I can not believe I am going to write again. I spent 3 or 4 years somewhat journaling my previous weightloss effort. That came to a screeching halt around 19 months ago. And now I am headed into the land of VSG. I am scheduled for surgery this friday, June 28th. I am having my surgery done at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. I made my first phone call about the surgery in August 2012. I had been diagnosed with some arthritis in my knee and my activity level came to a dramatic halt. I had found 70-80 of my old friends and knew I really needed to do this for me. I had no idea I would be waiting 9-10months to get it done.

6 months with the nutritionist. My first meeting with the Surgeon in late January. A new nutritionist. 3 group classes. You need to lose 25 lbs before we do surgery. That sleep study has a two month waiting list. Approval May 6th. Schedule surgery for June 28th and meet with the doctor forJune 6th. Oh yeah you better have lost that 25 lbs by then. Start trying to lose the 25 lbs...again. Spend June 3,4,5 fasting and come in under the number. One last class and an EKG, chest xray, and labs. Start the two week liquid diet.

Six to seven slim fasts carnation breakfasts a day??? ick. Substitute some isopure and maybe some chicken and nuts every once in awhile. Hey it's now June 24 and this is really happening.

Oh yeah I guess I better tell my mom That can wait until tomorrow. I have really only told a couple close friends and my volleyball teammates. everyone has been supportive. A few have asked questions. But no complaints from me about who I have told. My family, we shall see. None of them live within a 1,000 miles of me, and to their credit they have always been real supportive. I think I hesitated in telling them mostly because I don't want them to worry.

So that's the condensed version of my story. Excited and grateful that I have learned so much from following and reading about your journeys. You guys will never know the help you have been. Best of luck to all of you Peace, Jim