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Here is a list of drugs that are considered safe for RNY'ers:

Bendaryl
Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
Dimetap
Robitussin
Safetussin
Sudafed
Triaminics (All)
Tylenol (cold products)
Tylenol Ex Strength
Gas-X
Phazyme
Imodium Ad
Colace
Dulcolax-Suppositories
Fleet Enema
Glycerin-Suppositories
Milk of Magnesia
Peri-Colace

Friday Nov 21, 2008, The day of surgery:

9AM we meet in the hospital as per the letter from Nathalie. (it was delivered by the hotel staff upon arrival (along with room key and stuff).) Nathalie shows up 15 minutes late. She brings us into an office where she took height and weight. (I lost 32 pounds preop!!!) We pay for the surgery and the complication fund.

She leads us upstairs to our room. We unpack a bit and get comfortable. I had to change to a backless hospital uniform and they took an EKG. They wanted to run a blood test and put in an IV line, however, they were unable to find a vein – 7 times. They were inserting the needle – missing the vein, moving the finding a new puncture site. It was very painful. During this time the nurses spoke to each other in Spanish – but no one explained to us what was happening or how the next attempt would yield better results. Finally, the person I was with asked them about this. The doctor explained that they would try one more time and if that didn’t work they would insert the IV during the operation – while I was under anesthesia. The nurses tried again. And again. When they attempted to try yet another time, I asked them why they were doing it again. Nathalie, who had entered the room at this time, said, “They always get the vein on the first try. Your veins are small. Tiffany needs to calm down.” I told her that it was not my fault and told them to leave and come back later.

About thirty minutes later they returned to try to get blood for pre-op testing. They claimed that they could not continue with surgery unless the blood was tested. Of course they still couldn’t find a vein to draw blood from.  They tried at least twice on each arm – using a variety of needle sizes. Finally, we made them stop. The person I was with tried to talk me into somehow giving it another try – maybe from a different vein entirely, but obviously I wasn’t thrilled with that thought.

Eventually, a nurse came in and said that Doctor Joya said the surgery could go on without the test being run.

Later Dr. Joya stopped by with another Dr. to speak with us. We asked a lot of questions – which he answered.

To be continued...

I was going through some files on my computer and found this document.  I wrote these lists in preparation for surgery in Puerto Vallarta with Doctor Joya. 

Things to bring

1. Heating pad and rice bag
2. Gauze bandages and tape for post-op drain hole (at hotel)
3. Protein bullets or other form
4. Crystal light
5. Lip balm
6. Gas-x strips, anti- diarrhea meds, prescriptions, vitamins, medicine crusher
7. Slippers and robe
8. Flip flops
9. Sun screen
10. $50 in $1 bills and $50 in $5 bills ($200)
11. Magazines
12. LaptopPhysics HW
13. Clothes
14. Lotion, stretch mark cream
15. Money carrier
16. Pillow
17. Travel Kleenex
18. Wipes
19. Calling card

 Things to Do

1. Get out of bed 4 hours after surgery to walk. The next day walk at least 4 times to help to prevent blood clots.
2. Buy the prescriptions @ Wal-Mart while in Mexico.
3. Ask the hotel to put an egg crate topper on the mattress.
4. Upgrade to the ocean view suite if possible (20$ extra per night per person).
5. Ask for the chicken soup without rice at the hotel.
6. Buy bottled water at Wal-mart in Mexico.