I added one more question...

[MyNewLife]

Hi.

I am leaving Thursday morning, getting banded on Friday...YEAH!!! I am happy to report I have lost 14lbs on my pre-op in two weeks as of this morning. I have so many questions maybe some of you guys could help..

I would like to know how much money do you think I should take?

Do they put any fill in your band when you are banded?

I have also heard alot of people eating the night before getting banded? Can we do that.

How much does it cost for the chicken broth/water at the hotel?

Does the Hotel/Clinic have WIFI?

I have a scheduled Zoom Whiting, is it worth it?

What is one thing do you wished you would have done while you where there.

Thanks again!

[Taz]

I would like to know how much money do you think I should take?

Depends how much you plan to spend. Take lots of small dominations of US currency (1's and 5's). You won't need a lot of money though.

Do they put any fill in your band when you are banded?

Nope. Dr. Ortiz wants you to heal first. Then they put the fill in 6 to 8 weeks later.

I have also heard alot of people eating the night before getting banded? Can we do that.

I did. I had a duck taco and some ravioli at the nice patio restaurant outside. My wife had an amazing lasagna. The whole meal was like $30. Great price, great food. Only problem was... I gained a couple of pounds!!! Not something you want to do before the surgery. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't have eaten the night before. But that's just me.

How much does it cost for the chicken broth/water at the hotel?

I can't recall how much it was. But whatever the cost, it was well worth it.

Does the Hotel/Clinic have WIFI?

Yes it does. Both in the room, and outside at the pool. I was able to use my iPhone in Wifi mode, and use VoIP to call home so I didn't get killed on cell roaming charges.

I have a scheduled Zoom Whiting, is it worth it?

No clue. Some women down there swear by it.

What is one thing do you wished you would have done while you where there.

Most people say Tijuana isn't the safest place to travel. While we were there, there were 4 shootings and some gang violence. So we stayed close to the hotel, only venturing out during the day. Some people like to shop, but that's not my thing. Then again, it was nice just to lounge by the pool.

Think about healing. Relax and don't stress. Focus on "tourist" stuff another time... like when you are going to get a fill.

Taz

[fat2nrml]

The bottled water at the Hotel is free, just ask a maid or call to the front desk and tell them when you need more. I took tea bags with me and used the bottled water in the coffee maker in the room to make it.

If you plan on shopping, like Revolution Ave., take smaller bills and bargain with the shop owners, NEVER give them what they ask for! Also, have 1's for tipping.

The Hotels tortillia soup is awesome!! I think it's like $5 a bowl, but well worth it! I forget how much the broth is, I imagine only a couple bucks. Alot of people take bullion cubes and make broth in their rooms.

I didn't eat the night before surgery, Dr. O says it can cause alot of gas and makes you more uncomfortable after surgery.

The pool area is lovely, enjoy and relax. The Lucerna is an awesome hotel and the staff is very helpful. Best wishes, Darlene

[julieburns]

Hi.

I am leaving Thursday morning, getting banded on Friday...YEAH!!! I am happy to report I have lost 14lbs on my pre-op in two weeks as of this morning. I have so many questions maybe some of you guys could help..

I would like to know how much money do you think I should take?

Do they put any fill in your band when you are banded?

I have also heard alot of people eating the night before getting banded? Can we do that.

How much does it cost for the chicken broth/water at the hotel?

Does the Hotel/Clinic have WIFI?

I have a scheduled Zoom Whiting, is it worth it?

What is one thing do you wished you would have done while you where there.

Thanks again!

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. I think most of the questions were answered but here's my 2 cents worth.....

I have had zoom here in the states and yes it is cool, the price is good there. However for me I canceled my whitening the day before my surgery and was glad I did. You have to sit with the goop on your teeth and your lips sort of open anywhere from 2-4 times for 20-30 minutes a time and to me after surgery I wasn't going to want to do that. My advice would be to save that for another time if you plan to go back there for a fill. It wouldn't be terrible mind you and lots of people have had it done but I just didn't went to deal with it if I felt bad. It doesn't hurt or anything just the positioning of it and the time in the chair for me did not sound like what I wanted to do after surgery.

The broth at the hotel ends up lie $4.00 a bowl, you get a huge bowl though, and yes the tortilla soup ( order the broth of it only and it's only available after like 4 pm) is so delicious I wish I would have had just it. I chose to only have a clear liquid diet, some soup, jello and juice the night before surgery but at least 12 hours before. I know they say nothing after midnight and that is what is always recommended but my digestion is slow and I just wanted a clear track if you know what I mean. Actually I think I only had liquids that day before surgery but that again was just me and my extra assurance. Do as they recommend if you wish but eat very light the night before, don't gorge yourself. And the Italian restaurant outside by the pool is excellent, if you want to splurge on a dessert the night before go there. If you have someone with you they will also enjoy eating there. You can have them bring you broth from the other restaurant inside the hotel as they are just steps away from each other.

Other than that you've got great answers from the others.

Relax, enjoy your mini vacation and pretend you are just at some cool spa retreat!!! Walking however is highly suggested afterwards so be sure to get in you r laps.

[Jann]

There is a huge violence problem in TJ right now. More than 4,000 people have been killed across the country this year as cartels battle for drug routes and lash back at President Calderon's national crackdown on organized crime. I would stay within the parameter set by OCC for safety if it were me and not stray.

Jann