Well hello world! I am not new to the WLS crowd as i had a gastric bypass in 2009, but due to not being able to absorbe my bipolar 11 meds i was put on 24mg of Risperdone which made me gain every ounce back plus some.

Fast forward to today, i am almost weened off the Risperdone and my PCP, Psychiatrist and psychologist and most importantly myself think lapband surgery would be a very great tool for me to once again become successful in my weight loss efforts.

I live in Outback Australia and will be flying down to another state for surgery as we do not have any of those kinds of services here. I will be flying down with my kids (10yr, 8yr, and 7 months old) and hubby in 7 days time (17th). I have my first consultation with my surgeon on the 18th and if all goes well after x-rays and blood work, i will be having lapband surgery on the 20th. It will be the best Christmas & Birthday present to myself and my family as it will enable me to join them in physical activities again, and make keeping up with a baby a LOT easier.

I am a bit scared but a lot more excited. I know i will be successful as i have been training myself to take tiny bites and chew chew chew my food. I am trying to work on getting in more water, which i should be doing anyway since i live in the Australian Desert. We will be in the other state for 18 days to make sure all is going well and so if there is a complication i am in the same city as the surgeon, and also it is our summer family vacation at the beach and to visit my family (mum and siblings) too. We dont get to see the ocean very often. My husband will be a great help as i wont need to bend to pick up my daughter as to not bust open any stitches. I remember the pain from the bypass and it was not too bad, 2 days of presciption painkillers and then just tylanol to keep the dull ache under control, so i am very confident this will go well. But i am concered about the port site pain as that will be very different, but i will take it in stride.

Today i am on day 5 of my optifast diet. The shakes are really yucky, and had been making them into a smoothie with my allowed 1/4 cup of fruit so i used mixed frozen berries, it made it much better to get down, but my bloody blender cracked so i have to go out and buy a new one and im not looking forward to going to K-Mart in our little town at Christmas shopping time where everyone and their dog are there. Its a mad house! But i hate the shakes by themselves so i will brave the madness. I also had a friend in the USA send me a BIG box of sugar free pudding and jello mixes as they dont have sugar free ones here. I have a big bowl on Lime Jello setting in the fridge, it will be a nice change. I REALLY miss my meat, as i am a big MEATATARIAN, hahaha!!! My mother is making my home made chicken broth for me to have at our family Christmas gathering. I am very lucky to have such a great support from family, friends and Doctors.

Im READY!