So Thursday started off normal. I excitedly got up and made an ounce of scrambled eggs, with a bit of fat free cheese. Sat down for 30 mins and ate it. I don't usually like eggs but it felt good to feel my little pouch all warm and full. At lunch, I had one piece of paper thin deli ham and one ounce of finely chopped cantelope. By 2pm my belly was feeling a little rumbly but no big deal, first day on real food. By 3pm I was doubled over in my bed crying from pain. It felt like period cramps times a million.

Now when I had gallbladder disease, a gallbladder attack made me lose my mind, I couldn't see, breathe or move. This was worse. I haven't actually had a baby but it felt like what I imagine contractions to feel like. There would be 30 second intervals of no pain and then it would strike suddenly and make me want to just die.

I laid in my bed for about 6 hours, almost in tears, thinking "what have I done?" Finally after some coaxing and realizing that this is not what bypass patients call "dumping" (I'll explain that later) I called my surgeon. Exactly 3 minutes later he returned my call and calmed me down. He said that I needed to drink with all my meals right now because the food was having a hard time passing through my new openings and thus it was balling up and forcing it's way through my intestines. He said to take one of my Darvocet and just relax. I followed his advice and sipped hot tea for the rest of the evening. The pain did not stop but it subsided to a mild cramping that at least I could bare with and then fall asleep.

Despite this small set back, I feel great. Friday and today have been fabulous. I'm getting better at drinking my water, and eating slower. It's funny after just a bite and getting that full feeling. It surprises me every time. In other news, today I put on a pair of jeans I haven't been able to wear in almost two years. I thought what the hell, lets give em a go...lo and behold they fit, if not even a bit too big! It seems like a miracle.

Talking to my sister today I discovered I have more readers than I thought. I'd like to say welcome and thank you for taking an interest in my journey. This surgery has and is changing my life. I don't think it's for everyone as the day to day aspects of it are hard (drinking 70 ounces of water, not pooping for 10 days, not being able to have any sugar or any fat, no alcohol etc) but for me, it's truly saved my life. I'm happy to be able to share my story even from thousands of miles away.

I was reading my towns only newspaper (RIP Robson Valley Times) and saw an article on childhood obesity. The editorial was well written and quoted a lot of facts I have seen time and time again when doing research on Obesity. There was a letter back talking about the causes of it. I think the writer meant well but I honestly believe he completely missed the point. Obesity isn't something you get from eating too many french fries. Obesity isn't taught to us by parents who both work and give their children money for take out. Obesity isn't caused by computer games keeping kids indoors.

Growing up, as most of you know, I was pretty active. I played almost all the school sports, plus figure skating, plus ballet (sometimes) and my Mum always had a wholesome meal plan for us every single day. I remember going to elementary school and seeing my friends with the snack packs and the processed food and I had a real sandwich on whole wheat bread, and usually some sort of real fruit - usually an apple (right Mum?). I was active in high school nearly every single day. I rarely drank - not of out nutrition but fear of the reprocautions from my parents finding out. All in all, I was a very healthy kid. But...I was overweight. I don't remember exactly when it started, I think sometime around grade 7. I remember developing far before any of the other girls in my class so I attributed my weight to that. As the years passed, so did the scale. Despite being active and eating relatively well, I was growing more and more overweight each year.

Looking back now I can clearly identify when I was infected with this disease of Obesity. I have always been a social butterfly. I like to make friends and I love conversation. Nearly every great memory I have with friends has involved food in some way. Family dinners at Byrons, Wing Night, Grill Night, lunches at the Great Escape, etc. Food quickly became a means for people to get together. I can't lay the fault completely there though.

I love food. I have always loved food. I love the tastes and smells. It's a wonder I don't love to cook...hahah. As my relationship with food grew into a stepping stone for socializing, I lost sight of portions and quickly ate my way into being one of the most popular girls at my university and morbidly obese. Because I was always the funny cool girl to hang out with, no one ever commented on my weight, because to them, it didn't matter. To me, it never mattered either. Going out to eat was going out with friends with the added benefit of something yummy. Over time I stretched my stomach out so much that it took alot to get me full. Not to mention that after years of figure skating practice only having a 15 min break for dinner, I learned to eat fast. One of my most notable things was that I would eat alot, lay on the floor and whine for someone to please kill me, I'm about to explode.

That is when obesity consumed me. Even if you eat the right stuff (which I'm not saying I always did, me and the carbs had a torrid love affair) you still can suffer from this disease. Even now that I'm losing weight, I will still be susceptible to this disease rearing it's ugly head. Obesity is much like alcoholism, it never goes away, you just have to learn how to manage it. Anyway, that was long winded but I hope it gives a bit more insight into my life.