So yesterday came and went without a second thought.  Then I woke up this morning and realized it was 6 months ago that I had my surgery - where has the time gone????

A lot has happened in 6 months...

I am down 35 lbs since surgery (79 total).  I am extremely proud of all I have accomplished in the past year and a half and am looking forward to the next leg of my journey.

I have discovered a love for exercise- especially Yoga...I have bent myself into shapes I thought only pretzels could accomplish.

I am more active and less bitchy....my blood sugar is under better control (not perfect yet, but well on the way)- I am wayyyy less stressed - I can do stuff without dreading "Ugh I have to go up the stairs".

I am running a 3.5 mile race next week in Central Park - if you hear a thump - that was me passing out and mile 1.=)

I feel good for the most part.  I have strangers walk up to me at work and tell them I am their inspiration - wow - me????? really?????

I have come so far and still have so far to go....there are still days when I feel like nothing more than "that fat chick" and there are days I feel on top of the world - thankfully the later are more frequent.

Onward and downward!

I feel like I haven't posted in forever.  Last time I posted I was 2-days post-op - and frankly it feels like forever ago.  Today I am 3 1/2 months post op.  I am down 23 lbs since surgery (67 lbs total) and I feel great.

I am still riding the surgery rollercoaster - some days I am so happy I did it - other days, I say it was a waste - that I could have done this on my own.  Other days, I wish I did the RNY instead of the band -  I get frustrated at the "slowness" of my weight loss, but that is why I went with  the band - because I wanted to lose it slow. Am I nuts?!...well maybe a little.

The bottom line is surgery or no surgery - right now I feel better than I have in years.  I am actually training to run the Chase Corporate Challenge (3.5 mile race) in June - a year ago I could barely walk 3.5 yards.  My house has never been neater, my kids have never been happier - they actually have a mom who can run around with them and play wiffle ball and soccer and run behind their bicycle as they learn to ride.  My laundry is up to date.  I have re-learned to crochet.  I bartered myself a treadmill and use it for more than a clothes rack.

Much like any journey mine has been one of ups and downs.  Some days better than others.  But so far no days are really "worse" - I am thakful for that.  When I get frustrated, I just have to stop myself and remind myself of small victories along the way.  I finally broke out of the 220s....next up 210s with the goal of 199 by my birthday (4th of July).  I think I can....screw that - I know I can....

I have left the gate - let the marathon begin!

Well it is offical - I was banded on 12/10/09!  I came through surgery great.  I had the option to stay overnight in the hospital or go home - I opted to stay and wished later that I went home. I came home yesterday and I feel great.  I was given a script for tylenol w/ codine for pain and did not even fill it. 

I cannot say enough about Dr Ballem and his staff - they are fabulous! (THAT IS A STANDING O FOR THEM!)

If I had to pick out one negativeis that I feel like I am in the middle of the desert - I am soooooo thirsty - I have been trying to stick to my little medicine cup, but honestly I am able to tolerate more so I am sipping and sucking ice all day long.

I am down 7 lbs already in the 2 days since surgery - and am now probably the lightest I have been since high school school.  I bought a pair of progress jeans in a size smaller than I thought I was with the goal of wearing them on Christmas - they actually fit! - now that is what I call progress!

I have onederland in my sights - look out here I come!

So as I progess on my journey, I went for my rwquired sleep study.  I have always been a snorer and was concerned going in.  Needless to say I failed miserably - The doc said I stoip breathing an average of 16 times each hour.  While I sleep - I never get into deep sleep due to the apnea.  So I went back to get fitted for my new bed mate - my c-pap machine. 

So if the cure for sleep apnea is preventing me from sleeping - than this machine is a sure fire winner- I have never had such a miserable night sleep in my life...as with all my other issues - I am told this one too will dissappear after surgery - I can't wait - is it November yet?

...onward and upward...next up...endoscopy.....