Over a year ago I decided to give myself one last shot at weight loss. I did fantastic! I lost 76 pounds in 6 months. Only problem....I regained it all back in 8 months. I had heard about a great surgeon in my area and about the VSG and decided to go to one of his informational seminars. I was sold!! He doesn't just sleeve you and send you on your way, he is so thorough with his pre-op testing as well as the support groups provided. And I found out that my insurance automatically approved the surgery as long as you met the surgeon's requirements.

I went to my seminar in May 2011, had my first visit with the surgeon on June 30, 2011. He put me on the fast track...from what I have heard from other patients I could expect to have surgery in as little as 6 weeks!!!!!!! I was given a list of pre-op requirements that I have to complete before I can get my surgery date. I must have a psychological evaluation, nutritionist consultation, EKG, upper endoscopy and biopsy, full blood work up, chest x-ray, follow a 6 week liquid protein diet and attend 3 support group meetings. My liquid protein diet started on July 1, and after only 1 day, I lost 5 pounds. I have my next appointment with the surgeon on July 29, 2011 and will also see the nutritionist. I will be having my blood work, EKG, and x-ray on July 5, 2011. My second support group meeting is on July 12.....This is going so fast but I will be glad to not be uncomfortable and unrecognizable any more!!

Through the excitement comes the evil reality that food addiction is horrific to overcome....food is necessary. After surgery I will not be able to have carbonated drinks, caffeine, or carb/fat rich foods so it is recommended that you start practicing this pre-op to get you in the habit. I am doing great so far! I got a little cranky earlier because I was so hungry even after my shake. I had some chicken broth and a glass of water and now I feel better. I realized that this is going to be my reality post-op. I may feel super hungry or have a craving for something I shouldn't have, but I'm just going to have to learn to deal with it or change my mind about surgery (choice 2 is not an option for me).

I have been given this gift of a second chance at life and I'm not going to let it pass me by only because I want to eat. I know I will over eat and only feel worse than I had before. So I decided to go through all of the foods that I would not/should not eat post-op and decide if I can live without ever having them again. I was okay until I named a favorite restaurant's rolls....I would really like to have them just one last time before I have surgery and am healed enough to have a bite at a future date. So now I am pondering having a "last supper" tomorrow night with my family. I will probably regret it, and I may even change my mind in the morning and decide we aren't going to do it.