jessicaemilia

After many years of failed dieting and dashed hopes I put my tummy in the hands of Dr. Kelly in Tijuana, Mexico on January 3, 2012. Everything was as described by my coordinator. I was picked up at the airport by Hector (who was kind enought to wait over 2 hours since my plane was diverted to L.A. due to fog). He and his son were so courteous and made me feel at ease. We crossed the border and I arrived at my hotel at 130am that morning. I was picked up at 7am and taken to the hospital. What a CLEAN facility. That was huge to me. X-rays were done, blood tests, an EKG, blood pressure, temperature taken, and I met with a cardiologist. Soon after I met Dr Kelly and after a warm embrace and answering a lot of my questions he asked me for my understanding of the procedure - which I thought was pretty cool. After an hour or so I was wheeled into surgery. Everyone was kind they made sure that I had my anti-embolism socks on and they asked if I had any final questions which I didn't. I was asked to breath deeply and the next thing I know I woke up in recovery.

I was so nauseas. OMG was I ever! I through up a lot. The pain in comparison was minimal. I wouldn't even describe it as pain, it was instead as if I had one a million sit-ups w/out stopping. I felt so sore. After an hour in recovery I was wheeled to my room. Dr. Kelly told later that night, that tomorrow I would feel dramatically better.

The next day was a new day. I walked a lot, bathed on my own and visited with other American patients. The day after that? EVEN better...I did the barium swallow test (which, by the way is the WORST thing in a cup - EVER!) and I saw my new LITTLE tummy fill up.

I was soon discharged and taken to my hotel. The room was beautiful and the bathroom stunning. The room was so large I think it qualified to be a suite. Well for the next 2 days I'd make my way to the restaurant down stairs and would exchange vouchers I was given for broth. The restaurant was adjacent to a casino. All I can say is that everything in the hotel was so beautiful!

On my last day, I was picked up with another patient and her mom (who helped to keep my company, since I choose to go alone) and driven across the border and caught my flight.

The gas pains (which were not bad, they were evil) long subsided and my family has to remind me that I had surgery only a week ago because I am so active and want to do much more than I should.

I am so happy with my bold step to stop talking and hoping and dreaming and just having the surgery done.

It's truly a new year...a new day.