My Experiance with A Lighter Me, Dr. Lopez/Ortiz, Janese, Abraham and Eduardo

[gettinsleeved 39]

Ok, so here is my experiance in a nut shell...

I arrived in San Diego Monday April 8th, as the plane landed I turned my phone on for the driver to contact me and before we were even off the plane he was calling, he was there waiting and was promptly picked up by Abraham ALM driver right outside of baggage claim and driven across the boarder to the Marriott, durin the ride we were given the option of going in for surgery early or late and we (myself and another pt also in the van) chose to go early, so we were told to be in the lobby at 6:45 am the next morning for pick-up and ride to the hospital. Once at the Marriott we checked in and chilled for the night.

On Tuesday we met Abraham in the lobby of the Marriott and drove to MiDoctor Hospital where we waited to check in, this took about 30min because the person wasn't there yet, but during this time we all talked and got to know each other well. They took us back one at a time to check weight and height and showed us each to our private rooms, my room had two beds one for me and one for my sister. Once in the room we changed into hospital gowns, got our IV's put in, blood drawn and EKG's done. We then met the Anesthesiologist, the Internal doctor (who went over our histories again and meds) and waited on the surgeon. We were told they would choose who would be first depending on lab results. I was then told the other person would go first because he was really nervous, but then in came Dr. Lopez and low and behold I was first, very quick. by 9:25 I was in the OR, with Dr. Lopez, Dr. Ortiz, the anesthesiologist and all the surgical team. The anesthesiologist asked me if I wanted to sleep for a while after surgery or wake up right away I told him I didn't know I just wanted to wake up, he laughed and said "of course, you will my dear", I looked at the clock and it was 9:35, next thing I know I am awake in another room (recovery) looking around watching everyone doing different things but could speak (I was totally out of it), I remember seeing my sister and Janese (coordinator) for a second and trying to wave but then I think I went back to sleep. The rest of that day is kinda a blur because I apparentely don't tolerate anesthesia very well, lol... slept all day and night so didn't do much walking. Believe me I paid for that on Wednesday...

Wednesday I woke up feeling great! but by that afternoon I was misrable, gas/indigestion, pain ect... I felt horrible and was EXTREMELY irritable. The nurses were all so kind and were pretty quick with pain and nausea meds which were on a schedule. When I saw the Dr. it was Dr. Ortiz I believe and he adjusted my meds and that seemed to help some. I think it was today that I had my leak test (they do 2 one in surgery and one the day after), drank some blue contrast and then another contrast liquid in the flouroscopy room, no leaks so I was cleared to start sipping liquids. I was given apple juice, and gatorade in different flavors to sip on later that day once my results were confirmed. I did not do too well with the liquids, I still didn't feel good. That night another doc came in and her name was Dr. V something she made more adjustments to my meds and by Thursday morning I felt much much better.

Thursday we got up and I walked, walked walked, felt soooo much better (not 100% of course but MUCH better), we were released from the hospital with our drains at about 10:30 and at the Marriott by 11 and checked into our rooms. We were told our drains would come out the next day at the hotel by the surgeon-- the longer it stays in the less chance of infection was the logic. I was still having a hard time with liquids but continuing to try... at about 2:30 our driver called us all to come down to the lobby and he took those of us who felt up to it shopping on Revolucion Street. I went and am glad I did because I had a fantastic time, got some great souveineers for my kiddos husband and self and got to know some great people and make some wonderful friends. Once we were finished there Abraham took us to the pharmacy where we bought some stuff we needed or wanted from toothpaste to Shampoo to meds.... Once we finished there he drove us back to the Marriott and a few of us decided to go out to a restaurant for dinner. We ate at an authentic Mexican restaurant and I had the consumma' (excuse my spelling) which was incredible, I was able to eat about 3-4 spoonfuls. After that I was able to start drinking more, like it flipped a switch and by Friday morning I had consumed an entire gatorade which was like a miracle.

Friday morning we took a cab to the Walmart shopping mall were we did a little shopping and ate at applebee's, Edgar was our server and he made my Breakfast exactly how I needed it- plain organic yogurt and a fruit mixture that he had liquidized for me, and it was SOOO good (I posted pic's a few days ago). Once we got back we met some people at the pool then went sight seeing with Abraham again, we saw the hillside where all the people live and rode out to the beach, this was a wonderful experiance because I got some walking in and really got to see a lot of very interesting and eye opening things. I never once felt unsafe, Abraham never let us out of his sight and everyone we ran into was sooo kind. On the way back to the hotel Abraham told me that Dr. Ortiz and Lopez had had a VERY busy day and would like for all of us to come to the hospital at 6 to have our drains removed, rather then them doing it in the hotel. I was absolutely fine with that because we were originally told they would come to the hotel between 8-10pm to remove them, so 6 was WAY better, I was ready for the drain to come out. They took us to rooms one at a time and the surgeon and Eduardo (coordinator) walked us through the removal of the drain, which was SOOO weird feeling, can't even explain really. He then spent time with us answering any individual questions we may have and telling us how to care for our wounds and the importance of following the diet and other important information. Once we were all done with that we headed back out to Revolucion street to get something someone had left behind the prior day and I bought a few more things... lol, having the drain out felt sooooo good!

Saturday we woke up and got ready to leave out to the airport (we had an earlier flight), we ate at 8:45 in the hotel restaurant (I had a yogurt smoothie) and promptly checked out and headed to the San Diego airport. We did not have any delay at the border, Abraham has a medical pass to go through the medical lane, therefore no line, which was fabulous.

Overall my experiance was really great, I met some amazing people and really enjoyed getting to know them all. Abraham was our go to guy for pretty much everything non-medical related and Eduardo was our coordinator for the medical part. Abraham would bend over backwards to help out in any way he could and made the whole experiance fantastic. Yes the two days in the hospital were rough for me, but I really think it was the anesthesia (I've never had surgery, so didn't know how I would react). So overall I had a great time and an amazing experiance and highly recommend ALM and Dr. Lopez/Ortiz.

[gettinsleeved 39]

As of today I am one week post-op and have lost a total of 17 pounds including the pre-op diet loss of 12 lbs. yay!!

[fallingwhisper 187]

Congrats!

[Waitingame 11]

I am so happy that you posted this. I have been wondering how everything worked as far as procedures. This has helped me put my Mi d at ease. I know that I will be so nervous. The thing that seems the worst is going to the operating rm. and getting on the table.

I have had surgery before but I was asleep before I ever entered the room. So I do not remember anything prior to the last shot in my IV. Did they put support hose on you? My last and only surgery was for appendix. I was so sore when I got out. They went through my belly button. I can't stand the thought of my belly button being touched let along surgery. I know that the picture is the best thing for me.

Thank you a lot for posting your experience. Now for the transformation process. YAY

[leslie01 6]

I was there april 12th. We were treated so well. Close to perfect. Janese, Abraham and the nurses were top notch. I was ecstatic with everything!!!!!!!!!!

[bearcub13 0]

As of today I am one week post-op and have lost a total of 17 pounds including the pre-op diet loss of 12 lbs. yay!!

Whooohooooo!!!!

[Mary0618 7]

I had surgery thru a lighter me with dr Ortiz April 5..everything was as they said it would be...they even had music on in the operating room which made me calmer...great experience.

[gettinsleeved 39]

yes,

I am so happy that you posted this. I have been wondering how everything worked as far as procedures. This has helped me put my Mi d at ease. I know that I will be so nervous. The thing that seems the worst is going to the operating rm. and getting on the table.

 

I have had surgery before but I was asleep before I ever entered the room. So I do not remember anything prior to the last shot in my IV. Did they put support hose on you? My last and only surgery was for appendix. I was so sore when I got out. They went through my belly button. I can't stand the thought of my belly button being touched let along surgery. I know that the picture is the best thing for me.

 

Thank you a lot for posting your experience. Now for the transformation process. YAY

 

yes you are given compression stockings on arrival to your room at the same time as you get your hospital gown on... you will wear these until discharge and take them with you for use on the plane if you want. I personally did not wear them on the plane because they kept rolling down and were very uncomfortable

[rollargirl 210]

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yes you are given compression stockings on arrival to your room at the same time as you get your hospital gown on... you will wear these until discharge and take them with you for use on the plane if you want. I personally did not wear them on the plane because they kept rolling down and were very uncomfortable[/quote']

 

 

 

 

 

I bought cute pink ones! We have a 12 hour flight home ... I want to look cute haha ill wear them until they start to smell lol

[ashleep 22]

I bought cute pink ones! We have a 12 hour flight home ... I want to look cute haha ill wear them until they start to smell lol

Where did you buy your socks?

[rollargirl 210]

 

Where did you buy your socks?

 

Hi! I got them at runningskirts.com

They have white green & pink ones ... So much cuter then medical white lol

[ashleep 22]

Hi! I got them at runningskirts.com

They have white green & pink ones ... So much cuter then medical white lol

Awesome, thank you! I will have to buy me some