Day 1

Here I am...not sure why I am doing this, but I have the need to share my journey.  It is more for myself to share my moods, emotions, and struggles of the next year or more. 


The beginning of my journey to a new and incredible me started in August of 2010.  I had just come home from a trip to the west.  We had a great time, but I was angry with myself for not being able to take that hike, or go in that canoe, or feel good about how I looked in shorts and a tank top.  I have been thinking about gastric bypass since my doctor mentioned it in May.  I really did not feel that Fred would like the idea, so I put it in the back of my mind.  When Fred and I were talking about our wonderful trip and remembering the fun, I started crying and told Fred about my anger with myself about not being able to take that hike I promised him.  He was very kind and has always been supportive of me.  He simply said, "Have you ever thought of weight loss surgery?"  these words are what brings me to now. With high blood pressure, high cholesterol, bad knees, and being "morbidly obese" as the doctors term...I knew I needed to change my life.

As soon as the words came out of his mouth I felt relief.  I immediately looked up weight loss surgery, did my homework, found a program my insurance would pay for and started my journey. 

On August 1, 2010 I had my first appt. with the Bariatric weight loss center in Huntley.  They talked to me about surgery, nutrition, and insurance requirements.  At this point I needed to many things for the surgery to happen.  I had to see a psychologist, the surgeon, a sleep study, a 3 month weight loss program through my doctor, a sleep study and take two classes on eating after the surgery.

My weight loss program started on September 1, 2010.  It was a series of ups and downs, just like any weight loss program I had entered.   Then in November, I received the call that my blood tests showed I was prediabetic now.  I guess I picked a good  time to start my journey.

On January 3, 2011, I had a sleep study.  I was notified on January 7th that I had showed that my oxygen levels decreased significantly an average of 16 times per hour.  This was an "AH HA" moment for me.  Now I have an explanation for being tired ALL the time!  Another reason I needed to change my life.

So, here is where I am at now.  I am to the point that the insurance has all the paperwork and I am waiting for pre-authorizing the surgery.  Then it is scheduled. 

I am looking forward to things like looking good in jeans, being able to walk up and down stairs, having energy I need to teach, bending over to help students, and gaining some of my self esteem back.  However, I HAVE to do this to stay alive to see my grandkids grow, my daughter get married, take those trips Fred and I have planned when we fully retire.  It is no longer a "I want to look nice!"  it is "I want to live".  

The change will be very difficult.  If anyone knows me I LOVE food.  All food!  Mostly really fattening foods!!!! Right now a normal person can fit about 1-2 litters of food in their stomach at one sitting.  After surgery I will start with an ounce and move to 4-8 ounces for life.  That is about 1 egg!!!! Good thing is, I can still eat what I want, just very little of it...I will be a cheap date and drunk:)

You can help me by posting comments about my decision, I want to hear what you really have to say about it.  I need to hear the positive and negative so I can make sure I am doing the right thing for me. 

Here's to a long journey!!!!