Essential Packing List for Your Bariatric Surgery Trip to Puerto Vallarta | Hidalgo Bariatrics
Embarking on this journey is a pivotal moment to transform your life for the better. Despite feeling nervous, there’s an underlying excitement to reclaim control of your life. Happiness, confidence, and improved health are the driving forces behind the decision to undergo weight loss surgery.
Carry-on, wheeled suitcase.
Opt for a carry-on, wheeled suitcase (if possible) when traveling. If you need to check luggage, ensure it’s a wheeled suitcase to minimize lifting. Remember not to lift anything heavier than 30 pounds for 6-8 weeks post-op. It’s advisable to have someone assist you upon your arrival at your home airport.
Please leave jewelry, including any metals or piercings that must be removed before surgery, as well as valuables, at home.
Pack lightweight clothing such as pajamas and a few outfits with elastic bands, along with slip-on shoes, personal hygiene items, and all your current prescription medications in their original bottles.
Consider bringing audiobooks, a small laptop, or iPad for entertainment during travel to/from Mexico and throughout your post-surgical recovery period, as most television stations in Mexico broadcast in Spanish.
Limit your luggage to 1-2 smaller-sized suitcases as you’ll primarily be at the hospital during your stay. Please note that drivers may not have extra room for excess luggage and packages.
Don’t forget to bring your Passport unless your Patient Coordinator has authorized you to bring a Driver’s License and Birth Certificate instead.
Travel essentials for Bariatric surgery
Consider bringing the following comfort items for your hospital stay and ride home. They are optional but may enhance your comfort during recovery:
- Sleep Aids (Earplugs, Sleep mask)
- Entertainment (Music player, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc. Don’t forget chargers for electronic devices. Books, magazines, or other reading material.)
- Clothes (Slippers, Clean robe – the hospital will provide a gown, A loose-fitting outfit, robe, jumper, or dress to wear home, Flip-flops to wear in the shower, Clean underwear, and socks)
- Hygiene (Personal toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and hairbrush. Female sanitary towels – tampons may be too uncomfortable to use/apply).
Other Suggestions to Bring
- Notebook and pen for taking notes and writing down questions to ask.
- Neck pillow for the ride home.
- Wear comfortable shoes for your travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
- Bare basics for toiletry items, skincare, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, and hair ties.
- Bring extra underwear.
- Throat lozenges.
- Chapstick for dry lips after surgery.
- Bring a warm jacket or a sweater for the plane ride, just in case you’re cold in the hospital.
- Bring a decent-sized personal item for the airports… like a backpack instead of a purse.
- Carry your home meds with you, in original pill bottles.
Useful Tips
Bring some spending cash, preferably smaller bills. Although tipping is up to you, having extra money for your travels may be worthwhile.
Your cell phone carrier automatically rolled over and worked in Mexico without having to do anything, but call your cell phone carrier and let them know, see if you need to add a short-term International roaming to your plan.
You can let your airline know you will need wheelchair transport to/between gates on the way home. Yes, you need to walk, but those concourses are LONG in the airports and you will NOT be up to those walks 2 days post-op from major abdominal surgery. Walk around your gate area in the airport, not between gates.
