How to pack for WLS in Mexicali

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

This has been posted many times before, but it is for those who are about to go

have WLS with Dr. Aceves

Here is what I took and you might want to have when you pack for the Weight Loss

Surgery with Dr. Aceves.

1. Gas-X because you will have gas after the surgery and they don't have Gas-X

in Mexico. They (the nurses and doctors) will ask you are you passing gas? It

is nice to have this on the plane ride home too after the surgery. I bought a

box (of 36 tabs) of Gas-X (thin strips) that you just put the strip in your

mouth. It tastes good and it is easy to take--no water required—nothing

difficult to swallow either.

2. A comfortable bra & panties--nothing very tight (cotton is nice—what ever

you like to wear) to wear home on the plane or if you want to wear these items

in the hospital. Everyone was pretty relaxed with what they slept in or wore

around the hospital. I didn't bring a robe at all--Just T-shirts and

comfortable pants. Maybe a sweatshirt because the air conditioner makes it cool

sometimes and then there are times when the air conditioner isn't working that

well. Bring some extra T-shirts in case you spill on yourself. My IV came out

and I got blood on one of my T-shirts. I just washed it out in the sink and

hung it up in the shower to dry.

3. Drawstring pants or pants with elastic waist—nothing tight around the middle

section. I had some Nike walking pants and they were very comfortable—or short,

or pants you would wear to relax in. I also had some that I wore to sleep in,

walk around the hospital in and wore them home on the plane too (a pair for each

day you are going to be away from home). Sweatpants work great too. I was there

in Oct and so the air conditioning was going and sometimes it was cool at night

when I was sleeping--so I brought some warm socks along too. But in some rooms

the air conditioning wasn't working so well in their rooms and they were warmer

than some of us were. If it is too warm or too cold tell one of the nurses they

will help you with anything you need. They are excellent when you need

something—don't be afraid to ask.

4. A heating pad--I was so glad I had mine (someone had suggested I bring one)

because it felt good on my stomach area. When my feet were cold at night I used

my heating pad on my feet. Also when I was there with a friend for her surgery

in April 2009 I found out at the nurse's stations they also had heating pads—so

if you don't want to bring your own use theirs.

5. Some kind of slip on shoe for the plane ride home and something to wear in

the hospital (I had some flip flops for the hospital and some clogs for the

plane ride home. Flip flops didn't take up a lot of room in your suitcase. I

also carried on the plane my tote bag carrying some things like, meds, change of

underwear—in case my suitcase got lost, a snack so I could eat something after

the tests that first day you arrive—because they will tell you not to eat a few

hours before you get to Mexicali because of the tests you are going to be having

upon arrival at the hospital in Mexicali. Sometimes you have to wait for

everyone to have their test before they take you to the hotel and your are

soooooooo hungry because you haven't eaten anything all day long because most of

us are flying into San Diego, so bring a snack that you can eat after your tests

while waiting to go to the hotel. I brought along some packages of trail

mix—bring what you like.

6. Only one (1) small or medium sized suitcase with wheels is really great

because you will have to deal with your own suitcase at the airport (coming and

going). I also brought along my laptop computer so I could stay in touch with

my friends and family—I carried that on the plane too—don't put it in a

suitcase—too much stuff has been stolen out of suitcases.

7. Please be aware if you use your cell phone in Mexicali they will charge you

roaming fees to CALL OUT. For me if people called me from the US to Mexicali

and they were calling my Cell Phone there were NO ROAMING charges because they

called me from the US. Most all cell phones work in Mexicali; I think they said

Cricket was the only r that they had problems with. I didn't have anyone

come with me for the surgery, and they were so nice as to call someone (in the

US) for me after surgery and let them know that I was doing great.

8. I brought my own favorite small pillow with me (almost sofa size). It was

nice to have it while I was in the hospital and on the plane ride home.

9. As far as money someone suggested I bring about $45.00 to $50.00 in one's so

that I could have them for tipping—they all accept US money in Mexicali. I

tipped Ernesto $25.00 who picks you up and takes you to the hospital, takes you

to the hotel, takes you back the hospital for surgery and then back to the San

Diego airport. He takes such good care of everyone and I tipped him at the end

when he took me back to the airport to go home. I also tipped the hotel guys

for taking my bag to my room, and when I had dinner that night at the hotel. I

would also bring along a small gift for 4 or 5 nurses or give them a little

cash—I understand they really don't make a lot of money and they might

appreciate the cash as a gift. I would suggest that you take enough money or

Credit Card or Debit card to purchase the medication that you will need after

the surgery. There is a pharmacy about 1/4 block from the hotel--anyone at the

hospital will tell you where it is—it is a easy walk. The Nexium that Dr.

Aceves suggests you take after surgery for acid reflux for about 3 months cost a

lot less —don't forget they will negotiate over the price of medication in

Mexico –even when it is at a pharmacy-they will give a price and then ask them

" if I buy 4 boxes will you sell it to me for—ask for a lower price. This

medication costs a lot less in Mexicali than in the US—so don't forget to buy it

while you are there. I also bought Prilosec because some people had told me that

Nexium did work for them—as it turned out I was one of those people that Nexium

didn't work that well on and so I was glad that I purchased Prilosec.

10. Do not take any jewelry with you or wear any. All I took was my watch.

Leave ALL other jewelry at home.

11. Be prepared that Ernesto will be late picking you up--find a place to sit

down in the baggage area where they said he would pick you up. Make sure you

can see people walking in that area and he will come walking down through there

with your name on a sign holding it up. He will have you back at the airport on

your return trip home in plenty of time to catch your plane ride home.

12. Bring a camera along to take some pictures of yourself in the " before stage "

and maybe a group picture of the other people who are going to have the surgery

the same day you do. I have kept in contact with them. You will be so glad you

have done this. Take lots of pictures. People really do enjoy seeing the

pictures if they are considering doing this surgery.

13. Don't forget the personal things like toothbrush, shampoo, soap that you may

want to use in the shower, a razor, cream rinse for you hair—maybe a hair curler

and hair dryer if you want. I don't know if you want to bring make-up—I did,

because I wanted to look ok going home on the plane. Yes, we used their water to

take a shower—it is ok for showers… they do give you bottled water to drink.

14. I brought along a book I wanted to read along with my Ipod, so I could

listen to my own music. You may or may not get a lot of reading done because

you might want to take some nice naps too. Getting up and walking around is

good for you and it makes you feel a lot better too.

15. Bring along some chap stick for your lips—they dry out and it is good to

have something to put on your lips.

If anyone else can add anything please jump in here and help me out! I know you

are worried about a few small things and I can tell you not to worry because we

all have been where you are. Just keep posting to the web site-- anything you

want to say or ask. We all understand and have been where you are right now. I

wish you GREAT success and it will be a life changing event and in about 2

months you will be saying the same thing too.

Also adds that when they make you drink the vile stuff to make sure your

new stomach has no leaks don't for get to ask for chips of ice. It numbs your

taste buds because they are so cold and you can drink their YUCK stuff. She did

it and it worked great for her. I didn't know about it and I wished I would

have. I think they do this on the 3 day before you go home.

Suzanne

Sleeved 10/21/2008

Lost 105 pounds

This is what someone else added to what I put on my list--you never can have too

much help or information

I wore and underwire.....so I didn't get that message! I also brought a

robe...for sure and maybe flip flops or slippers for doing lots of walking after

the surgery. They give you those hospital gowns, but the day after the surgery,

I was in my own pjs that were button down the front and elastic band

capris...something easy to slip in and out of. Suzanne says-- I put my on PJ'5

on after the surgery when I got up to go to the bathroom.

I would definitely take a comfy pillow for on the plane ride too. Just don't

over pack! You will need very few things....one outfit for the day you arrive

and one for when you leave and just the PJ's for comfort.

You may need to have something on the plane ride....maybe some tea from

Starbucks or get some hot water and add some chicken broth to the hot

water--(take Chicken broth packets from Top Ramen Noodles works great for the

Chicken broth. You most likely won't be hungry at all....but just in

case......a clear broth with water works.

I realized that most of the stuff that I brought, I didn't even need.....so pack

light! You will mostly be walking the halls of the hospital!

The best of luck to you! You will do great!