Wow #1:  I was at Wal-Mart today and tried on a pair of size 20WP jeans, and they zipped and buttoned without any problem.  Tried an 18/20 shirt and that was actually kind of loose!  YAY ME!!

Wow #2:  During my shower this morning and dry off afterwards, I realized that there isn't as much of a pannibelly to lift to wash & dry under!  How cool is that?  It's SHRIIIIINNNNKKKIIIIINNNNGGGG!

And as of yesterday, I am approved by my nutritionist to move onto soft foods.  I missed breakfast today because I had to have fasting labs drawn then was playing at Walmart with the 18/20 size clothes...got home in time for lunch.  I had the equivalent of a one-egg & cheese omelet, using Egg Beaters (1/4 cup = 1 egg), 1/4 cup shredded LF cheese, and 6 ounces of milk.  And it all sat just fine!  Kind of a 3rd WOW, but not really.

Btw...NUT okay'd drinking with meals between now and 8 weeks to help things go down easier & to make sure fluid goals are being met.  No drinking 1/2 hour before and after meal rule will go into effect for me at about 8 week mark after more of the pouch swelling has subsided.  Generally, I don't drink with my meals, but did this time with it being my first solids...just for some added moisture on the way down.

I have just had my EOB's (Explanation of Benefits) posted to the online portal of BCBS and after crunching the numbers for ALL services from initial consult, to psych eval, to surgery, etc., the total costs don't come close to what I have seen posted by others on the board - not sure why mine seem to be lower.  And my numbers also include the charge for piggy backing a tubal ligation procedure onto my RNY.

Here is the breakdown - 

Service Provided	Total Provider Charges	Less BCBSM Paid	Less Participating Provider Savings	Patient Balance
X-RAY - X-RAY EXAM UPPER GI TRACT	$             95.00	$            34.84	$                     51.45	$          8.71
SURGERY - LAPAROSCOPY SURGICAL (RNY)	$        7,025.00	$       2,009.33	$                5,015.67	$              -
SURGERY - LAPAROSCOPY, TUBAL CAUTERY	$           800.00	$          225.16	$                   574.84	$              -
SURGERY - UPPR GI ENDOSCOPY, DIAGNOSIS	$           425.00	$                  -	$                           -	$              -
LABORATORY TESTS - TISSUE EXAM BY PATHOLOGIST	$             90.00	$            18.52	$                     71.48	$              -
SURGERY - HOSPITAL STAY	$      20,870.00	$     10,930.31	$                8,948.40	$      991.29
ANESTHESIA - ANESTH. SURGERY FOR OBESITY	$        1,470.00	$       1,000.00	$                   470.00	$              -
DIAGNOSTIC X-RAY - UPPER GI	$           891.35	$            25.44	$                   671.67	$      194.24
CONTRAST XRAY UPPER GI TRACE	$             84.00	$            34.84	$                     40.45	$          8.71
SURGEON OFFICE CONSULTATION	$           300.00	$                  -	$                           -	$              -
LABORATORY TESTS - H PYLORI ANALYSIS	$           210.49	$                  -	$                   148.38	$        62.11
PSYCH OFFICE CONSULTATION	$           300.00	$                  -	$                           -	$      300.00
PSYCH TESTING ADMIN BY COMP	$             49.75	$            49.75	$                           -	$              -
PSYCH TESTING BY PSYCH/PHYS	$           125.00	$          121.44	$                       3.56	$              -
TOTALS	$    32,735.59	$   14,449.63	$            15,995.90	$ 1,565.06

K...had my 2 week follow-up appt today and got the last 6 staples removed and everything is great...EXCEPT.

For days now I have been having this completely awful stabbing pain that alternates between my lower left incision and my belly button incision, or the area between the two.  Anything triggers it, even something as little as opening the car door - anything at all that uses the muscle right there in the slightest little way will spur this stabbing pain that just about doubles me over.

The bariatric coordinator nurse (the doc's wife) said that since I am not nauseous, vomiting, and am having no problems either urinating or passing stool, that it is seems to be a strained muscle from when I visited the gym last week.

And guess what?  Not a darn thing I can do about it other than to baby the area and let time do its healing work.  Until then, I get to feel like I am being stabbed repeatedly and often....*sigh*