Dr. Alejandro Lopez Ortega Hospital Mi Doctor

[calgalntx 3]

I just want to give a rave review to the A Lighter Me staff. My surgical experience was terrific. We, my sis and I, were picked up on time at the airport by a very curteous driver. He even called me before we got ready to exit the airport. We went to the hodspital first, to meet the other driver (there are 2) that would be driving us the next day. Then, our driver got us all registered at the hotel, and we relaxed poolside. The Marriot is a very nice, quiet and clean hotel. I can't say I liked their chicken broth, but my sis had alot of good meals there, with the exception of the hamburger.

Early the next morning, our dirver took us and other patients to the Hospital MI Doctor. We all made quick friends. The hospital is about 4 or 5 floors high. It's small, but clean and professional. Our room was nice. It has a safe in it for valuables, which was ery nice. The a/c is controlled by remote and I liked the way it moved the air; it did not just blow in 1 place. The only tv station we could watch in English was WB, which had Spansh subtitles. I kept reading the subtitles, which was silly, since I don't speak Spanish! Within a couple of hours, we had our pre-op testing and were waiting our turn for surgery. I was dehydrated, so the anethesiologist assisted the nurse in gettting my IV started. At this point, I was saying to myself, "I want food. I can diet. Right now, I could get some really good food, in TJ". BUt I realized, this is waht any addict would be saying, and I guess I am a food addict. Food hasn't done me many favors, so I know this is the best thing for me to do. Dr. Lpez came in and answered any questions we had.

Soon, it was my turn. They said the surgery would take about 1 - 1/2 hours, plus the prep and recovery time, so I would be gone for 3 hours. I remember getttin some med to make my drousy and that's it. When I awoke, I was very nauseus. I dry heaved a bunch. I don't remember if I just relaxed and went back to sleep, or if they gave me something. My sis said I was gonve for 4 hours, and was upset that noone had communicated with her. When they rolled my bed to my room, they actually expected me to be able to "scootch" over to the other bed. I really gave them scowls for that. It hurt and was reall hard to do. I slept for several more hours.

When I awoke, I got up to walk the tiny little "L" shaped hall. I don't know if the nurses would have come to make me get up or not, but I knew I had to. You see other patients doing the same thing.

I had bought some travel games, so my sis and I played them, as I felt like it. It was great to have the hospital bed to assist with sitting up and laying back. The next morning the nurse said I could take a shower, and she would but dry dressing over my incisions when I was done. They don't help with the shower. They don't take vitals all night. They don't bring any kind of food/drink trays from a cafeteria. These were the major differences I saw from the US hospitals. They do give juice and ice chips per request. The have a restaurant downstairs, but you're support person better check the hours they are open. My sis went out shopping a few timews by herself and was quite comfortable.

The day we left, they did a leak test and a scan. They gave us a CD of the scan to take to my HCP. At noon we were taken back to the hotel, with our group. We were told our driver would take us shopping at 1:30 if we wanted to go. We decieded to go. We went to Revolution street, which is a bunch of stores that carry souveniers and some desiner bags and jewlery. You can bargain for your prices. we had alot of fun. Upon driving back, I realized I had not been in pain the whole time. Up walikng, having my mind on something else, really was a big help.

The second day were were at the hotel after surgery, the doctor, (an assistant to Dr. Lopez, came to remove the drain. I had hear alot of people say when the drain is removed, you immediately dfeel 100% better. I did not, but did feel better. We had the opportunity to go shopping again, and were even take to have some wonderful ice cream.. The flavors were really different. I chose Prickly Pear and Date. Mmmm.

The next morning was time to go back to the airport. Our driver was right on time.

OUr drivers were great and professional. The medical staff were all nice. They don't wear the "white caots" as they do in the US, but who cares? I only saw Dr. Lopez the one time prior tio surgery. I saw repeat family customers, and lots of other patients. I think generally, everyone had a positive experience. I would definately recomend A Lighter Me and Mi Doctor and Dr. Lopez. I was 268 prior to surgery and am down 27 lbs 11 days post op.

Things to bring:

*powdered boullion- I did not like the broth from the hotel, and neither did anyone in our group.

*small cup for the boullion. We heated Water run through the coffee pot in our room.

*robe and flip flops

*soap/shampoo for hospital since it's not provided

*shopping attire, like loose short with a pocket (to hold drain) Your belly will be swollen, and yor regular size won't be comfortable

*some forms of entertainment

*powdered drink mixes for bottled Water

*gas X

*chapstick (some is provided, but only as you are leaving the hospital)

*extra room in your bag if you plan on shopping

[Pattie1966 35]

I just want to give a rave review to the A Lighter Me staff. My surgical experience was terrific. We' date=' my sis and I, were picked up on time at the airport by a very curteous driver. He even called me before we got ready to exit the airport. We went to the hodspital first, to meet the other driver (there are 2) that would be driving us the next day. Then, our driver got us all registered at the hotel, and we relaxed poolside. The Marriot is a very nice, quiet and clean hotel. I can't say I liked their chicken broth, but my sis had alot of good meals there, with the exception of the hamburger.

Early the next morning, our dirver took us and other patients to the Hospital MI Doctor. We all made quick friends. The hospital is about 4 or 5 floors high. It's small, but clean and professional. Our room was nice. It has a safe in it for valuables, which was ery nice. The a/c is controlled by remote and I liked the way it moved the air; it did not just blow in 1 place. The only tv station we could watch in English was WB, which had Spansh subtitles. I kept reading the subtitles, which was silly, since I don't speak Spanish! Within a couple of hours, we had our pre-op testing and were waiting our turn for surgery. I was dehydrated, so the anethesiologist assisted the nurse in gettting my IV started. At this point, I was saying to myself, "I want food. I can diet. Right now, I could get some really good food, in TJ". BUt I realized, this is waht any addict would be saying, and I guess I am a food addict. Food hasn't done me many favors, so I know this is the best thing for me to do. Dr. Lpez came in and answered any questions we had.

Soon, it was my turn. They said the surgery would take about 1 - 1/2 hours, plus the prep and recovery time, so I would be gone for 3 hours. I remember getttin some med to make my drousy and that's it. When I awoke, I was very nauseus. I dry heaved a bunch. I don't remember if I just relaxed and went back to sleep, or if they gave me something. My sis said I was gonve for 4 hours, and was upset that noone had communicated with her. When they rolled my bed to my room, they actually expected me to be able to "scootch" over to the other bed. I really gave them scowls for that. It hurt and was reall hard to do. I slept for several more hours.

When I awoke, I got up to walk the tiny little "L" shaped hall. I don't know if the nurses would have come to make me get up or not, but I knew I had to. You see other patients doing the same thing.

I had bought some travel games, so my sis and I played them, as I felt like it. It was great to have the hospital bed to assist with sitting up and laying back. The next morning the nurse said I could take a shower, and she would but dry dressing over my incisions when I was done. They don't help with the shower. They don't take vitals all night. They don't bring any kind of food/drink trays from a cafeteria. These were the major differences I saw from the US hospitals. They do give juice and ice chips per request. The have a restaurant downstairs, but you're support person better check the hours they are open. My sis went out shopping a few timews by herself and was quite comfortable.

The day we left, they did a leak test and a scan. They gave us a CD of the scan to take to my HCP. At noon we were taken back to the hotel, with our group. We were told our driver would take us shopping at 1:30 if we wanted to go. We decieded to go. We went to Revolution street, which is a bunch of stores that carry souveniers and some desiner bags and jewlery. You can bargain for your prices. we had alot of fun. Upon driving back, I realized I had not been in pain the whole time. Up walikng, having my mind on something else, really was a big help.

The second day were were at the hotel after surgery, the doctor, (an assistant to Dr. Lopez, came to remove the drain. I had hear alot of people say when the drain is removed, you immediately dfeel 100% better. I did not, but did feel better. We had the opportunity to go shopping again, and were even take to have some wonderful ice cream.. The flavors were really different. I chose Prickly Pear and Date. Mmmm.

The next morning was time to go back to the airport. Our driver was right on time.

OUr drivers were great and professional. The medical staff were all nice. They don't wear the "white caots" as they do in the US, but who cares? I only saw Dr. Lopez the one time prior tio surgery. I saw repeat family customers, and lots of other patients. I think generally, everyone had a positive experience. I would definately recomend A Lighter Me and Mi Doctor and Dr. Lopez. I was 268 prior to surgery and am down 27 lbs 11 days post op.

Things to bring:

*powdered boullion- I did not like the broth from the hotel, and neither did anyone in our group.

*small cup for the boullion. We heated Water run through the coffee pot in our room.

*robe and flip flops

*soap/shampoo for hospital since it's not provided

*shopping attire, like loose short with a pocket (to hold drain) Your belly will be swollen, and yor regular size won't be comfortable

*some forms of entertainment

*powdered drink mixes for bottled Water

*gas X

*chapstick (some is provided, but only as you are leaving the hospital)

*extra room in your bag if you plan on shopping[/quote']

Thank you for your experience. I will be having surgery on the 13th with Dr Fernando Garcia. You answered a lot of the questions I had.