Friday, November 12th

Mexico - Day 1

The first day was a long day of traveling. We flew in to Las Vegas and drove south to Calexico, California.

The hospital had Ernesto, the driver, pick us up at AA Parking. It was $3 per day. We ended up getting there close to 5:00 and the traffic getting into Mexico was unreal. We went straight to Hospital Almater in Mexicali, and met Yolanda and Lucy. Yolanda handled all of the logistics and paper work. Lucy was the Nurse We had a urine test, a blood test, and we paid the bill. We went over some paper work that had to be filled out before the surgery, which Yolanda said we could take with us. She also gave us an anti-biotic and a sleeping pill. Mind you, we had been up since 3 am for our 6 am flight and hadn't eaten any food since then, just water. Finally we were on our way to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mexicali. Threw our stuff in the room and darted for the restaurant in the hotel. They served Tortilla chips and salsa. My husband and I both had a Caesar Salad. He had a Rib Eye and I had the Fettucini Alfredo. He wasn't overly found of his, but mine was better than the Olive Garden. Unfortunately, my stomach shrunk on the pre-op diet and I couldn't finish it. Went back to the room, showered, took my pills, and fell asleep to How I Met your Mother. I think that show and House are the few American shows they show in Mexico.

Saturday, November 12th

Mexico - Day 2

Ernesto was waiting for us in the lobby at 7am sharp. There we met a lady who was also having it done and her husband, who was along for support. We were quickly divided in our rooms and asked to change into Hospital gowns. Lucy came in to to my EKG and then I went with Yolanda down to X-Ray. Went back into my room to get settled. I was then met by the Internist who went over my blood work. Apparently I have a high Hemoglobin. I don't know what that means, but it wasn't life threatening. I was then met by the Anesthesiologist (hottie), who basically went over if I ever had complications under anesthesia. Then I was met by Dr. Campos, who has also had the surgery. He's the nutritionist. He came in to answer any questions about after surgery. I only really had once questions, which was about coffee ... he said 2 weeks. I might just stick with decaf for a little while anyway. I also met with a nurse who would be in the operating room. He taught me how to use the breathing treatments. Then all 3 of us met with Dr. Aceves. He went over the whole procedure and any questions we might have. He's very informative.

We then proceeded with the surgeries. The lady with us went first. My husband and I did rock, paper, scissors ... he chose paper, I chose scissors ... I won!

You first get a "happy" pill as they call it. Then about 30 mins later (I think, I was just kind of chillin at that point), you hopped on a gurney and they took you down to the OR. They put the IV in my hand, and then I woke up in recovery with the worse pain in my throat. I felt bad for the little Mexican nurse in the recovery room. My throat was so dry and hurt so bad. That was the worst part of the whole thing. You can't drink water the first day. So thankfully they finally let me sip water and spit it out. Later on that evening when know one was looking, I took a tiny sip and nothing happened. I was just so thirsty. After the mess in recovery, they brought me back to my room when I met another nurse, who I think was named Lulu. She only works weekends and holidays, but she knows English. I don't think any other nurse in that area knows English. She's the one who would be on your every whim. I was visited again by Dr. Aceves. All I remember asking was how my husband was. I didn't remember anything else he said. I walked a little that night. It's good to get up and moving as soon as possible. I didn't take a sleeping pill that night so I kept waking up every hour. So take a sleeping pill.

Sunday, November 14th

Mexico - Day 3

I went for my morning walk down the half and came back to three small cups of grape juice ... leak test #1. They were yummy and no purple stuff cam out of my drain. After that, I was treated to tea, orange Gatorade, apple juice, and water. There really wasn't too much going on that day. Lots of walking, mingling, sipping, napping, and walking again. I still had my IV in as well as my drain. There were no surgeries that day, so we didn't see Dr. Aceves until nighttime, but he did come by on his day off. Pain pill and sleeping pill that night.

Monday, November 15th

Mexico - Day 4

This was my last full day in the hospital. We had a treat that day ... chicken broth! It was yummy, although I really couldn't have more than a few spoonfuls throughout the morning. We had this in addition to all of the liquids from the day before. I finally got my IV out that morning too. They performed the major leak test where you see your stomach or something that is supposed to be a stomach. You drank about 1/8 to 1/4 cup of nasty liquid in the X-Ray room and you got to see the liquid move down. I saw the top of my stomach and the bottom of my stomach, but a line in between ... I guess that's my new belly.

They later took my drain out. I really didn't feel the drain, but sure felt the tape. It was a little uncomfortable, but I survived. Lots of walking that day. Packed up for the next day. Sleeping pill and pain pill.

Tuesday, November 16th

Leaving Mexico - Day 5

We met Ernesto at 7 am sharp and off we went to the border. It took almost an hour and a half. I think they should maybe leave at 6, but that's not my call.

Traveling that day wasn't fun. I still hadn't had any protein. If you're flying out of San Diego, you'll be okay, but we were driving to Las Vegas to recover there. Definitely should have found a GNC or Vitamin Shoppe a lot sooner than I did. I didn't really start feeling good until I flew home on Thursday and was able to get 80 grams of protein in on Friday.

As of today, Saturday, November 20th, I feel great. The only thing that bothers me a little is the lower middle incision. It's just a little sore, probably due to it being the middle of my stomach muscle and it gets used a lot.

Here is the general post-op diet given from Dr. Aceves:

Phase 1 - Clear Liquids:

For the first 10 days after surgery - Clear liquids only
- Sugar Free (SF) Jello
- SF Crystal Light
- Water (Vitamin Water Zero, Powerade Zero, Smart Water)
- Broth
- Protein from supplements (Whey Protein and Isopure No Carb drinks)
* NO SUGAR, CAFFEINE, OR CARBONATED BEVERAGES
* You'll really have to do some searching as to what you like. There is only one thing I can tolerate right now and that's Isopure Zero Carb Alpine Punch mixed with a packet of SF Hawaiian Punch.

Phase 2 - Full Liquids:

Next 10 days
- Same as above
- Skim milk (any milk products - soy milk, almond milk - just the non-fat kind)
- Low- Fat Cream soups (have to drain out any bits like the chicken in the cream of chicken)
- Protein from Supplements (Can move to the Chocolate, Vanilla, etc. - ones you can mix with milk)

Phase 3 - Blenderized/Soft Foods:

Stay in this phase at least 10 days

These are MEALS ... only three MEALS per day

Blenderized foods should be the consistency of a thick liquid (anything you can put in the blender - protein first, carbs last or none at all)

Soft foods: eggs (soft boiled or scrambled), tofu, low-fat cottage cheese, sugar-free low fat yogurt. Never more than 2 oz. at a time!

Between meals is when you drink water or any clear liquids along with protein supplements. Never drink while eating.


Phase 4 - Solid Foods

Never eat solid food sooner than one month after surgery.

Focus on Protein and stay away from carbs and fats.



Here's what they emailed to me afterwards about exercise:

Walking can start right away.

It should be the main exercise for the first 6 weeks.

Start with 15 min and increase gradually.

Walking 30 min 4 times a week is a great exercise.

Swimming can start as soon as your incisions are completely healed

6 weeks after surgery you can start lifting weights

10 lbs to 20 lbs

20 lbs to 30 lbs ( 8 weeks after surgery)

30 lbs to 50 lbs ( 12 weeks after surgery)

8 weeks after surgery you can began using the elliptical trainer.

This is good since it protects you back, knees, ankles and hips.

Start with 15 min and increase gradually.

8 weeks after you can start yoga

10 weeks after surgery you can start with abdominal crunches push-ups, sit-ups, squats

12 weeks after surgery you can start Pilate's

 12 weeks after surgery you can start aerobics, running and jazzercise www.jazzercise.com

24 weeks after surgery you can start bowling