robbynnoel

((((((((((((((Sarah))))))))))))))))) Hugs. I'm so happy to hear of your successful weight loss and your pregnancy! I don't have any stats but I will pray for a healthy pregnancy for you. xo

(((((((((((((((((((Lisa))))))))))))))))))) Hugs. We must have just missed each other. I had my pre ops on Thursday and surgery on Friday. How are you feeling?

((((((((((((((((((Justathought))))))))))))))))) Hugs. The staff is wonderful. I was just banded (I arrived home today). Send us a post tomorrow night so we know how everything went. xo

((((((((((((((((Klymatica)))))))))))))))))) Hugs. We must have crossed paths in the lobby but never officially met. I hope you are feeling a little better. Mental hunger will be a challenge. Have you purchased any Special K Protein Water yet? That might help. xo

((((((((((((((((((Deanna)))))))))))))))))))) How are you feeling? Please keep in touch. xo

(((((((((((((((((((((Tracy)))))))))))))))))) Thank you so much for being so kind to me when I arrived Thursday. I hope you are feeling well and your trip home was good. xo

(((((((((((((((((((Lori))))))))))))))))))))) Thank you so much for your post. I'm keeping my head in check so far with the liquid phase but I'd love ideas. I really enjoy cooking so I plan to experiment, even if it's just with liquids until Friday. Tonight I took a 2 qt sauce pan, 2 lipton tea bags, 2 small green apples (sliced), 2 packets of splenda, cinammon and nutmeg to a boil in two cups of water. I strained the mixture and ended up with a fresh, hot apple tea. Super yummy. I served it in an expresso coffee cup and took "princess sips". I think I ended up having 4 ounces...maybe 5 total. My expresso cups were filled with about 2 oz of liquid at a time. Tomorrow I'm going to experiment with a hot mixture of grape juice and no pulp orange juice with some mulling spices (strained of course). I'm also going to make a clear based leek soup tomorrow (strained). Next week when I can introduce milk, I'm going to play around with greek lemon soup recipes, garlic soup recipes and french onion recipes (all strained). "Princess Servings..." I'm looking forward to moving to Frisco...I'm hoping to be there by August 1st!

((((((((((((((((Shiney)))))))))))))))))) Hugs. How are you feeling? How was your flight? I wish I would have taken photos on Thursday night. Thank you so much for being so kind to me. You and Tracy made me feel at ease and I did much better Friday than I would have if I hadn't have met the two of you. xo How is Tracy doing?

(((((((((((((((((((((Lea))))))))))))))))))))))) Hugs. Congrats on deciding on lapband and I OCC. I was banded on Friday and I got home a few hours ago. I considered another surgeon originally, one that would have discharged me a few hours after surgery and then for other reasons I switched to the OCC. I know this will sound strange but spending the night at the OCC was fun. First of all, your room is painted/decorated in what I like to call "Starbucks" colors. Browns, beiges, and creams. Very relaxing. Your room will have a water fountain and when you enter your room, new age music is piped in (via direct TV). You also have access to dozens of movie channels...all of them, hbo, encore...you name it, it's there. You'll get to meet others who have just had their surgeries as well. There is a little area with common computers so if you're in the mood to hang out and chat you can and if not you can just rest in your room. Around 9 pm they'll give you a sleeping pill so you can get a good nights rest. xo

(((((((((((((((((((((Bell)))))))))))))))))) Good point! I almost forgot I was tipped off to this and it wouldn't have occurred to me if I hadn't been clued in. In your hospital room there is a phone. There is no charge for using it and you can call both the US and Canada. That helped me stay in touch since my cell isn't working. xo

((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone)))))))))))))))))) Greetings from the Marriott. I was discharged today and I'll be flying home tomorrow. Last night was fun. Kind of like what it must feel like to be on a reality show meeting strangers for the first time. We hopped from room to room and took photos of everyone. We honestly had a very good time. Today I was given a capri sun, a bottled water and some swanson low sodium chicken broth for breakfast. I was also given two cards. The first had my name on it, it specified I had a lapband, stated the bands unique number and the size 10cc. It had a cartoon picture on the front, and what I think was an xray of my stomach on the back. Surgeries are not performed at the OCC on Saturday's...only fills, so if you want a picture with Dr. Ortiz, do it the day of your surgery if the day after is a Saturday. I also received (or will receive) a card with my name and photo on it that will allow me to order off the kids menus in restaurants. I understand that it's still possible a restaurant won't honor the card, but it will still be nice to have. The driver who took a group of us back to the Marriott was very kind. He let us stop at 3 different pharmacies on the way to the hotel. We purchased everything from more pain killers (the OCC gives you a box of 4 that are taken under the tongue) to other stuff that you can get over the counter here, but not at home. Two weeks from the Marriott is a grocery store. We decided as a group to walk there. I purchased several flavored waters (4) like Crystal Lights, a few waters, broth cubes and we all purchased a spice called "Tajin" Classic. It's basically chilli's and limes. If it's sprinkled into the broth it turns up the volume a bit. Oh....and my husband purchased tequilla. lol My husband ate brunch inside of the hotel in our room. I ordered the chicken broth and an apple juice. I mixed my apple juice with about 4 onces of water and I'm still sipping on it. I didn't finish my broth. I'm honestly not hungry. In fact, I don't feel dizzy or light headed either. My husband and I did go down to Revolutionary Avenue. We took a cab from the Marriott. The Marriott insisted we take a map, which I thought was currious, but I'm glad they did. When we took a cab back, we needed to point to the Marriott on the map to get back to the hotel. I'm feeling pretty good. I was given a sleeping pill around 9 pm last night so I slept pretty well for me...I was up by 4 but that's not unusual for me. When I got back to the hotel I took a nap for a few hours. I still feel a tightness in my stomach, kind of gassy. I'm walking to try to walk it off. Somethings to keep your eyes open for on Revolutionary Avenue. On 4 corners there are adorable mules (that look like Zebras...heck maybe they were zebras, but they weren't black and white, they were more brown) and you could with your own camera, take a photo of the mule...ah donkey....zebra...whatever it was with you in it wearing a Mexican hat. There is a charge to have the guy take the picture using your own camera. My husband talked him down to $5.00 American for 4 shots. All really good shots. There are a lot of silver jewlry, leather goods...etc. Decide how much you want to spend and barter, barter, barter. I wanted a purse but we ran out of money. lol There are also puppets, and cute painted guitars...super cute. When I get a fill I want to come back for miracas (sp) and a painted pink guitar for my neice. It was a really good day. xo

((((((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))) Wow. I'm one of the banded now. I was not the first surgery, but I wasn't the last either. I'm spending the night at the OCC. I feel as if it's my first day on a reality show. We're hopping from room to room and having little mini parties, eating Otter Pops, drinking Capri Sun and drinking water. The OCC has an internet area with desktops that we are using. We've all friended each other on Facebook. I'm having so much fun. Here's a few highlights. 1. The Pickup The OCC driver told me the pick up was between 7 and 7:30. We didn't know the driver was not going to be an OCC driver. It was a driver from the Marriott so we didn't get on the first shuttle because we didn't understand. 2. The Wait The surgery was a few hours but I was first prepped for the IV and then taken to my room. My husband got to stay in my room while I was in surgery. Everyone told me they knew about my allergy to the general anestesia (sp) and they had a complete game plan and told me exactly what they would do if there was a problem. 3. The Surgery At the OCC you wear designer thong panties (made of blue cloth, but hey), not the mesh underware I've seen used in the US...lol Okay, it's not a thong, but it's close, a narrow narrow bikini cut. I was taken to the operating room in a wheel chair and asked to go to the bathroom prior. While in my room I was given meds for the allergic reation they were hoping to avoid and some other things for dizzyness etc. Under my tounge they placed a heart med and something else, but I can't remember. They disolved in my mouth. The anesteisiaoligst (sorry about the spelling tonight) walked me through each med they added to the IV while I was in surgery. I remember him saying "Robbyn, we've finished with all of the meds and we can see by your arms there will not be any problems. You're going to sleep in 20 seconds." I woke up, they removed the tube (it wasn't scary) and they placed me on a hospital bed and wheeled me back to the room. I actually cried because it was hard to believe I had the surgery. 3. The Pain Okay, brutal honesty. I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me, almost the way you feel if you're short of breath. It's liveable, but I still have that now. The staff says that the pain I feel is gas and I'll eventually be able to walk it off. Also, right after surgery my throat was massively sour. They gave me ice cubes to suck on. 4. What I've Eaten Today 4 Otter Pops 16 oz Water 1 Capri Sun xo More tomorrow.

((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone)))))))))))))) Everyone was wonderful. I am feeling wonderful. Thank you everyone for your messages. I'm so glad I switched to the OCC and I'm one of the banded. xo

HI this is Robbyn's husband reporting live from the recovery room. Robbyn is a little woozy but very happy that the surgery was successful! Thanks to everyone for their support.

((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone))))))))))))))))))))) Thank you thank you thank you. Your posts took a breath away for a moment. For people who have never met me to care is really wonderful feeling. I'm heading downstairs to wait for the van. I "think" I'll be the first to have the surgery. I'm feeling so much better about everything and I can't wait to become a bandito. xo

(((((((((((((((((((Linda))))))))))))))))))) Can't wait to meet you. I'm waiting for a 7 am pst for surgery.

(((((((((((((((((Deanna)))))))))))))))))) I'm so happy everything went well. I saw Tracy and Lena last night and they showed me their scars. They looked wonderful and they even went shopping yesterday. I guess I'll see you briefly before you are discharged today, if not, maybe we'll connect up again tomorrow when I'm discharged. xo

(((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone))))))))))))))))))))))) Greetings from the Marriott. Today has been a long day. I'm having my surgery tomorrow morning. I'm excited. Here's a recap of my first day. 1. Fasting The day of the pre ops I fasted. So I didn't eat or drink anything today prior to my arrival (except water). 2. My Husband on the Plane (Off Topic) - See below 3. OCC Pickup We didn't have to hunt or search for the OCC driver. The driver was positioned with a sign and my name (spelled correctly) just as we got off the plane and out of the security area. He then waited for us to get our baggage. 4. Rendevous with Other Patients While we waited for our luggage, a couple who drove in met the driver as well. We travelled to the OCC together which was nice. 5. The OCC We were taken directly to the OCC from the airport for testing. The tests I had included: a. Blood Work (it was cute, the nurse held my hand when I walked to the blood work area) b. Cartiologist (I received some kind of heart exam) and blew into a tube to verify my lung capacity c. Nutritionalist (Dr. Miranda went over post op instructions.) She's such a doll. She also told me that I could eat solid food tonight. She was very specific in my case. She asked that I have carne esada (sp) aka steak, gruacmole (sp) - don't have to ask me twice, and two corn tortilla's for lunch. For dinner she said I could have a fruit cup. She also weighed me, helped me pick a goal weight and measured me. Dr. Miranda also told me I could have a soda this evening. I had a few sips and gave the rest to my husband. d. Dentist (A woman, trained in the United States...very sweet). She took xrays and found 2 cavities. She didn't do a cleaning or anything like that, but she did put together a customized estimate. She said 2 cavities (with white fillings), and the removal of 3 wisdom teeth would cost just under $800. Huh? I just got an estimate of $4,000 for one wisdom tooth removed. Yikes. Okay...now for honesty. I met several other patients in the lobby. The tests today were not fast, it was one test, wait in the lobby a half hour, take another test, wait another half hour etc... We landed at 10:30 am and we got to the hotel pretty close to 5 pm. Now "if" I wasn't on a pre op diet, and all I had was breakfast and I was a spouse, I would have blown a gasket, but the husbands in the lobby starved happily and quietly. They are much stronger than I am. Once Dr. Miranda told me I could eat when I returned to the hotel I was ready ready ready and it was at that point the wait felt like it was too much. A receptionist told me that it was because they only had one nurse today. So moral of the story for those of you who have not been banded... a. You can eat the moment you have your blood work done. b. They will order food for you "if" you ask (we never did ... my husband kept thinking the food wouldn't arrive before we left). If I was him I would have ordered food the minute I saw someone else order it. There is a lovely patio you can eat on. I recommend planning to have your angelic spouse/companion eat there or bring something to nibble on from the airport. c. If your husband asks, they will get him coffee. 6. The exchange rate is 12.75 7. Your cell phone Here's a big one. My husband and I have TMobile. We have NO cell coverage (we never dreamed that would happen). BUT we did bring a laptop...thank god. We were able to email our kids and our sitter and tell them who to contact if there was an emergency before we arrived home on Sunday. Having the laptop also kept my husband's sanity at the OCC in the lobby, wi fi was free there. In the hotel, the Marriott, they have high speed internet, not wi fi, so you have to type at a desk. 8. The Marriott Okay...brutal honesty. Everyone at the Marriott is wonderful but there are some big differences you'll notice when you are dining here. a. Cloth chair cushions are not picture perfect, they have a stain or two. Nothing dramatic, just not what you'd normally see in a restaurant. b. Table cloths are a little freyed, and have a stain or two here and there. Nothing dramatic, just not what you'd normally see in a restaurant. c. Waiters uniforms...their vests are more of the same. I think it's because it's made of silk (so was the table cloth). d. Waiters are ninjas. Yep. I have a habit of putting my purse on the floor by my feet. This isn't a horror story, I promise, but I'll never ever ever do that again. Our waiter, aka the ninja, must have come from behind me, picked up my purse from the floor and then placed it next to me on a metal hook. I never saw him coming and I never saw him move my purse. Kind of freaky. He was also has the ability to be a ninja with water refills. e. The food was excellent. The silverware and plates were spotless. f. The service. It took a long time to have the order brought to our table. Now mind you, my husband and I were starving so it may have felt like longer than it was. We were really hungry. Not the fast restaurant service you get at home. g. And lastly, I was entertained when our waiter, aka the ninja, stood a few feet from me with a plate of coffee cups that looked clean to me, but then again, I was 20 feet away. I watched him take a coffee cup from the tray and dip it in what I assume was a silver wine cooler filled with water, and then dry the item and stack them again. It was just odd to see. h. The room. They gave us 2 doubles and since I was so hungry, we went to the restaurant first, I let my husband see the room and of course it never occurred to him to ask for a king. lol Also, in order to TURN the lights ON in the bathroom you need your room key. Yea...I'm serious, you need your room key. Okay, I think that covers everything except for our plane ride. 9. The plane ride My husband and I are big people. We sat 3 across so we were cramped. He had the window seat and he had to go to the bathroom. The woman on the isle asked my husband to wait until her son was out of the bathroom and she mentioned he had been waiting to go for awhile. My husband asked if he could just get up anyway and she rolled her eyes but got up and out of the row for him. So after about 10 minutes, I still have no husband, and it looks like she has no son. Finally her son comes up to her and says that some guy has been in the bathroom for 20 minutes and he's just going to wait until we land. See the drink cart was coming down the isle so there was no way past the drink cart to get to the bathrooms in the front. Now my husband, angel that he is (from New York) and after another 10 minutes he says to the airline stewart who is still blocking the isle with the drink cart. "Both of these bathrooms have had someone in them for over 20 minutes and you need to make sure everything is okay because I feel like breaking the door down." lol Then he told the stewart to move so the "son" could go to the bathroom in front. Turns out both stalls were empty and locked from the inside. lol I'm amazed marshalls didn't escort my husband off the plane. Tomorrow is the big day, I hope this email helps those who have surgery dates pending prepare. xo

((((((((((((((((((Luna Lady))))))))))))))))) I'm looking forward to fitting comfortably in an airline seat & Fitting comfortably into a ride at an amusement park & Fitting comfortably into a seat in a movie theatre & Fitting comfortably into a seat in a major league ball park & Fitting comfrotably into a seat in a football areana

((((((((((((((((((((((((Carrie)))))))))))))))))))))))) Thank you so much for your post. I really appreciate it. Aside from the surgery there is so much going on in my personal life now...I have so many attorney's it makes my head spin. (An attorney for an accident my mom and youngest daughter were in a few years ago, an attorney for my mother's probate - that court hearing is today, and lastly, an attorney because I want to move out of state and I'm divorced - child custody stuff). Phew. I would say I can't believe how much stuff is hitting me at one time but it's been a constant whirl wind of extraordinary stressors (one after another after another after another) since September 06. I'd like to get off the roller coaster...my husand would like to get off the roller coaster...thank god we have a strong relationship. Wow, now my head is flashing back on the past few years...it really has been a lot.

((((((((((((((((((Louise))))))))))))))))))))) Thank you for the good wishes. Enjoy your trip to San Francisco!

I can't wait to meet you both!

((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone)))))))))))))))))))))) I'm still just over 4 lbs heavier than I was two months ago at the time of my last pre op but I'm not going to beat myself up over it. When I follow the way it's designed today and tomorrow and fast the day of my pre op tests I know I'll lose the 4 lbs plus a smidge more I imagine. I wanted to give out my contact but I can't figure out how to send more than 1 pm a day so I'm just going to post it here. Cell: 650.278.0158 Email: robbynnoel@gmail.com Facebook: See below link Husband: Jeff Hotel: Marriott Arrival: 5/21 Departure: 5/24 I can't believe after all of this time researching and planning, it's almost time!

((((((((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone)))))))))))))))))))))) I'm still just over 4 lbs heavier than I was two months ago at the time of my last pre op but I'm not going to beat myself up over it. When I follow the way it's designed today and tomorrow and fast the day of my pre op tests I know I'll lose the 4 lbs plus a smidge more I imagine. I wanted to give out my contact but I can't figure out how to send more than 1 pm a day so I'm just going to post it here. Cell: 650.278.0158 Email: robbynnoel@gmail.com Facebook: See below link Husband: Jeff Hotel: Marriott Arrival: 5/21 Departure: 5/24 I can't believe after all of this time researching and planning, it's almost time!

I have a San Francisco contact as well. He has a few offices, one of which is in San Mateo (about 12 miles South). http://www.gastricbypasssanfrancisco.com/a...an-mateo-ca.htm I know he does fills. Before I found the OCC, he was my surgeon.