As Promised Here is my review of Dr. Almanza and his staff. I just got back from having surgery on the 19th so this info is new.
Day 1 - The shuttle will most likely be late due to hold ups at the border. Expect an extra hour or two wait unless you get really lucky.
-You will arrive at HMN Hospital that is more like a Clinic its not very big at all. They will take your blood sample and run an EKG test. Then take you to your Hotel. They over booked the hotels so its random where you may end up. Ticuan is the better one, however their band will keep you up all night if you have a room where the Tuba/Bass Echo resonates. Bring headphones!
Day 2- Note: while doing EKG and asking questions they prepare the Que line for surgeries. The easiest to do go first (Lower BMI no prior surgeries). The more complicated go later (Lap band revisions prior surgeries etc).
-Don't expect to get a specific time or notice which number you are going in at. They do things on the fly which can be frustrating.
-Once you wake up from surgery I can damn near guarantee you will have instant buyers remorse. To be honest everything hits you at once when you come out of the surgery room. The gass pressure burns, Reflux kicks in and you feel like total shit. Very few come out saying they feel ok.
-Walk,Walk,Walk! the only to get the gas out is to walk your ass off if you can manage to get out of bed. I literally marched in place by my bed when I could barely walk. it helps a lot.
Day-3 you get released from the Hospital and get to go to your room. If you go alone it would be best to pay the $60 a night for your own room. This will ensure you don't end up with a Roomate from hell who wont let you sleep. Trust me if you cant get proper rest and take it easy life is gonna suck. From here you wait it out try to get better and go sight seeing if you feel ok. The Drain coming out of your stomach and the fact they leave the needle in your wrist can cause issues. My entire wrist is bruised still.
Day-4 Leak test and removal of tube and IV needle (well if you end up with a female nurse, the males appear to be there to collect a check.. Ill explain later in another post). Once you are x-rayed (By the way the liquid they have you drink tastes like chalk and hair spray. You will be good to go. You just sit around all day in your hotel and wait for a call when your bus to San Diego leaves.
That's it in a nut shell you are literally ran through like cattle, they did 15 the day mine was done. I was the lucky #2 that day. You will see one group going out and another going right in. Non stop.
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