I honestly can't believe how time has flown. At first it seemed to go oh so slowly. I think in part because my diet the first few weeks was liquid and I couldn't wait to move onto eating something more substantial.

I am very pleased with my progress so far. I will see my surgeon on Tuesday, 5/29, for my 3 month post-op visit (though I will be shy by 10 days of being out 3 months).

I think the main things I've learned are how badly simple carbs affected my life. My surgeon does not allow carbs until Month 7 - so I have had no bread, pasta, potatoes, beans or even nuts since surgery. It really hasn't bothered me which has been a surprise. I think it also shows that if you stay away from these things you won't miss them, but if you eat them you will think you can't live without them.

I am currently on my surgeon's Stage 4 diet which means I am to eat 3-5 oz of protein and 2 oz of fruit/veggies for my meals - 3 x day; plus a serving of yogurt and then a protein shake, if needed to make my required protein levels (63-87g per day). I am completely unable to eat this much food. I can tolerate 1 1/2 oz of protein. Any more than that and I cannot hold it down. It also seems that everytime I have tried to even have a bite of veggies after my protein I also then can't keep my meal down. One thing about the Sleeve is that it is unforgiving and it teaches you what you can and cannot do quickly.

One thing I continue to have to work on daily is taking a good amount of time to eat and chew, chew, chewing my food. I downloaded a free app for my iPhone called Timer+ and set up two timers (amongst many others). One is called "Take Time to Eat" and it's set for 20 minutes; the other is called "Wait to Drink" and it's set for 60 minutes. So what I do is when I begin eating I activate the first one and then when I am done eating I activate the second one. It has worked out pretty well for me. Not ideal if you are in a big group or travelling - I was out of town for several days each of the last 3 weeks. Speaking of that I took six different flights to travel - on different airlines and different models of planes. I brought my personal seat belt extender with me, just in case, and I'm thrilled to report that I never needed it. What a great feeling!! At the same time I found it so much easier to walk down the aisle when having to go use the rest room.

If there's one main thing that I need to do better, it's get in regular exercise. I have done OK - usually at least 30 mins a day of walking, swimming or biking. But my surgeon wants me to get 90-120 minutes in a day. To help with that I just joined LA Fitness this week and signed up to work with a Personal Trainer once a week. It was a big financial commitment but the sales guy reminded me that by having the surgery I had already made a major commitment (smart sales guy I guess I had a introductory session yesterday and have my first official one tomorrow night. I'm also going tonight to get my measurements done and do some cardio.

On Sunday, 5/13, I celebrated not only Mother's Day but also the fact that I lost more than 50 lbs -- 50.8 to be exact. What a great feeling. I'm going to try and attach an updated photo of myself taken that day below.

That's about it for now..... Very, very happy with my decision to have this life changing surgery.

All the Best to those of you contemplating surgery, working on your pre-requisites or along the journey with me

Updates to my "Ah Hah" moments that I am looking forward to - in relatively random order:

• Weigh under 280 lbs -- Achieved -- 2/29/2012 - 10 lbs lost during 2 week pre-op diet
  
• Surgery complete -- Achieved -- 3/7/2012
  
• Weigh under 270 lbs -- Achieved -- 3/14/2012
  
• Weigh under 260 lbs -- Achieved -- 3/31/2012
  
• Size 2X clothes fit again -- Achieved -- 4/4/2012
  
• Weigh under 250 lbs -- Achieved -- 4/18/2012
  
• Weigh under 248 lbs (personal significance) -- Achieved 4/20/2012
  
• Weigh under 240 lbs -- Achieved 5/9/2012
  
• Start Jazzercise Classes -- Decide to join LA Fitness and work with a Personal Trainer instead -- 5/23/12
  
• Weigh under 230 lbs
  
• Weigh under 229 lbs (lowest with LapBand)
  
• No longer have to wear airplane seat belt extender -- Achieved 5/1/2012 - WOOHOO!!! Flew on six planes (different models) over the next three weeks with no Extender!!
  
• Size 1X clothes fit again
  
• Weigh under 220 lbs
  
• Weigh under 210 lbs
  
• Weigh under 200 lbs -- ONEDERLAND!
  
• Size XL clothes fit again
  
• Weigh under 190 lbs
  
• Weigh under 189 lbs (lowest while on WW in 2001 after losing 105 lbs)
  
• Able to wear one of the cute sundresses I see at Flea Markets
  
• Go bike riding -- Achieved 5/20/2012 Bought a new bike and took it for a spin.
  
• Weigh under 180 lbs
  
• Size L clothes fit again
  
• Weigh under 170 lbs
  
• Weigh 163 lbs or less - Wedding Day weight in 1983
  
• Weigh under 160 lbs
  
• Size M clothes fit again
  
• Weigh under 150 lbs
  
• Weigh under 140 lbs
  
• Go rollerblading
  
• Size S clothes fit??
  
• Reach Goal Weight - 134 lbs!!!