thinmymind

In the hospital, I just wore the hospital gown, allowed me to pack light - less clothing to pack! Bring shoes you just slide on, you don't want to be trying to tie shoes or anything. Bring your toiletries - toothbrush/paste, shampoo and any other hair stuff, moisturizer, lip balm. Bring loose comfortable clothing. Keep an eye on weather forecasts so you pack appropriately. It was much cooler there than I would have thought. Bring one outfit you wouldn't mind going to a dinner in, in case Dr. Kelly takes you out (he took us out for a really nice dinner, the broth was lovely, lol.) Bring small bills, in case you buy anything, you don't get pesos as change. I'll add if I think of anything else.

You will love Omar and Dr. Kelly! And once you get to Hotel Lucerna, you will have a great time!

I was nervous about what my best friend would say, so I didn't tell her until I got home. She was stunned silent, but later that evening, this is the text I got: "If u need anything let me know. I think you are very brave for what you did. I really admire that. If you need any help along with this process let me know what I can do. Maybe it was good I didn't know bc the mother side of me would have come out and I would have been a nervous nelly.."

The only thing I have to add is that sticking to the post op diet is sooooo much easier. Easier for me for two reasons. 1. I am simply not hungry. In fact, yesterday, I forgot to eat. Not that I recommend that. Yes, I still think about yummy things, but I kinda don't really care. A BBQ scent smells good to me in the same way a rose does. It smells nice, but I don't want to eat it. 2. I am not even 2 weeks post op yet, but eating things now could really cause me damage, not just postpone surgery. That is a real scare for me, and so I follow my surgeon's plan for introducing foods. Best of luck with the rest of your pre op and hopefully your surgery will goes as smoothly and uneventfully as mine.

Ditto. And thanks for visiting me in the hospital, cissiesue!

Funny this should pop up today. I want my first tattoo also and was seriously thinking of doing it today. I am just about 2 weeks post op. Now I think I'll wait a couple of weeks.

I drank bottled water.

You can ask Cathy or me anything about Dr. Kelly. We both had a great experience and at the risk of speaking for her, we would both love to be back there with Dr. Kelly and Omar (his assistant)! I felt very comfortable with Dr. Kelly, he is not only a very skilled surgeon, but also a very kind man. He welcomes you and makes you feel like part of his family.

http://www.wls4betterlife.com/htmls/hospitals.html

Cathy and I had our surgery the same day, so it may look like we are making things up! The building houses basically two hospitals. The doors and everything say Oasis which is the upper floors, known mostly for cancer treatment. The first floor houses the Florence Hospital where the bariatric surgeries are performed.

Dr. Kelly operates at the Florence Hospital and then you go to the Hotel Lucerna for two days.

Over 10 pounds down!

Sprinkle a little Crystal Light in plain nonfat Greek Yogurt. It really works. A little goes a long way.

I had the same Dr. as NJSharon and had the same experience. We were sent home with pain medicine (sorry, I can't remember the name, but it was not a strong one, not like oxycodone), but I never needed it.

I was a similar BMI and had surgery in Mexico with Dr. Kelly. It was $5500 plus airfare. I am 1 1/2 weeks post op, but so far, I am very happy! I highly recommend Dr. Kelly.

I was sleeved June 14th in Mexico by Dr. Kelly and I can't recommend him highly enough. Personal safety was never a concern. For example, Omar (his assistant) was taking us out to lunch across the street from the hotel and I was headachy, so I wanted to go back to nap. He wouldn't even let me cross the street myself, he insisted on walking me back. Dr. Kelly is a wonderfully skilled surgeon and a very kind man as well. He makes you feel like you are part of his family. I have been in contact with both him and Omar since I have been home with questions and they both are great still.

I am 1 1/2 weeks post op and the head stuff is there and real. You have to really wrap your head around this before surgery. I only had a 3 day pre-op diet that I did not cheat on at all, because I was terrified my Dr. would open me up and my liver would be too large and close me up without doing the surgery. While this was not really likely, it does happen. Now, post-op, I stick to the diet because I DON'T WANT TO DIE! While, again, this is not likely, but I don't want to do anything to risk damaging my new sleeve. And, get this, today I FORGOT TO EAT! I have heard of this happening, but I couldn't believe it happened to me today. I just got so busy cleaning up around the house (a bit neglected since the surgery), next thing I know, it was 4pm! This surgery works and is a wonderful tool to get you to a healthier, slimmer you.

I take 40 mg of omeprazole each evening. My Dr. prescribed that for the first month. (Equivalent of 2 Prilosecs)

Mine was $5500 in Mexico with Dr. Kelly. I highly recommend him. There were zero problems with me not speaking spanish. Dr. Kelly speaks impeccable english as does his assistant, Omar.

You will love it! I am only a week and half post op, so still healing, but I can tell this is finally what is going to get me to my goals. Welcome to this great community.

I've had steri strips on my incisions since I got back from Mexico. The nurse there put one skinny little steri strip on each incision. In an effort to minimize scarring, I put steri strips across the most of the incisions when I got back from Mexico. They are all healing with nice thin little scars.

My Dr. has us on 40mg of omeprazole every evening for a month. I have never had any heartburn. Omeprazole is the ingredient in Prilosec.

Nonfat plain Greek Yogurt is great. It's pure protein. Flavor it as someone mentioned about. Sub for mayo or sour cream. My nutritionist makes her own because she eats so much of it.

I really have not had any cravings. I was sleeved on the 14th and I have no problems being in front of people eating, or smelling foods. In my case, I am guessing it will come later and I will have to deal with it then.

I am having my first sips of a protein shake post-op. It's a cookies and cream one that has 35 g of protein. If I can get just 2 of these in a day, I have met my protein requirement.