VancouverGurl

Hi, I am getting my band on Aug. 19th and am super excited but also very nervous.

I am coming down with my mum - neither of us has traveled before so that in itself is really freaking me out lol. Apart from stressing out about squeezing into a 17" plane seat (I have lost 37 pounds so far in preparation for this) on a 50 passenger plane...I am nervous about the whole Tijuana thing. I was hoping some of you here could help me wrap my head around all of this and give me some piece of mind! There are a few things in particular that I am a bit stressed about...

We are staying at the Lucerna, I have read mixed reviews about this hotel - does anyone have any comments or things I should know?

I understand there are 2 types of taxis in Tijuana, the yellow ones are expensive and the Libre ones are cheaper...is it safe to take the Libre ones? What are the tipping standards? Do you negotiate prices before getting in? Any comments on this would be appreciated!!!

Being the typical women that mum and I are...we naturally want to do some shopping...has anyone gone to the Plaza Rio? I would think English would be somewhat common being so close to the boarder...again, any comments or suggestions are much appreciated.

I keep reading about Revolucion Avenue - some love it and others say it is awful...you get harassed alot....is this something two women with NO travel experience or bartering experience should check out? My mum is older and I want to make sure she has a good time too. I am interested in checking it out but then I get rather intimidated and want to avoid it....since this is our one and only trip anywhere I hate to sit at the hotel the whole time (we will be down for 4 days not including our days in and out).

Mum is wondering how much $$ she should bring for food each day.

As for the surgery, how long do the pre-ops take? I am doing mine the day before.

Is there a shuttle on surgery day to take my mum back to the hotel?

I have only had one surgery and it was MANY years ago...my biggest worry is the pain killers, I have so many allergies (codiene, toradol, percocet...), the only thing substantial I have taken without any reaction is morphine - what kind of pain killers are provided?

Sorry for rambling on so much - I really hope I hear back from anyone that can offer up some piece of mind to me before I am boarding this tiny plane lol

Jenny

52 days to band land!!

First of all I have to tell you "dont worry" tijuana isnt that bad; no one dies at the border and you dont see people dealing drugs LOL

As for teh taxis, the hotel ur staying at has personal taxis that drop you off where ever you want and then you let them know a specific time to pick you up! so its really safe. I wouldnt take the other cabs just because they try to rip you off most times!!

The plaza Rio is really nice but hardly anyone speaks english but their stores are quite modern they have this one big department store like the "bay"- I dunno if you guys have that in the states but we do in canada.

For food, a meal at my hotel restaurant (Mariotte) was about $9 US

O and ur preops take like 15 minutes!!

OK I hope that helps

Thanks for your support guys, well I had my surgery and it went great..I dont even feel any pain. Even the nurses were surprised at how energetic I was like 1 hour after surgery!! I have to admit the gas and bloating is not that exciting but its my third day and it feels much better. Everyone was super nice and helpful but to be honest the only negative thing is that they preform surgeries like an "assembly line." I mean the doctor is only in there for about 3 minutes I guess to place the band and then his assisstants finish the rest of teh surgery! Other than that, I would say that all went well

I assume with the name Vancouvergurl you are from Vancouver... Canada or Washington? I'm in Surrey!

Sabrina:)

hey cool ur from surrey..I'm in Richmond (vancouver, BC)

So I just arrived in Tijuana today and let me tell you girls something which I`m pretty sure you`ll go thru if you haven`t had your surgery yet: in the months that lead to surgery, you`ll be excited and calm and happy BUT THEN 3 DAYS B4, its sooooooo nerve racking!!!!! Like I`m gonna have my surgery tomorow and I doubt that I`ll be able to sleep tonight! O and If you`re picking a hotel, pick the Mariotte a) its nice there are hot guys who work here

Also, DO NOT walk in Tijuana alone: I cant explain how much of a night mare it is: there are like taxis honking at you and offering you rides eventhough you dont need one and it`s next to impossible to try crossing the streets!! I`ll update you guys right after my surgery tomorow

Hey Michelle are you doing the Bernstein Diet?

well good news, I spoke to the doc today and he said that they are still using both brands..but he gets to make a decision on which band he wants to use on u !

Thanks for your help guys..it's great! but the idea that they stopped using the Inamed band worries me because it seems like the "realize" is the cheaper way out. Well Im gonna call the cjinic and get some details..I'll keep you guys posted

Does anyone how many different brands Dr. Ortiz uses?? I know for a fact that the Inamed band is the best one, but according to some posts, Dr. O has been recently usuing "realize"...so what's up with that! Also, how many diff sizes are there?

thanks for teh help

HI EVERYONE, I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME READING EVRYONE'S POSTS AND THIS SEEMS LIKE SUCH A SUPPORTIVE GROUP. WELL IM HAVING MY SURGERY WITH DR. ORTIZ ON JUNE 24TH AND I'M SORT OF EXCITED BUT ALSO REALLY NERVOUS!! SO I HOPE ALL GOES WELL