Coming Home/Crossing the Boarder

[robbynnoel]

((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone))))))))))))))))))))

What a whirlwind.

Yesterday we packed and checked out of the Marriott. We met in the lobby around 7 am for the OCC van to pick us up and take across the boarder. Now, I have a virgin passport so I thought it would be a lengthy process to get across the boarder, but it's easier than checking in for a flight and walking through security. Trust me.

As you enter Mexico, the lanes to exit to California are long long long. So long, you'll see street vendors peddling food to the cars waiting to cross. The OCC van uses a special lane, so all of that traffic is by passed.

As the van pulls into the lane we are cautioned not to take photographs. This is a security thing...neither side want photos of people crossing the boarder.

So, the OCC van is delayed only a moment or two to cross the boarder. Then the van is emptied (including all luggage) and you walk your luggage through customs. The line was very short, you show your passport (or birth certificate - but after 6/1...a passport is a must) and then your bag is xrayed. We had two bottles of tequilla, silver jewelry, food, spices...etc in our bags but nothing was an issue. You can leave your shoes, jackets etc on...easy peasy.

You walk out of the building to a parking lot where you meet the van. The entire process took less than 5 minutes. I was shocked.

Now airport security, that's a whole other story. lol

They made me take off my sweater, revealing I was wearing a thin t-shirt and no bra. Oh and since I lifted my sweater over my head the guard got to see my scars. So fun.

It took such a short amount of time to cross the boarder, we were able to catch an earlier flight home!

I decided to take it easy yesterday but I could have done more if I wanted to. The pain has subsided considerably but I'm still not able to sleep on my side or stomach. I didn't take my pain meds today, but I might decide to later.

I'm doing pretty good with the liquid diet but I don't recommend getting on the scale. I thought for sure the scale would be down, down, down...but nope. Today I'm the same weight I was before I left for the pre ops. I don't want to speculate as to why (but if I indulge myself...I am choosing to tell myself that the meds used for surgery bloated me up a little and the plane ride had affects too....lol) so I'm just going to follow the pre op and not worry about seeing a loss on the scale.

Yea right.

My new mantra is "princess sips". I had an ounce of coffee with powdered non dairy creamer and a splenda for breakfast with a capri sun. I'm still sipping on the capri sun.

Lunch will be another capri sun and dinner will be as well. That is the magority of my calories. Broths, teas, flavored waters, sugar free popsicles, I'm having but they don't put a big calorie foot print on.

Believe it or now I'm satisfied and happy.

Have a wonderful holiday everyone.

xo

[shrty835]

I am so very happy it all went well for you. Dont pay no attention to that scale right now. Just rest and get better soon.

[Kristi]

Hi Robbyn,

I had my surgery a few days before yours. I am glad to hear your doing well.

How was it flying after surgery?

I also am doing pretty good. I am ready to eat food again, but can manage and deal with it.

I do understand about feeling the full feeling. I can barely sip my broths and in no time I have to stop.

Have you had any cravings while on the pre-op diet or since the surgery?

The other day I watched a Big Mac commercial on TV and considering I can't stand them, ooohh, I wanted that burger so bad.

But, I had a sugar-free popsicle and it satisfied me.

Take care,

Kristi

[robbynnoel]

Hi Robbyn,

I had my surgery a few days before yours. I am glad to hear your doing well.

How was it flying after surgery?

I also am doing pretty good. I am ready to eat food again, but can manage and deal with it.

I do understand about feeling the full feeling. I can barely sip my broths and in no time I have to stop.

Have you had any cravings while on the pre-op diet or since the surgery?

The other day I watched a Big Mac commercial on TV and considering I can't stand them, ooohh, I wanted that burger so bad.

But, I had a sugar-free popsicle and it satisfied me.

Take care,

Kristi

(((((((((((((((((((Kristi))))))))))))))))))

Welcome to the banded. I hear you about the head hunger. Totally. I keep telling myself princess sips, princess sips. My daughter popped some popcorn and sat next to me while she ate it. It was tempting. In fact every commercial has been tempting.

About an hour ago, I had some wonderful smell in the bedroom, it was some kind of chocolate almond combo...but there is no chocolate or almonds in the house.

lol

I asked my daughter for a popsicle.

Today is day 4 for me. I feel good that I conquered the head hunger. I just need to remind myself that I was able to do this so that when I can eat again, I can still conquer it.

xo

How are you feeling?

[Kristi]

Hello Again,

So far so good. I am doing well. I have been walking my 15 minutes every day like they told me to do.

It's officially been a week since my surgery and thrilled that I have been able to manage the liquid diet.

Although on the other hand I have watched the majority of all my shows on the DVR and now not sure what

else to watch.

Yesterday I did go to the Disneyland Convention ceneter to watch my neice in a dance competition.

We walked through a bit of downtown Disneyland and I wore myself out ALOT.. :shok:

By the time we went to the grocery store to get a few items, I was in the driveable cart they have there

and convinced someone to walk me out to my car so I didn't have to walk. The good news is the lady who

walked me out was wonderful and very helpful. First time in a few days that I needed to have my pain

meds before the end of night.

What other kinds of clear liquids are you eating/drinking? I have managed, but I am ready to have

the smoothy drinks.

How are you feeling now? How has the gas in the belly been treating you? Did you get or do you have

any pains in the shoulder?

I hope you are doing well.

Kristi

[DaGreen]

I LOVE the princess sips! I am going to use that!

Congrats to both you ladies on being banded. I found when the head hunger hit, I'd go for a walk. It helped with the head hunger and it helps to move that gas through your system.

[robbynnoel]

Hello Again,

So far so good. I am doing well. I have been walking my 15 minutes every day like they told me to do.

It's officially been a week since my surgery and thrilled that I have been able to manage the liquid diet.

Although on the other hand I have watched the majority of all my shows on the DVR and now not sure what

else to watch.

Yesterday I did go to the Disneyland Convention ceneter to watch my neice in a dance competition.

We walked through a bit of downtown Disneyland and I wore myself out ALOT.. :shok:

By the time we went to the grocery store to get a few items, I was in the driveable cart they have there

and convinced someone to walk me out to my car so I didn't have to walk. The good news is the lady who

walked me out was wonderful and very helpful. First time in a few days that I needed to have my pain

meds before the end of night.

What other kinds of clear liquids are you eating/drinking? I have managed, but I am ready to have

the smoothy drinks.

How are you feeling now? How has the gas in the belly been treating you? Did you get or do you have

any pains in the shoulder?

I hope you are doing well.

Kristi

(((((((((((((((((Kristi))))))))))))))))

Hugs to you. It's good your getting up and about. I was able to sleep on my side last night. Whooopppie! That helps.

For me, the liquid phase is all about flavor. I am concerned about my calorie intake. It will be much easier to hit over 400 once I add in liquid yogurts.

I'm telling myself to drink 3 capri suns a day. (300 calories...I read 400 is the absolute minimum but that didn't come from the OCC). So far the most I've been able to drink is one.

The other things I've had don't have a big calorie count. I have a cup of chicken broth each day and a sugar free popsicle. I also try to drink at least 8 oz of water...a vitamin water, like gatoraid's propell.

To up the flavor a few notches I have done a few things. For instance, after days and days of chicken broth I turned up the volume by adding bacon bits, parm cheese, crushed red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning. I brought the mixture to a boil and then strained it in a strainer like the kind you'd use to sift flour.

It gave me the little punch I needed. To feed my family, I can throw the strained pieces back into the pot with the remaining water and add some chicken breast and noodles...that way they won't order a pizza (again). lol

To amp the volume on the sweet side, I sliced apples, in a pot of water with a tea bag, nutmeg and cinnamon (sp). Again with my strainer...

I like to cook so the other purpose it served was to keep me up entertained.