Hey all,

I have been so excited about my surgery date of May 15th with Dr. Ortiz...until this swine flu epidemic news! Has anyone heard anything specific about it? I've just been watching the news, but I have to admit, it makes me nervous to think about getting the surgery in the midst of this outbreak. What are everyone else's thoughts?

:smile2:

Have you gone to the CDC"s website? They have not classified the swine flu as "pandemic", although they are concerned and I would continue following their advice. The CDC said that the flu can be treated with antiviral medications when diagnosed. For me, I would be following this story very closely (CDC website {straight to the horses mouth}, I am not a fan of the media). And follow your GUT feeling. Good luck with this.

Hey all,

I have been so excited about my surgery date of May 15th with Dr. Ortiz...until this swine flu epidemic news! Has anyone heard anything specific about it? I've just been watching the news, but I have to admit, it makes me nervous to think about getting the surgery in the midst of this outbreak. What are everyone else's thoughts?

:smile2:

I am going there Monday. I've heard it from anyone that knows I am going but not much fazes me I guess. Maybe I am not so smart about it but I will be careful. They say travel there is still ok if you wash hands, don't shake everyones hand etc. My friend that is a nurse brought me home some masks last night. I'll take them with me but I will only go from Airport to Surgury and back to airport so feel ok about it. You never know but It's not going to stop me for sure. Keep up on the news until then and talk to where your going about it. They can help you protect yourself.

Hello SheSheMama,

I'm with you on the Swine Flu. I'm supposed to be in Monterrey,Mexico on the 18th of May for my surgery Dr Zapata is doing mind. But I'm a little worried about that flu. Then I was told or reading that Dr Zapata doesn't give pain meds for his patients. I'm having 2nd thoughts.

I would be watching whatever credible source of information I could - probably best not to get too panicked by the media.

If I went, it would be straight from surgery to airport, no sightseeing, no shopping and as little contact with the general public as I could manage. You should be OK inside a hospital. Wash your hands regularly too.

But I would be poised to call it all off at a moment's notice too.

What a dilemma, I really feel sorry for you.

Hello Jachut,

Thanks for your input. I appreicate it. I guess I'll have to just give it a week or so to think on it. Have you been banded and if so who and where did you have it done

oh yeah Jachut I going down for a wedding on the May 23rd to McAllen,TX. My husband and myself is going down in our motorhome the 15th and will be getting on a bus from McAllen to Monterrey. But I guess that's the same as getting on a plane. Since I was down there I thought I'd kill 2 birds with one stone. (so to speak)

You should be OK inside a hospital. Wash your hands regularly too.

But I would be poised to call it all off at a moment's notice too.

What a dilemma, I really feel sorry for you.

I am personally even more worried about going to the hospital than anywhere else. I think thats a less safe place because thats where all the sick people will go with their germs.:thumbup: I was going to have my surgery done at the big hospital there, but the Dr also has a smaller out-patient office. When I originally booked my apt, I chose to use the big hospital because if something went wrong in surgery I wanted to be in a hospital, but Im going to change it and have it done in his smaller out patient office because only patients having the band surgery go there. IDK though. I really am considering reschedualing the whole thing. Even if I am carefull, that doesnt mean that Im not going to get infected. And even if it is treatable, I dont want to chance having to deal with it at the same time Im trying to recover from WLS.

I just spoke with Dr. Ortiz's office and they tried to instill a sense of confidence in still going down. Their surgery center is self-contained and they told me that there have been no cases of swine flu in the northern area of Mexico near them. I am still nervous, but at the same time, thinking that even if I did get sick, it is totally treatable. But, I do have a little 10 month old baby who would have a hard time getting over it if I brought it back to him. :thumbup:

Sigh...

I talk to Dr Zapata office today and they said the same thing that it was safe. But now I hear that when you come back into the states their are screening peolpe that come from other countries. I don't have mind until May 18th so I'm going to wait a week or two. But if it as bad as the say it is I'm sure I'll reschedule

Oh, I was banded over 3 years ago, and in Australia, so I can only feel sympathy that I dont have this issue to worry about. Its a bit scary isnt it?

:sleep:I am supposed to go to Mexico in June for the lap-band and I am not going to schedule it right now! I work in the Health Care field and to travel over there (anywhere in Mexico) right now is taking a BIG risk. The goverment is telling all Americans to limit all unnecessary travel to Mexico due to this flu outbreak. Please go to the CDC web site and read about this flu, it is very informative. I urge anyone wanting to still travel to this country to think it through really hard! The docs in Mexico will still be there when this is all over. Your life, health and families health are more important than anything else! "Better safe than sorry" is what I always say. Good luck to you all with whatever decision you make. My decision has already been made.

Lambgirl, Who and where are you getting ur lap band done?

Is anyone else as bummed as me and seriously considering reschedualing? :drool:

Hi, i am concerned with going to tj may 18th for surgery. but i think if i take precautions: good handwashing, having hand sanitizer close by, wearing a mask on the plane (don't laugh at me, it works), and having tamiflu or relenza on hand. i am also going to bring my own dolac and tylenol #3's so i don't have to go the pharmacy to pick a prescription. hopefully by being vigilant none of us will end up being typhoid mary of the swine version lol good luck all:smile2::drool::smile2:

hello Hukna, Let us know when you get back and where are you going and who's doing ur surgery?