A girlfriend and I were planning to go to Mexico later this month. Originally, I was scheduled for surgery with Dr. Ortiz on May 26 but got moved up to May 18 when my friend said she wanted to go too. May 26 did not work for her and I did not want to delay to a date in June.

Since we scheduled the surgery last week, my friend began having some serious reservations about the operation. She called me this afternoon and said that she just is not ready to have the surgery in 2 weeks and is thinking that she will wait until sometime in the fall to go. I know she feels like she is letting me down, but truly I am not disappointed with her decision. I would not want her to go unless she was 100% convinced this procedure was right for her.

I still want to go to Mexico as scheduled and will see if my mother will go with me. But I was wondering, did any of you go alone?

Iam an Ortiz patient,

Going alone is no big deal, once you get there they take good care you & you are never alone , you will meet the others there getting their surgery. I go alone for my fills. I did not go alone for my surgery. Mrs. Ortiz and Junior take good care of you. You have no worries I promise. I know that is easy for me to say but it is the truth.

Yep - I went alone to Tijuana for my surgery with Dr. Kuri, other than being kind of bored, it was no big deal.

You'll meet other people getting their bands the same day as you. You'll make new friends.

A couple of words of advice - pack really lightly, bring a small rolling suitcase, you aren't going to need much and after surgery everything is REALLY heavy.

Good Luck!!

I agree, I think you'll be fine alone. I took my brother but it would have almost been easier by myself in some ways. Best of luck to you and keep us posted. Teresa

Hi Kelly. I'll be there on the 26th. Dr. Ortiz is banding my daughter on Fri. the 27th! If I can I'll come see you on Thursday, but DEFINATELY on Friday, cause we'll be there too!

By the way, I went totally by myself in Dec. and all was fine. I made friends there, and Mrs. Ortiz took good care of me.

Looking forward to meeting you. PM me w/your last name & stuff so I know who to look for.

Actually, KarenB, my surgery is currently scheduled for May 18th. It was originally scheduled for the 26th. Sorry that I will not be seeing you after all!

I called Sandy from Dr. Ortiz's office today to see if she thought I should bring someone with me. She told me that many, many people come by themselves. She said that it was totally up to me but that I should not feel it necessary to bring a family member or friend.

Thanks live2canoe for the advice on packing lightly. I will plan on just bringing a rolling carry on bag so I am not having to lift and carry.

I have developed a nasty sinus infection and went to the doctor today. He wrote me 3 prescriptions and I have started them this afternoon. I am determined to wipe this out before flying to Mexico. I don't want this to get in the way of my going.

By the way, I broke the news of my surgery to my mother tonight over the telephone. I was very pleased by her support of my decision. I was super surprised that she knew about the lapband and was aware that Mexican doctors have more experience than US doctors so far. Wow, aren't mothers amazing?

I am going ahead and booking my flight tonight. This is all now seeming very real to me. I know you have all heard this before, but I am so full of differnt emotions -- sometimes I feel so excited and thrilled and other times I feel scared and wonder what the hell have I signed up to do. But mostly I am excited. Thanks for all your support!

I am going ahead and booking my flight tonight. This is all now seeming very real to me. I know you have all heard this before, but I am so full of differnt emotions -- sometimes I feel so excited and thrilled and other times I feel scared and wonder what the hell have I signed up to do. But mostly I am excited. Thanks for all your support!

Yep, that's it. You are normal (or we are ALL abnormal?!)

You will do fine alone. Alatina went alone, she just got back form seeing Kuri and was fine. I was glad my sister was with me. She was very helpful, especailly with flying the day after surgery. But having done it now, I would go alone if needed.

Kelly,

You can feel very confident in your decision to use Dr. Ortiz. I was banded on March 2, 2005. My husband went with me, but I would have been fine on my own with all of the help and support they give you! I am going back alone for my first fill w/ Dr. Martinez on Sat. May 7th. Its a really good group down there and I'm sure you'll have a great experience!!

Monica

You will do great!!!! We had a wonderful woman who was there when we got banded last July. We went to dinner together and I made sure she was ok before I left the hospital to go back to the hotel. She and I still email!

I went to Monterrey alone and lived to tell about it. Kim's right -- travel very, very, light, because you won't want to be schlepping anything after you're banded. Many of the Mexican docs (including mine) will give you their cell phone number in case you have any questions or problems while you're in Mexico. You also might want to have a friend or family member on call back home, just in case you want to talk about anything, from last-minute nerves to what's on TV in your hotel room.

I think you've got the right attitude toward your friend; she shouldn't go if she's not ready, but that's no reason for you to wait! Good luck. You'll do fine.