Pre-op #1: Intro & Surgery Date

Hi there! This is my very first post on my new blog that I intend to use to document my weight loss journey. I am all set to get my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) on February 3rd, 2014!!! It seemed like it took forever to get to this point and now it seems like it's moving at a rocket's pace. A little bit crazy!

Here's my story that leads me to the present day...

When I first started thinking about weight loss surgery as an option, I honestly didn't know if I would qualify because I thought you had to be above a certain weight and I thought you had to have a BMI above a certain level and I didn't know if I would meet either of those "levels". I initially started doing research on the lap-band because the gastric bypass just scared the crap out of me from what I had seen and heard. It was never an option. I then stumbled upon the sleeve, which I had never heard about. It seemed so perfect for me. I started watching so many videos on YouTube and could not believe how many people there really are out there that have had weight loss surgery. I decided to make an appointment with my family doctor to see if I would even qualify for this type of surgery before I got myself too excited. I met with him in October of 2012 and he told me that I would be a good candidate for weight loss surgery given my weight and with me having two co-morbidity's (Sleep Apnea and high Triglycerides). He wanted me to try to lose as much weight as I could in 6 months and then come back and see him at that time to see where I was. I was back 6 months later and he gave me a referral to get the surgery (which I later found out that I did not need a referral).

On June 13th, 2013 I went to the initial weight loss surgery seminar with a friend of mine. I took extensive notes, which I still have. The following week I met with the surgeon and brought 3 pages of questions for him. He was very very nice and kindly answered every single question I had. He informed me that he would do my surgery and that he felt that the sleeve was an excellent choice for me. It all seemed to be going so quick! I didn't realize that the most waiting would be spent just waiting for an opening on the calendar to see the psychologist and/or dietitian. I eventually got in all my required appointments with both the psychologist as well as the dietitian and was give the "OK" from both of them at the beginning of January 2014. I had my final appointment with my nurse and my surgeon on January 14th to schedule my actual surgery date which is Monday, February 3rd, 2014. I have to be there at 7:15am and my surgery is at 9:30am. I have my pre-op physical scheduled for January 27th, 2014.

It seemed like the second I had my surgery date, it became very very real and all the fears started to set in. Will I get a blood clot? Will I constantly be thirsty? Will I ever feel "normal" again? While I still have those fears in the back of my head, they seemed to lighten up a bit after a few days. I am ready to take this journey and am very excited to see all the changes that I am going to endure both physically and mentally!

Start weight = 321lb

Current weight = 302lb


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