Flight, Surgery, and Post-op

So our flight from Miami to SanDiego was great. No delays, arrivals on time. Upon our arrival to San Diego airport, we headed to the baggage claim area. A driver from the OCC was upposed to be waiting for us there. He would be holding a sign with my name. We waited about 10 minutes and there he was. He informed us that we were waiting for one more patient, so we waited 10 more minutes before we headed to the airport parking lot where his van was parked. It was about a 30 minute drive from the Airport to Hotel Lucerna. I picked Lucerna because I read from others that it is the closest to the OCC. There is Dominos and Starbucks right across the street so this would be convenient for companions. The hotel also has great restaurants. My room overlooks the pool so it's a plus. We arrived at the hotel at 1030pm . The next day, we had to be at the hotel lobby at 7am. It was freezing, because they had an unexpected cold front. It must have been 40 degrees. The driver arrived almost close to 8am. Upon arrival to the OCC (which is about 10 blocks from the hotel), we were welcomed by the receptionist and given some paperwork. It was just basically a consent form. Shortly thereafter, I was called by Dr. Barajas, the dentist who did the complimentary dental exam. After Dr. Barajas, the dietician, Dr. Miranda, called us into the room (me and my husband) to discuss the post-diet instructions. She also took my height and weight. Then we are back to the waiting area. Then it is Dr. Jimenez turn. He checked my Pulmonary and Cardiovascular functions and everything was good to go.

After the pre-op, we were back to the waiting area for a short while then they called us to go in. Dr. So directed us to our Suite (Suite 5). It looks like a hotel room because you have the bed, sofa, a chair, and TV. It was a comfortable room. I think I like it even more than the room in Lucerna even thought it is half the size. Dr so instructed me to put on the hospital gown and the infamous paper underwear. He said as soon as I got dressed, open the door. Sweet nurse Carmelita then came and put my compression stockings. From someone so small and sweet, she's pretty strong!

While waiting in the suite, a couple more staff passed by to chat or offer assistance. One nurse gave me a fleece throw (even though there were already 2 in the room). Then Mrs. Ortiz, (dr. Ortiz's mom) came just to say hello. She's very sweet too. She just wants to say hello and to have a small chat. Then, Dr. Ortiz came and talked to me and my husband (nothing lap band related). He just wanted to know where we are from and he asked me how I found him. I told him that I was planning to do the surgery in the Philippines but when I found his website and I found out that he tought the Filipino doctors and even the American doctors about the lapband, I was sold. He asked me if I wanted to do an interview but I respectfully declined because right now, the only people who knows of my surgery is my husband and one of my friends.

After our chat with Dr. Ortiz, he said "you're next." So, another nurse put up and my IV and off I go to the surgery room. I don't know much about what happened. The only thing I know was that they injected this sedating drug in my IV and off I go to lala land. The next thing I know, I was back to my suite, all done! Besides being groggy from the sedation and a little sore, that's it. My husband stayed up to 4pm then the driver drove him back to the hotel.

While in the suite, I just watched TV. I walked some around the hall and met 2 more "lap bandees". The were both from Cali. I had a good night sleep. I woke up about twice and just watched TV. In the morning, nurse gave me my last dose of Zofran and tramadol. Then she took off my IV. She also took off my bandage from my abdominal area. They put that to avaoid hematomas of my incision sites. Dr. So came to look at my incisions and he said they were good. The nurse came again and gave my hot chicken broth. Then that was it. At about 8am, the told me to go back to the waiting area to await for my driver who will take me back to the hotel. I met some people in the waiting area getting ready to have their lap band surgery done. They are all from the US, 4 from Missouri and 1 from Tennesse, and another one (I forgot where she is from).

The receptionist gave me 4 pain meds just in case I feel pain and an ID that says I am a lapband patient. Then my driver came and off I go back to the hotel.

So that's it for now. I will update more as I go this journey. Time for a shower :)

Love, Michelle