Meet My New Lap Band & Surgery Update!

This is what my shiny new lap band looks like! It is a wonderful tool and I am looking forward to finally shedding these unwanted pounds!

Surgery Update: I am feeling good. I had my surgery on Thursday and quite frankly I was in a LOT of pain post-op. My surgeon said I could spend the night in the hospital and have access to better pain control. I chose less pain control and more love from my husband and kids! No medication could take the place of snuggling next to my husband when I am sick. The pain has decreased everyday and today I am feeling borderline good. I rested all weekend and it did a world of good. From Thursday until this morning I was allowed water and crystal light........3 oz per hour.....small sips. Today I progressed to protein shakes. Three shakes per day for two weeks and fluids.....water, diet ice tea, coffee, crystal light. The liquid helps the stomach to heal!

In two weeks I will advance to soft mushy foods and then 2 weeks later I will be on a regular diet. They will adjust the lap band a that time and that will control my hunger!

I want to use this post to thank certain people. This was a MONUMENTAL decision and I could not have made it through with out help and support. SO If you prayed or sent me an email....thank you from the bottom of my heart! I so needed your support.

John.....You are my very best friend and my biggest fan. I feel your love always and you helped me make this happen and I love you more than words could say! No matter how much I weigh you have made me feel beautiful to you and I am anxious to go through this process with you!

Laurie....With out you taking care of my kids I could not have done this. I knew my kids were in the best hands possible and that was huge to me! I am so thankful we are friends. You are always there for me.

Denise and Joanne.....Thank you for your care and worry. I know we were taught not to show our emotion but I love you both so much. I'm glad we are sisters

Stacey...You are such a good friend even from far away. I know you love me and the feeling is mutual...I think your right maybe we are sisters! John and I laughed SO HARD over that card I almost popped my staples out. It was so appropriate too! I couldn't think of anyone else I'd rather do Hunan with on a hot 120 degree day with two screaming infants!!

Alynn....When I was feeling scared and doubtful the day before surgery...I opened your email and it made me cry. I can never thank you enough for your kind words. I wish you lived closer! Thanks for your prayers .....and thanks for being such an awesome scrabble opponent!

Sharie,Sherrie, Jill, Lori W and Linda...Thank you all for writing and checking on me your prayers and messages meant alot to me. Lori and Jill....I never even met you in person but I feel fortunate to have you as bloggity buddies!

I feel really fortunate to have such a great support system. As I said this was a monumental thing for me.

I put a little weight ticker on my blog. I want to lose 100 pounds. OR.........5-20 pound turkeys!

The surgeon put me on a pre-op diet and since i first weighed in with him on 6-11-08 I am down 24 pounds. 20 prior to surgery and 4 since surgery.!!! I don't know if there are any watchers of the suite life of Zach and Cody ...but as London Tipton would say " Yeah, Me!!!