NEW NAME? "Sleeved in Seattle"

[SeattleSue 25]

I'm home! I'm home! Oh, it's so good.... Well, I promised details and I won't sugar coat it but I want to start by saying: I have no pain (except for the first day...) and was up and walking within hours of surgery, have no nausea or reflux. I'm drinking 40+ oz of Water, some broth, and eating Jello with no problem. I have NO hunger. I've been walking 1/2 mile or more per day.... If I woke up with amnesia and someone told me I had major surgery on Thursday, I'd say, "Liar."

RECAP: I'm a self pay, Mexico patient. My story "sleeve" story started about six weeks ago when I begrudgingly attended a WL Seminar to hear about the 'band'. I went thinking maybe things had improved and maybe, just maybe it was time to reconsider getting the band. Then, the clouds parted and heavenly music played~~Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. Wow. Shiny. Must know more...

Fast forward to July 6. I fly out, San Diego bound with my dad in tow (resume includes lots of Mexico experience, big guy--big arms, street smart). I'm 43 and 19 years married with teens. So, there is no hang-up about hubby not being with me...he's just not the best choice for me because he cannot stand to not understand what's going on. Mexico is not conducive to making my baby a calm companion. No harm, no foul...he is happy to stay with the kids on this trip!

Before we hit the gate, Ricardo (our driver) is on the phone finding out if we are curbside yet. We agree to call as soon as we are...and sure enough, 2 minutes later we are safely ensconced in the silver Honda Civic, weaving our way toward the border. Ricardo speaks EXCELLENT English and is very knowledgable of the whole "sleeved in Mexico" process. He probably picks-up and delivers most of Dr. Kelly's patients...and he also runs for another. Anyway...all that to say that he is an excellent source of info, he's got the Doc's on speed dial, and is professional in that he calls ahead to confirm details with you. Good guy! As a side note, if you mention the theory that chewing gum is NOT allowed because it causes your stomach to make and release stomach juices/acids, he will have to pay me a royalty. So I appreciate your help there.

Arrive florence Clinic and are met by Trish as Ricardo delivers us to the reception area. The bldg. looks just as pictured on the exterior, the garden/courtyard is nice. I would liken the reception area to a 'nice' office or professional bldg. That changes as we are led to our room in the back corridor. The impression is less professional office and more motel. It's clean and you'll have everything you need, but really...it's like a motel room with surplus hospital furnishings.

I'm given yet another health history form by the head nurse, Jessica. She speaks very good English also. Trish is a bubbly joy, Dr. Kellly is quiet and trying to greet me and give instruction/answer questions, Jessica the head nurse is speaking rapid spanish to a trio of nurses, and things are frankly, CHAOS. Everything happening at once. I found it amusing that no one respects that the Dr. is speaking and everyone has their own agenda. It feels like I'm standing on some trading floor. Eventually Trish and Dr. Kelly leave...and I'm left filling out the health history form that Jessica was requiring.

There is some discussion about whether I will or will not have labs tonight, the people have gone...then they are there...then I am getting my IV so they can kill 2 birds with one stone. Take blood, get I.V. si? hahahha Let's just say that I am one of those that has to hydrate well before having blood drawn. So, as Maria (not so good English...Ok, virtually none) is trying to find a vein in my right hand, I'm suggesting she try my left as I am right handed and will need that hand for things. Important things, like wiping my butt? OK...I know that there is one or more of you out there that are worried about the 'bathroom logistics/gymnastics' of dealing with hygiene will having several incisions in your belly. Am I right?

Maria can't locate a vein by touch and understands enough of what I'm saying to move to the left hand. After about 10 minutes, she decides she needs to find someone 'to help' si? Si!

In about 2 minutes, Maria returns with 2 other nurses. Oh great, this one is NOT listening to my suggestion of 'left hand please' and Maria cutely tries to convey the same message. NOPE, guess the boss has arrived. She massages my hand for about 10 minutes and is pumping the 'ball' of my thumb. She's in. I have half a roll of tape now on my right hand holding this fragile accomplishment in place. Bathroom issues are now raging in my head as, gulp, I have also started my period that morning. OMG This is NOT going to be OK. Si? NADA!

-----I gotta take a break and go to bed. I'm tired after my trip today and need to take a shower! A loooooooooooooong shower followed by a looooooooooooong sleep in my own bed. I'll finish tomorrow.

[DawnOfANewMe 3]

SeattleSue,

So glad to hear you are back safe and sound and that your recovery was as miraculous as mine! I too had no nausea or very much pain (just felt sore like I had done a hundred ab crunches). I too was up walking right away and had no trouble getting Water, Jello, broth, etc. down. Yeah for us! We are on the losers bench.

Dawn

[sugarmamma7 2]

Ah the suspence is killing me will wait for more of your story......

[jasleeve 440]

lol ahhhhhhhhhh i was all into it. i thought the ending was part of the story for a sec! lol. i cant wait to hear more. si? si!

[AutumnBlueCarmen 4]

So glad you are home safe and sound and you had very little pain!!!!!! I can't wait to hear the rest of your story! I hope you rest very well in your own bed!

[SeattleSue 25]

OK I am refreshed. Had a wonderful nights rest and 30 minute shower. I have this weird "cleansed" feeling going on that totally transends just the fasting phase. I have done laundry this morning, cleaned out a junk drawer, made some business calls... I just feel good. I was meditating this morning on this feeling and praising God and the scripture about, and I'm paraphrasing here, ...If your eye offends you, pluck it out...if your hand offends you, cut it off. Of course it's no literal...but in MY little moment this morning, I felt as if I had pulled down a stronghold in my life by getting sleeved. I had not really thought of that going into the process...but I really feel that is what I've done. food will no longer be my weakness. Eating will be to live and not merely for pleasure or control. Wow, that's deep. I won't bore you with my musing.

Where was I? Oh yeah, my frantic prayer about bathroom issues! "Lord, you've got my back on this right?"

So there I was with my I.V. in my right hand against my wishes. I couldn't understand the language much...though I can pick up a few words here and there and when I speak what I know I'm told I have a 'very good accent'. Hah! Cudos to Puerto Vallarta restaurant in my home town and a drunken spree in Mazatlan, sans 1991. There is a reason I have been sober since 2001.

I forgot to mention that after Trish and Dr. Kelly left, Jessica gave me a VERY not couture, but pristinely clean hospital gown to put on. I was being taken for an X-ray. I was put in a wheelchair and escorted by a MUE (mooo-eeee) cute young man down the hall, round the corner, through the nice reception, hung a left and through some wooden doors for my 'close-up'. The X-ray tech was all of 4' 10" tall, 21 year old blonde mexican girl with heavy eye-make-up and no English. She seemed a little put-out that I was being processed at 8:30 pm. There was no one else around and they literally had to 'fire-up' the machine. Since I am such an easy going free spirit I was merely amused by the attitude. I got the distinct impression that this whole new "move" by Dr Kelly to their facilities was something that they were 'dealing with' but that they didn't necesarily appreciate the hours his patients kept. Whatever, get over it. That's what I say. Dad too had the same impression that there was a little 'pecking order' issue going on amongst the nurses/techs. It didn't affect my care...I have to say they were pretty attentive. At least after the whole fan issue. I will explain...

Back to dad and I settling in to our newly assigned Mospital room. They said they A/C and the halls were cool, but my room was a little stuffy. We propped our door open (side note here...strangely everyone kept their doors shut which just sort of amplified the whole Motel vibe). I asked if they had a fan and we went through the whole charades deal. The nurses hesitantly played along and it was cute Maria who won...Ahhhhhh Si....I find one. An hour later, I asked about the fan. Si....I find one. Another hour, dad was bravely facing the box spring bed...

Oh, gotta go...mom is here to visit! more later

[wannasleeve 10]

Love the story, going to Dr. Kelly on Sept. 2 and feeling so good about this decision and more re-assured when I see people giving God the glory. Makes me feel like I am making the right decision. Especially when you said "if it offends you" that is so true.

Thanks!

Where was I? Oh yeah, my frantic prayer about bathroom issues! "Lord, you've got my back on this right?"

[SeattleSue 25]

OK, so I'll pick up on the eve of my surgery....

At 3 a.m., Maria came in to check my vitals and she was accosted by the warmth in my room. I was totally perspiring and could not sleep. The street out front of the Clinic is like a drag strip. Seriously. So on top of the heat, the noise, my period, AND the I.V. in my right hand...I won't lie, I was second guessing the wisdom of my decision!

Maria was surprised to find me awake and even more surpised that it was 80+ degrees in my room. She did an about face and was back in 5 with a fan. Hallelujah!! I actually cried. Gracias Maria, Gracias! Si....

I must have fallen asleep to the soothing white noise and breeze very shortly after because the next thing I know, it's 7 a.m. and the shift change has happened. I have a new nurse, Dilynn (sp?). She spoke very little English too, but she was quite the firecracker. She's about 22 and working 2 jobs to pay for nursing school. Yes, nursing school. It did send up little red flags that she wasn't already a nurse...but she really was not doing much more throughout my stay but emptying my drain, adding things to my I.V., taking vitals and changing my dressings post-op. OK, let's be honest...this was something that I just wouldn't let my mind dwell on at the time. Never in America, right? Maybe I got it wrong and maybe she was a nurse going to med school to become a Dr. It's possible.

So...surgery morning. Sorry, I seem to be easily distracted. Dilynn brings me a fresh "tent" to wear and a clean towel and orders me to take a shower. Most of this is done via an ongoing game of charades. HA! They eventually started to understand what it meant when I tapped my nose

I take my shower and wait for further instruction. Dr. Kelly arrives and reviews my labs and tells me that all is good. I had had my labs done the week before going to Mexico because I am anemic. In one of my consultations with Dr. Kelly, he had said that if my hemoglobin was 10 or less, I would need to have an Iron infusion. I had met with my personal physician in the states on the Friday before Mexico, and my labs showed my hemoglobin was 10.5 After discussing it with my physician, he expressed his preference that I not get a fusion because of the high rate of allergic reactions and asked me to "request" that I just continue with my recommittment to oral treatment. In the 3 weeks leading up to surgery, knowing this concern, I had returned to adding Iron to my regiment. By the time the labs came back on surgery morning, my hemoglobin had improved to 11.1 I was cleared by Dr. Kelly (thank God) and was now awaiting a meeting with the Cardiologist.

Enter Cardiologist whose name escapes me. Let's just call him Gadget guy, OK? Gadget guy shows up and he is a man on a mission. He speaks excellent English, and if I am right, he clearly is very Americanized...possibly American trained. He's is very thorough in a review of my health history, has seen my Xrays and my labs, is able to take shorthand notations of my responses...ask rapid questions, handle 2 cell phones...AND seem to not lose track of where he was in his physical. I'm not sure I am "used" to the way the Dr.'s take calls in the middle of a conversation with you...but it seems to be cultural...because the nurses start speaking and asking questions also in the middle of a Dr. consultation. It's sory of weird. Here in the states, the Dr. walks in and everyone shuts-up to hear what he has to say as the "expert" in the room. lol Anyway, Gadget guy wires me 8 ways to Sunday, listens to my heart, runs his little gadget (I was half expecting to get electorcuted lol) and seemingly surprised, say's that except for the obvious morbid obesity, I am in remarkably good health. Gee, thanks Gadget guy--what a nice thing to say! heeeheeee He shakes my hand and wishes me well and as quickly as he came, he left.

Meanwhile, my dad has vamoosed to the cafeteria to give me some privacy and to grab some "healthy food" as they call it while I am in my pre-op holding pattern. Dad returns to report that the food is EXCELLENT, albeit vegetarian. But he raved about the Avacado salad and can't wait to try to recreate it at home!

Finally, a gurney with gowned up strangers arrives at my door. It is time. They ask me to get in my Mospital (Motel/Hospital) bed and they proceed to raise it to the gurney level. I'm then asked to "scooch" over, all by charade, onto the gurney. I couldn't help it...I started to giggle as some little voice say's yet again, "not in America!" hahahaha So, over I scooch...obviously trying to maintain some modesty and all the while trying to explain that I am having my period. Someone got the drift and one of the semi English speaking persons in the room (my God, it was a full house production) assured me that, "OK, we deliver babies too." In hindsight, I'm glad it didn't occur to me that there may have been a mistaken message and I wasn't going to have a baby!!!

My new charges now wheel me down the corridor and through a set of double wooden doors. We stop at another gurney (yes, mid hallway..just outside a janitors closet I think) and I'm asked to "scooch" to the other bed. Stop me now, because the giggles just wouldn't be contained as the chorus in my head was no longer in a low voice but a full blown boom! "NOT IN AMERICA!" :lol: I was practically guwaffing...I'm sure they were all talking about the loco seniora.. Oh, but wait. Then I'm wheeled into the Operating Room and me and my styling ride pull up next to the stainless slab. One look and I knew what was expected. Yup, I scooched my big old naked fat but over onto the less than warm O.R. table. Everyone was gowned and masked and speaking English. It was a very vulnerable moment as they started undoing the velcro on my 'tent' gown. I teared up at this point and looked around at the HUGE picture windows overlooking the parking lot on my right and the back alley in front of me. I asked to no one in particular, "are you going to shut the blinds?" No one seemed to notice. I realized that the buidling was covered in reflective glass that nobody could see through, but it was the thing that seemed to slam the message home, "NOT IN AMERICA!!!!"

The anesthesiologist looked down at me...he was upside down and I couldn't see his mouth, but I think he has a beard and I got a faint sceent of cigarette smoke. Then he spoke to me in a very soothing voice and kind eyes and I drifted off to sleep.< /p>

[sugarmamma7 2]

You are an excellant writer I feel like I am reading a novel I enjoyed reading this so much :0)

[mamamckinzie 92]

Dont leave us hanging!

[SeattleSue 25]

I just re-read my last message to see where I left off and it brought it all back and I'm giggling again. I want to be clear that I mean NO disrespect to anyone that was part of my adventure...I'm definately NOT an elitest who thinks that Americans have it all right...but it is my point of reference you know? I would do this all again in a heartbeat! Let me again assure anyone thinking of going to Dr. Kelly and or this facility. The methods and the practical equipment (i.e., my mospital bed...) were all pristinely clean. Housekeeping came through twice a day and my every need was attended to. They may not have the 'polish' of an American hospital, but they also were much more personable than most medical facilities I've ever had to deal with...and that's not saying I've had bad service or treatment stateside, it's just different. OK...here we go:

I was having the most incredible deep sleep when I was suddenly annoyed by someone gently slapping my cheek, "Susanna, Susanna! Wake up..." I immediately was aware of pain in my upper left quadrant. "OWWWWWW" I said, a little irritated by the interrupting to my sleep. Things are a little fuzzy to recall...sort of still sleeping I seem to remember being wheeled through the double doors and seeing my dad. I believe I said something like, "Hey, that's my dad everybody." Yes...there is a reason I no longer drink. I am an absolute fool when intoxicated.

Somehow I got onto my mospital bed...I don't recall this at all but by Saturday, I had little bruises that undoubtedly came from fingers in my biceps. I'm guessing I didn't scooch my fat butt over but was hefted. I'd rather not think about this too much. hahahaha OK...I was all snuggly warm covered in heated blankets and compression stockings! OH I forgot to tell you about those. I've never had to wear them before. It was quite funny to have poor Dilynn struggle to get them on me. She is a kick. By the time she got the sausage sleeved (excuse the punn...) we were both laughing hard. Also, she was the one who told me I had to take my undies off just before my ride to the O.R. In my defense, I was very worried about my period. I am a VERY heavy flower on day 2. It was truly freaking me out. I can't even imagine having to ask for help with tampax every hour. OK, sorry. TMI to the max (yes, I'm an 80's gal). So I threw a little tantrum and Dilynn went toe-to-toe with me. She was tough. When it was clear I wasn't going to win, I poked my tongue out at her. Universal language wins again!!! She responded in kind and we both ended up laughing like idiots. I removed my panties. OK...now I'm never going to talk about that again.

Something was put in my I.V. but for the next 20 minutes (truthfully, I have no idea how long it was...could have been 10 for all I know) I was pretty sure I was either giving birth to an alien through my chest or I was having a heart attack. I must have missed the post on the forum that described the incredible pressure. Reaching deep, my lamaze breathing came in handy and I was moaning for a while. It was indeed more painful in an "extreme discomfort" sort of way...not like OMG I just cut off my finger...but like the worst rolling, wave-like contractions you've ever had, but in your chest! I am one of the unfortunate ones who had it travel to my shoulder. That's not a first for me, I had experienced the same thing after a C-section...so that part, while very painful, did not take me by surprise.

I slept on and off for the rest of the day and through the night. I did manage to get up about 4pm that afternoon and start walking the halls. It helped considerably with the "gas" pressure and gave me minor relief in my shoulder. I think I walked 3 times that evening. I woke up at 3 a.m. and was able to get out of bed fairly easily. By now I had burped a couple of times and the big event the nurses were interested in was whether or not I "pass gas". I had a party of 1 in my private bathroom as I did indeed 'pass gass' that sounded a lot like what the 'final trump' may sound like when Jesus returns! heeeheee I'm sure I woke my Canadian neighbors.

God did indeed have my back as my period had come to almost a no-flow...whether it was due to trama or what, I'm taking it as a personal favor from the Lord.

Friday morning arrived and I was instructed to shower and given a fresh tent-gown. Dilynn changed my dressings, poked out her tongue at me and went about her business. Throughout the day, I had a visit from Trish and Dr. Kelly. Trish arranged for one of the hospital workers to take my dad down the road for some Arroz Con Pollo...and I spent the day walking, watching TV...chatting with some of the lovely patients from the Oasis Hospital. Oasis is primarily a Cancer treatment facility and they lease the one wing to florence Systems. They share the cafeteria which is more like a small buffet of fresh food...all organic and I believe primarily vegetarian. My dad gives it 2 thumbs up.

Every 6 hours (I think it was 6 hours) I was given something for pain in my I.V. I protested weakly once saying I had no pain, and I asked what the other syringe held. It was for 'gas'. I explained I didn't have much and didn't need anything for pain. I only said that the first time...because the stuff for gas, made all the latent gas in my system all move at once. HOLY COW, I think I suggested that they come in and give the pain meds about 10 minutes earlier....I came to dread that visit. But each visit resulted in less intense bouts and it wasn't like they were listening to me. I want to say that took place for 24 hours post-op. I'm not sure. I was anxious to leave because I wasn't truly resting. You know how it is when you are not in your own bed and there is a lot of activity going on. Strange noises all night from the races out front, the bass pumping from the club across the street. It seemed to drag on and on...but I think that had a lot to do with coming in the night before surgery. 3 nights in a mospital bed with a 5" thick mattress is not conduscive to beauty sleep.

I'm going to skip ahead to my release. Trish came bearing gifts of various flavored Gatorade and Jello. She is very lovely and very happy to see to your every need. Between the two of them, I couldn't have asked for more. They even arranged for a recliner to be brought to my room on the Friday so I could sit comfortably!

Finally, Dr. Kelly arrived to do the dasterdly deed of pulling the drain. This had become the source of my only discomfort. It felt like constant pressure and restricted me from taking a full breath. On his command, I took a deep breath and he pulled it all in one Smooth Move. It didn't really 'hurt' but it was definately an uncomfortable moment. Think of it as pulling the bandaid off quick. Anyway, instant relief!! The pain in my shoulder and the discomfort in my left upper quadrant all left immediately. WOOHOO We talked for a while. The plan was that Dr. Kelly would not be able to accompany me over to Angeles Hospital for my big "Swallow Test" because he was speaking at Congress. (I believe it was more of a conference on Bariatric Surgery and he was one of the main attractions). He had arranged for his son, Sammy to pick us up, go with us for the Swallow Test and then deliver us to the Lucerna Hotel.

As promised, Sammy arrived and he had my "prescriptions" in hand. I was given a packet of Facelit, which is penicilen. I was given something for nausea and something for pain. I have yet to open either the nausea or pain meds.

After a harrowingly bumpy ride to town, we arrived at Angles Hospital. What a spectacle of wealth and technology. This place was palacial. White marble floors and walls in the lobby...just beautiful. It could have been the decadent lobby of a very nice hotel!!

Now, here is where it got sort of weird for me. Sammy didn't speak a lot of English. I was taken to a desk where he spoke with a woman...I got the distinct impression that she was not thrilled to see me. I cannot put my finger on it, but the entire staff was very judgmental and condescending. I'm sure it would have been different if Dr. Kelly was with me, but perhaps not. After the fact, my dad and I both had a mutual assessment. It was a if they were paid to look the other way while I was ushered in for an un-official visit to use their advanced imaging equipment. I really don't care what they think...but it's part of the story.

I was asked to write my name and birthdate on a little piece of paper that she had literally torn from some lined notebook. We were seated in an offshoot waiting room with some other people and Sammy disappeared behind one of the doors. He returned in minutes and tersely commanded us to, "Come!" We quickly followed down another hallway, past large impressive rooms that contained state of the art equipment. I recognized an MRI among other assorted devices. Finally we arrived at what seemed like the end of the maze, an attendent met us and took me into the very spacious room where there was this HUGE X-ray tablet suspended from the ceiling. When I say huge, I mean it was probably 10 feet tall and 7' feet wide with a ledge on the bottom (suspended about 8" above the floor). He gestured until I understood that I was to stand on the ledge with my back against the tablet. My feet didn't exactly fit and my 'butt' clearance is slightly more than was provided, so it was a little bit of a joke to see me balancing up there, I'm sure. Sammy brought in a clear plastic cup holding about 4-6 ounces of some clear liquid. He put it in the cup holder (i'm not sure what other features the tablet had...but it did have a cup holder!). Both of them disappeared behind a large window and an anterior room...I vaguely heard the command to "drink!" Well, being a good little rule follower, I took a sip. I heard the sound of the xray...and then I heard "drink!" So, I took another sip. I was following the "sip, sip, sip" rule. VERY important for us sleevers!!!

Well...unbeknownst to me, I was totally frustrating the tech who was taking it out on Sammy. Sammy, who doesn't have a large English vocabulary was at a loss as how to communicate to me. My dad was with them and seemed to gather that there was some sort of problem. He and Sammy played charades and my dad realized that I couldn't really hear them and I didn't know what they wanted. He took the bull by the horns and yelled, "they want you to drink half of it in a big gulp". I argued, asking if they knew I just had been sleeved and that this stuff tasted like CRAPOLA? Clearly I was distressed because I actually thought they might understand that word, crapola. So. we started again and I swallowed half of what was left...."click/buzz" "click/buzz" went the xray machine. "Again!" I shuddered and downed the rest. I had to breath through the next minutes as I don't think anything as disgusting as that liquid had EVER past my lips before. It was like drinking liquid hairspray or something. Even now, just thinking about it I am shuddering.

[tmela28 2]

I am sorry but i am laughing so hard i am crying. I actually had to read some to my mom because i just felt like I was there with you. You should take up writing, I cant wait to hear back from you!!!

OK, so I'll pick up on the eve of my surgery....

At 3 a.m., Maria came in to check my vitals and she was accosted by the warmth in my room. I was totally perspiring and could not sleep. The street out front of the Clinic is like a drag strip. Seriously. So on top of the heat, the noise, my period, AND the I.V. in my right hand...I won't lie, I was second guessing the wisdom of my decision!

Maria was surprised to find me awake and even more surpised that it was 80+ degrees in my room. She did an about face and was back in 5 with a fan. Hallelujah!! I actually cried. Gracias Maria, Gracias! Si....

I must have fallen asleep to the soothing white noise and breeze very shortly after because the next thing I know, it's 7 a.m. and the shift change has happened. I have a new nurse, Dilynn (sp?). She spoke very little English too, but she was quite the firecracker. She's about 22 and working 2 jobs to pay for nursing school. Yes, nursing school. It did send up little red flags that she wasn't already a nurse...but she really was not doing much more throughout my stay but emptying my drain, adding things to my I.V., taking vitals and changing my dressings post-op. OK, let's be honest...this was something that I just wouldn't let my mind dwell on at the time. Never in America, right? Maybe I got it wrong and maybe she was a nurse going to med school to become a Dr. It's possible.

So...surgery morning. Sorry, I seem to be easily distracted. Dilynn brings me a fresh "tent" to wear and a clean towel and orders me to take a shower. Most of this is done via an ongoing game of charades. HA! They eventually started to understand what it meant when I tapped my nose

I take my shower and wait for further instruction. Dr. Kelly arrives and reviews my labs and tells me that all is good. I had had my labs done the week before going to Mexico because I am anemic. In one of my consultations with Dr. Kelly, he had said that if my hemoglobin was 10 or less, I would need to have an Iron infusion. I had met with my personal physician in the states on the Friday before Mexico, and my labs showed my hemoglobin was 10.5 After discussing it with my physician, he expressed his preference that I not get a fusion because of the high rate of allergic reactions and asked me to "request" that I just continue with my recommittment to oral treatment. In the 3 weeks leading up to surgery, knowing this concern, I had returned to adding Iron to my regiment. By the time the labs came back on surgery morning, my hemoglobin had improved to 11.1 I was cleared by Dr. Kelly (thank God) and was now awaiting a meeting with the Cardiologist.

Enter Cardiologist whose name escapes me. Let's just call him Gadget guy, OK? Gadget guy shows up and he is a man on a mission. He speaks excellent English, and if I am right, he clearly is very Americanized...possibly American trained. He's is very thorough in a review of my health history, has seen my Xrays and my labs, is able to take shorthand notations of my responses...ask rapid questions, handle 2 cell phones...AND seem to not lose track of where he was in his physical. I'm not sure I am "used" to the way the Dr.'s take calls in the middle of a conversation with you...but it seems to be cultural...because the nurses start speaking and asking questions also in the middle of a Dr. consultation. It's sory of weird. Here in the states, the Dr. walks in and everyone shuts-up to hear what he has to say as the "expert" in the room. lol Anyway, Gadget guy wires me 8 ways to Sunday, listens to my heart, runs his little gadget (I was half expecting to get electorcuted lol) and seemingly surprised, say's that except for the obvious morbid obesity, I am in remarkably good health. Gee, thanks Gadget guy--what a nice thing to say! heeeheeee He shakes my hand and wishes me well and as quickly as he came, he left.

Meanwhile, my dad has vamoosed to the cafeteria to give me some privacy and to grab some "healthy food" as they call it while I am in my pre-op holding pattern. Dad returns to report that the food is EXCELLENT, albeit vegetarian. But he raved about the Avacado salad and can't wait to try to recreate it at home!

Finally, a gurney with gowned up strangers arrives at my door. It is time. They ask me to get in my Mospital (Motel/Hospital) bed and they proceed to raise it to the gurney level. I'm then asked to "scooch" over, all by charade, onto the gurney. I couldn't help it...I started to giggle as some little voice say's yet again, "not in America!" hahahaha So, over I scooch...obviously trying to maintain some modesty and all the while trying to explain that I am having my period. Someone got the drift and one of the semi English speaking persons in the room (my God, it was a full house production) assured me that, "OK, we deliver babies too." In hindsight, I'm glad it didn't occur to me that there may have been a mistaken message and I wasn't going to have a baby!!!

My new charges now wheel me down the corridor and through a set of double wooden doors. We stop at another gurney (yes, mid hallway..just outside a janitors closet I think) and I'm asked to "scooch" to the other bed. Stop me now, because the giggles just wouldn't be contained as the chorus in my head was no longer in a low voice but a full blown boom! "NOT IN AMERICA!" :lol: I was practically guwaffing...I'm sure they were all talking about the loco seniora.. Oh, but wait. Then I'm wheeled into the Operating Room and me and my styling ride pull up next to the stainless slab. One look and I knew what was expected. Yup, I scooched my big old naked fat but over onto the less than warm O.R. table. Everyone was gowned and masked and speaking English. It was a very vulnerable moment as they started undoing the velcro on my 'tent' gown. I teared up at this point and looked around at the HUGE picture windows overlooking the parking lot on my right and the back alley in front of me. I asked to no one in particular, "are you going to shut the blinds?" No one seemed to notice. I realized that the buidling was covered in reflective glass that nobody could see through, but it was the thing that seemed to slam the message home, "NOT IN AMERICA!!!!"

The anesthesiologist looked down at me...he was upside down and I couldn't see his mouth, but I think he has a beard and I got a faint sceent of cigarette smoke. Then he spoke to me in a very soothing voice and kind eyes and I drifted off to sleep.< /p>

[SeattleSue 25]

Blast! My post must have been too long so it cut of the part where we were transported to the hotel.

Nothing much surgery related there. We stayed at the Lucerna and it was very nice...both restaurants had impressive menus and maybe one day I'll return and get to taste. My father said they had the BEST Breakfast buffet he's ever partaken of. He paid about $17 US dollars....

Lorenzo, the porter speaks extremely good English and was very gracious.

I was visited by Dr. Kelly who reviewed my Xray and geekily talked too much about his techniques which are modeled after the French. I'm just gonna say what I said to him. "There are some things a woman doesn't want to know, Dr. Kelly." I am so freaking modest, I had a hard time looking him in the eye.

Trish took us to Revolucion Street which is really an organized tourist trap. I loved it. I bartered and bought a couple souvenirs for my family and a beautiful pair of Louie Vitton knock-off sunglasses. lol

Our room overlooked the main round-about and thoroughfare out front of the hotel. I think it was more dynamic than a poolside accomodation because we were lucky enough to be in town during the weekend that Mexico won its 2nd World Championship in Soccer which was followed by lots of radical drivers, honking horns, hanging out of doors and windows...all flying huge Mexican flags. There was also a large international Marathon that's course ran right past our hotel. It was prime spectator seating!

Ricardo called on Sunday to arrange for departure times. Mondays are notoriously busy at the border as many people are returning to work, so we allowed 2 hours to cross and another 2 hours for security at the airport. Probably in large part to all the revelry and celebrations of the night before, we made it from the hotel to U.S. soil in 38 minutes.

San Diego airport is amazingly easy to navigate and in under 10 minutes, we had made it from the curb, through security and to our gate. Delighted, we were able to get seats on an earlier flight and arrived home 2 hours early!

I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I'm so grateful to be this side of the surgery...but it went absolutely smoothly and better, FAR better than I could have expected. Anyone thinking of doing this...if you have any questions that I didn't answer about something, please feel free to ask. I wish you all the best and am eager to move forward with my second chance!! God bless you all, Susan.

[mamamckinzie 92]

Thx for sharing your story

[SeattleSue 25]

You bet. I'm keeping it pretty close to the chest with co-workers and acquaintences...but for those that are seriously interested, I think I will share. It feels like a very safe place here to share and frankly, cathardic! Thanks for listening!!!