I'm nearly three weeks out from surgery, and have just been cleared to get off of only Protein shakes, and go to soft foods with Protein Shakes in between. I've had a bit of a tough time with only protein shakes, so this next phase could not have come soon enough.

I had half a scrambled egg for Breakfast this morning. Since that went down easily, for dinner, I had a real treat: Wendy's chili. OMG, nothing has ever tasted so good in my life. Best of all, I only had about a quarter cup, so there is a lot of leftovers for later. Yay!

I've never been a major food junkie, (just a big eater who made bad choices), but I have to say, this little chili reward was most excellent. Funny how priorities change.

Then, to add to the good feelings, I'm down 41 pounds since this started for me, and I have cracked a number I haven't seen the underside of in about five years. I now weigh less than I did the last time I went on a major diet. I've had to dig out my "outgrown clothes" to find blue jeans to wear that stay up - the ones I'm used to wearing are now (hopefully forever) too big to wear. I could not be happier.

As part of my post-op life, I'm realizing how grateful I am for the little things in life. How about you?

Dave

Even more things to be grateful for, that may mean even more: The unqualified love and support of my friends and family.

Today was Christmas, and we visited around to the homes of close friends and family. Nobody has seen me since I was banded - some didn't even know I was having it done. Their surprise and loving responses to how I look so far was so rewarding, I can't tell you. I have a long way to go on my journey, but as it's going so far, I'm really, really pleased.

What are you finding? Am I the only one who is experiencing this kind of thing?

Dave

Spent last night at Church at childen's play which my grandbabies and I where in. Saw a lot of people who only seem to come on holidays, they we so nice with compliments. One teenager from Church sent me a private message on facebook asking if I was seriously sick like cancer or something as I had lost so much weight. That was a little weird. Being with my husband, son, daughter-in-law and 2 grandbabies, 4 years old and 19 months. God had truly blessed me! Band is good but second to my family.

Cheri

For me, it has been so many little things all adding together already to make me not regret my decision for even a single second. My life has been changing in so many ways. I just had new bloodwork done about two weeks ago and for the first time in many many years, almost all of my numbers are within normal range. Even my cholesterol is down to 166. Holy cow, i havent seen anything below about 200 since I was in my 20's.

I have been feeling good enough to start doing more activities around the house. I am finally doing all of the cooking again, helping with the routine house cleaning. Going out shopping with my Mom where I am doing the driving. Able to move around more to spend time with my wonderful husband and loving family, chasing after my beloved nieces. I am still in a great deal of pain because of the severity of my hip issue but it has reduced a good bit since my weight loss and that is truly something to be thankful for.

And my little lifts also come from people who have not seen me in awhile and they exclaim how good I am looking. All of hubbys co workers who he keeps updated with my weight loss, some family and every time any of my Doctors see me at visits. It never fails to put me in a great mood when I see any of them and does wonders for my ego. lol,