live the rest of my life abundantly with great health and enjoy my family.

I can't believe I haven't written since January.  It was good to read the prior posts and reflect on what's happened over the last year.  I guess I haven't written because I've been so busy living....and so grateful for it!  In a couple of weeks, it'll be a year since I layed down on that table scared to death.  I will forever be grateful that God gave me the grace to have this surgery.  I am down 115 pounds to date.  Incredible!  Walking is so much fun.  Running up the stairs is a breeze.  Playing soccer in the backyard with my grand-daughter makes us both laugh.  Grammy's "bat wings" are a big hit with all the kids!  I can walk 4 miles with hills.  I can swim 1 mile without stopping. I am happy.  So happy.  God bless all of you, too.

I haven't written in a while.  I wanted to wait until I saw the doctor again for an accurate weight loss, but whatever!!  I was moved to write today because of a support group meeting last night.  I've been going to a support group in my area since my surgery.  They meet every 2 weeks and are basically people who all had surgery at Valley Care in Pleasanton.  I'm starting to wish that I did, too!!  The woman who runs the group is extremely knowledgeable and I could listen to her talk all day.  She is such a comfort.  I had been having trouble with throwing up since the beginning of December and nothing tastes good.  I haven't been getting all my protein and have been pretty depressed about eating in general.  After last night's meeting, I feel so much better.
I had gone back to soft foods and was not happy with that.  But last night people were sharing how they still cannot eat beef/pork and how nothing tasted good the first year.  Everyone seemed to know this!!  I have been searching ObesityHelp and other websites for help.  Just knowing that this is common gave me such a relief.  I woke up this morning with a renewed sense that I'm on the right path!  
I see Dr. Morton on January 25, but I think I've lost about 50lbs since surgery!  Yea!!

I forgot one little item.  I woke up the evening of my surgery in the middle of a 5.6 earthquake!  God was shaking the world to let me know He is in charge and working!!

Hi guys!!  I'm home!!  Everything went so well.  I was beyond nervous going into the hospital.  They didn't give me any drugs until I was on the table because I needed to manuever myself onto this special table, so all my anxiety was mine to deal with.  When the put the mask over my face, their was a brief millisecond when I thought...last chance to turn back!  But I took a deep breath and off we went.  I really hated the waking up part.  Not because of anything other than everyone was yelling!!  "Tammy, Wake up!  We're done!  Everything went well!".  Nice news, but well above the normal decibal level.  They said there would be discomfort in the gut from the air they pump in to seperate things so they can get a good view and have room to move around.  They weren't kidding.  EEK!  But, you know, after 24 hours, it was certainly tolerable and I was ready to do what I needed to get out of that hospital bed.  Now, don't get me wrong....I would have loved to take the nursing staff home, but the bed was torture.  I never sleep on my back!  The pain, the agony....kidding!!  But really, that was the most discomfort I experienced.  My surgery was on Tuesday morning and the doctor released me Thursday late afternoon.  My incredible hubby had purchased for me a wonderful recliner and my family was so happy to see me....first time ever they were standing in line - "Mom, what can we do for you?".  But there was really nothing.  I tried the oxycondone the first night I was home only because my back was hurting and I was hoping for a good night sleep.  I hope to never experience that medication again.  I hallucinated - I was in control, but had yucky, vivid dreams and couldn't calm my mind down to sleep well.  After 2 days of narcotics, I was getting the shakes, too, so I cut out the pain med and haven't have any problems.  Hot showers running down my back and a heating pad work wonders!  Here's what my food consists of currently - 1cup skim milk, (8grams protein), 1/4c non-fat powdered milk (6grams), 2 Scoops of Designer Whey Chocolate Protein Powder (36grams).  I mix this all together on the morning, divide into 3 portions and add a bit more milk to each portion as I drink it to thin it out.  I'm getting a minimum 50grams of protein a day.  I'm pleased with that.  I'm getting close to 48oz of water, but I found two things - one...I have to really slow down my drinking, actually I need to stop drinking and learn to sip.  A full tummy is painful.  Two - I need to make sure I'm sitting fully upright (not in my nice, new chair) when I consume my protein.  Again, full tummy can last a long time!  Vitamins - check, Calcium - gonna wait until blood work on first doctor visit, exercise - walking around the backyard mostly.

I know there were an awful lot of us having surgery on October 30.  How did you guys do?  I was praying for all of you and truly hope your experience has been positive and you're all in a good place right now.  Keep me posted.

Thanks to all who sent encouraging messages before surgery.  I cannot tell you how much they meant to me.  Really helped me through the last couple of pre-op days.  Love to all!