Information on total experance

[Bella1980]

I was wondering how is the surgery date and length of stay determined. I would be flying in and purchasing my flight tickets ahead of time. I have read a 7day stay for Plication and some who only stayed 3 nights. How do you get your surgery date, do you have a say or do they just schedule you? I am asking all this beacuse I think my husband wants to go with me but if it is an issue with child care and days off for us I might just go myself. I was also wondering for you that travel alone did you wish you had someone there with you? Thanks for all and any information.

[boogeyface]

I was wondering how is the surgery date and length of stay determined. I would be flying in and purchasing my flight tickets ahead of time. I have read a 7day stay for Plication and some who only stayed 3 nights. How do you get your surgery date, do you have a say or do they just schedule you? I am asking all this beacuse I think my husband wants to go with me but if it is an issue with child care and days off for us I might just go myself. I was also wondering for you that travel alone did you wish you had someone there with you? Thanks for all and any information.

I had the lap band in July and went with my mom, 3 night stay, then went back for fill by myself in September. Both were fine. I think you should have someone there with you for surgery but two gals that were being banded at the same as me were alone and they were fine. I guess I just liked the help and someone to baby me. I am not sure what placation entails. You call the OCC and they set up the surgery date etc. I can't believe you need to stay 7 days, that seems long. Good luck.

[EricaG]

I went with my boyfriend and got banded a year ago this month. I wouldn't of had it any other way. Not that I think I would've been lonely or anything. I just wouldn't want to deal with carrying my own bags..LOL So if you do decide to go alone. Pack light so you don't have to worry about heavy lifting. I was banded and only stayed 2 days.

[Aurora]

I had my plication done two weeks ago. I live in CA so I flew to San Diego on a Monday morning and had the procedure around noon. I went alone and only stayed two nights which was absolutely right for me. Your ability to drink and hold down enough fluids will be the primary determining factor in whether or not you should go home. If you still require an IV you'll need to stay. I had very little nausea and vomiting and was successfully able to drink sufficient liquids. I found warm or room temperature liquids were much easier to tolerate. Your pain tolerance will also be something you'll want to use to guide your decisions in going home.

One thing that would have been helpful to know is that you will have to walk across the border. The van driver will drop you off where you take your luggage through customs. He will drive through the checkpoint alone and pick you up on the other side of the border. The reason for this is that the driver is held reponsible for the contents of their vehicle. Therefore, if there is contraband in your luggage they are in trouble...understandable. If you go alone pack extremely lightly because you are going to drag it across with you. This was the only problem I encountered, and frankly it really was more than I could handle. If I'd known this in advance I might have opted to stay one more day. It exhausted me and made by tummy hurt. I was really fortunate that my flight was only an hour and a half and I was home fairly quickly where I could climb into bed.

Best of luck to you!

[Bella1980]

I had my plication done two weeks ago. I live in CA so I flew to San Diego on a Monday morning and had the procedure around noon. I went alone and only stayed two nights which was absolutely right for me. Your ability to drink and hold down enough fluids will be the primary determining factor in whether or not you should go home. If you still require an IV you'll need to stay. I had very little nausea and vomiting and was successfully able to drink sufficient liquids. I found warm or room temperature liquids were much easier to tolerate. Your pain tolerance will also be something you'll want to use to guide your decisions in going home.

One thing that would have been helpful to know is that you will have to walk across the border. The van driver will drop you off where you take your luggage through customs. He will drive through the checkpoint alone and pick you up on the other side of the border. The reason for this is that the driver is held reponsible for the contents of their vehicle. Therefore, if there is contraband in your luggage they are in trouble...understandable. If you go alone pack extremely lightly because you are going to drag it across with you. This was the only problem I encountered, and frankly it really was more than I could handle. If I'd known this in advance I might have opted to stay one more day. It exhausted me and made by tummy hurt. I was really fortunate that my flight was only an hour and a half and I was home fairly quickly where I could climb into bed.

Best of luck to you!

Thank you

I was just wondering beacuse I will be flying in and out of San Diego. I would like to buy my ticket there and back in one shot since it saves so much money so I didnt' know how that worked with leaving (knowing how long you are going to be there).

How far of a walk is it to cross the boarder?? I have had 2 previous c sections so I am thinking the overal experance will be the same in some areas of recovering and the days right after. Thanks

[Aurora]

I'm an RN with experience in Maternal-Newborn/Postpartum...if you've had 2 C-sections this is going to be like a cakewalk for you. Ambulation post plication was so, so, so, much easier than ambulation post C-section! Your abdomen will be sore and you'll probably be a little cautious about quick movement but it won't be anything like the C-section recovery.

I think the distance of the walk depends on which border crossing the driver takes you to. We went to the crossing that is closer to the airport and farther from the clinic because the line was shorter and distance less. It was a relatively short line to the building and short distance through the building. I had to walk about two blocks outside on the US side to get to the driver because the street was closed to unauthorized vehicles. That walk alone didn't wipe me out it was all the walks through airports dragging luggage combined that did it.

I'd also add that your current overall health and weight should be considered in your planning. My BMI was 34 and I was 68 lbs overweight. I'm very healthy and am used to walking a couple miles a day. I tend to recover from stuff pretty quickly and don't have any health issues exept fatness. Those were the factors I considered when I made my flight plans. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you have the time, staying a day too long will be much better than going home a day too early.

[Bella1980]

Thank you so much. I can understand the airport walking and I will have a lot of that I will have 3 flights to get to San Deigo and 3 flights home. I was just shocked that I haven't read anywhere else about the walking across the boarder till now.

I has my last c section 12/2009 it was at 9 am and at 8pm the nurses got me sitting up with my feet hanging off the bed and when I asked if I could sit in the glider rocker with my cath they looked at me like I had 4 eyes. They were shocked that I wanted to get up and moving. My daughter was born on a Thursday and I was home Sat by 3pm. Glad to know that it will be a ton easier than a C-section. Thank you so much for all the information. I am very nervious about getting it done in Mexico and trying to get my husband on board with me wanting it done. the more information I have the better.

[jefreez]

I had my Plication procedure 2 days ago and I am waiting for my flight back to FL this morning. The crossing back couldn't have been easier. The border stop was easy and the walk is less than 75 yards. Pack light and it will be fine. I came alone but did have a family visitor on the day of surgery. I am glad for that. Everone is very professional at the clinic and Dr. Ortiz will make you feel confident that you made the right decision... Good Luck!!

[akairezu]

So can anyone tell me the total cost of the plication surgery when you have it done here at occ? I will be paying cash and would like to have an idea of how much it will run...

[LoriBecky]

So can anyone tell me the total cost of the plication surgery when you have it done here at occ? I will be paying cash and would like to have an idea of how much it will run...

If you want information on the plication or any other weight loss surgery just call or email me, I'd be happy to assist you!