SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2013
When the plane landed in San Diego, I immediately had a text from Joel, the OCC driver. He let me know he was outside in a gold van with my name on a sign posted in the window. The van was parked just outside of baggage claim. Joel was very polite and professional. After loading our bags, we started driving to Tijuana! As we rode, Joel gave us details about what to expect at hotel check in and at the OCC for surgery. The weather was perfect and traffic was light. So far, so good! The border crossing was no big deal. First, there were no lines to wait in. Joel helped us with our bags, showed us the building to go in. We simply put our bags on a scanner and were not subject to a random search. I was not asked for my Passport entering Mexico. We got our bags and waited on Joel as the border guards ran his van through a large scanner. Once we had all been “scanned” we drove on to the Marriott. Tijuana is much nicer than the other border towns I have been to. It reminded me of parts of San Diego or Phoenix. Total travel time from airport to hotel, including border crossing, was about 30 minutes.
My friend and I made a pact on the plane – if anything seemed shady or “off” in any way, we were just going to get up and leave. Although I felt really well prepared, you just never know what might go on! I was mentally ready for the surgery and all that would come with it being done in Mexico, but I was not willing to risk my health if something seemed amiss.
Check in at the Marriott was smooth. The hotel truly is as nice as the photos make it seem. Joel told us to be ready at 6:40 Monday morning and told us the hotel van takes you to the OCC. So we made sure to schedule the hotel van.
We watched the Super Bowl in Spanish while we had dinner. My friend had DELICIOUS smelling mixed fajitas and a Tecate while I had broth and water. Her meal was 15% off as an OCC companion. Mine was free. Broth was good and service was good. The wireless service at the Marriott is free for OCC folks.
Still on Eastern time and tired after traveling, we crashed early. Our room was very nice. Super comfey beds, well stocked with towels, shampoo, soap, hairdryer. Everyone accepted US currency as tips, etc.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2013 SURGERY DAY
The Marriott hotel lobby is pretty cool at 6:30am in February. We were in the lobby right on time. There were several people from other surgery centers waiting in the lobby too. Picture the scene – a bunch of freaked out fat people and their support people – all sizing each other up! I’m thinking, “Oh, she is the surgery patient and her Mom. Now, which one of those two are having surgery…maybe both? She is really big. But those two are not. Hmmm….” Everyone was supportive and kind once we all were introduced. When the OCC group was in the van together and heading towards the Obesity Control Center, we did the natrual small talk, “What procedure did you select? Where are you from? Yadda yadda”. The drive from the Marriott to the Obesity Control Center takes about 15 minutes. Lots of silence in the van – lots of nerves! You pull in the underground garage at the OCC and take an elevator to the 2nd floor.
The OCC receptionist was very young, pretty, and organized. She had paperwork ready for each patient to fill out. The OCC provided a folder to keep our papers organized (and there were only a few papers). All of the days patients were interested in the surgery schedule. I would be third of six surgeries. Found out, the way the order the patients for surgery is easiest to most difficult. Of my group, there were two gastric placation surgeries before me, then my surgery, and the other three were band to sleeve revision surgeries. One by one, in order of surgery, we were all called back for a blood draw – then back to the lobby. Next, visit with Nutritionist, back to the lobby. Finally, EKG – then back to the lobby. Once the pre-operative assessments were done, you wait a short time and then they take you to your room.
Of all this, I was most impressed with Dr. Miranda, the Nutritionist. She was fantastic. She took my weight and performed a body composition analysis. We discussed post-op diet phases, what was and was not acceptable, suggested foods, etc. We were able to ask questions and she gave a good handout with the diet phases, suggested foods and schedule to progress to next eating phases. All informaiton was written so we would have it after surgery and not have to try to remember it post-sleeve. Dr. Miranda wanted to know my starting weight, amount I lost during pre-op diet, etc. Finally, she assisted in setting my goal weight. Frankly, I was surprised at the goal weight she set as it was about 10 lbs. heavier than what I was thinking. So, I asked her if I could go lower. She said, “Absolutely! It will just take some additional effort.”
One by one, we were taken to our room. My room was simple, nice and clean. The bed was comfortable! Each room had a couple chairs, loveseat and a hospital bed with nightstand. It wasn’t like a typical US hospital room with all the weird instruments at the head of the bed. It was less clinical than that. Bathroom was shared down the hall, but was very clean. They had me change into my surgery gown, hairnet, compression stockings and provided very sexy blue paper underwear (which of course were too small, so I had a paper underwear wedgie until surgery….there’s always something). By now, it was about 11:30a and they put in my IV. Since I had not had any liquids for about 12 hours, the nurse really took her time to find the right place to insert the IV and she got it the first try. The doctors gave me something to calm me down as my blood pressure was a little high. Whatever the medication was made it impossible to focus close up, so I couldn’t really read or text. And the medication was good in that it made me not care that I couldn’t focus or text!!!
Shortly after the IV was in, Dr. Ortiz came in and chatted for a while. What do you do for a living, etc. Super nice. Asked if I had questions and he answered all those. After he left, my friend and I agreed we were more than satisfied the facility and doctors were on the up and up – and agreed surgery was still a good idea! Truth be told, she was very impressed with everything we had experienced and kept telling me so. It was great to hear her opinion and kept my confidence high. My confidence level was high too – the OCC was the right place for me!
About 15 minutes after Dr. Ortiz left, they told me it was time! My friend and I quickly said the “Our Father” and I walked OR. I got onto the OR table myself. They don’t fool around – my head had only been down for seconds and I was out! After several hours, I woke up in my room. My friend was sitting there. She had already been in contact with my husband and family to keep them updated. With free OCC calling, I was able to talk to my hubby and Mom right after surgery.
During the recovery – I had some nausea, fleeting and nothing big. No vomiting. My abdominal area felt sore, but didn’t hurt. Slept great at the OCC – bed was comfey. I liked that the nursing staff didn’t bug you all night or make a bunch of racket. I did have a drain and it didn’t bother me at all. I slept like a baby! With all the IV fluids, I had to go to the restroom about 3 times in the night. It was great because it was down the hall and forced me to walk.
The nurses were great! They were quiet all night and didn’t come in every hour to pester you. I actually woke up the next day feeling rested. Never did have pain or vomiting. I don’t think the nurses were perfect English speakers, but you could communicate with them. No problems. I was FINALLY sleeved and my new life had started!
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2013
Since your support person doesn’t get to stay with you overnight at the OCC, my friend showed up the next morning. I got dressed, purchased my discharge meds, and the Marriott van took us all back to the hotel. The Bellmen at the Marriott were there and helped with our bags. I was very impressed with the hotel staff. They are truly helpful and nice. I believe we arrived at the Marriott around 10am local time.
My friend had a nice surprise waiting for me at the hotel. After surgery was over yesterday and family had been called, she went with another support person to Costco and got some Gatorade G2 and Smart Water! Both were suggested by Dr. Miranda. It was already cold in the refrigerator in the room and we didn’t have to go anywhere the rest of the day. So, I was able to relax and nap as needed. My friend said she shared a taxi and it waited for them while they shopped. Highly recommend this if you can pull it off – those drinks were a wonderful alternative to plain bottled water.
Both my friend and I have traveled a lot for business and we were both impressed with the Marriott and the coordination between the hotel and OCC.
It was WONDERFUL to get a shower and wash my hair. Showering with the drain was weird, but not uncomfortable. Was glad I had comfey pajamas to wear and hold my drain bag. Still felt good, but was tired. Between trying to drink and sleep, recovery was a full time job! Drinking was crazy….with a super small and super swollen stomach, I could take one small sip at a time. The Vitamin Water and G2 went down much easier than water. I could feel the restriction right away when I drank. YES!
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2013
Today, back to the OCC for a checkup. Much to my surprise, they removed my drain! They also did the barium swallow to check for leaks.
Now for the drain. I guess I didn’t really understand what the drain was all about – other than a way to ensure your recovery was going well and no infection or leaks. The tubing is really small and it is connected to what looks like a large coin purse or clear hot water bottle. The whole thing was painles to me and just a hassle when changing clothes or showering. What so surprised me was the amount of fluid it collected. Mine was almost full after only 24 hours! After having this surgery and seeing the volume of fluid in the drain, I cannot imagine leaving all that in my body. YUCK! I felt grateful to have the drain! The drain removal was pretty simple and done by a doctor. He explained as he worked. I was to lie down flat on my back. He explained that he was cutting the stitch holding the drain in place. Next, he told me to take a deep breath in and exhale as he removed the drain. Ready? Go for it! I felt a little pinch when the drain came out. They closed with steri-strips. Again, no big deal!
After the drain was out, the same doctor took me for my barium swallow leak test. You go to a separate room and sit in something similar to a dental chair. They place a machine over your mid-section, and give you a small cup of white liquid. You only have to sip the liquid for the test to work. After I took a sip, I could see on the monitor white liquid slide through my little tummy. Completely amazing. They had me drink again and the doctor showed me the slenderness of the stomach and how he could tell nothing was leaking out. The entire leak test took under 5 minutes total. The drink didn’t taste bad, didn’t make me sick at all. Overall, no big deal.
I am able to get liquids in just fine. If I drink too fast, I feel pressure under my sternum. So, I have been taking small sips all day. So glad to have drinks other than water.
Oh – I did gain 4.6 during the surgery period. I guess they say normal is 5-15 lbs. So, that is a nice surprise. I will be able to get that gain off quickly.
FEBRUARY 14, 2013
Ten days out from my VSG. Other than being tired, I feel pretty good. I’ve had some, um, loose bowel issues. And it happened in Wal-Mart. (When you gotta go, you gotta go!).
Am half way through the full liquid diet and looking forward to eating soft-foods. The desire to eat is there, but I wouldn’t say I have been “hungry”. And I think the soft foods will help satisfy the desire to eat, give that full feeling maybe help with tiredness (and hopefully help the bowel issues too).
Incisions are healing nicely. Overall, the only thing I would change is taking 2 weeks off work vs. just 1 week. Why? I felt great, but have been tired more than I expected. The second week off would be perfect just to rest and sleep!