Miper70

I just posted a thread about pain. I'm 6 days out and feel horrible. Around my port it hurts ALOT and it also feels like something is sticking in my ribs when I take a deep breath. I can't sleep either. I hope and pray nothing is wrong because my Doctor is in Mexico and I can't afford to go back right now.

I really need to know if this is normal or I need to go to the Emergency Room. When I got out of surgery (Mexico w/ Dr. Ortiz), I felt great and was up walking. I'm sure that had alot to do with the meds in me, but the next two days I also spent a few hours shopping etc. Now I'm 6 days out and feel worse than ever. The port side is so sore that I can hardly stand to touch it and it feels like there is something stuck in my ribs when I take a deep breath. In fact, it's hard to take a deep breath most of the time. I can also hardly walk upright. I feel like I have to bend over. I don't know if this had anything to do with it or not, but yesterday I accidently swallowed a piece of gum. I didn't even think about it I'm so used to doing it. I threw the pack out so no more chewing gum. Please tell me I didn't mess up my whole surgery.

One of Dr. Ortiz's drivers picks you up. I don't know his name because I speak absolutely no Spanish and he spoke no English. He took us straight to the Lucerna where they actually speak fluent English so it's not so hard once you get there. Dr. Ortiz's Mother will you up for tests and surgery. It really is ok...you're taken care of. Oh yeah...just prepare yourself for the driving over there....LOL! They drive fast and they don't care who they cut off.

The whole trip was a great experience. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez are wonderful people......I especially liked Dr. Martinez. The rooms they put you in are very comfortable. The staff is great and at your beck and call. I just can't say enough. If I had to do it over again, I definitely would. For those of you about to fly over....DO NOT be scared. From the minute you step off of the plane, you're in their hands. They take care of everything. Rene (sp?) is so sweet and will help with anything you need. Dr. Ortiz's Mom......there just aren't enough nice words for her. She is one of a kind. She spent half a day chasing down my husband and daughters because I was having surgery on Thursday instead of Friday (they didn't know). I had gone to the clinic to supposedly have tests run and come rght back to the hotel, but that didn't happen. My tests turned into surgery and my husband was clueless to what was happening. She eventually tracked him down and got him there just as I was going in. One thing I can tell you is topack your own snacks (soups, juice etc) for after surgery because there just isn't anything there. They only have orange juice with pulp which is a no-no and cactus juice (yuck) in the hotel restaurant. There's a grocery store down the road, but who feels like getting groceries? Just pack your own so you don't have to worry about it.

I can see my port.

I am so glad I am not the only one. It's so scary to get banded in Mexico, come home and swell up like this. What makes it worse for me is that I have already had a tummy tuck so I am TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT! I pray it goes down very soon. Reading this thread makes me feel a little better.

and doing ok. I'm very sore and swollen. I overdid it on the shopping in Tijuana I think. Today, I do nothing. The experience was wonderful. The staff were awesome and oh so cute. Easy on the eyes doen't even come close. Good news is I'm down 8 lbs. already and that's with the swelling. 9 more to go to be in onederland.....woo hoo!!!

Oh, it's 2 servings???....LOL!!! Thanks for the recipes. I can't wait to try them. I never dreamed I would be eating squash Soup but yummmmmm!

Big difference in the face also. You look great....Congratulations!

I am also going to Dr. Ortiz this coming up Wednesday. $8500 for everything. I have looked for weeks for anything negative about Dr. Ortiz and have nothing.......zip....not 1 bad word. He seems to be one of the best.

Got another question.......Has anyone tried the butternut squash soup? It sounds so gross, and smells even worse, but it is SOOOOO good. I'm going back to get somemore today for after the surgery when I can eat mushies.

Did anyone get really, really bad headaches on their pre-diet? I know I decided early on that i wasn't going to giveup my 1.5-2 cups of coffee in the mornings, so it's not a caffeine issue. It's bad and I can't seem to get rid of it. The only thiing that works for me is Motrin and I can't take it now. Tylenol doen't even touch it. Any suggestions?

The surgeon I "was" going to puts his patients on post-op liquids for 4 days. He said people cheat anyway, so he might as well change it.

Do they do it laprascopically (sp?) now? Just another thing to file away in the back of my brain.

So how are you doing? Wow, I leave next Wednesday......hard to believe it's already here.

I'm in the south You're syaing people are being approved to go to different surgeons or just to Walter Reed?

It's kinda funny, but even if I went that route, it would cost me almost the same amount as going to Mexico. If he is the only Dr. doing it for Tricare, can you even imagine the wait time he has? I have no doubts that Tricare will announce anytime that they're going to cover it, but I don't want to wait any longer. My health is already bad enough.

Congratulations! It sounds wonderful and for those of us about to jump in........reading these posts makes us feel so much more excited.

He does look good!!!!!

That's why I'm paying out of pocket for lap-band.

I wish I knew before I fork over 8500.00.

Just for everyone's info. I was just ordering all of my vitamins and things from puritan's pride and I cam across chewable protein tablets. They have 250 mg of protein in each tablet. Wouldn't it be easier nd cheaper to mix one of these up in some milk or whatever than to keep buying protein shakes?

I am so excited I can hardly sleep. I would love to know who else is planning their trip to Mexico.....when...where.....with whom.....what you're doing to get ready.....anything...everything. I just order my vitamins, gas-x, cute little slippers.....not quite sure what else I should be getting. What is the cheapest way to get the protein shakes in? I spent all of my money on Mexico...LOL!

I'm having mine April 14. I'm 35, live in Florida and am a SAHM of two girls. I'm going to Mexico to have mine and will be home the 16th.

I will be having surgery April 14th with Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana. Anything you can tell me about what to do, where to eat, money to take.....etc.....would be greatly appreciated. I decided to make it a small holiday for my family so hubby and kids are going also. I am too excited.