So, my journey begins! I've struggled with the decision, weighed all of my options and am moving forward with the vertical sleeve. Only one of my closest friends is uncomfortable with my decision, although supports my choice in the end. I understand where she is coming from, love and accept yourself no matter your size. The trouble is, that I can't love my LIFE at my size. I can love myself enough if I am content to sit around and watch life go by, but for me personally, I want to love myself in the form that I was meant to be. I want to love myself enough to want to be healthy and whole and loving life. Most importantly, I want to be a participant in life and not just a spectator. So, my journey begins! I've attended the information session and am scheduled for the physician's assistant exam, meeting with the dietician and for my psych eval. I am wildly excited and moderately scared. Of course I think of the complications, I'd be a fool not to, but I don't dwell on them. I can only do exactly as I'm instructed, to the letter and then it's in the surgeon and God's hands. So...the countdown begins and I am ready to jump in!