YAY! I am so excited :) I got the all clear from the Doc yesterday and I can go back to the gym. I am tired of only being able to walk! I have lost 45 pounds since my surgery date last month. The head hunger is gone and I have more energy then I have had in years! No more inhaler and clothes that I haven't worn in 9 months fit again. It is so good to smell food and not want it, not crave the carbs or the caffeine.

Yesterday was my checkup with Dr. Lane. I am down 27 pounds, thats 17 from the liquid diet and 10 pounds since I came home from the hospital. I feel like I already have more energy. Mom and I spent the day in Toledo yesterday. We left home at 9am. We went to Target to finish up my Christmas shopping for the boys, went to best buy, then stopped in on her dad, I think we surprised Grandpa! Went to the docs - yay the drain is gone.  Who knew after surgery you would have 2 feet of alien baby tubing pulled out of your belly! LMAO Then went to Allen's moms for a few minutes, on to radio shack then home! 10 minutes from being home we headed down to Will's for dinner! I was pooped! I came home and I think I was asleep before the kids! HAHA slept 7 straight hours on my side finally. So now its like 4am and I cant sleep. I feel so rested and have so much energy!

It is so weird to feel full. Last night at my brothers I had my first bite of mashed potatoes and a tiny piece of chicken. It tasted better then anything I have ever eaten! For the next 3 weeks I can have anything that I could suck through a straw pretty much. Yogurt, pudding, mashed potato, creamed soup, things like that. It is so good to have flavor! I don't even know how to explain it. I never really felt full before and now after a few small bites I feel so full.

Well surgery was Wednesday and I came home late Friday night, about 9pm. I don't remember much from getting in my gown to waking up in my room already. I don't remember being in recovery at all! I do remember the leak test the day after surgery, ugh barium! We all know how aweful it is, I swear the doc that was doing it wanted me to drink more then my stomach would hold. I came home with a 32 bougie! I am so impressed with Dr. Lane and the University of Toledo Medical Center staff. The kids were so excited to see me! They were up to the hospital Thursdady night but I know I was very sleepy and out of it. So here I am at 4am because I can't sleep! My sleep schedule is so messed up. Gotta love that Vicodin! On top of that Dr. Lane sent me home with my friend "Q" :)

http://www.askyoursurgeon.com/onqsolution.php

My friend "Q" the nurse said to take with me everywhere! Oh boy does he help! He helps numb my entire stomach for 5 days after surgery. "Q" comes out on Tuesday at my followup appointment.

Many of you know my approval and test were all done very fast. I got my approval and started my 2 week pre-op diet within 2 days of each other! I lost 17 pounds on my liquid diet. And was down a total of 30 pounds when I left the hospital, which I hope there is another 5 pounds of unwanted gas inside of me! (well that and my friend "Q" and my drain) So Tuesday we will see what I am really down and I am gonna have to me make me a ticker!

I have to say thanks to my mommy! Without her this would of never happened and there is no way I could of done this with the kids without her! It just felt good to have my Mommy.  Plus, she laid down the law to both boys. Gary :) I can't forget Gary! You helped me so much that day we met for lunch! Just to have someone to talk too. I know at the hospital I was very out of it, but it meant alot to me that you came up.

I really just wanted to let you all know that I am doing better every day. Today is better than yesterday and tomorrow will be even better. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the many people in this forum who have supported and encouraged me.  Thank you all so much!

So it's day 2 of the liquid diet and I feel like I am starving! Cooking dinner for the kids and then sitting down with some jello or something is so much harder then I thought it would be. Yesterday felt like a panic attack all day. I wanted to eat! I have been trying so hard to keep myself busy and not think about food but it is very hard!

Now Seth is getting sick, the coughing has started. UGH! I can't get sick. I have done everything to not get it! I can't

School for me ends on Nov 24th and with surgery on Nov 19th I am finding it very hard to concentrate on anything.

My date is set and family has already made travel plans to watch the kids and bought plane tickets. Austin is sick! Ugh! It never fails when the kids get sick I get it. I have been cleaning like crazy! I can't handle getting sick now. It would not be good! His blood sugars have been all over the place. Of course it happens on the weekend! blah!  He starts Karate class tomorrow and now I have to get him to the Doc and on some meds so I don't get sick!