Paula Bee

We left on the 21st, and we had no trouble at all. Francisco picked us up at the exact time we were told, and when we arrived at the border, he told us that we would have to walk through customs with our luggage and then about a block where he would pick us up. Things went very smoothly. In fact, one of the border patrol interrupted the line and let us cut ahead of everyone. No luggage was opened; we just had to declare what we had purchased. We walked the very short block and were picked back up by Francisco. He got us to the airport with plenty of time, and we were very happy with our drive. It is amazing how different things can be. One thing; I did call the drive coordinator before we left, and he told me that Francisco would be our driver. Paula

This is how I handled it. I researched it carefully, and marked the website of all my research. Next, I sent my deposit in to the clinic, and paid for my airline tickets. Finally, I told only the essential people in my family. When they started their anti-Mexico retoric, I told them forget it.. non-refundable deposit and plane tickets already purchased, and if they objected, to please keep it to themselves, because it was too late. I told them that I was sending the research to them to reassure them. Nobody said one more word about it. What was the point? Paula

Yeppers. Paula

That is SO funny. We just got back, and we were told that the heat was off for the season and they only had ac at this time. It so happened that I was COLD, so they sent up a little radiating heater. They must have only one or the other on at the same time. Paula

I am so excited for you! I have been banded 4 days, and I feel wonderful... I felt that it was the beginning of a new life for me. Paula

Wow.. it was good to meet you! I am sorry the weird scheduling kept us from getting to know you better! Paula

Phazyme is the only thing to use.. tiny gel cap. I have not had ANY problems with gas pain. Paula

I agree.. I hope to be with you there soon. Regardless, I find the Biggest Loser extremely motivating and get great satisfaction from each individual's success. Paula

I was banded day before yesterday, on March 19th. I went shopping in Tijuana all afternoon the next day, and just got home from a 7.5 hour flight. I feel tired, but great. Go for it. Paula

WOOT! Thanks, Darlene.. I will check in sooner then. Paula nitey night for me gotta plane to catch in the earrrrrrrrrrrly morning

ditto =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

Hi, Everyone! Unless I post again tonight, I will be out of touch until next Friday. My husband and I haven't had a vacation without the kids since our honeymoon, so even though it is a tiny vacation, we are flying to San Diego Sunday. We will go to Sea World that afternoon. Monday we will go to the San Diego Zoo. If we get tired early, we may see if we can hop a boat with a whale watching tour. I will have a protein shake for breakfast on both days, and a protein bar for lunch in the parks. Supper we are still working out, but I have eaten enough lean cuisines in my life where I can approximate the amount of chicken and vegetables in them. David can get supper and I will just have the little bit. Also, I was a Weight Watcher's leader for about a year and a half (before I got too fat again to be one... my second loss of over 100 pounds,) so I am very good at approximating Tuesday, we will go back to the airport and turn the rental car in. We will meet the driver at Air Alaska, where another patient is arriving at 12:30. After that, you know the routine... to the clinic for the pre-op stuff, back to the hotel, evening free, back to the clinic with everyone on Wednesday for our big day. Hopefully, we will go back to the hotel on Thursday for some recovery and maybe some shopping. Finally, early, and I mean EARLY, we will go back to the airport for our flight home. Alas.. we cannot take such light luggage, as we will be there a couple of extra days. I am not taking the laptop, although I would love to, because the suitcase is full and we don't want to take another. So.. no e-mail from me until Friday night. That will be day 3 for me. Those that are going to be there while I am... Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.. I do hope to meet you and get to know you a bit before we all go home. Hubby David will be here if you have family members that want to go shopping in a group with a male presence. He will also go when I go, and you are welcome to go shopping with us. Look for the tall, brunette fat woman with the taller silver haired skinny man, Paula

I need a new theme song! My current one will cease to be after my surgery on Wednesday. I look forward to hearing your creative suggestions! Paula

Thank you! I appreciate it. Paula

Thank you, thank you! My husband is feeling better about it. Paula

Heck, no! I am not at all nervous. I have had other laproscopic surgeries, and they are a big nothing except for about 3 days of soreness. I cannot wait! I almost feel like Christmas is coming. Ask me how I am feeling again after 6 days of clear liquids! Doing the happy dance! (well, sort of... my knees ARE 53 years old!) Paula

You better be there, girl.. otherwise I will miss you! Social Security card is a good choice, too. Regardless, have your mom send your birth certificate to you the fastest way possible. I understand you can get in just fine, but you do have to prove citizenship to get out. Paula

My husband is stressing over the address of the clinic. We have the mailing address, but need to know the street address. He also wants to know if you can walk safely between the clinic and the hotel. We fly out tomorrow, and he is being anal retentive. Paula

<laffing> You know, you have to have a sense of humor to get through the trying times. Sometimes it is either laugh or cry... I prefer laughing. Besides, I am a nut anyway. Paula

I wonder how many of us have lost about a thousand pounds? I have lost 83, 58, 98, 112, 115, and Lord knows how many other groups of pounds in all my excursions with Weight Watchers. I started WW in 1970 when I was 15, and I have been on it until recently, at 53. I bet that I have lost close to a thousand pounds. That is so sad...that would be about 6 adult women and a child. Well, the page has turned and I feel like this is my last and best chance. We leave for San Diego on Sunday for a couple of days of vacation before we check in on Tuesday. Who is arriving on Air Alaska at 12:30? We are supposed to meet our ride at your pick up area. Paula

Honey Pie, Don't make me come there and beat you! I want you there, all happy, and confident, and ready to go on the day of our surgery! One thing I think you could try is to buy a protein bar, cut it into little caramel size pieces, and when you are stressed, eat one or two. It isn't exactly the pre-op diet, but it might relieve your stress to think that you are eating something good for yourself. I wish I had better suggestions.. hang in there.. we are one week away! Paula

I am on the pre-op diet. Has anyone mentioned using protein bars as a shake substitution? I am going to the movie tomorrow with my daughter-in-law, then we are going shopping. If I take a shake, It will be warm by the time we (she) sits down for lunch. Is a protein bar that has equivilent protein, calories, etc. a possible substitute? I dont remember anyone saying that Dr. Miranda ever said anything about it. Paula

Okay, my surgery is one week from today. I have been starving for two days. Also, the shakes (slimfast, eas) are causing me to have some indigestion. It is hard of me to even think of drinking one right now. I even had my lean cuisine at noon so that maybe I can face the eas protein shake at supper. I already took my fiber and a sugar-free popsicle. I may try some coffee, and if I still feel like I could eat a cow, I will go lie down until my hubby gets home. If I am lucky, maybe I will go to sleep. I have had a hysterectomy, so I am not premenstrual. If I eat my arm off, will that count as weight loss, or will the mass weight the same inside me? Just curious... you never know what a hungry person might do. I AM staying on the pre-op diet, but I am just hungry. bite marks on my arm, Paula

I am so relieved for you. Money issues suck, Paula

I was so starving today that I ate a whole bag of steamed broccoli through the evening.. a little bit.. wait.. a little bit.. wait.. Ack, Paula