First let me say that the great people at the Jerusalem Hospital & recovery house could NOT have been nicer or more accommodating. That place was very tiny, but spotless. There were only 4 of us in our group, but there were several already at the house. So Drs Almanza Reyes and Bettencourt were very knowlegdeable and very kind.

It was not a state of the art full service facility. Yes it was in a strip mall. After I got over that and realized that they were fully staffed and serious about what they do I was resolved at my choice.

I was placed in one room for a heart scan. I was moved to another room for my IV and fluids to be started. As a group we were ushered up stairs to a waiting are to meet with Dr Almanza Reyes (yes dr Almanza and dr Reyes are his full name - Almanza Reyes). The surgery was discussed with us. I had special circumstances because I had very old gastric stapling from years ago.

Dr explained to me that I required an xray before surgery. So we were ushered back down to the 6-8 beds in the hospital to wait our turn. Dr Bettencourt came in and removed my IV drip (left the needle only, taped of course) and put my sandles on my feet for my to go for my xray. It was kind of a "hurry" thing and I did as I was told. I was put into a brand new Ford F150 4x4, in the back seat with a Dora guitar and child's sweater (just thought that was cute). Another gentleman got in the front with the driver. And away we went.

We were taking the guy to a hotel while he waited for his wife to recover ( they spoke none if little English ). So I suddenly realize that I am in tijuiana with absolutely NOTHING on but a hospital gown in the backseat. I have not a stitch of undies AND no I .D. We drove for over 30 minutes to take the man to a hotel then to the xray clinic located across town. (whole trip took over an hour)

Okay. It has a good ending but I'm exhausted. Going to lay down for a while. More late.

As we pull up to the xray facility, I see a waiting room with about a dozen people inside. beautiful facility be the way. I though to myself, "wow, the hospital should buy THIS place!". As I was going tp the stairs I said, " oh well, I'll never see any of theses people again.". Driver said, "Que?". I said, "never mind". I sat my naked butt down for about 5 minutes, drank some typical chalky stuff, got the xray, and headed back acoss town to the clinic.

So happy to hear you are doing okay! I am in the Houston area as well and getting my sleeve on 7/11/11. Please keep us posted on your recovery so I know what I can expect!!!

Thanks for sharing your story. I hope the flight was comfortable and everything goes well back in the States. Looking forward to the rest of the story.

Wow. I have been sleeping! It has felt great!

I'll go back to Mexico in a bit for my story because there's a LOT more to cover, but WARNING must be given.

I'm not trying to be funny or gross but it is just a fact. You may have diaharia as a result (drinking juices). I WAS concerned on the plane ride home. If I had known I might have worn a pad or something just in case. I did not have a problem until I got home, but there was a definite risk factor!!

The reality of the pain.

Pain is a relative term. I have a very high pain tolerance. I was a little surprised that I felt so weak. I couldn't catch my breath. For the first day and 1/2 I kept hoping I was going to feel better sooner! I had gas when I had my tubes tied many years ago. The gas settled in my shoulders and it was painful. For ME, this time around, I did not experience that. The "gas" pain was just general pressure. And yes, the slow walking and moving helped.

So to some people that pain is bad. I kept waiting for "bad" but I only got "weak" feeling and could not take deep breaths.

Three ladies there a day before us were able to go shopping and such. It gave me hope that I WOULD feel better in a matter of hours. The reverse of that, AFTER the "shopping" ladies left to go home, two new ladies were brought in. One was trying to do what the rest of us were doing, but the other one went to bed. I KNOW what she was thinking.... " what in the heck have I done". She didn't want/feel like talking. Her husband was with her looking kind of bewildered. Everyone told him what she needed to be doing but bless his heart he was

OH MY!! this is so interesting cant wait for more.

... He was sort of at a loss because she just stayed in the bed. Hopefully she got up after a while!

I did sleep and rest a lot myself.

LEAK TEST 101

Yiyeeee. Not as bad as getting a nail in your foot, but not in the top 10 of things to do. I guess it depends upon the person. This may or may not work for you but I was willing to try anything. It IS going to make you nauseated so ask for an anti-nausea shot when they give you the little bottle of purple dye. It sort of has a slightly metallic taste. Then go get your most favorite Popsicle from the freezer. Okay... Find a cool, comfortable spot and allow plenty of time. We were told we had 1 hour so I sipped, sucked, and then relaxed. S-l-o-w-l-y.

I remember a friend telling me one time about how to take tequila shots - he said inhale first, drink, then exhale. That way the smell is blown out which lessens the taste. Lol. It worked. Guess that made the popsicle my "salt lick" lol. I got almost all of it down but left a little bit in the bottle. Just ran out of popsicle and couldn't do it.

Also wiping your tongue with a paper towel or a towel before taking it will lessen the taste.

To be honest, one night without a/c and I would have been killing someone. Seriously, you may think since I live in Vegas that I would be more used to the heat than others. NOT TRUE! I live in my house with the a/c cranked as low as it goes...I'm a fat girl and I need cold air dangit! Seriously, if I found out about the no a/c thing before surgery, that would be a deal breaker for me. I'd cancel. I stood outside while in Mexico for a few minutes at a time while I smoked. I came in and my face was totally red and I was sticky, hot and miserable.

I'm glad you were ok and it was cool enough for you!

Renee`

Just spent the past 45 minutes typing out the rest of the story. Hit "reply" and it dissappeard.

sigh.

will try again later.

You have to hit "post" not reply. Sorry about that.

Yellowrose you can't keep us hanging, I was in a hurry to get to my computer to see the rest of the story. You are a great storyteller.

Umm.... Wow.

I can't imagine. It's like something out of a nightmare.

But it has a fantastic ending! I will try and re-type it out today.

... Let's just say I ended up in a deluxe suite on the 6th floor overlooking San Diego bay.

Also wiping your tongue with a paper towel or a towel before taking it will lessen the taste.

To be honest, one night without a/c and I would have been killing someone. Seriously, you may think since I live in Vegas that I would be more used to the heat than others. NOT TRUE! I live in my house with the a/c cranked as low as it goes...I'm a fat girl and I need cold air dangit! Seriously, if I found out about the no a/c thing before surgery, that would be a deal breaker for me. I'd cancel. I stood outside while in Mexico for a few minutes at a time while I smoked. I came in and my face was totally red and I was sticky, hot and miserable.

I'm glad you were ok and it was cool enough for you!

Renee`

The weather in Tijuana/San Diego is great, no need for an A/C. I love my A/C but high temps in the 70's, that is fantastic. I live in Texas and I would love that right now. If I had surgery here in Texas and they did not have A/C, I would have cancelled in a minute. It is a different experience at the clinic but I would not trade it for anything. The care was fantastic and there is no substitute for experience.

Kemo I'm glad you said that. I have talked to A LOT of people who have gone to Dr. Almanza and nobody has complained about heat or anything else. That is not to say Yellow rose is, I think she's painted a very good picture of the experience but some people seem to be responding as thought the experience is going to be like broke down palace. My friend Sandra and I are having surgery there in a few weeks and we both agree that for the money we're saving we can suck it up a little on the amenities and use that extra $1,000 to $1,500 for a one year anniversary vacation.

Amen!!! My red headed sister!!

Kemo I'm glad you said that. I have talked to A LOT of people who have gone to Dr. Almanza and nobody has complained about heat or anything else. That is not to say Yellow rose is, I think she's painted a very good picture of the experience but some people seem to be responding as thought the experience is going to be like broke down palace. My friend Sandra and I are having surgery there in a few weeks and we both agree that for the money we're saving we can suck it up a little on the amenities and use that extra $1,000 to $1,500 for a one year anniversary vacation.