Well, here we are finally at today! I am officially, all caught up once this is posted! I have added a header today, it is a segment of my post-op wound and was taken this morning, ceremoniously, to mark a week of my new life being over. It was a really slow start! The surgery was more serious than I had understood and therefore I needed more time in bed doing sudoko and reading than I had imagined. After a week, I am down now 16 pounds, which I understand, is way, way above what is expected and I imagine that my doctor is not going to be too impressed when he finds out. I am not sure what to tell him. I am following the liquid thing and even sneaking in the very occasional small piece of Cadbury’s milk chocolate (my favorite next to cheesecake). I guess that thy body recognizes the lack of cheesecake and is responding, drastically!

The later part of the week was simply much better. After my arm got treatment for the phlebitis I just felt a million times better! I am not quite up to snuff but weirdly I am still not thinking about food. I am thinking about blogging – about the kids moving out – about the dogs being cute – worrying about our little Klein who was recently diagnosed with epilepsy – but not, I repeat, thinking about food.

With the weight falling off me, as it is, this also worries me a bit. I am only supposed to be getting two pounds a week off, otherwise the loss is too fast and the skin suffers. Of course, I can’t help but be both worried as heck but also happy as a clam about it, so I am conflicted. 40 year old skin is not the best anyway, but add a bunch of loose stuff and I think I might look a little too sharpei for my own good! Of course I like them! I like all dogs! But if I start to look like one, it might be a little too much even for me! This, of course, will make my Critty thrilled, since she thinks I am dog gone already!

A week ago, emotionally prepared, and fully fasted, I set off to my new life which begins at the The Surgical Weight Loss Centre. When I arrived, I waited for about ten minutes (which felt like 13 years) before I was asked to come in, change, and sit under a warming blankie. I answered a few key questions and nodded my agreement and then jumped onto the operating table. Whoo hooo! Once up, and within seconds, the Anesthesiologist had me fast asleep. One hour and five minutes later, the new life started rather grumpily on my part, since I was (very reluctantly) awake and banded! I was rushed out of the recovery room – time is money after all – and my poor-long-suffering-husband brought me home, put me into bed and there I lay restless and sore for about three days, minus the few short little walk about moments where I forced myself up in order to keep my blood moving.

One complication came up within the first few hours and this was that I had a late reaction to the anesthetic (no surprises there), but a new reaction for me, phlebitis! Ouch! My arm hurt much worse than my tummy! At four days then I was forced to go back up to Mississauga to have this looked at – anti inflammation meds were prescribed and worked nearly instantly! If I could have chewed off my arm, I might have done so; therefore I am glad that the meds worked fast!

The interesting thing to note is that it is four days after surgery, I have not eaten a thing but clear broth and water and I am NOT hungry! Imagine! At the doctor’s office I note that I am already down 9 pounds!

Wait! This deserves a lot more attention! I am NOT hungry? What’s that? My stomach has been telling me that I am starving to death for over 40 years now! I must be the recent recipient of God’s newest miracle! I’ll take it! Thank you God and Dr. Colbourn!