The Start of it all

The first step to it all was to attend a 3 hour meeting to explain all 3 surgeries that Wilford Hall Hospital offers. The 3 choices were the Lap Band, The Sleeve, and the Gastric Bypass. I went in there with mind set of wanting the Band, but after the explanation of all 3 surgeries, I quickly changed my mind. The lap band was the only surgery that was reversible!!! I dont want to go through all of this and have the option to change my mind after surgery. I want a forever change!!! Besides the maintenance of the band was just too much for me. Too many plateaus, and really slow weight loss. I want this fat off of me as quickly as possible. Not to make light of a gastric bypass surgery, because there is nothing about this that is going to be easy. I do understand the risk, the disadvantages, etc. I sat in there listening to these woman gripe because they were told they wouldn't be able to have sugar anymore, very little carbs, and no caffeine. They were seriously pissed at the thought of giving it all up. I couldn't believe it. They were making such a big deal of giving up the CRAP that put them in that room in the first place. All I could think about is, GOOD RIDDANCE FOREVER! I realize I may have a craving for it from time to time. But luckily they explained the "dumping" syndrome, and dont think I will ever give into that temptation once I have the surgery. Acutally the bariatric nurse told us she wants us to all go thru it ONE time, and that would be enough for us to never be tempted again....I just laughed. It was good enough just hearing about what it does to know I am not putting myself through that crap!
It was a little scary hearing all the risk, the changes, the stories. WOW, it was a lot more to think about than I could have EVER imagined. So, I have decided to go with the "gold standard"....the bypass. Yes I know it sounds more drastic, but it is the right decision for me. I needed a COMPLETE change.
Next step is another 4 hour group meeting to go into complete detail of the specific surgery I chose. So two weeks later from the first meeting I sit right back into the same chair surrounded by approximately 25 others having the same surgery. They (the staff) basically just went into more complete detail about the gastric bypass. We were given papers after papers of information on all the gory details of what my life was about to become....haha.
It is going to be a lot more work getting ready for the surgery than I thought. One of the first pieces of paper we were given was a sheet of all the testing we have to have done before we can even be given a surgery date. LORDY LORDY LORDY, thats about all I could say. Nothing good ever comes easy though. Here are some of the things I am referring to: Lab work, upper GI, weight loss meetings, sleep study, PAP, PSYCH evaluation (crap, they are going to fugure out I am crazy!). Its a lot of work, but I am really glad they are making sure we are healthy enough for surgery. Yes I just want to get it over with, but I am going to feel a lot more confident as I am being wheeled into that operating room. I am determined to get it all done within a month. I am ready for this. My goal....TO LOOK BETTER AT 40 THAN I DID AT 30!!! Bring on middle age, lol!!!!!!!!!!!!