Hello everyone:
I had my surgery on June 24th as planned (finally). What really surprised me was the painlessness (is this a word?) of it. I was able to move around that same day. Since then, I have been able to go to the gym and use the tread mill. I feel fine and I have lost over twenty pounds.

There are times when I wonder if I made the right decision. I will always wonder about this for the rest of my life but in all honesty, I like what I am seeing about this new self. I guess I am one of those people that want absolute assurance.

One of the things I miss is being able to take a bottle of water on a hot day and just drink. I love to drink water but I can't seem to satisfy my thirst because I have to sip and I am so afraid that I might drink too much and throw up. I know it is a learning process and I will get the hang of it one of these days.

I have problem getting that protein in. My doctor wants me to take Carnation instant breakfast everyday and also 50 -70 grams of protein. For some reason, I can't take the carnation when mixed with fat free milk. It leaves me feeling bloated all day. I tried one of those pure protein drinkie thingie (Isophyll or something, awful!). I like the EAS 100% Whey protein better which is about 23 grams of protein per scoop. I came up with a solution which is I put a packet of the Carnation breakfast and 3 scoops of the protein powder in a 30 oz sports bottle, fill it with water and add ice as the day goes on. I usually finish this b4 2:00pm if I go to the gym or else it takes me longer to drink.

I have to take Prevacid everyday. I do not like the after taste. I take Centrum chewable and Caltrate every day. At times I find it too sweet for me. I seem to be very sensitive to sweet things lately. I used to love sugar, now I find even Splenda too sweet (weird?).

I brought a project home to work on while I am out sick but I just haven't had the motivation to begin. I even do not want to read the books I bought. I know I need to give myself a swift kick in the ____.

All my bodily function has returned to normal (thank GOD).

I go back to my doctor on the 21st of this month and hopefully I can go back to work by middle of that week.

Thanks everyone for your support. I will keep up with this journal and hopefully it helps someone out ther.

BTW, someone suggested I take chapstick with me when I went in for my surgery. Please do. I forgot to take it with me and boy, did I regret that! Also, it is very important to get a lot of rest before the surgery. I barely slept two days bfore my surgery. I was so tired on the day of the surgery that I fell asleep on the way to the operating room and I had trouble keeping my eyes open even b4 I was knocked out. Rest, Rest, Rest...