Weigh less than 200 lbs by my 55th birthday on 8/31/08.

Hi!  Well, I figured out what was causing the burping...  I used Crystal Lite powers to flavor my water.  After surgery, I needed to cut way down on the amount of flavor-powder I used with my water.  When I did this, I solved the problem and also have been able to sleep at night with no more problems.  Still taking my Pepcid, as prescribed, twice a day, every day.

I've already hit my first plateau, even though this is early in weight loss journey.  I got down to 220 and the scale hasn't budged a bit in about 4 days.  I know....many will say I shouldn't be weighing myself every day, but I do anyway!  This is just too exciting for me not to check things out every morning.  So I figure my body is just doing an adjustment thing.  I know I'm doing as I should, and I'm walking every day.  Though I haven't dropped any clothes sizes yet, everything fits much better than ever before.  I can see some changes in my face....I don't look quite so "round", so that's a good thing.  Mostly, I just feel great, and that's wonderful!

Today is Sunday.  My surgery was just last Thursday.  I was released from the hospital on Friday evening, but stayed at a motel in Fresno, to be near hospital and doctor....just in case.  

My only trauma was that I ate my jello and drank my juice a little too fast, and then was in horrible pain for most of the night Friday night.  I even called doctor because I thought something was terribly wrong.  He advised me to go for a little walk, then to sleep with my head elevated.  Was to call him in the morning if symptoms still bad.  But of course, I was better by the morning.  Just sore from putting myself through that!  Wow, did I ever learn a lesson quick!!  

Other than that, I have noticed I burp a lot.  Can't seem to help it.  And at night, I still can't sleep laying flat.  Have trouble with foam-like substance backing up into my mouth and nose if I do.  So I slept in the recliner in my living room last night, which helped.  I drink a lot of water with Crystal Lite added.  Wondering if that has anything to do with this.  I'm taking my Pepsid like prescribed, and this is happening.  So today, I'm drinking just clear water, to see if it makes a difference.

These things, though, I consider to be minor.  I'm feeling great, and I just got back from walking about 2 miles this morning.   I'm not feeling hungry, but am anxious to be able to have more than just clear liquids for my diet.  Though I must admit, this is good for my grocery budget!

I'm so happy that I've taken this big step.  I know the next few months are going to bring so many changes for me and I'm excited!    

Just a note...When I weighed in....before surgery, I had lost 9 lbs already!  So even before the surgery I got down to 234!  Obviously, I was happy to see that!