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Thank you ladies for your words of encouragement. Jodie1, you are doing exactly what I did. I have had surgery before so I had something to gage it with but you will be fine!

I am a little worried. I recognize this is a new experience and that I'm learning to listen to my body in a different way than I ever have before. Yesterday I was sore, more sore than I was the first day - today less sore; except of course, from my port incision. It looks good but still really swollen. The thing I'm worried about is yesterday despite the recommendations that I eat 2 tablespoons of liquid food (runny cream of wheat, creamed soup, etc) five times a day I couldn't. By the end of the evening, my ribs felt like they had been beaten with a two by four and by 10:30 at night I felt like maybe I was stuck - although on what I still can't figure it out. And in truth, I don't really know what stuck feels like. My stomach gurgles and gurgles and gurgles, so much so that it woke up my beloved. I feel like when I drink even an ounce of water it's backed up and then it gurgles more. Does anyone have any insight into this? I've gone super slow this morning and am trying warm herbal tea now but nothing seems to alleviate this. Am I blocked? Is it gas? I'm walking but nothing seems to shift this. Patiently trying to figure it all out but not going to eat even liquid food until I know it is okay . . . nervous Nelly!

I had my lap-band put in yesterday. Dr. Thomas Brown did my surgery. I have read both negative and positive things about him but from day one we hit it off and he did an excellent job on the surgery. I really like him. He is a nice man! I had to be at hospital at 5:30 a.m. They ran through the gamut of registration paperwork and I was brought up the pre/post surgery unit where they hooked up two IV's - one a saline based bag and the other a bag of antibiotics. I met with anesthesiologist and Dr. Brown and around 715 a.m. I was brought up for surgery. I honestly don't even remember them putting me under. Note to those of you who have had the surgery - I'm a puker and super drug sensitive and they gave me an anti-nausea patch that is behind my ear. It lasts for three days and has been helpful. I woke up in recovery and had to ask a few times if they actually did the surgery because I couldn't feel anything different. After being in recovery for a couple of hours they sent me back downstairs to the pre/post surgery nurses. I got up right away used the bathroom and walked the halls. By 11:30 a.m. I was in the car and on my way home. I slept most of the day yesterday. By 4:00 p.m., my beloved was waking me up every 15 minutes so I could have my sip of water. I definitely didn't get the 64 ounces but maybe 1/3 of that. This morning I woke up a little sorer - guess the drugs wore off. Even though they gave me percocet I have only been taking Tylenol every 4 hours and that is enough. I'm really scared of vomiting and know the percocet would do that. I had 2 teaspoons of runny Greek yogurt this morning and have held it in without any problems. So maybe in a couple of hours I'll try some creamed soup pulverized in the blender. Kaiser gives out a great handbook that tells you what you can eat at each week stage. I'm on full liquids for two weeks and that is fine with me. Right now I don't feel like eating, which is rather a crazy thought to me given that I've been on clear liquid fast before surgery. I also read alot on this site about gas pains. I have some but not bad either. Someone here recommend gas X strips and they work. Definitely buy that and liquid Tylenol before your surgery. Oh and this morning my beloved took off the gauze and replaced it. I have 5 incisions and they are all about the belly button. Three 1/2 inch ones, one 2 inch incision above my belly button and then a 3 1/2 or 4 inch incision to the left of it, where the port is. I'm glad it is over and look forward to losing this fat and feeling better with each passing day!

Yesterday was surreal more than anything. I meditate. I used to do it twice a day but the past few months have been so soul consuming I haven't meditated or prayed with any sort of regularity. I miss that connection to the Divine, but there is this space in meditation where I feel disconnected

Thank you WeCanDoIt for your kind words and your inspiration. Congratulations on your baby girl! There is nothing in the world like the love for our children and family to motivate us to be better people. I truly believe at the end of each day, hour, minute our purpose should always be love. I'm learning self love is as important as loving others. Maybe in another 45 years I will really will be an old wise woman - hopefully a skinny old wise woman. God Bless you beautiful for your positive and bright light!

I'm also scheduled for Monday, July 19, 2010! I'm nervous and excited. I LOVE this site and reading everyone's comments and the insights into it all are wonderful. Good luck everyone!

My first entry. I've promised myself to write often. A place holder for all these thoughts and feelings. I have secretly lured in the corners of others thoughts on this site during my journey to surgery - to the other side of fat (hopefully). What a gift that sharing has been. Tomorrow we are burying my best friend (of 22 years) ex-wife (who was also a friend and the mother of two children I watched grow up). She was fat too. Fat and sick. I'm lucky because right now I'm only fat. Well, fat and injured. Tomorrow won't be easy. Sometimes pain is tangible. A week ago, I sat in the hospital until 2:30 in the morning. I held her children as they laid on her dead body and cried over and over "I want my mom back." It doesn't matter that they are 22 & 26; they are children and no one ever loves us the way our mothers do. I watched my friend swallow his grief and honor his children in a way so few men do. I was and remain humbled by his love. Tomorrow I start the required three day fast. I haven't gone shopping yet for supplies. I haven't finished the laundry or cleaning my house. I haven't written my will just in case something happens and I feel a tad overwhelmed and a lot afraid of the biggest looming question . . . am I am strong enough to do all of this? We minimize ourselves with such ease. All I can do is step back and look at the year journey to right here and now. All I can do is know that Monday morning at 5:30 a.m. I will be in a hospital gown or as a dear child I know calls it, "a sick gown". Why do they have to be so ugly? :thumbup: I will be waiting for the beginning of the second half of my life. Maybe this half will be as a thinner person. Will that be different from the first half? Time truly does tell all. I am praying a lot this week - not for me but, for life and for the healing of a lot of people - mostly those motherless children whose age is irrelevant. Namaste.