Simultaneously Thrilled and Petrified! Yet Knowing This is Much Needed... - Kirkland, WA

Recently one of my kids asked me why I wasn't in any of our family photos. That question stopped me in my tracks. I can't deny it, I've been the "phantom participant" for most of my kids' life. And that saddens me immensely, but I cannot change the past. But I can change this path going forward....

I'm in my mid-50s and, like most folks on this board, I've been extremely successful in losing weight. Heck, I've lost so much weight in my life, repeatedly! I'm a master dieter. I've been on every diet possible for the past 40 years, including Optifast, Nutrisystem, going to a summer camp for heavy kids when I was 16, Weight Watchers off and on (I was one of the first to go to WW when it first began in the 1970s in my home town), LA Lite, Atkins, cabbage soup, you name it, I've done it. And they all worked. Temporarily. Blame it on a lifetime of bad habits or genetics or factor "x", but the same 30-80 plus pounds slowly crept back, each and every time. I figure, I've battled my weight my whole life. It's now or never to get this under control. I'm lucky not to have any chronic health issues, but I'm realistic enough to know that my luck's going to run out eventually, and I want to have a good quality of life with my family, and be around for a long, long time.

I've researched the VSG after hearing of a friend in AZ who had it done a few years ago. I immediately thought this surgery was the way to go (for me, at least): least invasive, no foreign bodies implanted, no "parts" that need tweaking or managing, no issues with malabsorption, etc. My GP referred me to The Center for Weight Loss Surgery, and I had my initial consultation today.

I immediately liked Dr. Srikanth: he was easy to talk to, open to questions, took his time explaining the whole process, and has a fabulous sense of humor. He put me at ease right away. I unfortunately was weighed (LOL) and I'm at a personal high weight of 220 (I'm only 5'-3"). Because my lousy insurance doesn't cover any bariatric procedures, this will have to be a self-pay deal, which is a killer, financially, but at least it means I don't have to jump through any insurance hoops or wait. But I DO have to lose 20 lbs first and have quite a few tests done pre-op: bloodwork, EKG, chest x-ray, abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy, spirometry test, upper GI test and bone density test. (If my insurance won't cover the latter two tests, I'm not going to get them, as they are not mandatory). I also will need a psych consult and get a medical clearance, and there are a few other requirements.

We decided on a target date for the surgery: October 15. I am so very excited, but also apprehensive. I'm a terrible patient and just the thought of the endoscopy alone gives me the heebee jeebees.

I've started a protein-rich diet which I will be on for the next few weeks. After that, oh joy, it will be liquids only. I'm going to wean myself off my beloved Diet Cokes. That might be the most difficult part. But I am determined, and I'm looking forward to blogging about my experience, and continuing to read all about all of yours!!!

I'm trying to wean myself off my Diet Cokes, so I'm drinking a ton of ice water. It isn't really my "thing", but I promised my dr that I'd be 100% compliant, so I'm doing it. Meanwhile, I'm seriously considering investing in some of those "astronaut diapers", as I'm finding myself running to the bathroom every hour it seems!

How on earth do you all deal with this?

Done today!