DISAPPEARING ACT

I apologize for my recent disappearance. I promise I have not abandoned you ladies who have become my friends, allies and support system. I have just totally had my hands full working on our annual BBQ Cook off. However; just one more week and this thing will be done. I wish you could all attend because I would love to share this with all of you.

In other disappearing news I am officially 20 lbs down since surgery. Yay Me! (in my best London Tipton impression). I am still on full liquids although I have bent the rules a bit and eat chili and a few other chunky soups I should have blended. Just one more week of full liquids. I get my second fill on Friday - which will entail being on full liquids for 2 days after that and then something I can actually chew. Strangely, I am craving salad the most which won't be on my soft foods list but I can't wait to have one.

In the past 2 weeks have had had loads of nsv's - which have meant even more to me than the pounds on the scale (amazing for a scale whore like myself; who will sometimes weigh as many as 3 times a day - pathetic, I know).

nsv 1. Lots of people have noticed and commented on my weight loss. I notice that my second chin has disappeared, and my neck is thinner and my tummy a little flatter.

nsv 2. I have gone down a clothing size - yeehaw! And I'm probably not far from going down another one. My shorts are hanging off of me in a very unflattering way but I really don't want to invest in summer clothes with the summer so close to and end - because they will be too big for me by next summer. I did have to purchase 2 pair of shorts to wear with my park foundation shirts for the cook-off next week-end but that is all I intend to spend.

nsv 3. this is by far the biggest nsv. A male co-worker that I have not worked with in the past 5 weeks told me how fantastic I looked. His comment was besides the weight loss your expression just looks lighter and you look years younger. Wow! that blew me away. He told me that I almost looked like I was in pain before I left to have my surgery. --- After considering that and thinking back - he was so true. I felt trapped because even though I had lost the weight I needed to to have the surgery I plateaued and I was feeling trapped in my fat body. I was also working through the whole quit smoking thing which was painful. (And I still crave a cigarette at least 2 times daily). Plus I hadn't had a vacation in a year and was in bad need of one. -- since returning to work I just feel happier, like their is hope in my life once again.

The only issue I continue to deal with is drowsiness on a daily basis - but I'm told that is still my body's response to recovering from surgery and that too shall pass. Wow what an amazing journey this is turning out to be - I'm excited. How about You?