On March 24th it was my 1 month anniversary of having had surgery! Everything is healing well...I'm just going to have to live with this pentagram shaped scarring on my tummy, no biggie. Reminders of another one of life's challenges. I've lost another 10 lbs since my last weigh in, that's 26 lbs total on the paperwork as of the 23rd, but now 28 lbs as of the 25th.
Foods I still must avoid are any snacky cracky things like chips, cookies, granola bars, candy bars, crackers (maybe 6 wheat thins a day if I so desire), ice cream, soda, most fast foods, watermelon (no nutrients, just sugar), iceberg lettuce (no nutrients, just fiber), & unfortunately no alcohol :(
**Next statements are not for the weak stomachs.
For the last week I have been doing a lot of throwing up. I have days where I can tolerate things like salad, beans, eggs, cheese...and the next minute it's caught in my throat & up it comes. It's tiring & embarrassing when I'm with company. I apologize & excuse myself, it is what it is. My body is relearning hungar, cravings, tolerance & volume.
The positives: down 2 pant sizes & 1 shirt size. I see a thinner face when I look in the mirror. That makes me smile. My goal weight given from the doctor seemed impossible, but I was reassured that this is my 1 year target weight...so no pressure to be down more than what I am.
I think my biggest struggle that I will have, will be to stay motivated & continue physical activity (exercising). I will be going back to work next Tuesday & a lot of my day is spent at a desk in front of a computer. I will have to utilize my 10 min breaks for short walks & park far away from the building.
Taken 2/7/10
Taken 3/9/10
Taken 3/20/10
~*Thanks again for all the support!*~
Actual desks used!
The inside of the train.
Old children's shoes, hats, clothing, toys & photos of early settlers.
A family portrait, antique sitting chairs, dolls & dollhouse.
I was back in my room by 4pm...with Mike, my dad, & good friend Zach being the 1st people I recall seeing. They were so loud I wanted to kick them out! Haha! Typical guys! Mike & Jamie spent the rest of the afternoon with me, getting me up to walk & sip water & ice chips. I never really had much stomache pain. It was mostly in my upper back, shoulders & neck. I even experienced this almost 2 hr irritation in my right eye. It was as if my contact was floating in my eye & I couldn't get it out....but nothing was there, my nurse even checked?!? Another weird one for the books!
So now my journey begins on this week-long liquid-only diet of broth & jello. Oh yay! (note the enthusiasm). By Saturday (3 days in) I had my 1st emotional melt down. I honestly felt like I would rather not eat at all, then have to suck down anymore broth. It's harder than you think to not be able to eat or enjoy tasting something in your mouth. I will never suffer from Anorexia. The family was trying to be very supportive....ok for those of you who remember or know my Dad, know his "supportive methods" are not typical....or nice sometimes. Joining them for dinner was not so bad, it was like "to eat" would be to much work & my stomache wasn't hungary, but I did wish I could at least lick on the steak they were enjoying! It's a mental trip!
Now that I'm home & in week 2, I have been able to advance to some solid-like foods. This has been a morale boost! I've enjoyed refried beans more than you know! Other things I've tried have been applesauce (yum!), pudding (not too good, still too thick), egg salad (better to tolerate without the white part), PEANUT BUTTER SPOONS (my fave snack!), mashed potatos/yams (makes me thirsty, need to watch the salt), & today for the 1st time a 1/2 of banana (fills you up quick). I can only eat about 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of any of these items at any given time. My stomach basically went from the size of a football to the size of a large egg! So my little pouch gets full fast! Again, I'm not that hungary...still seems like a lot of work to eat sometimes...but I think my mind is ok with it because I have FLAVOR back in my life! 
It's been 13 days since my surgery and I have already lost 14 lbs since my weigh in just before surgery. A pound a day...and it could be more as long as I continue to walk (which I am!). By Jamie's wedding I could be down 65 lbs...which is amazing...like 2 more dress sizes! Oh and btw my blood sugar level has not been over 100 since my surgery! I just am keeping my eye on the prize & am continuing to change my relationship with food every day. Thanks for everyone's support. I'll keep you posted :)