, incision care, fills, takes my our payment, and tells us that Dr. Campos (Dr. Aceves assistant?) will meet us that night in the hotel lobby at 7:30pm. It is about 5:00pm now, and Ernesto is taking us to the hotel. The hotel is only a few minutes from the hospital, and I am shocked at how beautiful it is. I have never stayed in a hotel this nice before...its like a resort/spa. I can't help but think "I want to come back when I am not having surgery!" Yolanda had told us that we can eat anything we want tonight, so I find an Italian restaurant in the hotel and decide thats a perfect place for my "last supper."
After dinner, I make it to the hotel lobby to meet Dr. Campos. He takes us into a conference room and explains exactly how the surgery is performed, and actually shows us the band so we can touch it and see how it works. He tells us how to eat post-op and what we can expect. He is VERY nice....and cute too! By this time I am EXHAUSTED and I make it back to the hotel, take a quick shower, take my sleeping pill and antibiotic, and go to bed.
***beep, beep, beep*** Its 6:30am, and Yolanda is picking us up at 7:00 in the lobby. I pack my things, and make my way to the lobby. She takes us to the hospital and I am led to my room. Its so nice...like a hotel room! I have a closet, bathroom, shower, sink, toilet, couch, and TV. I change into my gown, and then the parade starts. First the anesthesiologist comes in and tells me what to expect. He says that he is going to wake me up at the end of surgery, so I might be aware of being in surgery, but its not a bad experience. Sergio comes in to show me how to do breathing excercises. Then the internal doctor comes in and tells me that he has looked at my bloodwork and chest X-ray and assures me that I am in good shape for surgery. Then, a nurse comes in and gives me a shot of Lovenox (blood thinner) in my belly. Lucy comes in and gives me my "happy pill" and it is exactly that. Then I meet with Dr. Aceves and he explains more about the surgery, aftercare, and post-op diet. During this time, my happy pill starts to kick in and I am finding it hard to keep my eyes open. He's funny, and finishes the talk quickly before I lose consciousness. Then, they wheel me into surgery.
The last thing I remember is the anesthesiologist putting an IV in my left hand, and Sergio wrapping my feet and legs to prevent blood clots. The next thing I can remember is the anesthesiologist saying "Wake up Abby, youre all finished, the surgery is over!" I could feel that I was naked, and somebody is putting my arms back into the gown. I said to the anesthesiologist "I'm sorry, I'll look better naked in a few months." Hahahaha!!!! I heard him start laughing, and tell the surgeon what I said. I was then wheeled into the recovery room. I felt pain in my abdomen, and I told the nurse. Quickly a nurse gave me medication for the pain, and I can feel myself falling asleep again.
Pretty soon I wake up in my room and my nurse, Christopher, is there for everything. Becky comes in to check on me, and she calls my mom to let her know that I am out of surgery and doing well. My nurse Christopher looks a lot like my brother, and I am strangely comforted by all of this. Soon, he helps me out of bed and I feel a lot of pain in my abdomen....to be expected. I took a few steps out of my room and felt very light headed and nauseous. Christopher quickly helps me back to bed and explains that it is caused by the anesthesia. He gives me some medicine in my IV for the nausea, and also something for the pain. He tells me that a lot of my pain is from the gas and the only thing that will help is walking. About an hour or two later Becky comes in and says that she and Don are going on a walk and they ask if I would like to join them. Becky helps me out of bed, and this time I am able to walk all of the way into the lobby and back to my room.
The next day, I woke up and felt so much better! I could sit up in bed with minimal pain, and move around with ease. That morning I was taken to have a barium swallow and fluoroscopy. Another doctor did this but I forget his name. I took a big swallow, and immediately knew it was a mistake. I could see the screen and the liquid was flowing through my stoma that looked like it was the size of a pinprick. I felt full and uncomfortable. Gurgling, burping, and woops....I learned what a PB is! So, for the next hour or so I was very uncomfortable and PBing into cups and bowls that Christopher kept coming in and emptying for me. He then brings me lunch of broth, Jello, tea, and applejuice. I can't eat any of it. Christopher decides that I need more IV fluids since I cant eat. After I receive all of the IV fluids, Dr. Campos and Dr. Aceves come in to tell me that they put a fill in during surgery and that they can take it out to make it easier for me to eat. They were very concerned that I am able to eat before I go home. So, Dr. Campos takes me back to the fluoroscopy room and I get my first adjustment just a day after surgery! He swabs my belly, gives me a local anesthetic, and inserts a HUGE needle into my port. I didnt feel a thing. He took the whole fill out, and I could immediately feel the relief. lunch was brought when I returned to my room and I could eat just fine. I ate the whole cup of broth, and it felt so good. I think Christopher was happy too. Before the unfill he scolded me and told me that I needed to eat!
The next day I woke up and felt even better than the day before. I packed my things and cleaned up my room a little. I took a shower, and got dressed for my trip home. The "sunday driver" Juan picked me up and we were off to the airport. It took 3 hours of waiting at the border, but finally we were back in the US. I was on a plane home, and the easy part is over.

I am from Ohio, and I went to Mexico....by myself, to get surgery. This is my story....
***beep, beep, beep*** Its 3:50am and my alarm is going off. I wake up and make my way to the bathroom. A quick brushing of my teeth, and pull my hair back. Get dressed in the clothes I laid out the night before. I grab my suitcase that I packed the night before, and head out the door. I am on the road by 4:15am. I have to make a quick call to mom to let her know that I am on my way...and a few more reassurances (family is not so sure at this point). I make it to the airport by 6:00am. Check-in, security, find my gate, quick call to my fiance (who is overseas). I am so hungry! Check the clock....I am told I need to fast for at least 6 hours before my pre-surgery testing. I have plenty of time, so its off to Quizno's for (probably) my last mesquite chicken sandwich. Yum!...ok thats better. Soon enough its time to get on the plane.
When I arrive in San Diego the driver, Ernesto, is standing at baggage claim waiting for me. He is very friendly and grabs my suitcase and leads me toward the van that is waiting in the parking lot. When I get to the van, there is a family waiting in there. I wasn't expecting that. After exchanging pleasantries, I learn that Becky, the mom, had gastric bypass by Dr. Aceves almost 1 year ago and is down 148 lbs! She was there with her 13 year old son and her husband, Don. Don is there to have a LapBand placed by Dr. Aceves. Although I am sure of my decision, learning that Becky is an American nurse who had surgery in Mexico and is so happy about her decision that she brought her husband back to have surgery makes me feel even more certain that I am doing the right thing. Its about a 2 hour drive to the Mexican border, and I am enjoying the view of the mountains. I live in Ohio, and we dont have mountains :sad:
I am surprised at how nice the hospital is when I arrive. It looks brand new, and less "industrial" than the American hospitals that I have been to. More like a hotel. Ernesto shows us to the waiting room, and we are immediately greeted by Yolanda. She introduces us to Lucy and Sergio, the nurses that will be in surgery with us. Its now about 3:00pm. Don and I are given cups and sent to the restroom to "make a sample." Then, we are immediately taken to the lab to have our blood drawn. This was a bit complicated, and I knew that it would be. Nurses have always had a hard time finding a vein on my arms/hands. I dont know if its the extra subcutaneous fat or what, but its just a difficult process. Luckily I am not afraid of needles. First they try poking me on the inside of my left elbow....no luck. Then, my right hand....no luck. Then, my left forearm and BINGO! Blood. After that, I am sent to a small room with another nurse (I forget her name, but she was sooo nice). She tells me to put on a gown and I lay down on the table for my EKG. I am afraid that she will be shocked at my huge body, but she is so unphased. I guess she is used to seeing bodies like mine? I lay on the table with some wires attached to me for about 1 minute, and she says "Your heart works!" Then, its to the X-ray room for a chest X-ray....easy enough. All of this pre-op testing took about 1 hour. Then I put my clothes back on and Yolanda takes us up to another room to discuss the surgery.
She explains that we have to take an antibiotic tonight, and also gives us a sleeping pill to take that night. She explains everything that is going to happen, reviews the post-op diet, incision care, fills, takes my our payment, and tells us that Dr. Campos (Dr. Aceves assistant?) will meet us that night in the hotel lobby at 7:30pm. It is about 5:00pm now, and Ernesto is taking us to the hotel. The hotel is only a few minutes from the hospital, and I am shocked at how beautiful it is. I have never stayed in a hotel this nice before...its like a resort/spa. I can't help but think "I want to come back when I am not having surgery!" Yolanda had told us that we can eat anything we want tonight, so I find an Italian restaurant in the hotel and decide thats a perfect place for my "last supper."
After dinner, I make it to the hotel lobby to meet Dr. Campos. He takes us into a conference room and explains exactly how the surgery is performed, and actually shows us the band so we can touch it and see how it works. He tells us how to eat post-op and what we can expect. He is VERY nice....and cute too! By this time I am EXHAUSTED and I make it back to the hotel, take a quick shower, take my sleeping pill and antibiotic, and go to bed.
***beep, beep, beep*** Its 6:30am, and Yolanda is picking us up at 7:00 in the lobby. I pack my things, and make my way to the lobby. She takes us to the hospital and I am led to my room. Its so nice...like a hotel room! I have a closet, bathroom, shower, sink, toilet, couch, and TV. I change into my gown, and then the parade starts. First the anesthesiologist comes in and tells me what to expect. He says that he is going to wake me up at the end of surgery, so I might be aware of being in surgery, but its not a bad experience. Sergio comes in to show me how to do breathing excercises. Then the internal doctor comes in and tells me that he has looked at my bloodwork and chest X-ray and assures me that I am in good shape for surgery. Then, a nurse comes in and gives me a shot of Lovenox (blood thinner) in my belly. Lucy comes in and gives me my "happy pill" and it is exactly that. Then I meet with Dr. Aceves and he explains more about the surgery, aftercare, and post-op diet. During this time, my happy pill starts to kick in and I am finding it hard to keep my eyes open. He's funny, and finishes the talk quickly before I lose consciousness. Then, they wheel me into surgery.
The last thing I remember is the anesthesiologist putting an IV in my left hand, and Sergio wrapping my feet and legs to prevent blood clots. The next thing I can remember is the anesthesiologist saying "Wake up Abby, youre all finished, the surgery is over!" I could feel that I was naked, and somebody is putting my arms back into the gown. I said to the anesthesiologist "I'm sorry, I'll look better naked in a few months." Hahahaha!!!! I heard him start laughing, and tell the surgeon what I said. I was then wheeled into the recovery room. I felt pain in my abdomen, and I told the nurse. Quickly a nurse gave me medication for the pain, and I can feel myself falling asleep again.
Pretty soon I wake up in my room and my nurse, Christopher, is there for everything. Becky comes in to check on me, and she calls my mom to let her know that I am out of surgery and doing well. My nurse Christopher looks a lot like my brother, and I am strangely comforted by all of this. Soon, he helps me out of bed and I feel a lot of pain in my abdomen....to be expected. I took a few steps out of my room and felt very light headed and nauseous. Christopher quickly helps me back to bed and explains that it is caused by the anesthesia. He gives me some medicine in my IV for the nausea, and also something for the pain. He tells me that a lot of my pain is from the gas and the only thing that will help is walking. About an hour or two later Becky comes in and says that she and Don are going on a walk and they ask if I would like to join them. Becky helps me out of bed, and this time I am able to walk all of the way into the lobby and back to my room.
The next day, I woke up and felt so much better! I could sit up in bed with minimal pain, and move around with ease. That morning I was taken to have a barium swallow and fluoroscopy. Another doctor did this but I forget his name. I took a big swallow, and immediately knew it was a mistake. I could see the screen and the liquid was flowing through my stoma that looked like it was the size of a pinprick. I felt full and uncomfortable. Gurgling, burping, and woops....I learned what a PB is! So, for the next hour or so I was very uncomfortable and PBing into cups and bowls that Christopher kept coming in and emptying for me. He then brings me lunch of broth, Jello, tea, and applejuice. I can't eat any of it. Christopher decides that I need more IV fluids since I cant eat. After I receive all of the IV fluids, Dr. Campos and Dr. Aceves come in to tell me that they put a fill in during surgery and that they can take it out to make it easier for me to eat. They were very concerned that I am able to eat before I go home. So, Dr. Campos takes me back to the fluoroscopy room and I get my first adjustment just a day after surgery! He swabs my belly, gives me a local anesthetic, and inserts a HUGE needle into my port. I didnt feel a thing. He took the whole fill out, and I could immediately feel the relief. lunch was brought when I returned to my room and I could eat just fine. I ate the whole cup of broth, and it felt so good. I think Christopher was happy too. Before the unfill he scolded me and told me that I needed to eat!
The next day I woke up and felt even better than the day before. I packed my things and cleaned up my room a little. I took a shower, and got dressed for my trip home. The "sunday driver" Juan picked me up and we were off to the airport. It took 3 hours of waiting at the border, but finally we were back in the US. I was on a plane home, and the easy part is over.