Surgery Date Set - Nerves Setting In

[Chelley]

I have the same question as Charlie - what money, credit cards, to bring? How is the cell phone coverage, what about chargers, is the current the same or bring an extra battery for the phone? What about jewlery, should I bring my wedding ring or leave it home. Whear is our personal effects stored during surgery. I know these are little things to be worring about, but questions that still go through the mind.

Lanie - I didn't bring anything of value with me except for my cell phone. I have Cingular service nation wide calling and luckily with TJ being a border-town there were no roaming fees or extra charges. Calls were made with ease, just like they are in the USA. I arrived on a Monday and was escorted straight from the airport to the clinic where I was asked to leave my suitcase in the lobby. I'm not sure if they realize how concerned Americans are about leaving their personal belongings behind like that ... out in a open lobby ... but it really was fine and no one moved or touched my things. I saw the same shocked looks on others faces when I returned to get a fill. They were in a quandry as to actually leave their bag in a room of strangers. On the day of surgery, I checked out of the hotel and arrived at the clinic with my belongings. Once assigned a room, my suitcase was stored in a corner of the room. There was also a night stand where you can place items as well. The actual hospital area is a secure and not like hospitals here in the USA where visitors are comming and going constantly. Hope this helps ease your concerns.

[charlie]

Charlie;

Hey there;...I am so excited...yes...Its been almost a month now..and I have lost 15 pounds...I have a lower BMI...which makes me loose the weight a tad bit slower...but thats ok...I dont care how slow it comes off...as long as it comes off...and the numbers DONT creep up....so far so good...in regards to the Feeling Hungry....NOPE!!! I follow the nutrionists paperwork she gave me to a tee...and I never feel hungry....the other thing is...I try not to snack in between meals either....just drink...and I NEVER drink with my meals or for one and a half hours after meals either...which I have to say is one of the hardest things to change...some of the changes with the Lap Band and the way you have to eat....really makes you realize how we are such creatures of habit....your whole life you are told to drink with your meals...and now at 40 yrs old am having to change that...it gets a little getting use too...however..I found that if I dont place a drink in front of me while eating....the glass is not there to grab for...lol...which while talking and eating you really dont even realize you are doing it...my other half and kids kept telling me..mom you are trying to drink....so...instead of them having to babysit me at the table..i just dont place a drink in front of myself....again though...its just a 40 yr habit that takes time to break...but this is definately a "DOABLE" diet...I am loving the extra energy level, I sleep much better, and just seem so "UP" per say....I am looking forwards to my first fill...which I am hoping I can have done at my 7 week Post Op....which would be July 21st...and in regards to the "LAST SUPPER", CindyK and I were told by Dr. Ortiz himself to go out and relax and have a good time...have a few drinks and eat a "LIGHT" meal....and...thats EXACTLY what we did...its really funny though...I only had a Pina Colada and maybe 4 bites of my "LAST SUPPER" meal...lol..because of the Pre-Op diet you really cant eat that much....at least myself and CindyK couldnt...I look back on that now and kind of giggle...because it really wasnt my "LAST SUPPER"...it was more of your "LAST PIG OUT SESSION"....I am very happy with what I eat now...but I am also very very watchful as to what goes in my mouth....i wish you the best of luck and keep me posted....Cathy )

I have a BMI of 33 and am thinking I will lose it slowly also. The last drink sounds great!

What arrangements are you making for your fill? Such as transportation to the hospital?

Charlie

Lanie - I didn't bring anything of value with me except for my cell phone. I have Cingular service nation wide calling and luckily with TJ being a border-town there were no roaming fees or extra charges. Calls were made with ease, just like they are in the USA. I arrived on a Monday and was escorted straight from the airport to the clinic where I was asked to leave my suitcase in the lobby. I'm not sure if they realize how concerned Americans are about leaving their personal belongings behind like that ... out in a open lobby ... but it really was fine and no one moved or touched my things. I saw the same shocked looks on others faces when I returned to get a fill. They were in a quandry as to actually leave their bag in a room of strangers. On the day of surgery, I checked out of the hotel and arrived at the clinic with my belongings. Once assigned a room, my suitcase was stored in a corner of the room. There was also a night stand where you can place items as well. The actual hospital area is a secure and not like hospitals here in the USA where visitors are comming and going constantly. Hope this helps ease your concerns.

I will have a friend with me ans she can watch all my stuff. I hate to leave her in the lobby. Maybe they will take her to the hotel to check in while I am busy.

Glad to hear about Cingular as that is what I have also. Will make sure the thing is fully charged when we go.

Leaving my husband with my girlfriend's husband in Vista. They can work on Jackie's computer that has been giving her fits!!

Charlie

[Freetobeme]

Along the same vein of questioning, my husband and I will be there together, but we are both having surgery on the same day. He wants to bring his laptop and we were wondering if there was anywhere to store it, a safe or anything. It doesn't sound like there is but I thought I would ask.

What about Internet access? Does the hospital or hotel have wireless Internet access? I know I saw a post from someone who had VERY recent surgery, but I don't know where.

[LoriBecky]

Along the same vein of questioning, my husband and I will be there together, but we are both having surgery on the same day. He wants to bring his laptop and we were wondering if there was anywhere to store it, a safe or anything. It doesn't sound like there is but I thought I would ask.

What about Internet access? Does the hospital or hotel have wireless Internet access? I know I saw a post from someone who had VERY recent surgery, but I don't know where.

The clinic does have internet access, they have a computer there you can use. I don't know about wireless access, but I will find out and let you know. The Hotel might have a safe you can store your laptop in, their phone # is 1-800-LUCERNA - you can ask.

I'll post back here when I find out about the wireless connection.

[LoriBecky]

Ok... they do have wireless internet access at the clinic - so you can get access from your laptop.

Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know.

[Freetobeme]

Ok... they do have wireless internet access at the clinic - so you can get access from your laptop.

Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know.

Thanks so much, my husband will be thrilled as he can't stand not to check his e-mail!

[Rid]

Ok... they do have wireless internet access at the clinic - so you can get access from your laptop.

Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know.

Lori, how close is the clinic and hotel to Revolution? Is there an internet site with a map? I checked the website for the hotel, but their map doesn't really help. How can I get a map?

[Chelley]

When I was at the OCC, there were maps on the counter of TJ. Revolution Ave isn't that far away. Each time I've been to TJ we've taken a taxi over there without any problem. Hint: The red and white taxi's you can hail at curbside are $3.00 vs. the higher rate of the blue and white parked in the Lucerna parking lot. Just close your eyes because driving in Mexico is like demolition derby. My imaginary brake just didn't work!

[Rid]

Lori, do you think it would be possible to get a scanned version of one of those maps? Do they show the location of the clinic and the hotel?

[Jenni - Teenager Lindsay's Mom]

Good Luck! You took the words right out of my mouth! I just got denied from my insurance company, and am debating the whole thing too. My family thinks I'm nuts! I'm not telling anyone else---it's none of their business. I would like someone to go with me, but the costs would be probably be prohibitive, plus since no one wants me to do it, looks like I'll go alone. I'm from Kentucky, so I'll have to fly in. Keep us posted!!!

Halobabe,

I took my daughter to TJ for this surgery. The only extra cost for our trip was my plane ticket and my personal meals while there. So it really wasn't that much more. I stayed in the hotel room which is already covered in the cost of the surgery. Being there as a woman alone in Mexico, I didn't stray very far from the hotel, but that was perfectly fine as there are two restaurants on the premises. Your friend would also have the choice of room service if desired.

Also, the bell captains are EXTREMELY helpful at the hotel. Anything you need, they are more than happy and very willing to accomodate your needs.

After Lindsay's surgery, I needed ice to chill her drinks. I could not find the ice machine, so I asked one of the bell captains of the location. Not only did he go get my ice for me, he brought enough to ice down several drinks for her. There are no refrigerators in the room, so I used the sink as a cooler. Seems they are used to this because he knew exactly how much I needed.

So, if you have a friend that wants to go, let them go with you. Your friend would be allowed to stay with you all the time except the night after your surgery. That night, they would be driven back to the hotel to stay in the room. The clinic will deliver you to the hotel the next morning.

On a dollar basis, I probably spent about $75 on meals while I was there. The plane ticket price, of course, varies depending on your flight.

So if you or your friend can afford the flight, let them go with you!!

Jenni

Lindsay's Mom

Lindsay 16 years old

Starting BMI 43.66

13 pounds lost since surgery on 06.13.2006