Day 1: The long (dusty) road to Juarez

Woo hoo!!  I am home safe, sore, de-stomached, and sassy from my WLS in Juarez, Mexico.  I flew out on Friday, June 2nd.  Easy flight to Dallas then El Paso.  I was soooooooo hungry though.  I had followed the plan I received from BeLite Weight to a tee and I read that I could not eat or drink 7 hours before arriving in Juarez.  So I didn't.  I finally messaged my facilitator and she said, "Oh noooooooo, you can eat today since you are having surgery Saturday".  Thank goodness! 

Day 1:
The driver was right there waiting by baggage claim when I arrived.  We took off to cross the border into Mexico.  Arrived at hospital around noon, waited a little while to check in, up to room, preop testing, got settled in the hospital room (and EVERYONE was soooooooo nice) and I did exactly what I promised I wouldn't do.....I took off to the mall across the street.  Sidenote: I am from Florida originally and live in Alabama now.  Heat is nothing new to me.  But Juarez is DAMN hot.  Like a dry, dry sun right on your skin and in your face.  However, no humidity so I can't complain.  Humidity > Heat any day!!

The area around the hospital is beautiful.  Very upscale, busy, new, and trendy.  I just waited until several hospital staff crossed the street.  I crossed with them and shopped for hours in the mall.  I even got a pedicure and some homemade chicken tacos.  My very last "meal" before surgery.  The exchange rate when I was here was $12.50 US dollars to $1 peso.  That made for some good deals in the mall. 

The mall has a GNC and I was able to purchase an Isopure No-Carb for $2; The coolest jewelry store where I was able to get tons of rings and earrings for $2 each or less; a spa that does it all but you need an appointment and the food court was fab.  Funny to see a Subway and McDonalds there.  I went for authentic Mexican instead.  Just ate grilled chicken inside a grilled corn tortilla.  There is a huge beautiful movie theater there.  Not sure if it has movies in English or with subtitles.  It is just a really nice mall if you have the time pre-op. 

Left the mall and rested in the room the remainder of the nite.  Now the hospital is AMAZING!!  Like nicer patient rooms than I have ever had in the states.  My room was huge. It had hardwood floors, a microsuede couch with large oversized pillows that came off so someone could lay on it.  The pillows came in handy when I wanted to prop up in the bed.  There was a large oversized recliner as well.  That helped me a lot post-op when I just needed to sit up comfortably.  The bathroom looked like something out of a hotel.  Huge walk in shower with a chair if needed.  They provided shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper and tissue.  I did have to bring my own wash cloth and toiletries. 

There are outlets everywhere and they are the same type we use here in the states so I was able to keep my iPad and phone charged the whole time.  A little closet with an area to hang items, a shelf and a SAFE!  There is a TV in the room.  Took me a little bit to figure out what channels were in English.  Once I did, I was fine.  Has an AC in the room and I was able to turn it on and off as needed.  I was able to pick up the wireless connection inside my room.  I had an iPad and an Evo phone (4G smartphone).  Not sure if that helped or not but was nice to not have to go to the lobby to chat, read email, Facebook and Pinterest.

Dr. Rod did come see me around bedtime.  So sweet.  Was in no rush.  Unfortunately, I had no questions, no concerns, no worries and no anxiety.  Not much for us to chat about. Was just ready to have surgery. Took my bedtime shower and went to bed.

Day 2 will be in the next post.  Day 2 is "the big day"!!