And I'm just now finally finding it comfortable enough to sit at the computer.

Some pointers that come to mind at the moment.

Morning of surgery (8/12) I was 242lbs.    When I got home friday (8/15) I was 248.   As of yesterday morning I was back to orginial of 242 but then BAM!!! This morning I was at 235.  No idea what happened overnight, must have some major swelling that went down or somethinig..

I'm a little surprised at how much pain I'm still in.  I've always thought of myself as having a high tolerance for pain.  But WOOOOHHHH boy I still hurt.  I'm not even sure what it is from.  It's not near an incision or anything like that.. just a deep "stabbing" pain from within and it's more in my back than anything?? 

Having to sleep in a recliner because it's he!! getting up from laying down position, I'm a side sleeper and I find it very uncomfortable and hurtful to be on my side, and laying flat on my back.. well that's just not working either.    I'm wondering how long it will be that way??  Hopefully not too long.

I'm still having major GAS issues..  it just does not want to seem to come out.. I can feel it moving around and hear it gurgling around..  I actually think this is the major cause of my pain that the moment.  I've tried the milk of magnesia stuff that the nurse said to take, it help a little but but it seems like it just made room for more of it to develope because it does relieve it for a short time and then it seems worse than ever.

I've been doing well on getting the liquid in, although getting in all the protein is hard to get in at this point.   I really feel I'm doing the best I can do, but still lacking so it's a little frustrating.  I've been doing all liquids of course, trying for 3 small protein shake a day..  Looking at my diet list the surgeion provided (it gives week by week instructions with sample menus and list of foods we can have).. I noticed that we can have cream of ___ soups as long as we strain out any little pieced of chicken or whatnot from them.   I did a little bit of cream of broccolli for lunch and that was like the best thing i've ever tasted  :)  Well at least in the last 3 weeks since being on all liquid diet.   It sat very nicely

I'm surprised at how "nice" the incisions are already looking.  I just had this image of well umm  "gapping holes" but it's nothing like that and they are healing very nicely.. not the slightest bit red or anything.

Well think that is the main things that come to mind right now

Well I'm about half way through day 5 of the 2 week liquid diet.  When I started Tuesday I weighed myself and I told myself  I was only going to do it every Tuesday from here on out.  Well I just couldn't wait. I've been so faithful  sticking to just the liquids and the veggies that the diet allow..  I was just too curious not to weigh myself.  I thought I would be down a pound or maybe two.  From Tuesday morning till this morning (saturday) it was 6.5 pounds!!!  Wow!  Wasn't expecting that.

Only 9 more days to go after today.   Which means only 9 days till my surgery!!!

Yep.  Three more days of eatting "normal"..    On Tuesday I have to start the 2 week liquid diet.  My surgery is Tuesday 8/12/08.  

I have to say the timing could be much better.  Monday being my birthday.  I'll get to have one last "meal".   My older two kids are a few states away staying with family for about two weeks.   So hubby, I and little guy with just head out to our favorite family resturaunt.  I'll probably even have some ice-cream cake afterwards to celebrate turning 32.    Then that will be it.   Two weeks of liquid pre-op, and then the long weeks afterwards.   It'll be a long time before I will have any "real food".    For some reason, I thought that idea would bother me.  To be honest. it doesn't.   I'm looking forward to it as a matter of fact.

18 days and counting!!!

So I got the phone call from the surgeons office a few days ago.  My insurance was approved.  I guess it was a very quick turn around less than 24 hours from the time they submitted everything till the time they got the approval.    Honestly even though I knew I had a pretty good insurance I was still worried about approval.  I thought for sure it would come up that I need a 6 month supervised diet or that the fact i really had no diet history at all.   All I had was a list of the diets I have tried, but I didn't have a time frame or anything like that.. It was literally just a list.  

The coordinator told me the hospital schedular would be in touch with a date. She did say, I'm probalby looking at the first week of September.  Which just won't work for me.  My co-worker is out all that week and of course first day of school will be Wednesday of that week.   So hopefully they will be able to do it the following week.   So right now I"m looking at surgery to be about 7 weeks away..  That's really not that bad.   I'm excited!!

I had my 2nd appointment with Dr. M today.  It was actually pretty short.  Once again I just couldn't think of any questions to ask him.   I actually had to do this little test thing.   Was about 25 or so multiple choice and fill in the blank questions regarding the surgery.   I wasn't expecting that when I walked in. 

I have 3 more things I need to do.  I have to get the letter of support from my pcp.  I need to get a ultrasound done to check on the gallbladder to see if it will be coming out during surgery.  That is scheduled for next Wednesday.   I also have to have the ol' so lovey endoscopy, that office is suppose to call in next day or so to set that up.    For some reason the thought of this procedure really frightens me.  :(    I was hoping that I would somehow be able to get out of that.  

The good new is once those three things are done.  Then the packet goes to insurance for approval.    Woohoo, from what I've been told, it's not usual to get approval within 24 hours or so.   :)  

I'm on my way!!!