WorldTraveler

My stomach only feels strange if I cough or laugh. I just boiled me some Soup to drink the broth. Im up doing everything myself. If u ask me that didn't do anything, cause im sipping the soup & dont feel full I just stopped. Hmmmm; pain meds numbing your ability to feel full? If not, I would ask your doctor how much they removed. Where did you have surgery at: states or abroad?

BrantS1976, I just saw you had a gastric plication done. I googled it because I had never heard of it. I'm curious why you chose plication over sleeve if you care to share

Love your post as well; so inspiring! Congratulations; you look amazing! I'm so happy for you and comforted by your success, ability to maintain and experience in Mexico! All the best to you!

Here's my list as well. Hope it helps! USEFUL PHRASES WHILE IN Mexico 1. I am in pain. 1. Tengo dolor. 2. More pain medication please. 2. Mas medicamento para el dolor porfavor. 3. Water please. 3. Agua porfavor. 4. I need to go to the bathroom. 4. Necesito ir al baño. 5. Another pillow please. 5. Otra almohada porfavor. 6. I feel nauseas. 6. Tengo nauseas. (Pronounce like it is written) 7. I want to take a shower. 7. Me quiero bañar. 8. Another towel please. 8. Otra toalla porfavor. (“ll” pronounced “y”) 9. Soap please. 9. Jabon porfavor. 10. I wet the bed. 10. Moje la cama. 11. More tea please. 11. Mas te porfavor. 12. Call Dr. Aceves please. 12. Llama al doctor Aceves porfavor. 13. May I have a sleeping pill? 13. Puedo tomar una pastilla para dormir? 14. Can you raise the bed? 14. Puedes subir la cama? 15. Can you lower the bed? 15. Puedes bajar la cama? 16. I am cold. 16. Tengo frio. 17. I am hot. 17. Tengo calor. 18. Another blanket pelase. 18. Otra cobija porfavor. 19. Can you bring me a fan? 19. Me puedes traer un ventilador? 20. Can you bring a remote for the tv? 20. Puedes traer un control para la television. 21. The remote doesn’t work. 21. No funciona el control remoto. 22. Can the IV come out? 22. Puede quitar el suero? 23. It bothers me. 23. Me molesta. 24. It hurts. 24. Me duele. 25. I am sorry. 25. Lo siento. 26. It came out. 26. Se salio. 27. Is this OK? 27. Esta bien? PHRASES THE NURSES MIGHT USE(2/2) Possible answers 1. Como se siente? 1. How do you feel? Fine – bien 2. Sientese porfavor. 2. Sit down please. Bad- mal 3. Necesita ayuda? 3. Do you need help? Yes - si 4. Siente dolor? 4. Are you in pain? No - no 5. Donde? 5. Where? A little -poquito 6. Le voy a dar un piquetito. 6. I will give you a shot. A lot - mucho. 7. Abra la mano. 7. Open you hand. Here - aqui 8. Cierre la mano. 8. Close your hand. OK - OK 9. Tiene que levantarse a caminar. 9. You need to get up and walk. Thanks- gracias 10. Si necesita algo llameme. 10. If you need something call me. 11. Vamos a rayos X. 11. We are going to X Ray room. 12. Trae pantuflas? 12. Did you bring slippers? 13. Hizo sus ejercicios de respiracion? 13. Did you do your breathing exercises? 14. El doctor viene en camino. 14. The doctor is on his way. 15. Buenos dias. 15. Good morning. 16. Buenas Noches. 16. Good Evening/ Good Night. 17. Le ajusto la cama? 17. Should I adjust your bed? 18. Despacio. 18. Slowly. 19. Le voy a cambiar los tapes. 19. I am changing your tapes. 20. Le voy a preguntar al doctor. 20. I will ask the doctor.

Hola, O-Town, I'm definitely bringing back B-12 injections, pain meds and probably thyroid and allergy meds. I'm worried about pain meds...will they give us enough? I surely cannot ask Kaiser for them (anti-pain med nuts). I hope we get enough that we will need and we can take them over the border and through TSA. Anyone know?

Whatever you feel comfortable with...I just have tons of unused sick time and only 2 weeks of vacation time that I really want to use for a real vacation. So, I decided to just say it was a surgery and not disclose what kind. My family thinks my husband and I are taking an anniversary vacation to San Diego/Baja California. They all live in other states, so I probably won't see them until Christmas. I am not going to tell them and just let them think I made a permanent lifestyle change, because, really, it is.

Hey im doing great, getting discharged right now. I was an left to sleep on my left & my right side. This rash I got from, I think the morphine is driving me crazy. A lil shoulder/neck pain. When they say sip they mean sip. Took to big of sip of broth & boy oh boy, not a good feel. I wont be doing that again lol Congratulations! In spite of the rash and shoulder pain, you seem like you are doing really well! Does your stomach feel strange?

Oh wow, vsg_joanna, you are so close to surgery and you have lost so much weight already! Inspiring! Are you super excited? Where are you having surgery?

If anyone will be at Almater with Dr. Aceves anytime between May 25-29, please PM me.

Slowly cutting back on my morning coffee Though my surgery is nearly 2 months away-I'm really going to miss my coffe, so I thought I would start very early and cut it out slowly. No afternoon cup, only tea until May. I'll eventually switch to black or green tea in the morning and then go to just the Protein shake. I'm debating whether to get some Swiss Water processed decaf...Anyone do that instead of giving up their coffee? 1. Getting off caffeine I live in Denver where it is DRY so I already drink lots of water 2. Trying not to drink with meals 3. Doing some activity each day: walking, yoga or tai chi 4. Getting off sugar so I don't crave it 5. preparing to low carb again (slowly, like one meal a day, then move to 2 meals a day low carb) 6. Breakfast is a Protein Shake made with unsweetened almond milk-should move to water in May 7. Reading and researching like crazy so I am prepared for anything

Hi Oregondaisy, I am unable to locate the food forum (apologize). Is it under the forum? Thank you for your help, Rachelle

Thank u I will. Good morning, 521 Diva-How are you doing today on day 2 sleeved?

Very helpful information; thanks so much! I was worried about getting all my meds through TSA screening!

Mine gave me a pre-op diet as well to begin a week before surgery. He basically told me to low carb and cut out all flour, rice, sugar, potatoes, Pasta and bread. He suggested Atkins (but low fat), so I'll do the induction phase of either ideal Protein (using Syntrax protein powders 3x/day with Water and lean protein and veggies for lunch) or South Beach Diet. It's to shrink the liver, not necessarily for weight loss. If you feel more comfortable taking that precaution, I would low carb a week or two before your surgery. Can't hurt to get a jump start on weight loss and prepare your body for the shock of post-surgery liquid diet (it feels more like a gradual step-down this way). Good luck to you! Let me know if you want me to post my diet from my doctor.

I manage in higher education and yes, it is a HIPAA violation to ask what kind of surgery. I met privately with my supervisor and told her I would be out for surgery. She only expressed concern for my health and hoped everything would go well. She told me to take my time getting back. I only took 2 weeks off because I have a desk job and can work at my own pace. I can also work from home if I need to. I am not telling anyone except my spouse and a close friend/coworker who had lap band surgery. None of anyone's business and I am very private.

Wonderful to hear, 521Diva! Stay on the Forum during your recovery!

Good luck; you'll do great! Please, Please stay in touch on the Forum so I can follow your post-op experiences! All the best to you, Rachelle

Let's try this again...the pdf is attached. Medical Tourism HOSPITAL STAY CHECKLIST.pdf If it still won't convert, then the cut and paste version in the previous post can be copied and pasted into a word doc on your computer. I wonder if this has something to do with my Word for Mac? I'll also post it in the Mexico Sleevers forum.

MEDICAL TOURISM HOSPITAL STAY CHECKLIST Clothes Comfortable bra with front closure/ Spanx/ Loose underwear Warm socks House slippers to walk the hospital halls to relieve gas pain Loose fitting clothes to wear there and on the way home Slip on shoes to wear there and on the way home Compression Knee-High Stockings for the trip home (at least 12mmgh) Personal Items Kindle / Nook/ Magazine or Book Cell Phone Chargers (electrical system is the same in Mexico as the US, so no need for a converter) Reading Glasses (no contacts allowed) Eye mask / Ear plugs Pillow for pressing against incisions when coughing and comfort sleeping. Pen / Small Pad of Paper Spanish/English Dictionary (or download one to your Kindle /Nook) Cash in USD-Patient Coordinator told me most places will accept USD and you avoid the Foreign Transaction Fee of using your Debit/Credit Card. Pharmaceuticals Lotion / Deodorant/Razor Toothbrush / Paste/Breath Strips Shampoo / Conditioner/Face soap/Face Moisturizer/Travel size body soap or wash hair Dryer / Brush Ricola throat lozenges Tissues / Wet wipes Lip Balm Gas X Strips Wash Cloth Heating Pad for Pain Relief Prescription Medications/Pill Crusher (if necessary) If you are flying back the hospital should give you broth before your leave in the morning before heading back to the airport. Please plan on what you will be having on your day of travel. You can get juice, hot and cold Water and tea in most flights. Plan on what you can mix with water. It is very important to keep hydrated; it will prevent problems during your recovery. Here are a few suggestions. Mix with Cold or room temperature water: · unjury Protein powder (flavored) · Propel powder · Crystal Light · Powder Gatorade (G2 has less sugar) · Apple and white grape juice provided by the airline, please water it down it usually has too much sugar Mix with hot or warm water: · Unjury Protein Powder (chicken soup) · Tea (caffeine free chamomile tea is a great option which has anti inflammatory effects) If you are driving back: You should receive broth before you leave the hospital in the morning. Please plan on what you will be having on your day of travel; bring your Protein drinks with you.

How strange, I see the whole document. I'll cut and paste it in.

Hola Sleevers, I edited the hospital stay checklist and attached it in both a Word and pdf format. All the best, Rachelle Hospital Stay Checklist Medical Tourism.pdfHospital Stay Checklist.doc

Hola Sleevers, I edited the list for Mexico Sleevers and attached it in both a Word and pdf format. Rachelle Hospital Stay Checklist Medical Tourism.pdf Hospital Stay Checklist.doc

Oh, is there anything to do in Mexicali? My husband will be there with me and I'm trying to encourage him to get out a bit while I'm sleeping. Any recommendations for him for food or activity? Is the neighborhood safe?

Greetings to all, My name is Rachelle and I have my VSG scheduled with Dr. Aceves for May 26th (pre-op and San Diego arrival is May 25th). I would love to connect with others who will be at Almater Hospital Between May 25th-29th. I'm a bit nervous but mostly looking forward to having a permanent tool for portion control (and hopefully hunger control). Great luck to us all!