Preparing For Weight Loss Surgery: Checklist
“Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery: Checklist”
1. Scheduling & payment:
- Consultation with the surgeon – Dr. Cynthia Hernandez
- Deposit payment (secure your surgery reservation)
- Arrange for the remaining balance (due 24 hours pre-op). Choose your preferred payment option with or without transaction fees (refer to the Payment Instructions provided by your Coordinator)
- Sign Patient Financial Agreement, Consent and Waiver https://www.golightbariatrics.com/patient-financial-agreement-consent-and-waiver/
- Submit travel itinerary to your Coordinator. Follow instructions when booking flights at https://golightbariatrics.com/travel-information/
- Submit a picture of your ID to your Coordinator
- Submit a list of medications (if you are taking any) to your Coordinator, follow instructions from the medical team.
2. Pre-op requirements:
- Pre-op diet, solid food stage and liquid stage, review and follow responsibly at length explained in the post-consultation email from your Coordinator.
- Get in touch with your nutritionist Naomi Hernandez if you have pre-op diet / vitamin questions.
- Pre-op requirements, review and follow regarding smoking, hormonal medications, NSAIDs, jewelry, nail polish, compressions stockings, etc.
- Prepare Omeprazole (or another PPI brand of your choice) for a minimum of 2 weeks pre-op, to be taken TWICE a day, 20 mg each time.
3. Documents:
- Either a passport book / passport card or your Original United States Birth Certificate + DL or ID.
- For US citizens: if traveling with BC+DL/ID, obtain Real ID or Enhanced DL (mandatory after May 7, 2025)
- For NZ citizens: apply online for an ESTA at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta
4. Travel arrangements & packing:
- Need a wheelchair at the airport? Inform your airline when booking flight.
- Review packing list for essential items https://golightbariatrics.com/travel-information/
- Arrange with your cell phone provider for an international calling plan.
- Download WhatsApp on your cell phone and create an account before traveling.
- Inform your bank / credit card about your travel days to Mexico so your transactions are not blocked.
- Prepare VISA or MasterCard for the refundable hotel security deposit of $100 – $200 USD.
- Prepare cash (recommended $200-$300 USD) for souvenir shopping, tips, extra activities (massage, sightseeing, Botox, etc.). US Dollars are accepted everywhere.
