After 4 long months of waiting since scheduling my surgery, it finally happened! I went to Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana at the Obesity Control Center. When I was first thinking about doing this, I started by researching surgeons, and decided on Dr. Ortiz. I couldn't be any happier with my decision. The hospital was gorgeous, the hotel was wonderful, and going to Mexico was almost like a mini-vacation.

Surgery was Tuesday morning. My boyfriend and I flew in Monday night. OCC picked us up at the hospital and drove us to the hotel. They picked up us at 530am Tuesday morning and brought us to the hospital. Pre-ops, nutritionist meeting, and everything else was done. Dr. Ortiz came in to talk to me before surgery and was surprised with how much information I already knew (THANKS, LAPBANDTALK!). After that, antibiotics, antiacids, and pain meds were put into my IV. I was brought into the OR and the anesthesiologist got down to business. The next thing I remember is telling my surgeon how handsome he is and how easy it is to see his face first thing after waking up. Haha! My boyfriend said I turned the flirt up big time.

I was up walking about 30 minutes after getting back to my room. Let me tell you how much it helps! OH MAN! Everyone says that it helps, but I really had no idea how significant it would be until I did it. It was hard getting out of bed though. Scary, kind of. You can feel the internal sutures tugging and pulling. It's NOT fun. But that pain is nothing compared to the gas pain that comes if you don't walk.

I was released back to the hotel a couple hours later. The next day, my boyfriend and I walked to the local Walmart just to get out. It was so strange being in a Mexican Walmart. They sell motorcycles!! So strange! We stopped at the GNC in the mall and picked up some Isopure. It had 40g of Protein and counts as a clear liquid, so that greatly helped with the growling tummy.

That's another thing. I was under the impression that my stomach wouldn't be hungry after surgery due to swelling. Not the case with me. My stomach started growling the night of surgery. And THAT IS PAINFUL! It would get this hot, uncomfortable feeling for about 30 seconds, and then growl. The growl was almost like, a relief from that pain. Lol. Anyhow. The protein in the isopure massively helped with the growling.

We flew home Thursday night. Arrived back in Portland around 1am. It wasn't too bad of a flight until we were getting close to Oregon. Turbulence was crazy and the bouncing around didn't feel too great. I was given 4 sublingual pain pills after surgery, and I had saved three of them. I took one the afternoon before the flight, and took another around 10pm during the flight.

Anyhow. Today is Saturday, day 5 after surgery. I was on Clear liquids for at least 3 days post-op (up to 7), then full liquids for 21. Each day gets better. The first few were the worst, and today is exponentially better. The pulling and tugging is slight now, and liquid Tylenol fixes anything. My heating pad has become my best friend. If you don't have one, GET ONE!!! I slept better last night than I have in a while. I was finally able to (CAREFULLY) get into position on my belly and sleep that way. I've always been a side/belly sleeper. I've found that if you keep the heating pad or pillow tight on your tummy, it holds everything in place and makes moving easier. Thank God for my tummy sleep last night though. I feel rested finally.

Another note, my incisions are BEAUTIFUL. I have 5, and they are all in the same general area. Dr. Ortiz did internal sutures, and glued everything closed. I have absolutely no bruising and no swelling on the incisions. It might be because I am taking dissolvable Arnica Montana tablets (natural, homeopathic) for bruising pre and post op. They also help with pain.

That's all! Sorry for the paragraph. Just thought I'd share my experience and some pointers for the pre-opers.

I am really pleased that it went so well for you . Good luck with the weight loss and getting your life back !

If you dont mind me asking...how much does the surgery cost in Mexico?

If you dont mind me asking...how much does the surgery cost in Mexico?

I paid $4,999, which included one night in a hotel, transportation to and from the airport/hospital, and chicken broth and Water.

Wow...that's great!!

I paid 4' date='999, which included one night in a hotel, transportation to and from the airport/hospital, and chicken broth and Water.[/quote']

Same here also... Free fills... But you pay 100 for fluoro. For 279 you get fill, transport to and from airport, and hotel... If you buy place tickets far enough in advance, that is still less expensive than many drs who will do fills on bands done in Mexico

wow, thats odd, same surgery here in us for $5500. and 1st year fills free. Not sure I would want to fork out the extra money for plane fare for a fill, but then I guess thats lot of frequent flyer miles

wow, thats odd, same surgery here in us for $5500. and 1st year fills free. Not sure I would want to fork out the extra money for plane fare for a fill, but then I guess thats lot of frequent flyer miles

True, but I wanted my surgery done with this surgeon specifically. And I have a place in my city that will do my fills, so I won't have to be flying all the time. Although I'm from San Diego so I'm there a few times a year anyway.

Wow. Do you feel like you could go back to normal activity on Monday? I am taking 5 days off from work. I am an overnight sticker.

I took off 5 days too. Had mine on a thrusday tried to go back then next wend but only made it 1/2 took the rest of the week of and went back on the following monday. I guess it all depends on how you fill.

Wow. Do you feel like you could go back to normal activity on Monday? I am taking 5 days off from work. I am an overnight sticker.

I feel pretty good today. What kind of work do you do? I'd say no to a physical job, but office stuff would be okay today.

I go back to class on Monday and I have to do a lot of running back and forth across campus in a 5 minute time slot, so we'lll see how that goes.