Valerie

Hi everyone - I decided to take the bus (#992) from the airport and the Trolley (blue line so San Ysirdo) and it was an absolute breeze. The cost was $2.50 exact change from the airport for the bus. And it was .25cents more for the trolley but I couldn't figure out how to add that so i didn't and they don't check on the trolley. Although I did hear a trolley person can come around and ask to see your pass but I fugured they wouldn't throw me off.

So you hop on the bus at the city bus station right outside the airport - if you are confused they have transportation folks in blue vests all over the place. The bus comes about every 6 minutes so the wait isn't long. You need exact change and ask for a transfer and you get off at Broadway and Kettner which is the AMERICAN FLYER STATION (PIECE of cake). Bus driver will help if you ask.

Get off at american flyer and wait for the blue line (do not go by color of train they all seem red) and stand on the side of the track that says blue line - anyway, get on and go to the end of the line to san ysirdo (not sure of spelling cuz I don't have directions in front of me) It is about a 30 minute comfortable air conditioned ride and it stops at the end and you can tell its the border etc. again PIECE OF CAKE.

get off and walk across the border.

Yellow taxi sign (HUGE) is staring you in the face and you will be approached by many taxi drivers - have the address of the hotel or clinic clearly written down and ask - Cuanto dinero (how much) - they will say cinco or five dollars - wave it in their face, repeat it and say si (YES). simple simple.

i loved it and it saved me about 120 from the office transportation which is great and convenient but expensive. Allow 1.5 hours . Also I walked across the border coming back and it took .20 minutes - much faster than driving across.

mary

Just an update. As of January, the transfer is $5.50. I got on and bought my $2.25 bus ticket and asked for the transfer and then had to shell out the $5.50. If I had known, you could just buy the transfer and it is good all day for the bus and trolly.

Valerie

// Anyone scheduled for a fill on April 20th? I will be traveling from Oregon on the 20th with a fill time of 2pm that day. Would love to coordinate with others to share the expense of OCC transportation. Let me know. //

Hey Girl,

I'll schedule my fill for that date but I can't help on the transportation. Have you mentioned your appointment to Marsha yet? Maybe the three of us can hook up and shop or something...

Kathie

Yes I have talked to Marsha and I think we are going to shack up and ride together. She is still waiting on Dan the man to make her flight arrangements. For sure lets hook up. Hope you are doing well!

Valerie

Anyone scheduled for a fill on April 20th? I will be traveling from Oregon on the 20th with a fill time of 2pm that day. Would love to coordinate with others to share the expense of OCC transportation. Let me know.

Valerie

Hi Valerie,

I am Portland also. When is your surgery? I am hoping to get money for my surgery with Dr. Ortiz from my 401k soon.

Judy

Hi Judy,

I was Banded on March 8th. Glad you decided to go with Dr. Ortiz. You will love it there. Let me know how it goes.

Valerie

Hi-

Just wanted all to know that working with Dr. Ortiz was a freat experience. Everyone was very accommodating and kind. You mett all the staff from the drivers to the surgeon and everyone in between. They all made time to stop and talk and explain. It was great. The surgery itself went smoothly, my worst vomplaint is that I still feel a little nauseous-1 day post-op. Pain not bad, but they medicate you with Fentanyl and TRamadol.....the hardest is to walk, walk, walk. It helps gets the gas out. The other patients that arrived were supportive of eachother and looked out after one another. Good place to be!!

I did it,

Melissa

Melissa,

Where in Oregon are you from? I am in the Portland area.

Valerie

Just an FYI. When I was banded with Dr. Ortiz, there were 5 of us. All did great except for the only one of us and she smoked. I don't know if it had anything to do with that but just something to think about. Good luck, I quit 17 years ago and I know how hard it is.

Valerie

I tried a Liquid Multi Vitamins from GNC ..It wasnt to bad...THEN all day it was in my pores my mouth. I could even smell it threw the breathing threw my nose...UGH...Anyone else have an idea

Hey Stacie,

I bought the chewable vitamins from GNC. They are huge tablets but taste pretty good and I didn't burp them all day. They kind of taste like lime. Don't forget GNC has a 30 day money back if you don't like something so take them back and try the chewables.

Good Luck!

Valerie

WOW!!! It looks like Valerie, Hopeful, Kathie and I are all scheduled the same day!!! It's getting closer, and I'm very anxious to have this done! I can't wait to meet you all there! I'm sure we'll all be great support for one another for a long time to come! Good luck to everyone on the preop, I know I've struggled with it myself this past week, yuck! LOL See you all in San Diego or Mexico!

Kristy

Hey Kristy,

How are you doing on the preop diet? I needed to lose 11 lbs for preop and I am at 6 as of this morning. I wonder if they will cancel if you don't get all the way there. I hope not. Hope you are doing well.

Valerie

Hey Kristy,

Thanks for the ticker web address...I have it done,,Now how do I apply it here??

Under my controls somehow?? I'm going crazy trying to figure it out...Thanks

Cyndy

Cyndy,

Did you ever figure out the ticker thing? I set mine up but like you I don't know where to put it.

Thanks,

Valerie

Dreamhappy07 - We were able to use the equity on our house.

Support & Coordinate with other March 2007 Patients here.

I too am scheduled on March 8th. When are you arriving? I will arrive the evening or afternoon of the 7th. I am from the Portland, Oregon area. Where are you from?

Mary,

I too have tried every diet out there including medifast. It works, there is not doubt about it. I lost 54 lbs in 3 months. It is not easy though. I did not keep the weight off and am now back higher then before.

I am now thinking about the lapband. Good Luck!

Valerie