I got nsaids and an antacid. I didn't need any pain meds after the surgery, believe it or not. I had surgery on Thurs and I was back at work by Monday. Piece of cake. My surgeon was very good. Just make sure you walk after the surgery immediately.

Hi - if you plan on keeping your cell phone off, you can get away with not needing a roaming option in the states. I'm assuming you're going to either Texas or California and being driven across the border to Mexico? 

I will say that I didn't need anything when I was down there. The only person I tipped was the waiter at a restaurant the night before I went into surgery (I was able to eat until midnight that day).

 But as far as tipping goes - maybe this will help (its the site I used):

http://www.gomanzanillo.com/features/tipping/

Restaurants: The normal tip amount is 10-15% of the bill. 20% for an upscale restaurant with excellent service. Sometimes there is a national value added tax (IVA) of 15% included on all restaurant bills. This is not the tip, this is a federal tax.  Make sure you check the bill carefully for this 15%. Also do your own arithmetic and add the bill up yourself. Many times there are mistakes. Be sure and check to see if the restaurant has added on a tip. Some do if they think they can get away with it. Many people leave a tip equal to the IVA, 15%, or leave 10% of the total bill that has the IVA tax included. Not all restaurants pay the waiters in the same way. Some restaurants pool all the tip money and divide it equally between waiter, bartender, and kitchen staff. Others allow each waiter to keep his individual tip, and he has to pay a percentage to the bartender and kitchen staff. If you pay with a credit cfard and add the tip to the charge, the waiter will be charged a 4% bank charge of the tip amount. Pay the tip in cash, if you can. The waiter will get more.

Bellhops and luggage handlers:  $1-2 dollars per bag.

Concierge: $2 dollars or the equivalent if they do something for you (e.g., book a table at a local restaurant); more if they undertake some particular research (e.g., found you a local tour operator, car rental agency, or chauffeur). If you don't speak Spanish, remember that they will also be acting as translators for you and you should take this into account with your tip.

Taxis: Depends upon the city, type of taxi (meter or negotiated price)... Make sure you have small change. Taxis will not carry change so they can keep yours.  If you ask the price before you get in, also ask if they have change for whatever bill you plan to give them. If not, they'll stop along the way at a taxi stand to make change. Do not pay in American dollars. 

[more info at the link provided above]

We're going to take some cash for hubby's meals as well as tipping. What is the customary rate to tip hotel maids and drivers? I don't travel and so have no idea. I've called my service provider to find out about a roaming option but because I'm coming from Canada, will I need roaming for the US and another one for Mexico? Thanks for your comment!

I went with Dr. Jose Rodriguez Villarreal in Juarez thru Belite Weight. He was very professional and the hospital is a CLASSY place. I really liked it there. Everything was new and looked nice, was clean, etc. I've heard about other board members here talk about Dr. Quinones and a few other surgeons. 

Medical tourism is a huge, HUGE thing for Mexico - bringing in millions of dollars to their country. The bad doctors don't stick around very long. If you go thru a company in the US, like Belite Weight or A Lighter Me, you'll be working with a surgeon they refer patients to all the time. I know how you feel, I was skeptical too. But after going there and talking with a few people in the van getting shuttled back to the states, it really isn't nearly as scary as we made it out to be in our own head. Its a legit practice. I know, because I'm 100lbs down and I did it in January. I only wish I had done it sooner.

Optifast is basically SlimFast, which you can get anywhere. Does it specifically need to be Optifast? Good luck :)