I've been banded! My surgery was on Thursday, July 13th, 2006 at 11:00am. I left the hospital the next day at around 7:00 pm. I've now been home almost 2 days. Jon goes back to work tomorrow so it will be my first day "on my own". The pain in my left side is worse than I thought it would be, but not unbearable. The worst part is the gas bubbles that keep rumbling up and down my body that don't seem to ever come out. I started feeling hunger pains tonight. Jon has been so good at getting all my broth, jello, drinks and vitamins all together, labeled and organized in the fridge. He's been a great support to me. My mom stayed at the hospital with me for a long time and then her and my dad, Brittany and Noah came and visited yesterday. Sean, Yvonne and Travis came to see me today. It's nice to have some "fellowship" that's safe and comfortable. I am so blessed with such a wonderful family.

I am very excited for the future and a little nervous at times. I realized today that I will probably never again eat a big juicy bite of a Red Robin Burger or anything quite like that again. It will be okay. Whatever I do eat, I will take the time to enjoy and be thankful for it, but it is a little overwhelming at times. I can't wait to be myself again, or I guess it's more the "new me" now.