Linda in Enumclaw Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Hey, All - I'm one week away from pre-ops and starting to wonder about the little things I hadn't thought of yet. I have a few questions, if anybody would like to respond: 1. Do I need to take my contact lenses out for surgery? I hate wearing my glasses, but will bring them if necessary. I had laparoscopic surgery for infertility a few years ago and they made me take out my contacts before the surgery. I was a little worried they were confusing my eyeballs with my ovaries, but I guess my 3-year old son is proof that they knew what they were doing. 2. I've seen a lot of posts about food getting stuck if you don't chew enough or eat too fast. Obviously, I'll try to avoid that, but what do I do to dislodge the food if it does get stuck? Drink water to try to push it through? Lay down and wait for it to pass? Stand on my head and hope it comes back out? 3. What's customary for a tip for the OCC driver? I know what goes for a taxi driver, but I'm not sure what's appropriate for a driver that works for the clinic. 4. Has anybody had a problem getting back through Customs to catch their flight in time? Rather than worrying about the surgery, I find myself concerned that I'll be stuck in line at Customs and miss my flight. And given the fact that I'll be recovering from surgery, pole-vaulting over the border to bypass the line just isn't an option this time. Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide. Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clynn Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 I'm not a nurse but I'll answer as best I can: 1) I would think they would want you to take your contacts out of the actual surgery. I'd be concerned about my eyes being open a bit and then they would get dried out. I'm sure you it would be ok for you to wear them before and after but depending on how much vision correction you need, you should probably bring your glasses no matter what (stuff does happen after all). 2) When food gets stuck, it doesn't actually get stuck to where it cannot move at all, it just moves past the band very slowly or not at all. Drinking water will only make the situation worse. Walking around until the food either moves past the band or comes back up does the most good. 3) I'm not sure what tipping etiquette is in this situation as it changes from country to country. A quick Google search shows that tipping the driver for a complimentary shuttle service is around $1-$2 per bag. For a paid shuttle service it is 15% plus $1-$2 per bag. If you are going down for your surgery then the shuttle is complimentary. I guess it comes down to whatever you are comfortable with. Fransisco is a sweety so I gave him $5. 4) If you are taking the shuttle back to the airport, the clinic will tell you what time they'll pick you up to catch your flight. They do it often so they have a pretty good idea of how long it takes on what day. If you're taking the shuttle back you get to do some major cutting in line but if you are walking you have to stand and wait a bit. Saturdays seem to have longer waits than weekdays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda in Enumclaw Posted January 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Thanks, Clynn - I appreciate the response. One more question for you or anybody who knows: Will my Verizon cell phone work in Tijuana (from the hotel)? I was hoping that since it's close to San Diego it might still work. I'm not a nurse but I'll answer as best I can:1) I would think they would want you to take your contacts out of the actual surgery. I'd be concerned about my eyes being open a bit and then they would get dried out. I'm sure you it would be ok for you to wear them before and after but depending on how much vision correction you need, you should probably bring your glasses no matter what (stuff does happen after all). 2) When food gets stuck, it doesn't actually get stuck to where it cannot move at all, it just moves past the band very slowly or not at all. Drinking water will only make the situation worse. Walking around until the food either moves past the band or comes back up does the most good. 3) I'm not sure what tipping etiquette is in this situation as it changes from country to country. A quick Google search shows that tipping the driver for a complimentary shuttle service is around $1-$2 per bag. For a paid shuttle service it is 15% plus $1-$2 per bag. If you are going down for your surgery then the shuttle is complimentary. I guess it comes down to whatever you are comfortable with. Fransisco is a sweety so I gave him $5. 4) If you are taking the shuttle back to the airport, the clinic will tell you what time they'll pick you up to catch your flight. They do it often so they have a pretty good idea of how long it takes on what day. If you're taking the shuttle back you get to do some major cutting in line but if you are walking you have to stand and wait a bit. Saturdays seem to have longer waits than weekdays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjwhb Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 I was in TJ for surgery on the 10th and it did work but I believe it was international signal which is an additional 65 cents a minute. I have not received the bill to verify that though. If you are within 1-2 blocks I think you can be receiving the American signal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleroo27 Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 I have verizon too, but mine stopped working about 5 minutes past the border when everything switched to spanish. Thanks, Clynn -I appreciate the response. One more question for you or anybody who knows: Will my Verizon cell phone work in Tijuana (from the hotel)? I was hoping that since it's close to San Diego it might still work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clynn Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 With Verizon it depends on your plan. My plan had no international calling and stopped working shortly after crossing the border. On my first fill the taxi driver dropped me off at the wrong spot. I was lost in Tijuana with no phone! Luckily the payphones down there take American quarters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleo6666 Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 If you use the phone at the hotel from your room it is VERY costly. My one call home to Seattle was $20!!! Try this....go to a gas station or convenience store and buy a phone card! I'm not sure how they work but I think you use a pay phone. Remember calling cards from the "old days?" I think it's like that. I got one for the last time I went down and forgot to use it but it was only a $10 investment and that reminds me...I need to grab it tonight and take it with me because my fill is tomorrow!!! If I remember, I'll post and let you know how it went. I stayed in San Diego so my cell phone worked great. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda in Enumclaw Posted January 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Great idea re the calling cards, Michele! Thanks for the idea. I totally forgot about those things. Good luck with your fill tomorrow! If you use the phone at the hotel from your room it is VERY costly. My one call home to Seattle was $20!!!Try this....go to a gas station or convenience store and buy a phone card! I'm not sure how they work but I think you use a pay phone. Remember calling cards from the "old days?" I think it's like that. I got one for the last time I went down and forgot to use it but it was only a $10 investment and that reminds me...I need to grab it tonight and take it with me because my fill is tomorrow!!! If I remember, I'll post and let you know how it went. I stayed in San Diego so my cell phone worked great. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerF Posted January 19, 2007 Report Share Posted January 19, 2007 I was down last weekend. At OCC and around Revolution Ave, I was getting a good signal on Cingular. At the Lucerna and around the mall I was picking up the Mexican networks and couldn't call out. I showed I had a good signal and thought I would be able to call out on the other networks (for the increased charge) but it still didn't work. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoriBecky Posted January 19, 2007 Report Share Posted January 19, 2007 Hey Roger How are the girls doing?? I get decent cell reception at the hotel (Cingular) but it was MexCel at the clinic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerF Posted January 19, 2007 Report Share Posted January 19, 2007 Hi Lori, both are doing fine, thanks. We walked around a lot on the day after surgery, and neither had much discomfort. But as a side note - don't let your spouse or friend observe your fill while waiting to going back for surgery . Linda in Enumclaw (BTW - I grew up in Enumclaw) - The clinic van leaves in plenty of time to make your plane, and as there are usually several going back, sometimes too early. On Sunday, we left just after 7AM and had a 12:30 flight. We were there before 8 and were able to catch the 8:20 flight home which was great. Otherwise, its more likely you will be hanging out at the airport for awhile. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAMMIE Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 I HAVE CINGULAR AND I GOT RECEPTION AT THE HOTEL AND ON AND OFF AT THE OCC. I JUST MADE SURE IF I WAS ANSWERING THAT IT SAID CINGULAR STILL LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim927 Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 Hi, I had Nextel and at OCC it was in Spanish. I never went to the hotel, so I don't know if it worked there and my husband didn't try to use his there. They do let you use the phone in your room at OCC to call the states, at no extra charge. I thought that was a nice surprise. That way you can at least call home and let everyone know you're doing fine. Good Luck! Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuesdaythecat Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 I have verizon too, but mine stopped working about 5 minutes past the border when everything switched to spanish. In the clinic calls are free from your room. I made a few calls to the states. Verizon service was poor, sometimes got a signal sometimes didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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