Preparing for vsg in Mexico.

Great Idea wiht the heating pad, thanks.  I can't wait to be sitting in the seat of all  of you where I have completed the surgery and am on the mend.

Ditto what everyone else said. I just returned last Friday from Mexico. Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos are fantastic. Yolanda and Bianca spend most of the day there if there are any language barriers it is during the night shift. The staff is very accomodating even the nurses that cant speak English there is always a way of communicating. Apparently the US state department issued a safety warning for Tijuana. Not to worry, if you dont know already.... 

Mexicali is a rural town in the middle of the desert two hours south east of San Diego, in the opposite direction of Tijuana. I believe they said it was about an hour south of Yuma Arizona. I felt absolutely safe and would go back in a heart beat. Can't say enough good things about my experience at the hospital. The town is in transition there is an older part which is run down and a little dilapidated and the new part where the hospital and Crowne Plaza hotel was. Even the older part was not as run down and dirty as some areas I saw near Chichen Itza. .

Items I am glad I brought or made arrangements for
1) Earplugs - my room was next to the nurses station. I am a light sleeper. I also found the IV pain pump used the first couple days noisy.
2) Tic Tacs. I don't know what they put down your throat but nasty taste to wake up to and zero fluids for first 24 hrs so can't wa**** away. I sucked on one tic tac during sleep for 4 hours
3) iPad tablet. The wifi in the hospital and hotel was great. My family loved being able to Skype and actually see me
4) Wheel chair assistance at the airports on the way home. Didn't have to stand in line thru customs and was whisked thru special lines which was much faster and they carried my bags. With flight delays my trip home turned into a 16 hour adventure.

I packed too many clothes two pjs and two sweats. I used the hospital gowns and only wore my pjs on the last day and one set of sweats home.

The pharmacy is within steps of the the hospital I bought a 4 month supply of Pantozol antacid and Bianca escorted me there and did the translating. It was about $15-20 per box for a month supply.

Wish I had a Strepcil or Cepacol cough drop it has an anesthetic in it for sore throats  as throat not only nasty tasting but sore from tubes they put down during surgery

Wishing you the best of luck and a speedy recovery. 

Thanks a million, great idea wiht the heating pad!!!
Congrats to you, I look forward to reading your posts on  how you are doing.  Best of luck for a quick recovery!

 If your going alone, make sure you use a 4 wheeled carry on suitcase. I skipped the wheel chair at the airport and opted to walk since I had terrible pain from the gas. Dr. Campos also told me to not use too much of the gas x. Didn't help too much anyway. The recommendation for earplugs is a good one. I was also in front of the nurses station, and had a small child down the hall crying all night, so it was a bit noisy and would have loved to have them. Also an ipod or something to entertain you on your trip back home. I also stocked up on the nexium mupps too. Also a good pair of slip on shoes, and very comfortable pants for the trip home. Also a baggy shirt, so you can get away without the bra too, if possible. Travel very light. Just one change of clothes is all you need, slippers, pajamas and a housecoat, and basic toiletries. Also don't forget your protein bar. You'll be dieing for it after all your testing.

awesome idea with the four wheeled  carry on bag!
When do I get to eat a protein bar or do you mean after the pre op testing the day before?

 You will be fasting the first day of your arrival, so you will be more than ready for your protein bar, once you have completed all your pre-op testing. You will be rushed right in for your tests as soon as you arrive at the hospital. This process takes some time, and you will have a chance to eat it, while you are waiting for everyone to have their turn, and finalize the billing process. By the time you get to the hotel for your last dinner, it will be evening time, so you will be very happy for that protein bar. Also don't forget you have to pay for your dinner, and make sure you remembered to bring some small bills for tipping at the hotel, and I also tipped Ernesto at the end. I gave him $10 because he had to wait an extra hour and a half for me to arrive. Good luck to you, and don't forget your camera. Great mini vacation.

 Thanks, great tips!
How is your transition going?

 Glad to help. It was a bit rough at first with the gas pain, but many others don't get any at all. I think it is a individual thing. Once it broke up, I didn't feel any other discomfort or pain. At a month out I still struggle with getting in the 64 ozs of liquid. I generally only get in 32 to 46. I am beginning solids, but I am very cautious and haven't tried any veggies yet. Dr. Aceves advises against consuming mayonnaise, and I now know why. Ug, it makes the food sit like a lump and makes me feel horrible. It was a bit tricky in the mushy stage especially since I can't eat tuna, canned chicken or egg salad without mayo, so I felt very limited and was dying to hit solid food. Chicken and pepperoni seem to sit great, but ground beef is a bit tougher but it works. Still have no desire to eat, and has lost its appeal, but I don't mind. The first 2 weeks was a huge learning process and a struggle to get anything in, but it is going much easier now. Each day seems to get easier and easier, and am trying to focus on getting my protein through food, instead of the shakes. My body seems to like that much better. Today I was able to eat 1 egg and 1 piece of well cooked bacon for breakfast instead of the shake and I felt fabulous! 

Keep up the great work.  Sounds like you are teaching yourself exactly what you need to be succesful.  Please keep me posted.

OMG, this is all such great info to help me know what to bring!  I feel like it is all going so quickly after all I just signed up a few  days ago.  I know myself well enough to know that once I decide the waiting is the hardest part and potential anxiety inducing so I'm glad they were able to fit me in. 
Is there anything else that I should know or expect given that I am going alone and given that my food funeral has been overwhelming while I've been considering this surgery....
Thanks again for all of yoru kind words of wisdom. I really respect it!