Here goes nothing!! I have chosen to undergo Weight Loss Surgery!! It was a hard decision to make as well as an easy one! Being overweight most of my life, well, was part of my life. I have know that I was heading down a slippery slope if I didn't do anything radical. I have tried every diet out there and then tried some of my own creations. Well the yo-yo came back and slapped me in the face.

I haven't always been the most active person, but I am not a lump (well maybe sometimes) either. This summer on vacation was the worst. There I was in Yellowstone NP and I was miserable. I was able to go to most places, but not all and some of the hikes, well forget about it. I have never had altitude sickness before and I had it several times. I know that it was because of my weight and some of the medications used to treat my co-morbities namely Hypertension.

So with a little help from my parents, amazing support from my hubby and family, I decided to pursue this path. I researched, asked friends who have had the procedure, and generally poked and prodded until I found the right surgeon for me. As I live close to Houston, I could have gone there, but I didn't want to be driving 4 hrs round trip for a 30 min appointment. I was able to find a wonderful surgeon just 45 minutes from my house.

The roller coaster ride started in earnest in October with my first consultation. Here I go a nervous 37 yr old who has only been in the hospital once, WHEN SHE WAS 5!!! I am not only going to have a major operation, but an elective one at that. What was I thinking!!! I made it through, got my preliminary lab work done and sat back and waited and waited and waited. November goes by, no word. December's here and Christmas was creeping in and nothing. ARG!!!! So I finally am able to get in touch with the Bariatric Coordinator and boy does the coaster start flying!!! In 25 minutes, I have my pre-op class scheduled, pre-op diet scheduled and I have a surgery date, January 20, 2009. Inauguration day!!!

I sail through Christmas and here comes New Years Day. This is the day I have to start my diet and give up sodas and all fizzy drinks. NO DIET COKES!!! NONE NADA ZILCH ZERO!!!! I have had a lovely relationship with Diet Cokes for 25 years. This was not gonna be good. I was told to give up caffeine too, but that wouldn't be cool. I did cut down on it though. The nerves were starting to creep in a settle in a little shadow that I couldn't shake. I knew that it was not the fear of the surgery, but the anesthesia.

Before I know it, the day is here. Deep breath. You can do it!! I knew that at anytime I could back out, but I knew that I would regret it if I did. So here comes the lovely hospital gown and IV and then the lovely hair cover. Next thing I know I am in the OR and scootin' my butt onto the table. Then they are putting a mask over my face and telling me to relax. Next think I know I am in recovery with 5 holes in my belly and one heck of a sore throat. I progess fairly rapidly through the recovery and am up and walking. A quick overnight stay and I am on the road to a new me!!!