Manda_T

Who knew that soup would be so yummy.... And when I added the drinkable yougurts I almost swooned. Nothing has ever tasted that good. Freezing a protein shake now for lunch.

Hosptial gown that they provide & the really, really SEXY paper panties that they provide

I inquired about this prior to leaving and Carolyn told me "Mrs. Ortiz, Dr. Ortiz's mother, used to give a little basket with goodies, but it got to be too much and that has not been done for a long time. " Carolyn Williamson Patient Care Coordinator Their web site is just way outdated.

Ok ladies, I am REALLY REALLY REALLY struggling ( ( ( Are all of you? I have 2 weeks left of this post op diet, I REFUSE to cheat...so for variety, what are you eating everyday? Perhaps, you have come up with something better than me? :-? >

Green leafy veggies - Dr. Miranda said up to 4 cups a day. Also, sugar free jello & popcicles made a large differenace for me. I felt like I was still getting a treat. TONS OF WATER!!!! Good luck to you,

You get 4 pain pills after the surgery. Then you can use liquid tylonel. Truthfully, I was out the day after my surgery shopping up a storm. The only day I had a had time was my flight home, I was tired and sore then. So, 3 days after surgery I was chasing 3 kids under 5 and today (6 days later) I am plugging away at work feeling good. The only thing that is a slight bother is my port site and I think it is because it feels different. It doesnt hurt Good luck to you!

** First, There was no post of the drivers picture & no name given to me or the other travelors that were ditched with us. The communication I had from Rene, was limited at best. I emailed my travel itenary, received a brief responce of how many in party, responded and received a thank you. No mention of who would pick me up. The driver that picked me up was holding a hand written sign on the back of of manilla folder that said Dr. Ortiz but did not have the identifying green tag that is mentioned, but due to the language barrier I got in the van with no issues. Second, I HAD TO CALL, to see what time our travel arrangements were for home. Again, I was told lobby at 7:00 (which is 6 their time) again NO NAME of who would pick us up. (The other people also had to call and were not told by who) Third, at almost 7:30 (A HALF HOUR AFTER THE TIME TOLD) someone came in and said Dr. Ortiz & airport. The hotel staff helped load our luggage in the van. So they either knew the person from previous experiences or did not have a clue. Fourth, Fransisco was at the border, communicated with the driver (who knows if he was a rouge or not) and went on to the airport, stranding us at the border. Fifth, after being ditched at the border, calling the clinic we were told in essence it was our fault and that we would get a call back ( as we had to pay for a taxi). I might mention, no call, no email. That being said, I AM HAPPY WITH THE PROCEEDURE I HAD! I AM HAPPY WITH DR. ORTIZ & HIS MEDICAL STAFF. It was worth it to me. My point being, is that the communication is not good, this is a worst case scenerio, but I felt that it should be mentioned up front. We are traveling out of the country and it could happen. My point was to warn people, not to freak people out.

I'm living off gas x.....also my kiddo's think it is hilarious to hear me belch like a trucker....

Paula > > HOW are you? It was nice meeting you at the clinic. I froze too at the hotel...and man as a fluffy girl I usually run hot!! PS. I think I read on Orbitz or Expedia its a 3 out of 5 star hotel. But it is still nice Amanda

Revolution Ave....$5.00 cab ride from hotel. Dont stay there past dark!!! Dont accept the first offer....walk out if you have to. I bought 10+ purses, louie vuitton, prada, gucci, chanel....extra. and spent an average of $40.00 a purse, even though they started at $100.00+ Also, most of them are hidden under the counter, in a back room or in a suitcase (funny) so you have to ask.

It was me, Oops, I was actually banded on the 18th...blame the pain meds....

Donna, Sorry about your transportation issues too....Funny isn't it. It is just a different pace. Feeling much better today, almost human. Although I am super tight in the mornings and have to drink tea first thing to loosen up. How are you doing? Amanda :-h

We arrived on Monday and had pre-op testing then. My surgery was on Tuesday. I do believe they are closed on Sundays so you will only have to fast Sunday night.

Thankfully there are cabs waiting at the border. So we ended up spending $52.00 + tip on a cab.

OOPS banded 3/18. Blame the drugs:) We arrived on 3/17at 10:15am, and I had done the required 8 hours of fasting. We found our transportation at the airport to the clinic. For some reason I had it in my head the clinic was only about 15 minutes away. :-? It is about 35 min away. Our driver was not the usual driver and spoke very little english. He took us directly to the clinic handed us our bags and told us to go to the 2nd floor. We checked in (after a rather long wait due to the receptionist being on the phone), signed the papers, paid and waited for my pre-op test.....and waited.....and waited (I WAS STARVING & DYING OF THIRST) **I should mention while in the waiting room I was chatting with everyone there, apparently it was not a normal group but they had me freaked out. Two were there for unfills due to issues, a third arrived for a fill and ended up with an unfill, another lady was there to have her band replaced as it was removed to complications and a man was there having his removed because it didnt fit his lifestyle. Listening to them had me peeing my pants** Met Dr. Miranda - SO SWEET, Dr.? for EKG & lung test - SUPER NICE and went back to waiting....finally Mrs. Ortiz arrived to take people back to the hotel (arround 2:30) and tried to get me to go. I mentioned that I still had not had my blood work, so I was left behind. Finally got my blood work - the NURSE WAS A HONEY and got it the first try > > nearly an impossible mission. Mrs. Ortiz returned and off we went to the hotel (about 3:30ish) Arrived at hotel, room not quite ready so ate in resturant (my last meal per Dr Miranda) it was delish and our waiter was so nice. Hotel is nice, room is nice & clean and staff is super helpful! Was told to stop eating and drinking by 9pm and to arrive in lobby at 7:00am, arrived and waited a bit. Mrs. Ortiz came to take us away. And although there was room in the car, my husband was not allowed to come with me :-? He was told they would pick him up later (this should be mentioned up front in my opinion) Also, he waited awhile for transportation (that never came) and caught a cab. Waited, waited, waited, waited...and arround 11:30 I was called back. Rooms are super nice, super clean and very comfy! Husband & I settled in, got my meds, got loopy, chatted with dr's., meet dr ortiz (very nice) and off I went - I was first Started talking to the anestestioligist (sp) and passed out!!! Woke up in my room feeling sore but good. Visited with my hubby for awhile and arround 430 they told him visiting time was over??? ( ( Made him leave (but other peoples guest stayed???) Had a bit of chest pain (still do its like a tight feeling) had an anxiety attack but nurses and dr's were super sweet & took great care of me. Woke up, still felt sore, had to pry my boobies away from me (they get "glued" down from the iodine - freaked out a tad on this) walked, walked, walked and was released. Made it to the hotel before my husband tried for transportation to the clinic. Rested, went shopping, had some broth, bought a zillion "real" purses. Called the clinic as I realized (A) Brian never got his tray from his dental visit & ( had no clue what time we are being picked up. They told us to be ready to go at 7:00am us time (which is 6 in tijuana)...packed, slept and got up. So here is the entertaining part of my story: My husband & I and a woman & her daughter were in the lobby to go home at 6am. Our flight was the earliest at 1150am (so we were leaving almost 4 1/2 hrs early). So we are waiting in the lobby visiting when a van arrives (almost a half hour late) and the driver comes in and states "Dr Ortiz" we said yes, again not the regular drive and not very good english, but we asked where Fransisco was and discussed the airport. He provided us a card and said he worked with Fransisco and not to worry... Off we went. As we are waiting in the line (FOREVER) a man approaches our van on foot, which the other travelers identify as Fransisco. After Fransisco and our driver have what appears to be a heated argument, our driver allows Fransisco to cut in front of us. There is more arguing at which point our driver tells us that we have to pay him $50.00 which we tell him no, transportation is provided. He then talks to Fransisco again and tells us that Fransisco is going to meet us on the other side by the trolleys. **MOST OF THE TIME YOU HAVE TO WALK THROUGH BACK TO THE STATES, ANOTHER THING THAT SHOULD BE MENTIONED UP FRONT** So, we walk across, look for Fransisco or the other driver and no one is there. We call the clinic and the receptionist tells us it is OUR fault as we got in the wrong van. WTF???? We asked several times and then they guy assured us. So we ask well if Fransisco was suppose to take us where was he...He TOOK OFF TO THE AIRPORT FOR A PICK UP....JUST LEFT US AT THE BOARDER. So besides the fact that the Receptionist blamed us (and was less than friendly) the driver knew he was suppose to take us and ditched us....Over all it was a decent experience. Just beware, you are in a forein country with language barriers and they move at a totatlly different pace then us. I had planned on using their transportation services for fills, but now think I will stay in the states Still have gas pains, think I am hungery, have 5 incisions but other than that, all is good. Amanda

See you there Terri! Cant wait Manda

I will be back at the hotel on Wednesday (scheduled for Tuesday)...I am so nervous, excited, hungry and nauteous at the same time....I cant wait for this to be over. See you Wednesday. Amanda

So here I am packing (you should see the tiny bag I am taking), writting notes for my mom, getting all my last minute things taken care of, freaking out...getting ready to fly out on Monday. How is everyone else doing?

Thank You....As long as I get my surgery it will be ok. Thats all I care about

I just realized I dont have my copy on I am flying out MONDAY at 5:20am If I can get in, my mom can pick up and overnight to me...... CRAP FREAKING OUT WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ( ( ( ( I DO NOT HAVE A PASSPORT Amanda

Paula, You are too funny!!! I almost pee'd my pants reading this, which is not to hard because of all the wter intake.... Can't wait to see you Amanda

So I know that I have problems with food, duh, I am having the surgery. But today I realized my mental ability to make good decision when I am stressed are non exsistant. ( ( ( I am fighting with DH (not dear), had a meeting today that did not go well....so aggitated snuck out and STOLE a thin mint from the receptionist. Then later, after I had indured a crappy meeting for 3 1/2 hours (which completely threw me over the edge) I scrounged for more food and found a bag (a small one) of carmel corn and practically scarffed the whole thing before my assistant found out what I was doing and PRIED it from my fingers as I was ( I am so MAD at myself!!!! And seriously thinking I may have to quit my job due to the stress factor. Just wanted to vent.

Drinking one right now. The Alpine Punch, it taste OK going down but it does leave a bit of an after taste and ?film? afterword. Could be just this flavor though. Have more at home to try.

http://home.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...86-3a30c15a6aef Ok, i think that is my link. Let me know if it doesn't work

What the heck, I think my body is finally realizing what I am doing to it.....TODAY I AM STARVING and my tummy wont quit growling.....CRAP, 7 more days to qo............. How is everyone else doing? Amanda (The bathroom queen - serious! Been 11 times in 5 hrs )