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Well, it is done.  I am Sleeved!  

I was not nervous once I arrived at the hospital in Puerto Vallarta.  The hospital was very very clean...the staff were very professional, and everyone was dressed in uniforms.  The cleaners wore pink one day, and purple the next.  I had no dust bunnies under my bed, and the minute I had a shower, a cleaner was in scrubbing my shower from top to bottom.  My room was private, and huge as far as hospital rooms go.  My son had just spent 2 weeks in the canadian hospital...and there was NO comparison on the cleanliness.  The staffing was a nurse for 2 patients...That too is unheard of up here.

Surgery.  
The first thing they did was put my IV in.  This was not a pleasant experience.  As a matter of fact, it was the most painful IV I have ever had.  Once done, blood test were taken.  I was also given some "Happy Juice" to relax me...I waited from about 11 am until 4 pm before I got surgery.  I remember waking up in recovery...moaning.  I was in a tremendous amount of pain.  I wanted to roll, and I couldn't.  I really did feel like I had been run down by a Mac truck.  After being in recovery for about 3 hours I was taken back to my room.  Mom was waiting for me there...and I was happy to see her.  I was given more pain meds...they are generous with those...thank goodness for that.  I don't know what they gave me, but it sure did help.  I don't know how long it was before I got up and started walking...but once I was up, I was up about every couple hours walking the halls...trying to rid myself of the gas...It didn't really work.  Gas X didn't work either...nothing worked...It was at least 3 days before I started to fart...but finally, slowly but surely the farts did come.

Hotel Recovery.
The hotel was lovely...as a matter of fact Ray and I are going back in January.  I listened to a 90 minute sales pitch for a time share and got 3 nights for real cheap...and got mom to listen too...so I got her 3 nights and so we will have 6 nights in Jan for $270.  Can't beat that.  
Anyhow...Mom and I upgraded to an ocean view...and it was wonderful sitting on the balcony watching the sunset.  We had fireworks every night.  One night we watched a wedding on the beach...and we also watched the cruise ships come and go.  The weather was beautiful everyday...not too hot, and never cold.
Yes the beds are like rocks...but I really don't mind a hard bed so it didn't bother me.  TV sucks...but at least there were about 3 or 4 english speaking channels.  Every afternoon they had a free happy hour...I couldn't indulge, but mom did.

Recommendations.
Do not undergo this surgery expecting it to be a breeze.  It is major surgery...and it feels like Major surgery.  If it isn't too bad for you...great!  But Expect the worst...I really was not prepared for the pain.  And note:  The pain is mainly caused by the CO2.  

Take someone with you.  I am one that would have undergone this surgery by myself...but at the request of my son, had Mom come with me.  I am sooo glad she did.  She was very helpful in picking up things I dropped, pulling my suitcase...and just generally supporting me...I think this is very important, and perhaps over looked a bit.

Take plenty of $1's.  It seems like everytime you turn around you are tipping...The Mexican people are very friendly and deserve their tips!

Shop at Walmart.  Buy your water there, it will save you money.  Try the SF grapefruit jello...it is awesome.  

I am glad to be sleeved.  I am one week out and down 7 lbs this week...I lost 14.5 lbs on my liquid pre op so I am down a total of 21.5 lbs.  I can't remember the last time I lost this much weight in such a short amount of time.  I am looking forward to what the future holds!

I am as prepared as I am going to be...I am scared about doing the liquid diet, and quitting smoking...but I will get through it.  I took my measurements today, and my weight...I was up to 231 lbs.

Pre liquid diet measurements:
Arm L -18
Chest -49.25
Waist -44.75
Hips -50
Thighs L -29.50

Good gawd that is depressing...I am so thankful that I found a solution to this life long problem of mine.

You know I keep telling myself that I am not nervous about this surgery.  I keep telling myself it is what I have been waiting for.....a couple of weeks ago, I remember reading posts, confused as to why someone would be nervous about doing the best thing you can do for yourself.  

But alas...I am a bit nervous.  I know my stress level is through the roof...between looking after Jordy, having Kyle in the hospital, finding out I'm going to be a grandma, and dealing with kidney stones...I am just a bundle of nerves.  I am going to see my MD on Tuesday for a full physical.  At that time I have to get a prescription for Champix, and for some more ativan...

I am not sleeping well...I have a scratchy throat.  I did buy some Cold FX, hopefully that will keep the cold or flu at bay...or at least get over it quickly.  

I am eating like a fricken glutton.  Everyday I am binging...stuffing myself to that uncomfortable feeling...I don't know why I am doing this...it makes no sense.  Just a few more days and I start my liquid diet...I am nervous about quitting smoking and doing a liquid diet...I am going to be a miserable bitch...I feel for Ky and Jordy....I have to remember to breath.  And perhaps journal...that might help me...I can't even seem to get to a meditative state and that is usually pretty easy for me.  I find myself clenching my teeth, jaw and neck...

I will get through this...I know I will be so happy to have this done...it is going to be life changing for me.  I can't wait to shop...I can't wait to take riding lessons, I can't wait to take belly dancing lessons too.

I've finally got financing in place!!!!  Now I have to email Gerald and see if he can book Mom on the same flight.  She really wants to come with...and everybody here wants her to come with me as well.  Kyle says he is very happy for me, but feel anxious about me going out of the country alone to have the surgery....I can understand that.  I only hope that in a few years I can save enough money for him to have the surgery as well.  Any excuse to go to PV is a good one for me...Seriously tho...I feel so bad for him.  Not only does he have aspergers to deal with...but severe obsesity as well...it isn't fair that the doctors here will not consider him because he is only 24...fricken rediculous if you ask me.  
Oh, I started out this day on a bad note...cranky and still upset over the email from DB.  I did email her back again...telling her that I did take it personally and that if they have any questions or concerns about J's care...that they should ask me directly...still waiting for a response.  I was okay about it until J's mom phoned and told me that L was asking J questions about whether I give him care or if Kyle does????!!!!!!  That is pushing my buttons...and we will nip that in the bud RIGHT now.

Okay, my story...
I have had a weight problem for as long as I can remember.  When I was younger it was never too bad, being between 25 to 35 lbs overweight.  In the late 80 's I ended up reaching a goal using nutrisystem...it was an amazing feat, and my life changed dramatically.  I met my husband at that time.  I was wearing a size 5-7.  Life was wonderful then.  I enjoyed every minute of everyday...but alas the weight crept back on, plus a whole lot more...which brings me to today, 44 years old and a size 18-20 being 225 in weight, insulin dependant type ll diabetic.  I was up to 256 a couple of years ago, and have managed to get a bit of the weight off, but with the way I yo-yo it is only a matter of time before that piles back on as well.  I want to have gastric bypass...and I want it yesterday.  But for me needing a passport, I would be going down to Mexico within the next few weeks...I do have my papers for my passport, just have to have a professional fill in their part and then get it mailed off.  As soon as I get it back, I will be going for the surgery.  I am lucky to have such a supportive husband that he is going to pay for most of the surgery for me, even though he doesn't think I need it... :) Love is blind!  All around it is just going to be a lovely little get away for me as I have never been to Mexico before.  I have researched the Dr and the hospital and feel that the credentials speak for themselves.  I sure hope the weather is nice when I get there, because I live in Alberta and the winter is looonnnnggg and dreadfully cold.