BariatricPal MX - My Journey

[Tina from Ohio 14]

I just wanted to share about my experience in Mexico.

I arrived at the San Diego airport on 1/16/2019 and I was scared to death. A very nice young man named Robert picked us up as soon as we got our luggage and was very polite and encouraging on the way to the hospital which starting calming me down.

We arrived at the hospital and they were ready for us. The Valet (which is the person that takes care of my husband all week) unloaded our luggage and took us to register. After I filled out the paperwork we were shown to my room. All of my preop testing started (blood work, vitals, EKG) and my IV got hooked up. Everyone was so nice and accommodating. My nerves were finally starting to calm as they explained the processes throughout the day to me. They brought me "dinner" and my husband ordered off of the menu which he said the food was good all week. ($8 for dinner and $5 for Breakfast. He asked for a Coca-Cola and the Valet actually went to the store and bought.

I was the first surgery in the morning 1/17/2019. It went great. They kept my husband informed. I slept off and on most of the day but was in no pain and got up and walked every time I was awake. This day I could only chew icechips and spit the Water out. They don't want you to drink anything until you have another "leak" test.

Friday 1/18/2019 consisted of my leak test which was fine. Then they brought me a tray of juices and broth. I mostly sipped Water and a little juice as I was very bloated from the gas during surgery. I walked as much as I could in between Netflix (the tv has an Amazon Firestick). Later in the day, the Nutritionist brought me a care package that had a bunch of drinks and samples from the BariatricPal Store. She went over the post-op diet and what to expect. She gave me a folder with detailed instructions and a Bariatric Help Book. I was given all of the meds that I would have to take at home with an instruction sheet, Multivitamins, pain meds, Maalox, antibiotics and shots that I have to give in my stomach every night for 7 nights to prevent clotting. I have to admit the shot the first night scared me to death but the needle is so small that I didn't even feel it.

Saturday 1/19/2019 morning our tour guides arrived and I was discharged from the hospital. They took us to our hotel. (Real Inn) and they checked us in and escorted us to our rooms. At 11am we met in the lobby and went on a guided tour of Tijuana. It was a lot of walking but it was needed. They took us to Caesar's restaurant which was nice. We were seated immediately and the companions ordered off of the menu and the "Sleevers" ordered Soup. The Soups were strained so we just had the broth but OMG it was the best French Onion broth I have ever had. I couldn't eat it all and ate very slow but it was amazing. We went shopping along the strip and bought souvenirs. After our tour we went back to the hotel in which I pretty much passed out.

Sunday 1/20/2019, our flight was at 10:30am so the driver had to pick us up at 6:30am in order to cross the border and give us time to go through TSA. This process when flawlessly. We had a 4 1/2 hour nonstop flight home and I paid for comfort seats in the front row. This enabled me to stand up every hour and go to the bathroom to prevent blood clots. The flight wore me out and I pretty much went to sleep as soon as I got home.

Since I got home, I have learned that very small sips are better because I am 8 days post op and although I have had no pain, Gas-X has been my friend. Yesterday was the first day I was actually able to get all of my recommended amount of liquids down just because I feel every time it hits my stomach. Each day gets better and better.

I know this is a long post but I wanted to share my experience in Mexico to help anyone that might be scared or hesitant. The nurses, doctors and all of the support staff were very nice. The care was amazing compared to the hospitals in my home town. The only suggestion I would have is to make sure you either speak Spanish or have a translation app on your phone because it is helpful with the nurses and that way you don't have to have the Valet translate every time. They speak English but very limited.

I would highly recommend BariatricPalMx!!!!!

[osito80 5]

so you stayed 3 nights in the hospital? 1/16, 1/17 and 1/18?

is this still the norm as the website reads 2 nights in hospital and 1 night in hotel.

was your husband allowed to stay with you entire time during hospital stay?

another question: do you have to stay at real inn hotel? are patients allowed to pick another hotel to stay in?

[osito80 5]

Can you clarify why this person stayed 3 nights 1/16 through 1/18? I have emailed you with specific questions using email provided in another post.

thank you!

[Tina from Ohio 14]

On ‎7‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 2:32 AM, osito80 said:

so you stayed 3 nights in the hospital? 1/16, 1/17 and 1/18?

is this still the norm as the website reads 2 nights in hospital and 1 night in hotel.

was your husband allowed to stay with you entire time during hospital stay?

another question: do you have to stay at real inn hotel? are patients allowed to pick another hotel to stay in?

I flew in the night before and was able to do all my pre-op testing that day. I was the first one 2 have surgery the next morning. That's why I stayed an extra night. My husband stayed with me the entire time and the Real Inn was our only option. The doctor comes the night of discharge and checks on all the patients and does vitals. Hope this helps. It was a great experience.