I'm just going to get right to it: I'm having bariatric surgery on February 22nd. I've always had a struggle with food, mainly portions in particular, compounded with the lack of activity at my job (Director of IT) has lead to a staggering number when I step on the scale.
I didn't come to this conclusion lightly. I've spent countless hours researching options, reading about complications, finding local support groups, attending seminars, speaking with people that have already had it done, etc. and I am completely confident that I'm making the right choice. I have found a Doctor that specializes in the type of surgery I want done - he's completed over 9000 of them in his career with a complication rate of less than 1% (it's actually .03%) which is WAY below the US average of 3%.
I know exactly what I am giving up for this and that will be the hard part. I've roasted my own coffee beans for over 6 years - and I won't be able to drink coffee much at all after this. I have a love for good beer that can't even be explained. I have a love for whiskey and scotch that is also going to be difficult. Who doesn't love pizza?! Big juicy bacon cheeseburgers, spaghetti factory - - - etc etc. That being said, I've had my fun with all of it and enjoyed all of the above with reckless abandon for, well, ALL of my life until now. It needs to change and sadly, I need to force myself to do it.
Now, to my friends here that might feel it's a dangerous choice and are concerned about me, understand that I have researched WAY more than what most would consider "normal". Once I decided on which surgery (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy btw), I went through a painstaking process of choosing the right doctor for the job, then spoke with a number of his past patients to hear their experiences. I've even already purchased all of the vitamin supplements and "post" surgery goodies I could possibly need, just to be sure that I will be as healthy and safe as possible through all of this. I will post regular updates throughout the process.
Some of you might be wondering why I'm posting about this here instead of on a weight loss site or facebook or whatever... The answer is that I'm still quite private and personal about this. It's something that I have been extremely ashamed of all my life. Most people here I don't know on a very personal level, but this site has always been about acceptance, diversity and "come as you are". I can write about whatever I want here and get my thoughts and feelings out without fear of judgment or persecution. Besides, this is TOTALLY a body mod. Ha!
Tomorrow I start the pre-op liquid diet phase. I have to be on it for three weeks before the surgery to shrink my liver. Otherwise, it could be in the way and complicate surgery. Like I said, I'm not going into this lightly - I'm going to do EVERYTHING I need to do for it to be safe and successful. (In case you're curious, regular solid food always increases the size of your liver, however, when you have a largely fatty diet, the liver also becomes "fatty" and needs a diet before a surgery like this.)
Until later, take care everyone. If you've been able to read through this whole post, wow - and thank you!