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One Week Post Op Update!
Hello everyone! I am 1 week post op as of today. We arrived in Texas as planned on 9/14 and met Rosy, Dr. Alvarez's driver (and cousin) and my two "sleeve sisters" from Canada at the meeting point. The van was very nice and new with great AC (it was over 105 the day of our arrival). We stayed the first night at the brand new Hampton Inn in Piedras Negras, Mexico. He hotel was awesome with a nice, mostly English speaking staff. We met with Dr. Alvarez and two of his staff briefly that evening at the hotel to get questions answered etc. then it was off to bed.
Friday morning we met in the lobby at 7am to ride to the hospital. The hotel shuttle van we were supposed to take was unavailable so they had to drive us in two groups in a car belonging to the hotel. The car was brand new and our driver was very nice. It was about 15 min to the hospital from the hotel. Once at the hospital I started the pre-op tests including a blood draw and chest x-ray. The nurses were very nice and did a superb job of drawing blood. Got it on the first try with minimal pain. I should say at this point it is important to have a realistic expectations about the condition of the hospital. It is old and the area around it is every bit what you would think of when you imagine a border town (I'm not talking about crime I'm talking about infrastructure). The waiting room we stayed in until it was our turn was not air conditioned, but did have a fan that helped. The hospital does have an MRI machine and other necessary equipment to handle trauma type events. Every staff member was very nice. Although not all of them spoke English there was always someone from Enobariatric there who could translate. The hospital room was very basic and reflected the age of the building but was adequate for it's purpose. When it was my turn I was taken there to change into a gown and lay down until the anesthesiologist came in. There was a padded bench in the room for my husband to sleep on and they gave him a blanket and pillow. Not a great sleeping arrangement (he is 6'2") but fine for the one night we were there.
My surgery lasted about 30-40 min. I don't remember being in the recovery room at all. I remember waking up back in my hospital room with my husband. I was given IV meds for pain, nausea, and antibiotic on a preset schedule throughout the day and night. I slept on and off for several hours and did get up 3-4 times for a short walk up and down the hallway. I don't recall any pain at the incision site. The only physical complaint I had was the discomfort of the gas in my left shoulder area. This was gone by the following morning when I woke up. It did wake me up several times throughout the night but I would not describe it as overwhelming or horrible. The doctor and nurses can by several times to check in.
Saturday morning the doctors came by again to discharge us back to the hotel. I did not have to use a wheelchair or anything to help me make that transition. Saturday I spent the day in bed and walking up and down the hallways at the hotel. There was a nurse from Endobariatric there the whole time in case we needed anything. She removed our IV ports that evening and went over our discharge instructions as we were leaving the following morning to head back to the hotel in Texas for one night then catch our flights Monday to return home. We were allowed to walk to the movie theater next door and get a slush. It was amazing since we had only been allowed ice chips that day and could only rinse our mouths with water and spit the day of the surgery. We were all hoping to use some of the spa services this day (not included but very reasonably priced) however it was closed due to it being Mexico's Independence Day the day before. My husband and I walked to the nearby Cabo Grill so he could get some food (I was enjoying my slush still though I do love Mexican food!). The food and service were very good. The area around the Hampton Inn is newly developed with several restaurants, shops and a movie theater. We felt perfectly safe in this area even after dark.
Sunday morning Dr. Alvarez came by our rooms to check on us and answer any questions. We were given his contact info so we could communicate with him if we had any questions or issues. Then we loaded up the van and Rosy took us back to the airport hotel (also included in he price). Since we were by in San Antonio by noon we had time to explore a little before leaving the next day. We Took the hotel shuttle to the nearby Quarry mall and ate at PF Changs. I had the broth from the chicken noodle soup and it was amazing. I could not eat much and had to sip slowly but it tasted very good and I took the rest back to the room to eat the following day before leaving. We also went and saw a movie.
We were discharged with acid blocking medication to take twice daily, an anabiotic, and pain medication if needed. The pain medication is the US equivalent of tramadol which I do not tolerate well so I did it use any. I want to specifically note that since I had my IV and hooked on Saturday before leaving the hospital I have not had any pain medication including Tylenol. That is how little pain I am in!
Dr. Alvarez is in the process of building his own private hospital (tentative opening in Jan 2018) which will include the spa services, access to a plastic surgeon, as well as hotel quarters. This means everything will be in one location which I think will be a great advantage. I also think this will help some people who may be concerned about the age of the hospital facilities. Because I have visited border towns in Mexico before I feel like I had a realistic expectation. The quality of the care and the services I received certainly made up for any aesthetics.
Self pay for me would have been around $26,000 dollars, and my surgeon would have been less experienced. I have 5 small incisions that are healing nicely and I have had no issues with gas (other than burping and passing it a lot) or other pain. I transition to Phase 2 of the post op diet tomorrow (fuller liquids) and Phase 3 (soft foods) 2 weeks after that. I will be glad to chew some food again I will say. There is only so much broth, popsicles, jell-o and protein shakes one can eat. But this transition is necessary and short in he grand scheme of things. I would definitely recommend Endobariatric and Dr. Alvarez. I will continue to post updates and will try to get some pics as well. Since staring the pre-op diet on 9/8 I have lost a total of 13 pounds.
HW-270ish
Post Op Diet Day 1- 268.5
SW- 265.5
CW- 255.5
Friday morning we met in the lobby at 7am to ride to the hospital. The hotel shuttle van we were supposed to take was unavailable so they had to drive us in two groups in a car belonging to the hotel. The car was brand new and our driver was very nice. It was about 15 min to the hospital from the hotel. Once at the hospital I started the pre-op tests including a blood draw and chest x-ray. The nurses were very nice and did a superb job of drawing blood. Got it on the first try with minimal pain. I should say at this point it is important to have a realistic expectations about the condition of the hospital. It is old and the area around it is every bit what you would think of when you imagine a border town (I'm not talking about crime I'm talking about infrastructure). The waiting room we stayed in until it was our turn was not air conditioned, but did have a fan that helped. The hospital does have an MRI machine and other necessary equipment to handle trauma type events. Every staff member was very nice. Although not all of them spoke English there was always someone from Enobariatric there who could translate. The hospital room was very basic and reflected the age of the building but was adequate for it's purpose. When it was my turn I was taken there to change into a gown and lay down until the anesthesiologist came in. There was a padded bench in the room for my husband to sleep on and they gave him a blanket and pillow. Not a great sleeping arrangement (he is 6'2") but fine for the one night we were there.
My surgery lasted about 30-40 min. I don't remember being in the recovery room at all. I remember waking up back in my hospital room with my husband. I was given IV meds for pain, nausea, and antibiotic on a preset schedule throughout the day and night. I slept on and off for several hours and did get up 3-4 times for a short walk up and down the hallway. I don't recall any pain at the incision site. The only physical complaint I had was the discomfort of the gas in my left shoulder area. This was gone by the following morning when I woke up. It did wake me up several times throughout the night but I would not describe it as overwhelming or horrible. The doctor and nurses can by several times to check in.
Saturday morning the doctors came by again to discharge us back to the hotel. I did not have to use a wheelchair or anything to help me make that transition. Saturday I spent the day in bed and walking up and down the hallways at the hotel. There was a nurse from Endobariatric there the whole time in case we needed anything. She removed our IV ports that evening and went over our discharge instructions as we were leaving the following morning to head back to the hotel in Texas for one night then catch our flights Monday to return home. We were allowed to walk to the movie theater next door and get a slush. It was amazing since we had only been allowed ice chips that day and could only rinse our mouths with water and spit the day of the surgery. We were all hoping to use some of the spa services this day (not included but very reasonably priced) however it was closed due to it being Mexico's Independence Day the day before. My husband and I walked to the nearby Cabo Grill so he could get some food (I was enjoying my slush still though I do love Mexican food!). The food and service were very good. The area around the Hampton Inn is newly developed with several restaurants, shops and a movie theater. We felt perfectly safe in this area even after dark.
Sunday morning Dr. Alvarez came by our rooms to check on us and answer any questions. We were given his contact info so we could communicate with him if we had any questions or issues. Then we loaded up the van and Rosy took us back to the airport hotel (also included in he price). Since we were by in San Antonio by noon we had time to explore a little before leaving the next day. We Took the hotel shuttle to the nearby Quarry mall and ate at PF Changs. I had the broth from the chicken noodle soup and it was amazing. I could not eat much and had to sip slowly but it tasted very good and I took the rest back to the room to eat the following day before leaving. We also went and saw a movie.
We were discharged with acid blocking medication to take twice daily, an anabiotic, and pain medication if needed. The pain medication is the US equivalent of tramadol which I do not tolerate well so I did it use any. I want to specifically note that since I had my IV and hooked on Saturday before leaving the hospital I have not had any pain medication including Tylenol. That is how little pain I am in!
Dr. Alvarez is in the process of building his own private hospital (tentative opening in Jan 2018) which will include the spa services, access to a plastic surgeon, as well as hotel quarters. This means everything will be in one location which I think will be a great advantage. I also think this will help some people who may be concerned about the age of the hospital facilities. Because I have visited border towns in Mexico before I feel like I had a realistic expectation. The quality of the care and the services I received certainly made up for any aesthetics.
Self pay for me would have been around $26,000 dollars, and my surgeon would have been less experienced. I have 5 small incisions that are healing nicely and I have had no issues with gas (other than burping and passing it a lot) or other pain. I transition to Phase 2 of the post op diet tomorrow (fuller liquids) and Phase 3 (soft foods) 2 weeks after that. I will be glad to chew some food again I will say. There is only so much broth, popsicles, jell-o and protein shakes one can eat. But this transition is necessary and short in he grand scheme of things. I would definitely recommend Endobariatric and Dr. Alvarez. I will continue to post updates and will try to get some pics as well. Since staring the pre-op diet on 9/8 I have lost a total of 13 pounds.
HW-270ish
Post Op Diet Day 1- 268.5
SW- 265.5
CW- 255.5
Liquid Diet day 5/7
Closing out day 5. No headache today, which is always a plus. Today is probably the hungriest I have been for some reason. I think it might be because what we can have is so limited. I'm also edgier today com being hungry, but some of that may be pre-trip neves as well. All that said, I don't feel bad. My energy is actually pretty good. I know that this time is just a phase and the goal is what is important. I'm keeping busy by packing tonight and while sipping my bullion. It's going to be 108 he day we cross the border! Another good reason to pack light.
I will admit I'm feeling a little wistful about the way I used to be able to eat, at least in the sense of variety, which probably contributed to the volume of food I ate as well. I have read enough blogs and reviews to know that this feeling will fade and be replaced by the excitement and joy I will feel when I am able to live a healthier life, doing all the things I want to do that I can't do now. Thank you all for all of the support! I will keep updating.
I will admit I'm feeling a little wistful about the way I used to be able to eat, at least in the sense of variety, which probably contributed to the volume of food I ate as well. I have read enough blogs and reviews to know that this feeling will fade and be replaced by the excitement and joy I will feel when I am able to live a healthier life, doing all the things I want to do that I can't do now. Thank you all for all of the support! I will keep updating.
Liquid diet Day 3 of 7
Yesterday was rough. Mostly because I had a headache from bout 3am until about 5pm. I get migraines about once per month, but this was no migraine. I do not think it was from caffeine withdrawals as I am still allowed to have coffee and tea, which I have been drinking. I think this was more carb withdrawals. I vaguely remember something like this when I did Atkins years so. The main difference was I wasn't hungry because I could eat solid food. I took Midol yesterday and that seemed to help. I also only consumed 650 calories on Day 1 and 750 on Day 2 and I'm supposed to have between 800-1000, so maybe that didn't help. Felt the headache coming back around 5am and took some more Midol. Only issue this morning is my stomach is growling like crazy! I am definitely hungry but have been distracting myself with other things. I forgot to put my stats before so here goes:
HW: 280?
Start of Pre-op diet: 268.5 9/8/17
CW: 263.8 9/10/17
HW: 280?
Start of Pre-op diet: 268.5 9/8/17
CW: 263.8 9/10/17
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