And so it begins.....

I submitted all of my paperwork to the hospital this week. Man, what a feat...and it's only just begun!!  It took me from August until now  for labs, ultrasound, PFT, annual, physical, psych evals, classes, etc...  However, only now does it feel "real" -- like, this really is going to happen.  I feel like a prisoner who's trying to be paroled... (some analogy, huh??) In all honesty though, going through the motions of my "WLS checklist" was just that... going through the motions.... and emotions!!! It has been a God send that I found this board!!! I have read your posts for months now, the good, the bad and the ugly. I've been inspired. I've looked at some of your pictures and couldn't help but have tears running down my face. I've cracked up at times!!! When my husband asks me "are you sure you want to do this" -- I say yes with confidence. It's a real emotional roller coaster, this process... Most of you know that already... The fact that there is a reality to NOT living in my 350 lb body anymore brings tears to my eyes & a spring in my step!! It was extremely difficult to review my "packet" prior to sending and to read how many times it said "morbidly obese" - just makes me want this surgery even more. I have so much to live for! I'm only 33 -- how dare they call me morbidly obese!!!   Now I have 4 more appointments -- 1 with a dietician, 1 with the nurse practitioner, 1 with the surgeons... then Pre-Op class. The most important step I have to take is to quit cigarettes!  Damn things!!  But I'm on my way... and I can't wait to sit beside you guys on the losers bench!!!! You are all my heroes!!! Thank you. Valerie

HUGE CONGRATS TO YOU VAL!!  Believe me I know exactly what you are going thru as my entire months of Sept. & Oct. were practically non-stop MD appt's, tests and more tests. Now, here I am at the threshold of having just been approved and I wait 4 more days to surgery!!  Emotions play such a huge role in all of this. I have laughed, cried, struggled with food temptations, having been on liquid diet for 5 1/2 weeks now, and i know this weekend will FLY by.  Thank God I am having a birthday party for my grandson turning 6 on Sunday...it will be a welcome distraction. Monday is clear liquids all day.  Do I have last minute fears...you betcha!  Will I change my mind....NO WAY! My husband and I leaving now for a "couples massage" at the day spa.  This is our birthday gift to each other. His was in Sept and mine in Oct, but I wanted to have it close to the surgery so it might calm me.  Need to say Aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh instead of Oh Godddddddddddddddddd...yikes!  LOL Blessings to all who struggle with weight.

Oooh massage is so good for you too!  It'll help get that circulation going, and stimulates the immune system.  Its good that you aren't doing it RIGHT before surgery though... you timed it jjjuuuuussst right.

Enjoy every minute of that massage!!!! Have fun at your grandson's BDAY party.... and good luck with the liquids Monday.... it's all worth it!!!  Lots of good energy your way!!! Valerie

All the appts and preparation were in a lot of ways tougher to get through than the actual surgery.  My pre-op diet was sooo hard for me to handle, and if I'd had to stop smoking at the same time I think my husband would have ducked for cover.  Congratulations on getting through so much of the process so far, you are so close! 

Yes, I'm not looking forward to pre-op diet... I'm already struggling with being honest with myself in everything I put in my mouth... do I really eat that much?? Yes... I do... but not for long!!!  And yes, my husband is ducking for cover... poor guy!!!  This is tough on him too...he has no clue, the guy stands 6'2, and is 190 soaking wet..... I am so close... I just gotta keep on keepin on!! Thanks!!!

HEY VALERIE,         SEEMS LIKE SNAILS PACE SOMETIMES DOESNT IT? BUT THEN WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE IT FLIES AND YOUR RUNNING AROUND LIKE YOUR HEADS CUT OFF LIKE A CHICKEN...LOL... I SURE WISH I COULD HAVE HAD THIS SURGERY IN MY THIRTIES BUT GUESS THERES REASONS FOR EVERYTHING HUH? AND BLESS YOUR HEART WITH THE CIGARETTES.. AINT NEVER BEEN ONE TO SMOKE BUT HAVE SEEN LOVED ONES TRYING TO KICK THE HABIT AND IT AINT EASY I KNOW... SO GOOD LUCK WITH THAT AND STOP JUST READING AND POST SOMETIMES GIRLY.... JOIN US IN THE MONDAY WEIGH INS... DOESNT MATTER IF YA HAVENT HAD SURGERY YET... SO KEEP US INFORMED AND GOOD LUCK!!

HUGS MARGE

Thanks Marge!  I will join in on the Monday weigh ins.... I do feel fortunate I'm doing this in my thirties... One of the major reasons I'm doing (other than to LIVE!)  it is so that I can have kids.... and raise them....and run after them, play soccer, and be a good mom!! etc..... I also have PCOS, so there was no way I was getting pregnant at this weight....  one of my other thoughts is even though it's awesome I'm doing it now... "The rest of your life" sounds like an awful long time at this point..... and as it is today, it seams unreal that I will be eating 1000-1200 calories everyday forever.... I know I can do it... it just seems real intimidating to think of it like that... I'm just taking it "One Day at a Time"  Thanks so much for all your kind words!!!

Hey Valerie . I'm glad you finally updated us. So what hospital did you end up going to? You're going to be so happy you made this decision, and once your husband sees how much different you feel about yourself, he'll get it too. This is one of those things that no matter how much we think we know what we are doing, until we get post-op, the changes are just not describable. Keep us posted, Julie

Hey Julie... I'm doing it at Darmouth Hitch**** in Hanover, NH. I just wi**** were tomorrow!!!!!  OK... have a dumb question here... how come everytime I go to enter a smiley...the screen won't maximize, so I only see the first 20.... I want to add some personality to my message & can't seen to figure it out.... Hmmm....