Well, its been six weeks since my surgery. I can't believe the changes in myself in this short period of time. I have gone down 3 pants sizes(24 to 18) and 4 shirt sizes(24 to 14/16). I am seeing visible changes in my body that make me quite happy. My husband can hug me and reach his elbows. Before when he hugged me, his arms barely met! That is a great victory. We have a good marriage but now we can be physically closer and that is a wonderful feeling. There is no longer this wall of fat between us. I have lost 40 pounds on this journey which is more than I've ever lost at any other time in my adult life. I am following my diet "almost" perfectly. Yes, I have had some higher calorie foods and I've had to eat take out food a time or two, but I always do protein first, I stay away from sugar and empty calories. I hit a stall that lasted about 2 weeks and that was tough mentally(yeah, I had those thoughts that this was all I'd ever lose and I'd be the only person who failed with a VSG). I am excited to see what the next 6 weeks bring. If I can lose the same amount of weight in the next six weeks(no, that i not my goal...my last goal stressed me out so badly that my goals will be NSV related from now on), then I will be a VERY happy camper. That will put me very close to onederland and that's a place I haven't seen in quite a while. This is an awesome journey and I am so thankful to have this tool to help make my life worth living.

Well, I think the stall has broken. I've finally lost 2 more pounds. I am 2 pounds away from my first goal: to lose 20 pounds the first month. That goal sounded really lofty when this all began, but now I feel like I should have done more. There is the perfectionist coming alive in me!! That part of my personality drives me to be the person I am, and that's a good thing...most of the time. Now I'm beating myself up that I didn't lose ENOUGH! That's just insane...The only other time in my life I lost that much weight was when I worked out to Zumba and it took me over a year.

After I get through telling my inner demon to shup up, I can quietly celebrate my victory. I have continued to lose inches all over and that is a really good feeling. I haven't gone down in clothing sizes yet, but considering how tight my clothes were before surgery, I'd say they are probably glad I shrunk and they can now fit my body properly. I'm not far from needing new jeans and that's a wonderful feeling. My jeans that used to sit above my ankles now drag the ground, so the thighs no longer require as much denim to encase them. I have the gap in the back of my pants now also. I see from pics that the tum is shrinking, but not as fast as other parts of my body.

I'm ready to be released for all types of physical activity. I am ready to start back to zumba again and watch this body tone up while losing. I know that will mean slower weight loss due to muscle and fluid gain, but...

Speaking of fluids, I am having so much trouble getting in 64 ozs per day. I apparently never drank enough fluid, but supplemented with my diet. I literally drink all day until I hurt and I still don't make it some days. Its incredibly frustrating, but I know it will get better.

So here's to the first month(almost)...I am feeling better every day that goes by. I have returned to my normal energy level and I am seeing visibile changes in my body. I enjoy fueling my body rather than wanting to eat. I am able to eat food and enjoy it...I am still working on the timing. I still try to eat too fast, but I do measure all my food so I don't overeat. I am sure I will measure my food the rest of my life. On a good day I can eat 2oz at a meal, unless its fish(I can eat 3 ozs).

Well, the stall has hit!! My scale hasn't moved from my 2 week weight. I'm not stressing because I have read about so many others that experience this situation. I am not consuming enough calories to be gaining or even maintaining so I know the weight will begin to decline again soon. I am losing inches and am excited to start soft foods. The liquid part of this diet was the worst!! I am having trouble getting all my protein in the last few days. I cannot stomach the protein drinks any longer. I have tried every flavor, every variation...I've even had unflavored in things and I still get the aftertaste and mild smell and its enough to send me to the bathroom. I hope I can maintain my protein numbers on soft foods because it looks like the powders and liquids I paid so much for are going to go to waste!! All in all, my only regret is waiting so long to do this. I feel good, I'm seeing the results in how my clothes fit and people in my life are taking notice. My birthday is in 2 weeks and I am so jazzed about having a great time and it not being about food. It will be odd celebrating without a cake, but since I don't really want it I shouldn't really eat it. Here's hoping I can report a loss next week for Valentine's Day!!

Well, another Dr's visit has come and gone. I am down another 9 pounds which puts me at 32 pounds lost including pre-op. The nutrition class was very interesting and the recipes and discussions of what to eat, how to eat, and what to think about regarding eating were very interesting. I am still on full liquids and so ready to move to "food". I don't truly feel hungry but all food I smell I want. I am getting in my proteins and my liquids, but it is an all day event which includes reminding myself to drink, drink, drink. I'm so happy with my progress. I've lost almost 25% of my total excess weight. I have yet to hit a stall, but I am prepared that there could be many along my journey. Almost everyone I speak to says they can see a significant difference in my appearance...Wish I could say the same.

 Had my first post-op visit with my Doc's office today. Down 6 pounds since surgery, 24 pounds lost overall. I have never been able to sustain a weight loss even this big before, so I am truly on cloud 9. I wish I could say my recovery was smooth and simple, but I can't. I had a hernia repair and severe nausea. Hospital staff were great and did everything they could to control the nausea. Gas pains were the worst part of the entire process. Thankfully, all that is behind me now and after a week of clear liquids and some serious R&R, I feel like a human being again. I get to start full liquids now. I made a fabulous black bean soup tonight. After weeks of protein shakes and clear liquids, that soup ranked as one of the best meals I've ever.  Had in my life. I'm not hungry but every food I smell makes me want it. I haven't tested restriction yet as I am still measuring my food. Like so many others here, I worry that once I am able to eat "normal" food, I will fail and the weight will return. I keep telling myself to accept that this is a good tool that will work as long as I use it.