Thanks Zoey and Neil. I am glad you are finding my ramblings helpful. Zoey..the hotel has nice Samsung flat screen however most channels are in Spanish which is crazy with all the Americans that come here. I was able to flip and find a few English channels here and there. Yes both the hospital and hotel have WiFi. The hospital WiFi sucks the hotel is better. I would suggest that you download everything before you come streaming is slow and nothing will play if it's not already downloaded. Blanket sheets are clean I am very cold after surgery so if you are cold natured bring a throw the hospital is freezing.Let me know if you think of any thing else..

Thank you for your blogs. It helps to hear about what to expect. Congadulations your on your way!!

Wow you are beautiful just wait until your skinny too!!! This is excellent information and I can't thank you enough for sharing. I do have a couple of questions, do they have TV in the hospital? If not can you have your computer / phone / ipad and will it work? I will go insane without it but if not I will read. As far as the hotel I know about the towels but how are the blankets / sheets? I know to bring my own pillow to. That's so funny about the gas strips I purchased 3 boxes, if I don't use them I will return them. Please keep us posted and congratulations on your new life, so happy for you, I go the 24th.

Gas Strips myth... Don't waste ur money the gas is in you body not your stomach they don't work.

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. Kerrikoplin, you do not get a choice at the hospital of where u will stay they kinda put you where it's empty. The bariatric floors mosly have double beds some triple. I was in a triple as I was the first into surgery. The hotel is private if u pay out of pocket if you go with the package you will share or if you bring a plus one you will pay out of pocket as well.

This is such a great documentation of things to come as I prepare to travel alone and have the surgery. It is so timely I feel like I am going through it with you. Thank you so much and congrats to you on moving to losers bench!!!!

Congrats. You seem to be doing well. Did you get a private room?

Hi Kee,
Glad to hear you are doing well... Walk Walk and get all the gas out...
Hope you have speedy recovery and safe flight home. You will be in my prayers tonight...

Day 3 Morning: The overnight stay was ok I shared the room with 3 others ladies. A few patients really plucked my nerves but otherwise it was good. The nurses do come in a lot which was irritating I am on a 3 hour time difference so I already had trouble sleeping. This morning the patients that had family or plus 1 in the hotels went back first the rest of us loners will stay until later so they can clean The hotel rooms and prepare for us. I know many people said that they did not ever see Dr Almanza any more after surgery. Well I'm here to tell you that he made rounds this morning asked us how we felt shook our hands and gave us information for when we return to the hotel. Just like a surgeon would do in the states some people with the plus one missed him because they left before he made his rounds but he does come back and check in with everyone that was here. So don't believe the hype, he is in the building after he left at midnight! Tomorrow is the leak test I will blog about that later tomorrow. Today I will be walking to get the gas moving and taking in liquids...TTYL

Day2 Surgery experience: our group was taken to the hospital at 7am. We were all prepped and dressed for surgery. We were weighed in and sat and waited for Dr Almanza to come meet us all. He gave his infamous speech and answered any questions we had. We also shared out loud what procedures we were having how many days on the liquid diet how many pounds we lost. He concluded by taking a picture with each one of us and telling us to spread the word about it or experiences with all the web sites and blogs even Facebook. I was the first one called back.. I was taken into a room and placed on a bed. The Anethesiologist came in and gave me my meds I was out for the count. I woke up in the recovery room with no pain all was well I was told I did great. Let me just say I have been really good no complaints. They give you pain medicine when you ask they changed my bandages and IV fluids on the regular. The key to the gas/air in your body is to walk, walk ,walk. It will keep it moving and eventually you will burp it up. It is a slow uncomfortable process but it will happen. Dr Almanza worked on patients until 11pm last night I was up walking and saw him leave and the last patient came up a few minutes later. The man is dedicated I was the first one at 9am his last at 10pm.

Thinking of you and hoping all is going well..

Morning Day 2 Before Surgery: The group will be getting picked up at 6:45 to go back to the hospital for surgery today. Hotel was fine very clean it smells good in my room. The bed is firm but not to the point you cant sleep. The towels are a situation. They are thin and hard. No wash clothes in the room. I brought my own thank God. Room was modern only thing the tv channels are in Spanish so if you don't speak it you will not understand. There is wifi but it's very slow so don't expect to watch anything that is not already downloaded to your device.

Alright Kee77!!! You are on your way...Congrats!!!
You are beautiful....pretty picture

Day 1: Long ass flight. Arrived in San Diego called the number to check in for pick up. I got off at gate o had to walk to gate F. Longest walk ever so be prepared. Waited a few minutes the van showed up it is 3 of us today. Mexican border was a breeze strange place. The driver is nice he took us to the hospital for pre op work he even carried some of the ladies luggage and got us situated. The little sweet old cardiologist came in and went over our medical history one by one he took my blood pressure it was sky high he took my Ekg. He told me not to worry and immediately gave me some medicine for my blood pressure. I was very surprised and relieved. Our blood was taken and we met with Dr Almanaza brother signed paperwork and got wristbands. The nice driver picked us back up and took us to the hotel. The hotel is very clean modern and nice better than what I expected. The hospital was clean and had modern furniture. There were ladies cleaning as we were sitting in the waiting area. I am now gonna rest and get some broth from the restaurant. Tomorrow is the big day!! I have pics of my room I will post as well

Hi Kee,
I had the band three half yrs ago and will be having a revision by dr Almanza haven't scheduled yet. I'm originally from Cumberland MD and my sister lived in Gaithersburg for awhile! Keep us posted and good luck