Costa Rica (Dr. Lev) Nov 3rd 2016 :: Scheduled for NL, FL, Chin Implant

Hello fellow age fighting warriors! I will be traveling to Costa Rica for surgery with Dr. Lev on Nov 5 2016 and staying at Verdeza. Wondering if anyone else from this site is planning a trip that time as well. I am a little nervous but I am so busy these days I have little time to think about it. I just need to get in there, get through the pre-opt and get the happy pill or injection the morning of the surgery and from there I'll be home free.

Surgery was Thursday morning it is now Sunday afternoon. I saw Dr. Lev yesterday and he removed the "helmet" but re-wrapped me with a tight bandage that I was able to take off today and wash my hair. So much better to finally have that tight bandage off. I am still not able to chew; I can’t seem to get my teeth to line up but this is normal. I think my stiches look great. All of the staff at Verdeza say Dr. Lev is known for his meticulous stitching. Very swollen in these pictures.
A couple of suggestions make sure you have a definite plan on your pain medication at your post op appointment. Dr. Lev had me on 1-2 Tramaset every 8 hours. Plus 1 Enomtyum every 8 hours. Both are for pain. I found it very difficult to wait 8 hours. The recommendation is to start with two tablets of Tramaset and Verdeza only gave me one so I was behind from the start which is never good. I researched and found out I can take it every 6 hours. I thought it would be better to take one every 6 hours instead of waiting to take 2 every 8. I had a very difficult time explaining this to the nurse at Verdeza. I finally convinced her to let me take care of my meds myself as I had written everything down and would be careful with dosing. I also discovered that Tramaset makes my legs jump so sleeping was difficult. What saved me is that I brought with me some Ativan for sleeping and some Hydrocodon that Dr. Lev said I could switch to. Now that I have the best pain meds for me I am not in any pain just uncomfortable, sore and nauseated. I brought some Peppermint oil for the nausea which seems to help. Hope I can cut way back on pain meds by tomorrow.
When I arrived at Verdeza they said one of the patient’s had to stay a few extra days so they were short a room and upgraded me to a deluxe room (at no extra cost) for the first 4 nights then transferred me to the standard room yesterday. The standard room is very nice but it is on the freeway side of the building and is very noisy all night long. If you stay here, ask for the side that is not facing the freeway.