For the first time today, I can officially say that I am out of the "obese" category, per my BMI. The timing could not be more perfect. Back in 1998, when I was single and first using the online singles ads, a cruel, less-than-a-man sent me a response to the nice message I sent to his ad, stating "I don't date obese people."

My wedding is this Saturday to the man of my dreams. He fell in love with me before I lost the weight.

I am 12 days out and doing pretty well. I first lost my water weight from the hospital, then had my first plateau. I was advised by a few people that I was not getting in enough fluids. In the past few days, I was able to increase activity and step up the fluids. Now I am losing a pound a day.

I cannot stand the protein shakes. They taste OK; they are boring and repetivitve. It is also hard to get all 4 ounces swallowed in a 20 minute setting. I find it easier to do something else while taking them, like typing this blog. :) Thankfully, I will no longer have to take them on Wednesday.

As of last Wednesday, food came back into my life. I had my first tastes of oatmeal and mashed potatoes. Those foods never tasted so good in my life, especially the potatoes. In four days, I will get to drop the protein shakes in favor of scrambled eggs. I could also add tuna and salmon, however I cannot stand the stuff. Yuck!

After talking shop on the phone with a co-worker yesterday, I found I was pretty sharp again. I talked it over with the surgeon's office and they said I could go back to work Monday if I wanted to. They are mailing me a slip to go back with restrictions. Since I work in an office setting, I should be able to do what I normally do.

I am excited to return to work. Not only do I really like what I do, I miss my co-workers. I also think that I will feel better and my weight will go down more quickly if I keep busy.

This coming week's adventure awaits me. I get to try bits of egg for the first time, see my co-workers, help my customers, get feeling better, and maybe lose a few more pounds, as a productive member of society once again.