Who Does This Alone?

[ShannonH 34]

I'll be having my sleeve done with Dr. Almanza on March 2nd, and going all by myself. Am I nuts? Do most of you take someone along, or opt to go alone? This is my chosen path, as I feel it's my own personal journey. My family and friends however, think I've lost my mind for even considering the surgery, much less going alone. Any thoughts?

[Rootman 1,101]

I went alone to Almanza in Dec 2010 and while it sure would of been nice to have someone to support me it IS doable alone. While you are ther see if you can buddy up with someone else, either another single or another couple of poeple. The shared experience is enough for most people to start a quick friendship.

[HBskinnygirl 8]

I was banded in Oct 2010 by Dr Ortiz and I did it alone. I'm now getting a revision to sleeve and I'm doing it alone. I only live 2 hrs away, so it's probably easier than dealing with flights. My Hubby is the only one who knows about this too so there really wasn't an option for me to bring anyone. Plus, if you bring someone they are just going to stare at you and get bored in the hospital anyways

[ShannonH 34]

True about bringing someone and being stared at lol. I suppose the next thing I need to decide is wether or not to stay at the recovery house or the Hotel.

[BarbieB 18]

I'm going alone Feb 16. a little scared and excited as well..

[gramom123 3]

• I was sleeved on 1/23 by Dr. Aceves. I traveled alone from Boston to Mexicali. No direct flights, so had to connect in Atlanta, stayed overnight at a hotel in San Diego.. I had many family members and a couple friends offer to come, but I did not want to have to devote any energy to worrying about another person or "entertaining" someone who had schlepped across the country with me. I am a widow- if my husband had been alive I certainly would have had him join me.
  
• 
  
• Ultimately, I was so grateful I didn't have to exert any energy trying to be a good companion for someone else. They would have expected nothing, of course, I just would have felt guilty about it. After my surgery, I focused on walking, drinking & resting. At home, I take care of everyone. There, I was able to just think about myself.
  
• 
  
• I was alone but I had a wonderful group of caring & kind doctors & a very warm and attentive nursing staff to care for me. I had my computer, my cell & kept in touch when I felt up to it. I was also quite amazingly lucky- no pain, very minimal discomfort; I really had an optimal outcome. Very important=== I made sure I had a wheelchair available at all 3 airports from curbside at San Diego to the baggage claim in Boston. When I arrived at 12:30 a.m. in Beantown my family joked that I looked better-rested than they were!
  

Some notes: I went to Mexico as a very healthy fat person, who travels a lot & is extremely independent. I used all 50 spanish words I recalled from high school language class. (although it would not have been an issue if I spoke no Spanish at all) If I had any mobility issues or was a shy person or was physically fragile I may have made a different choice. I think you just have to know yourself and know whether your doctor is able to easily accommodate a solo traveler. I wish you the very best of luck!

[circa 333]

I brought my husband with me but the 2 other ladies that were there with me (the other patient that day was from Mexico) came alone - there's so much support there from the staff, you're never really alone. They'll treat you like family and make you feel welcome. I got more hugs there than I did at my own family reunion.

[yecats 109]

My sleeve sister is going alone, but not anymore. I will be there!!! My husband is going and he will also help if she needs anything.

Your not crazy but it is not a bad idea to start a post and see if anyone is going there to the same Dr. on the same day as you. Or better yet, get a hold of your coordinator and ask her if there is anyone. It is just a buddy, not responsibility. Sharing the experience. Best of Lick to you.

[Vicky Manning 0]

Hi.... I went alone. If you are alone it is better to stay at the recovery house. If you bring someone with you than you would stay at the hotel. After you get to the recovery house you will meet new friends. It's nice to be at the recovery house if your alone than you will have trained staff to check on you and assist you should you need help. They have a very nice computer there so if you need to get in touch with anyone or check on anything, well it is there for your use. I also liked meeting people from other places. When I was there, 4 people went by themselves, and 2 other ladies were best friends and had it done together.

God Bless

[ShannonH 34]

You all are so amazing. Thank you SO much for all of your support, and confidence :-)

[Sleeved&Hopeful 182]

Hi Shannon

I leave Thursday and go into Tijuana for surgery on Friday I am going alone. I am lucky to have met a couple of people online who will be having surgery the same day as me! I am so excited and yes a bit nervous. I think I will be honestly fine if all the pre op tests and the surgery go off without a hitch. I'm pretty nervous about all of these tests. LOL. I'm not really nervous about going to Mexico alone at all.

[eylish 23]

My surgery is March 20 with Dr. Kelly but Trish (co-ordinator) advised me that I will have a sleeve sister there and that makes me feel much better.

[spiritstalkergoddess 14]

I am going alone March 1st to Dr. Kelly, I am more nervous about the plane ride than the surgery, kind of weird I know... Good luck to you!

[jeweladdo 20]

Hi Shannon,

I am getting sleeved by Dr. Rodriguez on March 29th in Juarez, Mexico. I used to live in Pflugerville, closed to Grand Avenue Parkway in Windermere. I plan to go to Juarez by myself. My husband is so supportive and against going by myself but we have two little boys and I just feel better knowing he is with them. If you need a post-op buddy let me know but from reading blogs for a couple of month I think we will be A-OK. I live in Round Rock. Best of luck w/ your upcoming surgery.

[CynthiaK 6]

I'm doing this alone too. My only concern is getting home from the airport after the surgery. I wonder if that will be difficult to do alone?