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Well, I just got home and I thought I would let everyone know how it went.  I had an amazing trip and made many new friends. I was nervous because I went alone, but as soon as Samuel picked me from the airport I was fine.  He was running a little late because of lots of traffic at the border, but he called me a couple of times to be sure I was okay.  When I got into the van he said there were more people coming in about an hour and asked if I wanted a tour of San Diego while we were waiting. Of course I said yes, a private tour is much better than sitting in the airport lobby.  Samuel stopped close to the water and we took pictures of sail boats and various things along the water way. Then we went back to the airport and picked up 3 very nice ladies who would soon become my best friends for the duration of the trip.  When we got to the hotel room Irene met with us to sign papers, fill us in on what would be happening over the next few days, and answer any questions we had.  Please be aware that the hotel does charge you $100 deposit, I used my bank card and thought it was just a hold, but the $100 actually showed up like a charge and when I asked the hotel about it they said when I check out they will issue a credit for the $100.  Since you have to check out of the hotel to go to the hospital, you will be charged another $100 when you go back after being at the hospital.  The next morning we all took another van to the hospital.  It was an older hospital, rough around the edges, but it was clean, and everyone was very professional and friendly.  I have never been in the hospital before so this was all new to me. I heard others say that they had been in the hospital in the U.S. and they aren't as attentive as the nurses at the Florence Hospital.  We were x-rayed, had our height and weight recored, blood drawn, IV's started and then the doctor's and anesthesiologist came in to discuss everything with us, room by room, and answer any questions that we had.  Edwardo also came by and talked to everyone.  After all of the testing was completed we heard that the first person had been taken to surgery.  We were all excited now.  I was next to last, which was fine with me. All I remember is being wheeled into the O.R., a nurse asked me to slide onto another bed, and then someone was straightening my arms out and that's it - lights out. The next thing I remember is waking up in my room, in my bed.  I wasn't in any pain or anything, just very tired.  The nurses encouraged me to walk, but I only walked a couple of time that evening.  Seems like during the night I started waking up and I did walk a couple of times.  The nurses are on a strict schedule with your medicines and they will not budge. I remember being in a lot of pain at 6 am, they told me to walk, I did, the pain didn't go away and they would not give me anything. They said I had to wait until 8 am. At 8:30 I was still waiting, I was crying by this time. Just when a nurse finally came to give me something they said it was time to go for a leak test. I couldn't get out of bed. Two nurses pulled me up and helped me to a wheelchair.  The leak test involved drinking a yukky liquid while getting several x-rays very fast. They showed me the x-rays and I could see the shape of my new stomach.  I think the splash of pain medicine they had given me was starting to kick in, or maybe I was learning to tolerate the pain. When I got back to my room I took a shower and started to feel a little better. I don't think the bad  pain was gas pain, mine was more of a stabbing pain, deep inside. I did have some gas, but it was different, more like pressure and it was bubbly or gurgling.  I just decided to suck it up and not complain anymore - I wanted to have a good experience. I walked and walked. I wasn't hungry at all, but I hadn't been hungry even during my pre-op diet.  I was ready for this and knew what I was getting into. After another night in the hospital I was good to go.  The pain was gone and the nurses came in with medicine right on time.  You need to be aware that everyone had additional charges that they had to pay before we left the hospital.  All we were told is that things come up.  Three of us had really low amounts, like $12, one was fifty something, and another was over one hundred and fifty dollars.  I think everyone is still confused about the extra charges, we were under the impression that the amount we paid to Edwardo was pretty much final unless the doctor found something that needed to be taken care of immediately. We were given a copy of our x-rays, our medical paperwork, and a packet that explained what to do when we get home along with our new diet, then we were released from the hospital. My friends and I had so much energy that after we were taken back to the hotel we went to the mall. Then the next day we went on a 4 hour tour of Mexico that included stopping at two beaches.  Of course we were tired when we got back to the hotel, but we were all feeling great.  The broth at the hotel wasn't always wonderful, there was one afternoon we couldn't eat it at all, then later that evening it was wonderful.  So just be prepared and buy a couple of vitamin waters and maybe a protein drink for emergency. I had lost 15 lbs on the pre-op diet, then I gained weight in the hospital from all of the IV fluids, and I just weighed as soon as I walked in the door, I have a total of 17.5 lbs gone now.  I am so glad I took a leap of faith and did this for myself.  I want to thank Dr. Garcia, Dr. V., Alma, Samuel, Irene, Edwardo, everyone at Florence Hospital, and the staff at the Marriott for taking such good care of me. I had an wonderful experience and am willing to tell everyone who asks.       

I'm having my surgery on July 11, 2014, with Dr. Fernando Garcia - excited and nervous. I'm hoping to meet others while I am there.