My sister and I are both having our surgeries with Dr Ortiz in Tijuana on Friday (OMG that's in 5 days!) we are so so so nervous. Driving from Vegas to San Diego and parking, then being picked up by the Obesity Control Center's shuttle to go to the Marriott down there, then surgery next morning. I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what to bring to make our experience more comfortable. I'm almost more worried about the 6 hour drive home than I am about the surgery. We will be down there for 4 nights, so hoping to feel a little better by the time we have to drive back. Here's what i've got packed so far

comfy clothes

slip on shoes

nausea and gas meds

tylenol

bras w/out underwire

heating pad

this is so weird! I've never had surgery and now i'm going to Mexico for the first surgery of my life. Seems crazy. I wish it was this time next week already, we'd be done and recovering in our hotel

please help!

Don't forget your PJs and slippers.

a lot of women, self included, have had unexpected periods immediately after surgery so be prepared just in case. Take a couple of books or magazines to read and some music to listen to when you can't focus on reading or anything else.

Hi I also live in Las Vegas, and had my very first surgery in Tijuana. My surgey was 8/19/11 (lab band and gall bladder) my surgery was done by Dr Lopez-C

Ups sorry my phone goes crazy sometimes.

Well my surgery was done by Dr Lopez-Corvala. And I'm down 34lbs with only one fill of 1.6cc. I hope you and your sister are doing great.

Hi,

I hope you and your sister are doing well! I am also having surgery with Dr. Ortiz at the end of the month and very nervous!

I'm scheduled with Dr. Ortiz April 2nd!!! Suggestions on getting prepared, other than the pre-op diet?

Hi there,

I just had my surgery on Feb 27th by Dr. Lopez-Corvala in Tijuana. I couldn't say enough about my experience and the hospitality shown to my friend that came with me. They let her stay in the room with me. They only have 2 English channels (with spanish sub-titles) so bringing a couple movies with you would be a good idea as well as magazines.

On the day I was picked up from my hotel in San Ysidro I met a lady that had traveled all the way from Alaska to have Gastric Bypass. Dr. Lopez-Corvala trained the bariatric surgeon in alaska but it was cheaper for her to come to Mexico to have it done. Every member of his team came in to meet me and explain what to expect. As it turned out I had a different Anesthesiologist but he spoke English and was very professional. My favorite nurse there was named Irene. Truth be told, I don't think I saw an unattractive male in the whole place..LOL another bonus.

I will warn you that when you wake up from Surgery you wll have this purple dye stuff all down the side of your face and back (something they must do during surgery). It's a b***h to get off, but does come off and if it gets in your hair, you're sporting a new "punk" look..lol. I didn't notice it in my hair but every one else did and thought it looked cool. Ha ha ha you be the judge. I loved having a private room.

I was self-pay and it cost me $5000.00. I would definetely reccommend the Dr. and the hospital. I know people turn their nose up at having procedures done in Mexico but not having to deal with the Red Tape Bull Crap saves you lots of money. I'm planning to go back Mid April for my first follow up and first fill.

Good Luck to you.

.........I should also add that Rafael, the clinics shuttle driver, is great. He speaks perfect English and just a really nice guy. I drove in from Arizona with my friend. She drove home and I drove from Phoenix up to Prescott (about 1 1/2 hr drive) with no problems at all. Dr. Corvala will suggest you stop every hour or so to stretch and to also drink plenty of fluids. I had no trouble at all. I didn't have any gas pains or issues or pain or even nausea. I typically recover well from things so I guess it will depend on how you are about that. Liquid Tylenol would be best since swallowing a pill can be iffy so soon after surgery. I was prescribed these pills that desolve under the tongue, they are some kind of anti inflamatory and they work. They are not strong. OK...I hope this helps put your mind at ease a little.

That's awesome to hear! Thanks for sharing. I'm still on for April 2nd!

julie

That's awesome to hear! Thanks for sharing. I'm still on for April 2nd!

julie

Take slip on shoes, If you are going alone. Passport card If you have one (rather than passport, quicker border cross on return which you will appreciate). The hotel is beautiful wih many extra pillows for comfort. There is a Walmart right down the road if you forget anything. The door man will set you up with a cab driver that will take you, wait, and bring you back if needed.

Thank you ginger!

My sister and I are both having our surgeries with Dr Ortiz in Tijuana on Friday (OMG that's in 5 days!) we are so so so nervous. Driving from Vegas to San Diego and parking' date=' then being picked up by the Obesity Control Center's shuttle to go to the Marriott down there, then surgery next morning. I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what to bring to make our experience more comfortable. I'm almost more worried about the 6 hour drive home than I am about the surgery. We will be down there for 4 nights, so hoping to feel a little better by the time we have to drive back. Here's what i've got packed so far

comfy clothes

slip on shoes

nausea and gas meds

tylenol

bras w/out underwire

heating pad

this is so weird! I've never had surgery and now i'm going to Mexico for the first surgery of my life. Seems crazy. I wish it was this time next week already, we'd be done and recovering in our hotel

please help!

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Be careful doing it out of the state who's going to fill your band when that times comes.

I'm booking my fills with Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. Not a hard decision when I had such a great experience.

Scorpio Lady...I am due for my first fill and have been having a heck of a time getting transportation to the clinic there in Mexico. Their van has been down since the day I left after surgery. I had to end up cancelling my flight and finding a clinic closer to me here in AZ. I am so dissapointed! My fills are supposed to be free but I feel like they totally dropped the ball on me. The surgery was great but the after care is something left to be desired. I hope you have better luck.

I wasn't planning on using their transportation. I'm just going to get a cab once I cross the border. Their transportation seems a bit high for my taste. We ask the hotel how much a cab would cost and it's only about 6 bucks from the border to the hotel, but thank you for letting me know.