About my surgery! Date 11/8/12 - Dr.Garcia booked through Ready4AChange

Arrived in San Diego at car rental place 11/7/12 and Samuel picked my sister and I up on time. He was very pleasant helped load our bags into the minivan and he spoke to us the whole ride into Mexico. He answered any questions we had which was great.

Arrived at the Marriott in Tijuana - it is BEAUTIFUL the pool area is also very relaxing. Ok back on track! When we arrived at the Marriott, the bell hops helped with the bags (they also are very very friendly) and then Samuel helped us check in and mentioned that Rosie would stop by later to talk to me about my surgery the next day.

We went upstairs got settled in, and the beds are COMFY!!! Rosie did stop by later on and she went over what time I would need to be ready the next day and also let me know about ordering the broth, popsicles and water. Also, just as a note because we weren't aware of this, if you are going through Ready4AChange if you are bringing someone with you or if you want to order Jell-O or something not included in the package from the hotel restaurant just let them know you are with Ready4AChange and you should receive a discount I think it is like 10 or 15%.

After Rosie left my sister and I took a walk to the Casino and Wal-Mart although it looks like it is right behind it is a little bit of a hike maybe like 2 ½-3 NYC blocks. Yes the exercise is great but I didn’t realize what a hike it was going to be for me. We were too tired to walk back so we just took a taxi back to the hotel. The whole time we used US dollars I think you make out better, I wouldn’t exchange into Pesos.

The next morning arrived 11/8/12 - YAY surgery day is here! We went downstairs to the lobby with our belongings and waited to be taken to the hospital. While sitting there, we bumped into others that had the surgery already and they were speaking with us letting me know there is nothing to worry about. It kind of made me feel a bit better, not that I was worried but always great to hear the great stories of post-op ya know. I think it also helped my sister calm down some; she was the nervous one for me.

When we arrived at the hospital, it is smaller than the ones here in the US but still very clean. We were greeted by Melly she is also awesome helping answering any questions we had. She helped me hand my paper work in and then also let me know what to expect. They took me down to the 2nd floor for blood work that was over in a matter of minutes (faster than any US place I have been). I then went back upstairs to the 3rd floor where we were waiting for the room to be cleaned. We were brought into the room and it had 2 beds and a TV so my sister stayed in the room with me. I was given the beautiful gown to put on along with the compression stockings. TMI*** my monthly friend was visiting so as a suggestion on the day of surgery just use a plug and afterwards you can go to the pad otherwise I was told the OR nurse would place pads for you while in there. I didn't want that.

While waiting for surgery the nurse came in to start the IV and I knew she was having a hard time finding the vein (it’s the story of my life) but when she couldn't get it she kept trying and trying and it actually had me crying my sister ran out to get Melly and at that time the nurse stopped and placed a band aide over where she tried. When Melly came in my sister explained what happened and we were told that she should have stopped once I was in pain. After this the Anesthesiologist came in to speak with me and he let me know that he was going to take great care of me and place the IV in when I was knocked out (that was fine with me).

The next doctor that came in was Dr.Velazco, she was just letting me know after surgery I need to walk walk walk this will help with the gas pains and that I should get up and walk about 15-20 mins every hour. The next doctor (I can't think of her name) the internal doc was just explaining to me the importance of blowing into the breath tube to help prevent pneumonia and she also had surgery I can't recall if she had the bypass or sleeve but she was also very very nice.

The last doctor to come and see me was Dr.Garcia he is like a cute cuddly teddy bear. He is very nice he had his iPad and drew up a diagram of what he was going to be doing and asked if I had any questions but from all of the research I had done I really didn't have any questions, I knew what to expect. Also each doctor aside from all being very nice each also stressed the fact that I needed to walk to help with the gas pains and also to help prevent blood clots.

So, moving on.. It’s time for surgery. They bring me into the OR and I lay on the table. The anesthesiologist mentioned the first breath of air may feel a little irritating boy was he right oh my word I felt like I was going to be suffocated but by the second breathe I was out because the next thing I remember was them bringing me back to my room asking me to scoot over into my bed. I was barely alert and my sister kept calling my name to get me to get up and walk. Oh my goodness how the heck am I supposed to walk when I can't even keep my eyes open ha-ha.

Eventually I came too and got up to walk and use the ladies room. That is when I discovered the drain, at first I was freaked out but then I just tucked it between the waistline in my panties so it wasn't dangling by my ankles. The nurses came in with 3 different shots to place in the IV one was for nausea, the other was for pain and the last was an antibiotic. I was ok after these shots but did start to feel a bit sick so later in the night when it seemed everyone was sleeping I went out to the nurses’ station and let them know I was feeling very sick and that I needed something. So, the nurse came in with a shot that he had to give me in by butt cheek lol (I am 31 and I can't remember getting any shots there in at least 20 something years so it was quiet funny).After the shot I started feeling better so I tried to sleep, but that was a no go. I was coughing and coughing and then before I knew it with the walking and trying to sleep here comes another 3 shots into the IV. This time almost immediately after wards I was in the bathroom getting sick.

11/9/12 - In the morning I was taken downstairs for the leak test, I was hoping I would be able to keep it down which I was so that was great. No LEAKS!!! Yay! I was brought back upstairs where there was more walking. I was also able to shower and had my bandages all cleaned and changed.

Since I passed the leak test I was now able to have some liquids so a few hours passed and I was given some Gatorade. I drank a little and it was ok then they asked me to drink the blue dye to check my drain I was able to take 3 sips with no problems. A little later on here come 3 more meds into the IV. Once again I felt sick and right to the restroom I went to get sick. At this point I was trying to figure out what was making me sick, but still wasn’t sure. Dr.Garcia also came around to check on me to see how I was doing and to answer any questions I had, he also mentioned that the next day if there was no blue dye in my drain it would be taken out the next day. I almost forgot, along with Melly, Dr.Velzaco also came around to check in on me.

Later that night Holly and Harmoni came to visit me I knew Holly from one of the message boards and just met Harmoni that night. It was very nice of them to come and see me I just felt bad that I couldn’t talk much because I was feeling so sick from one of the meds. Eventually later that night I asked that they stop giving me the pain meds because I thought it was making me sick, when they stopped I started feeling a little better, not 100% because it was still in my system but a little better.

11/10/12 - The next day it was shower time and pack up time. I had seen Dr.Garcia and then Dr.Valzco came in asking how I was feeling and mentioned my drain was going to be taken out. A little later the nurse came in and removed my drained cleaned the area and re-bandaged me also changed and cleaned up my other incisions. After this I was ready to go J

Melly helped us downstairs and I was not allowed to lift anything just had to sit and enjoy the wheelchair ride to the van. When we got to the van they were bringing down two other patients Harmoni and Sheila. I was feeling so sick on the ride back to the hotel that as soon as we got there I had to run straight to the restroom. Rosie had come with me in there to make sure I was ok (what a sweetheart). After that little incident Rosie walked me back to check in and all 3 of us that just had surgery we are staying on the same floor which was awesome. Harmoni and Sheila came to visit me a few times, I just felt bad because I was still feeling a bit sick and had no voice I really didn’t leave the room.

Rosie came back later that night to check on me and explained that Dr.Luna would be by the next day to take out the staples which was awesome! That night I tried to sleep but was only able to dose off maybe for 2 hours in a propped up position but I kept coughing so that kept me awake.

11/11/12 - The next day Rosie and Dr.Luna showed up, he looked at my incisions and removed the staples and placed the stitch tape stuff over them. He also checked my drain incision and cleaned that up for me and just reminded me that I could wash my incisions with soap and water but the incision where the drain was I could use antiseptic spray and Neosporin and have to cover it back up. The others the tape will come off in a few days and by then they should be ok. Later that day Samuel was supposed to come by so that a few of us could do some shopping I believe it is on Revolution Street. He wasn’t able to make it but he father filled in and so my sister, Harmoni and another couple went shopping which was great. That night I was able to actually sleep for about 4 or 5 hours which was great! I was no longer feeling sick since the meds would have finally left my body and the new meds that I was on were great. The whole time I was never in any pain so I opted not to take the pain meds that I was sent back with.

11/12/12 - I couldn’t believe that my time in Mexico was coming to a close it all seemed to happen so fast and those beds I just wanted to take one home with me. My sister and I went downstairs so that she could order some food, also as an FYI I believe his name is Hector, which runs the restaurant he is a sweetheart and is very helpful. So if you need anything during your stay from the restaurant I am sure he is the one you will be speaking with.

We get back to the room after she eats we start packing up and at noon time we are outside in the minivan with another couple and one other woman that had the surgery. We were lucky to not have to wait on a long line coming back through the border. Samuel had some type of medical pass that let us skip a lot of the line and then when we got to the booth he just had to show our passports or birth certificates and IDs and we were good to go, no inspections.

We were dropped off at the San Diego airport and we were prepared to sit there for hours until our 9pm flight home but God was on our side and the flight that was supposed to leave at 11:45am we delayed and was now departing at 3:30pm so we were able to have all 3 seats in the back of the plane to ourselves. I also requested wheelchair assistance which was great I really didn’t have to wait in any lines for security and I was able to board the plane first.

I have been home for a few days and today 11/15/12 is my one week out and I am down 14 lbs from surgery. Getting my liquid in has been a little bit of a challenge for me only because I forget to sip every 15 mins. Tomorrow I start with my protein intake and also allowed to start warm cereals if my tummy can tolerate them.

This is a very exciting journey to be on and I will post more updates maybe on a weekly basis.

-If you can check your luggage you may want to bring some neosporin and or antiseptic spray and if not using ready4Achange you may want to see if your company will provide any guaze and tape if not you may want to pack that as well.

- I also brought pedialyte pops with me for after the surgery and they worked well, better then just the liquid

-Gas-X strips helped a little - walking helped a lot more