What do you wish you would/wouldn't have taken?

[RNsleever715 117]

I am compiling a list of things I need to take with me to Mexico & I'm curious for the ones who have been sleeved - what is the one thing you didn't take that you wish you would have? What did you think you needed but really didn't?

So far I'm thinking:

• my own pillow
• incentive spirometer
• clear G2
• Gas X strips
• Zofran ODT (in case I have extra nausea, I'm sorry I don't deal well with that, lol)

I have alot of other things listed such as canned juice, instant broth, non-carb drinks etc. but not sure I will need those immediately post op. I'm waiting on the post-op diet from the nutritionist.

Thanks for any suggestions you can give!

[JamieLogical 8,713]

Here was my packing list. I didn't want to check any bags, so I managed to get this all into my laptop bag and my tablet bag (purse-sized) to take with me on the plane. Because of that, I couldn't bring any liquids with me. Thus the need for Protein powder and the collapsible funnel:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11I51ulCBco9cimQj882eV1KfMWodyiIO6X4gNaLpDDc/edit?usp=sharing

From that list I didn't use the stool softener at all or the wipes (I was able to shower myself as soon as i got back to my hotel, so no need for the wipes). And the "hair spray" on that list was my spray leave-in conditioner. Not the kind that holds your hair-style. I obviously didn't worry about how I looked while I was there. Oh and I guess I never used my mini HDMI adapter, because I never hooked up my tablet to the TV, though I did use the HDMI cable to connect my laptop to the TV. And I never used the ethernet cable I brought either.

I don't remember wishing I had brought anything that I hadn't.

[RNsleever715 117]

Awesome! Wow you are so helpful!

I'm such a newbie - I haven't even heard of nectar packets! Ty so much for this list ???? I think you need to be my consultant lol!

[Miss Mac 6,262]

I like that list. I was searching for chapstick, and Yep...it's on there.

I took a business trip to Reno one time and did not want to deal with checked baggage. I rolled my clothes really tight into my carry on, and put my traveling foodstuffs in my larger than usual purse that I bought just for the trip.

I wore a safari jacket with about ten pockets inside and out and cargo pants and put a lot of small stuff in those. That saved me a lot of time at the airport.

[joatsaint 2,814]

Since I knew I was only going to be there over night, I didn't bring much. Just my keys, phone and a set of comfortable clothes. I brought a "dry mouth" spray and gas-x strips, but didn't use them.

The only thing I wish I had brought was my favorite pillow. Not just for the bed, but for the 2 hour ride home. It would have been nice to have something to squeeze against my stomach to keep my innards from moving too much. :-P.

[wascott 395]

The most recommended items to me were lip balm and GasX strips.

[lexiemia 78]

If you have access to scopolamine Patches they will help with the nausea. My doctor had me put one behind my ear the night before surgery. I still had the worse nausea I have ever had in my life because the idiots in the recovery room gave me dilaudid. Even though it was documented on the chart not to. I was so out of it in recovery that I was unaware when she did it until I started vomiting and asked what all I had been given. The Zofran did not touch that nausea. It got better the next day when the doctor came around and gave me Decadron. Not sure how that helped but by that afternoon I was able to eat Jello and broth and got to go home. I wish you much luck and I pray you don't have the nausea. Stress to everyone you see how much post anesthesia nausea you have and they will load you up with stuff. I think I would have been fine if it were not for the Dilaudid. The real kicker was I was not even complaining of pain. My blood pressure was elevated and they thought if they gave me pain meds it would come down so they could move me to the floor. I guess the fact that the fentanyl did not bring it down should have been a clue to them that other pain meds were not going to work.

[Shustar 395]

My list said to bring a blow dryer - totally unneeded. I only brought 1 credit card - my Amex. It wasn't accepted many places so should have brough Mastercard or Visa. Don't forget to call your credit card before leaving the USA to let them know you will bel traveling. There was a small cafe in my hospital that had toms of drinks including yougurt drinks. The hotel served broth, apple juice and popsicles as part of our room service. I wish I had brough a couple of cuter outfits as they took us out and about for shopping and touring. Wear a slip-on sandal like Vionic or something easy to slip on with arch support for balance and stability. (Yes, I am a Certified Pedorthist).

[RNsleever715 117]

@@wascott did you have a good experience with Dr. Ortiz? My mother thinks I'm insane for doing this in Mexico. Crazy enough, I'm a RN & I feel totally comfortable with my decision after looking at his credentials & seeing how clean the facility is, etc.

[RNsleever715 117]

My list said to bring a blow dryer - totally unneeded. I only brought 1 credit card - my Amex. It wasn't accepted many places so should have brough Mastercard or Visa. Don't forget to call your credit card before leaving the USA to let them know you will bel traveling. There was a small cafe in my hospital that had toms of drinks including yougurt drinks. The hotel served broth, apple juice and popsicles as part of our room service. I wish I had brough a couple of cuter outfits as they took us out and about for shopping and touring. Wear a slip-on sandal like Vionic or something easy to slip on with arch support for balance and stability. (Yes, I am a Certified Pedorthist).

How nice! I'm going to Dr. Ortiz too, I didn't know they took you out for shopping & touring, that sounds like fun I hope I'm feeling up to it. We're going to go to San Diego for a day before surgery.

[wascott 395]

@@RNsleever715 My surgery isn't until Monday but everyone that I've talked with had very positive things to say about him, his staff, and the facility. My dealings with the staff has been very good.

[wascott 395]

@@RNsleever715 Shustar used a different Dr. Ortiz. There are two in Tijuana. I see them get interchanged a lot on this site.

[Shustar 395]

I had Dr. Elias Ortiz with "A Lighter Me" and could not have been more impressed. I could go on and on but I know Dr Ariel Ortiz has a great rep also. My trip could not have been better! I drove by myself from Scottsdale, AZ to San Diego which was about 6 hours. Drove home afterwards with no problems!

[msdree 33]

My most used items were lip balm, a heating pad, and a extension cord. For the airport ...tea bags and those individual broth packets by swanson...hot Water was free at starbucks. I did my procedure with "A lighter me" as well... the best thing I ever did for myself.

[JamieLogical 8,713]

@@RNsleever715 I forgot to mention that the Marriott will bring you chicken broth, Jello, popsicles, and bottled Water, so you don't need to bring any of that kind of stuff with you. All you will need is potentially some form of Protein powder for the airport/airplane and your hotel in SD (since you mentioned you'll be staying there an extra day). You can't take liquids through security at the airport, but you can buy bottled Water once you are past security and then mix your Protein Powder in with that for waiting around at the gate and taking on the plane.

There is a convenience store right across the street from the Marriott if you want to try to get some Vitamin Water or G2. There is also a Walmart up the hill from the Marriott, but I never ventured up there, because the hike seemed daunting. I know some people just took a cab up there!