Dr. Almanza's Patients - Non-surgical question for you!

You know, I consider myself a somewhat intelligent woman and CANNOT believe I didn't think of using a straw!!  LOL. What a great idea, thank you!!!  From what I understand, I do have a barium swallow under fluero and that's just to show me the band is there and in place. It's not a real leak test like the people getting sleeved. I heard it's customary for band patients to do that and even if it wasn't, I need to because my aftercare requires both the x-ray and the operations notes in English as well as proof of an Allergan lap band in order to do my fills.

A straw...a frickin straw!  Your brilliant! 

The straw is a great idea, however most docs, including Dr. Almanza don't recommend using straws right after surgery. Apparently, they make you suck more air and can cause bad gas pains. (I don't know if the same goes for lap-band, so this may be completely irrelevant. lol)

I have used one a couple times since surgery and I have noticed discomfort so I mostly toss my straws and drink from the cup. But if they're okay with you using one, it will definitely keep a lot of the blue from your teeth. :)

Oh wait!!!! you wont be drinkin the blue nasty gunk!!!
you will drink the clear white stuff!!!
we drank blue nasty stuff at the clinic once we went to the fouro it was just a clear opaque nasty stuff!!!
LOL!!
Good Luck!
oh also I was told that it is against the law in Mexico to leave with the surgeons notes or your medical records. You get your x ray but that was it.
Weird but that is the way it is down there???

I left with x-rays, a full lab report and a full surgical report - can't imagine that it is illegal...

Well this is what I was told by Sevaro the "nurse" for Almanza.
I wouldnt think so either but he went in to the whole long sphiel about how your medical records were not allowed to be taken. That he as a Mexican citizen even was not allowed to obtain a copy of his medical records and take to a nother doctor in Mexico.
Probably a lie.

LOL,  I was majorly confused then. So fluero is the white stuff??? Got it.  Now I wont feel bad about doing that either before or after I go for my whitening. You guys are all so helpful!  I spoke to Louise in regard to the surgeons notes/records. I can only leave Mexico with my x-ray, but she can get the records to me within 6 weeks, just in time for my first fill. So that should work out well.

I have to tell you, the communication at Dr. Almanza's office is so much better than the previous surgeon I was going to be working with. At first, I had it in my head that I HAD to be in a full service hospital with an ICU, etc so I decided to have my surgery with Dr. Natera in Juarez at Star Medica Hospital. Not only was it taking forever to get responses from his nutritionist/coordinator, but the violence in Juarez really turned me off to going there. I feel so much better dealing with Almanza's staff and having all of you to talk to.  Your experiences and answers to my questions, are so valueable!

Just got home myself last night.
Not trying to confuse you but here's what I learned.
Some patients come out of surgery with indications that they were given the blue dye
Some do not
For the final leak test, patients with blue on their face did not have to take it again... some did?
I truly believe the recovery staff has no clue on this matter and cant give an explanation since their is very little English spoken.
I witnessed xrays from 8:30 to 1:00pm... its when ever
During the xray is when you drink the heavy clear liquid.
Now... about teeth whitening.
I think it depends on what type of surgery you are having so I will only speak of what I am positive about. It is NOT suggested when having VSG. I have had me teeth Zoom Laser Whitened several times in Mexico. It seems that the gel that they put on your teeth can get past the gauze packed in your gums and if it gets to your stomach you will get SICK. Stomach is still way too sensitive for this. Lap band... I don't know.
Also... confirm $$$'s.
One patient asked about whitening and cleanings and was given a price by Dr. B with his recomended dentist.
After getting the cleaning done and assuming it was going to be $30... got a bill for $100
Its Mexico... and don't assume its the same type of deep cleaning that you pay $150 to $180 back home for. Its a Mexico cleaning. I get my teeth cleaned in MX three times a year at $15 each visit.
And last, I would not depend on a driver from the clinic. If I may use an example. They were taking a group shopping and were picked up about 4 hours after the given time. That's MX
Take a cab for $5 - $8 bucks anywhere. Your time is worth that
Have an uneventful surgery!

Hi there!

I don't want to sound negative but I have to say that there is NO WAY IN HELL I felt like going anywhere for anything the day after surgery.  I had already had lap gallbladder surgery with a very easy recovery so I assumed it wouldn't be too bad...I was wrong.  I felt like a Mack truck had ran over me for the first 48 hours and the next 24 hours were way better but still pretty bad.  Pretty much everyone I was there with felt the same...lots of pain, indescribable soreness, nausea and weakness.  Anyway, I know everyone is different but I just wanted to say that it "may" not be as easy as you think.  If it were me I wouldn't plan to do anything else unless maybe it was on the last day...I was felling pretty good by then which was the 4th day after surgery.  Wishing you all the best!

Oh I also wanted to say that where I live in Texas there are several places that do laser whitening for $200.  I kept seeing signs all over TJ for this price and I thought it was too much since I could get it done here for the same price.  And Terry may be right...it may not be the same or as good.  I don't know but you might check around first.  : )

Bigisbad, thank you very much for such a detailed response, it's appreciated. When you and Liz get settled back into being home and feeling better, I definitley want to pick your brains about the overall experience. I'm glad things went well for you.

Bosco, I've been through an open RNY, so I'm hoping the pain won't be as bad. For me, I only get 2 nights in the recovery house, I don't stay overnight in the hospital at all. So I'm hoping that's an indication as to the speed of the recovery time. I think the real reason I was trying to fill my day with things like this is because I'm a little scared and I don't want to be reminded that I'll be there alone. My fiance is deployed right now, so I'm on my own for this one, even though I have his full support. I probably should think first about resting, getting back to recovering, and maybe doing some light shopping instead.

Thanks guys!