Any 2015 August Sleevers in Tijuana?

[Pejela 45]

I am so happy that you had a great outcome. I have 5 days now until surgery. Thanks for the tips I will bring all the items you recommended. What about a compression tank top to hold my stomach in? Do you think that would be better than a pillow?

well I would recommend loose fitting clothes because of the incisions you don't want them to snag but maybe the compression tank will work just be careful still maybe put something on your belly when you cough just a suggestion I brought a mini decorative pillow. You will be on Clear Liquids the first 4 days and really you won't be able to hold anything else without major pain, you barely can take two sips before your stomach screams at you. The day of surgery and the next day I had ice chips all day to get my fluids in, I tried to sip and it was painful. The other girls were better off sipping the Powerade. Keep us posted.

[Pejela 45]

Congrats, what kind of Soups did you make? Can we have them right after surgery?

Mine is on August 24 in Tijuana

I made my own broths but I think I would have been better off just buying already made broths but it's hard to find lower sodium ones. Today I will be able to take a few sips of the Tomato creamed Soup. It's amazing how a couple of sips fills you up. It's frustrating mentally but then you remember why you are in this position to begin with because you needed something to stop you from devouring everything. Quite a reality check. The brain hunger is very tricky so beware.

[Pejela 45]

The day of surgery you will barely be able to take ice chips, the next day something except maybe a few sips of clear broth, your body isn't hungry it's your brain that tricks you. The most important part is to stay hydrated and follow exactly your Drs orders or else you can harm yourself like create a leak or be doubled over in excruciating pain. Now I did the sleeve are you doing the sleeve too? Because the bypass is much more restrictive. You lose way more weight but it's an even slower recovery period. Each has its major outcome benefits.

[lealor 127]

Thanks. How u feeling tonight

[belaby18 8]

This girl right here, well kind of. I'm scheduled to get it August 17th in Tijuana. Just started my pre op diet

congrats! How are you? I know it gets tough but drink your shakes when you feel like you are going to slip, it's amazing how head hunger fools you. Keep us posted!

Thanks. So far it's going good. Yes the Protein shakes are a miracle. Took the hunger right off. My surgery is in two days so im a little nervous but ready. Packing my last minute things. Any more tips on what to pack? Anything specifically you would have known before going to TJ. Happy all went well with your surgery.

[Dawn306 50]

Hi guys, I guess I represent the few who have a lot of trouble. Had surgery Wednesday . Was released from hospital yesterday. Bariatric Pal guys took me to their " recovery house". A 3 bed 2 bath house. You share bathrooms. Beds are saggy. It had no a/c and it's super hot here. They put a portable a/c in my room but it could only get it down to 77F. Felt like I couldn't breath. Finally told them I couldn't stay there. Insisted on going to a hotel. I have to pay for it myself but oh god so worth it! Everything I drink hurts all the way down. Still very nauseous. Had my very first full blown panic attack last night. Up every two hours walking. Hope today is better

[lealor 127]

Omg. Whats a bariatric pal house? Didnt you get a hotel room include d in your surgery package?

[belaby18 8]

Omg. Whats a bariatric pal house? Didnt you get a hotel room include d in your surgery package?

I thought the same thing. I never heard of a bariatric pal house. It sounds pretty interesting.

[belaby18 8]

Just thought I'd update. I just got to the hotel will be going in for surgery tomorrow morning. If anyone wants to know anything specific don't hesitate in asking ????????

[Pejela 45]

Hi guys, I guess I represent the few who have a lot of trouble. Had surgery Wednesday . Was released from hospital yesterday. Bariatric Pal guys took me to their " recovery house". A 3 bed 2 bath house. You share bathrooms. Beds are saggy. It had no a/c and it's super hot here. They put a portable a/c in my room but it could only get it down to 77F. Felt like I couldn't breath. Finally told them I couldn't stay there. Insisted on going to a hotel. I have to pay for it myself but oh god so worth it! Everything I drink hurts all the way down. Still very nauseous. Had my very first full blown panic attack last night. Up every two hours walking. Hope today is better

Hi Dawn! Omg! We have been trying to check in with you, no never heard of a recovery house? Who was your Dr? Are you at the Marriot now? I'm so sorry! Wish I was still there so we can help you. It hurts to drink because your stomach is inflamed, is there someone that can get you Powerade so you can take sips, it's easier on your stomach.

[Pejela 45]

Thanks. How u feeling tonight

Hi sorry haven't been on for a couple of days just learning how to take little sips instead of gulps and getting my liquids in to stay hydrated it's not easy at all, my brain is my enemy right now, but getting much better at it, still have a little colic with each sip but not as bad as it was.

[Dawn306 50]

Hi folks, I saw your replies so thought I would jump on quickly to answer. The company I went with is called Bariatric Pal, and their package was supposed to include recovery at one of their "luxury condos", or at a hotel. When they pulled up outside that little house I said no, I was supposed to go to a hotel. But they said that they only put people at a hotel if their recovery houses are full. It wasn't a bad house, just not what I expected. When I just couldn't take the heat, they brought me to the Grand Hotel Tijuana, which is brand new. There are two towers, some of which is still under construction. And as I said, the whole 11th floor is a special recovery floor for people who have come here for surgery, whether it be plastics or bariatric. The staff are fantastic! The atmosphere is soothing.. People are helpful. And it's modern with proper a/c! I think if it hadn't been so hot, I would have been OK at the recovery house, because they provide someone there for you to go get you broth or popsicles or whatever you need. But it wasn't what I am used to, and not what I was expecting by their advertising. So, it's true, you just can't tell what you are going to find when you get here. I don't think they did anything wrong, just a little misleading.

My surgeon was dr. Ponce de leon. I chose him because of the advertisements on this site, and he seemed to have the most experience. In fact, all the other doctors kind of bow down to him, and refer to him as the "godfather of the sleeve". His assistant, Dr. Garcia is much younger, and speaks very good english (Dr. Ponce doesn't speak english), so it was like I had two doctors. Dr. Garcia was so wonderful, he came to see me in the hospital after the surgery, and prescribed some stronger meds for me since I was having such a hard time, and again before I was released, to explain everything about diet, and to reassure me and answer questions. I even talked to him on the phone the next day, from the hotel, when I still felt awful and started to have panic attacks. It turns out it was withdrawal from one of my regular meds that I had stopped taking. Once I started taking my normal meds again, I turned the corner and started feeling so much better.

it's too bad that we ended up at different hotels. But I really love this place, and plan to come back for a vacation once I can eat real food again! I can't praise the staff here on the 11th floor enough! So helpful, so cheerful, really just wonderful people. For anyone thinking of coming here for surgery, I would highly recommend staying at the Grand hotel on the 11th medical floor. There were a lot of people here who went with a company called "a lighter me", and that company always puts it's people up at this hotel. And they didn't pay any more than I did either. And, you can still pick your doctor. It seemed that Dr. Ortiz was the favorite of the people that I met. Out of the dozen folks I met who had the same surgery, there was one man and one woman besides myself that seemed to have a harder time recovering, with more pain and more nausea. But, we all felt better with just a couple more days of walking and sipping. And mixing the juice with Water. And taking the Gex Gel that I mentioned before. In fact, I gave some to each of the other two who were having a tough time, because their package of drugs didn't include that one.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I wish all of you the very best in your recovery. And I hope that my experience and tips will help others who are struggling. And for those of you who are a little hesitant about coming to Tijuana, don't be! The city has changed a lot! It is a thriving metropolis, with part of the old Mexico we come to expect, and a lot of new construction and services. After 9-11, the tourist industry went way down here, so they went all in to the Medical Tourism business, and they did it well. I would not hesitate to come back here for any other procedure I, or my family needed. @@Pejela, try mixing your Water half and half with some apple or peach juice. That helped me. I still feel like there is one spot somewhere on the way down that kind of cramps up sometimes if I take a big sip, but it is getting less and less noticeable. And try not drinking it really cold. That might help too. Good night all.

Edited August 17, 2015 by Dawn306

[Pejela 45]

Hi folks, I saw your replies so thought I would jump on quickly to answer. The company I went with is called Bariatric Pal, and their package was supposed to include recovery at one of their "luxury condos", or at a hotel. When they pulled up outside that little house I said no, I was supposed to go to a hotel. But they said that they only put people at a hotel if their recovery houses are full. It wasn't a bad house, just not what I expected. When I just couldn't take the heat, they brought me to the Grand Hotel Tijuana, which is brand new. There are two towers, some of which is still under construction. And as I said, the whole 11th floor is a special recovery floor for people who have come here for surgery, whether it be plastics or bariatric. The staff are fantastic! The atmosphere is soothing.. People are helpful. And it's modern with proper a/c! I think if it hadn't been so hot, I would have been OK at the recovery house, because they provide someone there for you to go get you broth or popsicles or whatever you need. But it wasn't what I am used to, and not what I was expecting by their advertising. So, it's true, you just can't tell what you are going to find when you get here. I don't think they did anything wrong, just a little misleading.

My surgeon was dr. Ponce de leon. I chose him because of the advertisements on this site, and he seemed to have the most experience. In fact, all the other doctors kind of bow down to him, and refer to him as the "godfather of the sleeve". His assistant, Dr. Garcia is much younger, and speaks very good english (Dr. Ponce doesn't speak english), so it was like I had two doctors. Dr. Garcia was so wonderful, he came to see me in the hospital after the surgery, and prescribed some stronger meds for me since I was having such a hard time, and again before I was released, to explain everything about diet, and to reassure me and answer questions. I even talked to him on the phone the next day, from the hotel, when I still felt awful and started to have panic attacks. It turns out it was withdrawal from one of my regular meds that I had stopped taking. Once I started taking my normal meds again, I turned the corner and started feeling so much better.

it's too bad that we ended up at different hotels. But I really love this place, and plan to come back for a vacation once I can eat real food again! I can't praise the staff here on the 11th floor enough! So helpful, so cheerful, really just wonderful people. For anyone thinking of coming here for surgery, I would highly recommend staying at the Grand hotel on the 11th medical floor. There were a lot of people here who went with a company called "a lighter me", and that company always puts it's people up at this hotel. And they didn't pay any more than I did either. And, you can still pick your doctor. It seemed that Dr. Ortiz was the favorite of the people that I met. Out of the dozen folks I met who had the same surgery, there was one man and one woman besides myself that seemed to have a harder time recovering, with more pain and more nausea. But, we all felt better with just a couple more days of walking and sipping. And mixing the juice with Water. And taking the Gex Gel that I mentioned before. In fact, I gave some to each of the other two who were having a tough time, because their package of drugs didn't include that one.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. I wish all of you the very best in your recovery. And I hope that my experience and tips will help others who are struggling. And for those of you who are a little hesitant about coming to Tijuana, don't be! The city has changed a lot! It is a thriving metropolis, with part of the old Mexico we come to expect, and a lot of new construction and services. After 9-11, the tourist industry went way down here, so they went all in to the Medical Tourism business, and they did it well. I would not hesitate to come back here for any other procedure I, or my family needed. @@Pejela, try mixing your Water half and half with some apple or peach juice. That helped me. I still feel like there is one spot somewhere on the way down that kind of cramps up sometimes if I take a big sip, but it is getting less and less noticeable. And try not drinking it really cold. That might help too. Good night all.

oh good I am so glad you are better and on the road to recovery! I loved OCC and their facility was cleaner and nicer than some of our hospitals and clinics here in the U.S., Dr. Ariel Ortiz and his medical team and staff were truly awesome too and we stayed at the Marriot after and they were great too. I am so happy I went to TJ for my surgery. Everyday is getting better and back to work tomorrow! Thanks for updating and letting us know you are on track in recovery and healing!

[jennfred 25]

Okay I fly from Seattle to San Diego tomorrow and then am picked up Wednesday am by the driver for BariatricPal. I already made them make reservations at the Grand Hotel so I am glad that's where Dawn went.

getting a little nervous. Did any of you wear support socks on the plane?

Any other advice besides Chapstick, gas pills and pillow?

[Pejela 45]

Okay I fly from Seattle to San Diego tomorrow and then am picked up Wednesday am by the driver for BariatricPal. I already made them make reservations at the Grand Hotel so I am glad that's where Dawn went.

getting a little nervous. Did any of you wear support socks on the plane?

Any other advice besides Chapstick, gas pills and pillow?

Biotene for dry mouth, when you come too your mouth will be really dry and the ice chips don't do the trick right away

Okay I fly from Seattle to San Diego tomorrow and then am picked up Wednesday am by the driver for BariatricPal. I already made them make reservations at the Grand Hotel so I am glad that's where Dawn went.

getting a little nervous. Did any of you wear support socks on the plane?

Any other advice besides Chapstick, gas pills and pillow?

Biotene for dry mouth, when you come too your mouth will be really dry and the ice chips don't do the trick right away

Congrats excited for you!