Entry 12: 2-week post-op appointment, Bye-Bye 25 lbs

Today I had my 2-week post-op appointment and I've lost 25 lbs since starting this in April.  What's more...my hypertension is gone, my edema is gone, and I had been on the verge of Type-2 diabetes (didn't know until my surgery this was even an issue and they were giving me insulin), but that is ALL GONE.  I'm no longer on any medication for any of those issues.  All of that is the MOST important part of this.  The craziest thing is that now, with my new statistics....I don't even qualify for bariatric surgery (in theory, I obviously had it :-) ), and that seems like a victory in of itself. 

Three other victories to celebrate!
1.  I got cleared to go back to work tomorrow.  I'm functioning and my incisions are looking fine and so tomorrow I get to go back to work and FINALLY see my awesome students and colleagues.
2.  I caught myself in a full-length mirror at Trader Joe's and I was happy with my progress.  I don't have a full-length mirror.  After my back injury and weight started to pile on I gave up full-length mirrors in my house.  I didn't want to see myself, and now I think we might get one for my bedroom.
3.  I ATE COTTAGE CHEESE!!  Today started my next phase of foods, from full-liquids to pureed.  Included with pureed are some things that I don't have to blend, one of those being cottage cheese.  I can eat 3 meals day.  The size of each meal can be 1/4 a cup and should take about 15-20 minutes to eat with "pea-sized" bites.  I struggle not wolfing down food (I'm a teacher!  I wolf down a sandwich in 2 minutes before kids come to my classroom!)  It's been interesting to practice small, slow bites and realizing how much healthier it is for me to concentrate on what I'm eating and how my body feels when I eat what I eat.