Well, I hope my surgery days are finally over.

I had my panniculectomy on Friday morning and everything went well.

I had an umbilical hernia corrected simultaneously. The surgery(ies) took just under 3 hours and they removed almost 7 pounds of excess skin and my belly button.

When I first woke from surgery, the pain was about an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10 but that lasted less than a half hour when the pain meds kicked in. It's been about 2 and a half days since and I haven't felt the slightest tinge of pain since.

I have a couple of drains that are collecting the excess blood and body fluids that have to be emptied every couple of hours. They are a little gross but really simple to empty and I have to bend 15% degrees while walking and sleeping until healed.

I can't wait to get the bandages and stuff removed in a couple of weeks to get a look at the new me.

It's been 15 months and few surgeries since I began this journey but I feel like a new man with a brand new lease on life. Who knew that losing 166 pounds (75.3 Kilos) and a belly button could feel so damn good?

The pride I have for my accomplishments is somewhat clouded by the shame I am feeling for not being able to kick the butts for good but in due time, they too will be history.

Initial Consult: September 18, 2009 - 365 pounds (165.5 Kilos), BMI 54

Lapband Surgery: March 2, 2010 - 270 pounds (122.5 Kilos), BMI 40

Panniculectomy: December 3, 2010 - 199 pounds (90.2 Kilos), BMI 29

The rest of my life: priceless!

The pictures will follow soon!