1/27/05: A date that will be in my mind for a long time

So, I had my first consultation with the surgeon the week before Christmas. 1 EKG, 1 EGD, 1 sleep study, 2 blood samples, 1 chest x-ray, 1 dietician appointment, 2 nurse practitioner appointments, 1 psych evaluation, 1 pulmonologist appointment, 1 cardiologist appointment, and 1 endocrinologist appointment later, I have a surgery date in 4 days. I think I set a record of a little over a month between first consultation and surgery. I tell you, the pre-op preparations have been killer, but I guess that's what happens when you have a thorough doctor, right? I'm having the Lap-Band procedure done, fyi. I have a lot of things on my mind, and for some reason my natural instinct is to write them down. I see a lot of people here keep quick journal entries with their weight and post-op timeline. I hope to do the same. I think the area where I am weakest is in my willingness to tell others. I have some business functions 10 days after the surgery. I still don't know what I will say when I refuse to eat at my new boss's house in front of my co-workers. Stomach flu? For some reason, I don't plan to publicly announce my surgery. In fact, at this point (pre-op), all of my friends are in the dark and so are some of my family members (sisters). The psychologist said this was normal; does anyone else struggle with this? For example, in 6 months I'm going to see someone and they'll say, "hey, you look great, what have you been doing to lose weight?" "Eat less, exercise more" is my chosen response (and technically correct). However, I will need to overcome this "problem" in the future. I doubt I'll be on TV talking up the surgery, but maybe in a year or so I'll be open to sharing some details. Strangely, that's what has been gnawing on my mind re: the surgery. Not the medical risks of major surgery, not the fact that I won't eat any good food for weeks or months, and not the fact that I'll be changing a very major component of my life for good. No, I'm worried what I'm going to tell my friends when I drink water during the Superbowl. Strange? Maybe I should get a t-shirt (in many decreasing sizes) that says, "I had laproscopic bariatric surgery that reduced my stomach to the size of an egg, and all I got was this lousy bottle of protein drink." Anyway, since people love to post stats here: 303 lbs at last clinical weigh-in (holy crap! wasn't I just fighting to get down to 250 like 3 years ago?) I'm 5'8", so I have a BMI a bit over 40. According to the cookie-cutter system the dietician laid out, I could realistically get down to 165 ("normal" weight for my height). I'll shoot for anything under 200 and then start to fine tune it.

Brian, Congrats on getting a date so fast. I'm sure it will be here and over before you can blink. The time seems to go so quickly. I just had an Open RNY. I found it interesting that you said you are not willing to share your surgery info with your family and friends. I can understand. I shared my story with all my close friends and family and am glad I did. I have had so much support. I wouldn't consider not wanting to tell anyone a "problem", but rather a choice. Just make sure you have some support after the surgery, you will need it. I will be thinking of you on your upcoming date. Jill K

Hi Brian Congrats on your up coming surgery and how fast it went for you. I also has been on the fast track went to my seminar on Dec 7th, saw the surgeon for consult on Dec 16th and now my surgery is Jan 25th. I met several men at the seminar who had the Lap-Band and they were doing awsome, like 90 lbs down in just 6 mths. But after a lot of research I chose the RNY. At first I admit that I had a certain feeling that when I told my collegues they would think that I was taking the easy way out. Especailly since so many people can seem to diet and loose just fine. One person in my office has done very well losing 90 lbs on her own. I still have not mentioned it to her. But for the most past when I said I was having surgery all my collegues ask what kind. I would either have to lie and make up a story, or just tell the thruth. I chose to tell them. But they were close collegues for them most part, in fact my work friends. Some of them I have spent years with on and off traveling and living overseas, so they are more that just collegues. All of them have been so supporting. They have known me for many years, and they know my struggle. They all may not understand , but they repsect my decision. The fact that I may need to make a trip to China in late March or April, also makes it necessary that my boss knows, and certain co-worker because I was suppose to head to Singapore next week, and natrually had to have someone go in my place. Soo...... I have decided to TELL and be proud of it, but only if asked. I just think that I'd rather not make up stories, because I have CRS (Can't remember Sh**t) and who knows how many vaiations I'd end up telling. So Brian, just take it a day at a time. At the event coming up in 10 days, just don't worry about it. Wait an see if anyone asks, and then you and see what and how you want to respond. I doubt that anyone you cares about you, or respects you as a co-worker will be anything but supportive. Best of luck to you. Sandra