It is the wee hours of the morning again. I can't seem to sleep through the night. It isn't so bad. The house is quiet and I can hear the sounds of slumber, they just aren't mine. Hopefully in a week or so the soreness will be gone and I won't wake up every time I move.

The good news is.....Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's here on the stream. I am looking forward to seeing my mom today. I feel very blessed to have her in my life. She has always been an inspiration to me. She is not only a great mom, but a wonderful sister in Christ and my best friend.

The most exciting news is that I can advance my diet today. I can add pudding, apple sauce, and bananas. The anticipation is more than I can stand. All is going much as anticipated with the surgery. I am on the mend. So far I can hold about 3 maybe 4 ounces of food at a time. I believe this is the first time in my life that I can honestly say I understand the sensation of "fullness" before feeling "stuffed". This may be hard for normal weight people to understand. It has puzzled me most of my life until now.

I hope everyone has a great day. Don't forget your Mom today. If you have or had a good mother she will always be the shining jewel in your life.

I am up much too early. Day 2 was an uncomfortable day. I felt like I had an inner tube around my middle that fit a bit too tight. I know it is just post surgical swelling. I didn't like the way the narcotic pain medicine made me feel the first day...so I didn't take any yesterday. I took only extra strength adult liquid tylenol. It is supposed to taste like cherries....yeah right..yuck. The protein powder drink wasn't so great either, but I will have to choke down another this morning...yum.

The good news is that since I quit taking the strong pain medicine my intestines have been making more noise. That is a good sign...and I never thought that "passing gas" would be such a wonderful experience. I think that is what woke me up. I thought I was dreaming...but guess what....it was for real. Oh what a relief it is....my inner tube feels much better with each escape.

Mr. O...I know how you love your coffee, but this morning I will get to put creamer in mine!! This is going to be a great day!!!

For many years I have been overweight and fought the "battle of the bulge" many times over. I can discipline myself and loose weight and before you know it, I have gained most of it back.

About 3 years ago my sister-in-law had the gastric bypass done. She looks great. The type of surgery she had done is a malabsorbtion type procedure and means a lifetime of vitamins and suppliments. I thought a long time about this and decided it wasn't for me.

Then, about two years ago I talked to my doctor. She recommended I look into a procedure called "Lap Band". It is a device that is secured around the top of the stomach to make a small pouch so that the amount of food intake is limited. The stomach itself is intact and you absorb all the nutrients. It is more or less a tool to help you loose weight by keeping the portions down and eating healthier foods. It takes a certain amount of discipline not to eat the high fat and high calorie foods. I thought this procedure was a better choice. I didn't like the idea of rerouting my "innards". To make a long story short, my insurance would not pay for the Lap Band surgery until January of this year.

When I found out that my insurance would help pay the major cost, I contacted the Bariatric Center and started the process. I had the surgery on May 9th. An added bonus was that the surgeon repaired a small hiatal hernia along with placing the Lap Band. I am looking forward to when I don't feel like I have been kicked by a "Georgia Mule" and I get to move on to a full liquid diet tomorrow. I never thought that cream soup and V-8 juice would sound like a gourmet meal. All I have had for the last three days is clear liquids. I am beginning a journey of better health. I am excited. Maybe my joints won't hurt so much and just maybe I won't have to take blood pressure medicine anymore. I will keep you all updated if you like and answer any questions that I can about this surgery. If I can be of any help to anyone that has shared the problem of "obesity" it would be a pleasure. The folks here on the stream have been a great support to me.

I would like to take just a moment to thank each and everyone one of you who have stopped by to offer words of sympathy and encouragement. It seems during the hurried pace of life we forget the kindness that still remains in the hearts of so many around us. I have experienced so much warmth and love over the last two weeks it overwhelms me. Your kind words and prayers are very deeply appreciated. God bless you all.

Papa John went home to Jesus on April 16th at 11:00pm. I know the angels are rejoicing for one of the redeemed who has come home, but for now those of us here will miss him very much. Thanks for all of your prayers and kind words.