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So this is my first (of hopefully many) blog posts. After waiting on pins and needles, I am approved for surgery. The call for approval was far less dramatic than I thought it would be, but I was happy for the good news. It's kind of weird, because the first reaction I had was "Whoah...what did I do???". I think that's a natural reaction, at least I hope it is!!

Now I have a bunch of things on my "to do" list. Can I find a shake that I won't gag drinking? Can I get the strength to follow through will all that is needed? Is my life going to be so different that I won't be happy? Will my loving hubby be annoyed that we'll never again eat the same meal? How am I going to get through work lunches and dinners? When people ask how I lost the weight, do I tell them I had surgery? Will I be a success story or a failure story?

I hope that I can find the answers before surgery, but what if I can't? I guess I'll be abandoning the organized planner side to my personality and start living in the world of "TBD"... Hopefully this blog will help me find some answers. Until next time...

Congratulations on getting your date. My friend got her's for Sept 1. I am still waiting. We both had to have EKG's done but I had to follow up with a stress test which was normal. I am hoping that I get the call sometime next week. And, you will not fail. If your story is anything like mine, it's been a battle. But now you have a very good tool to help you out and remind you when enough is enough. You will make it. You will succeed. Look forward to the before and after pics.

Congratulations! I had the same reaction when I got my approval and date. Had that reaction multiple times, even after surgery. Some little answers to your very good questions: 1. Shake you can tolerate - I had the same fear - got the suggestion of going to BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for protein, vitamins, and success.. They have a protein sampler pack - single servings of different brands, different flavors. Helped me find a handful of different ones I actually LIKED.

2. You WILL eat the same meals as your hubby (unless he eats unhealthy meals) just less. For example, tonight's dinner is stir-fry chicken. I just have a LOT less than everyone else.

3. Work lunches & dinners - this will be a challenge if your work has the same practices of mine - unhealthy foods. Chicken is usually a staple though - breast meat is best - but heck - a little dark meat is still going to be better than something more unhealthy.

4. At first I decided to not tell anyone at work. But then I told one person - and they were SO happy for me and excited and wished me good luck and offered any help I could ask for that it emboldened me to tell everyone. I figured I could never have too big of a support system. I had one person that I worried about telling - Mr. Know It All. But even he was supportive. You'll figure out what's best for you - and that's ALL that matters. This surgery is about taking care of YOU.

GOOD LUCK. :thumbup: