I'm laying in my hospital room 9 hours post op. I've only had ice chips all day!  My chest feels like a gorilla is sitting on it.  I just asked for sme Gas X which is desolving under my tongue.  WOW! Awfully painful, but it will get better right?  Surgery was a breeze other thasn this...

Well, today it my big day!  After 7months of dieting for my insurance (United Healthcare of KY) approval,psych evaluation, seminars, support groups and nutritional counseling, I am finally ready to claim my new "birthday".  I am excited  but a bit nervous at the same time.  Last night I found a video of the surgery on YouTube.  It looks to be pretty straight forward and I really do trust Dr. Weiss with Bluegrass Bariatrics.  So far, my experience has been good. 

I started my pre-op (6 month diet+1 initial PCP visit) in May 2011 weighing 330 lbs.  I ballooned up to 357 lbs a couple of months later because I hadn't gotten real about needing to lose before the end of that period.  On October 3rd, that all changed.  When I saw that scale say 357,I had an epiphany. I told myself that things had to change and I had to be the one to change it.  I started seeing the NUT once a week until my surgery consult..  I would highly recommend this.  I had accountability and she answered any concerns I had.  Thank you, Julie!!  From that day on I have had really good weight loss.  As of this morning (surgery day), I weighed in at 316.0!!  My initial weight with my PCP monitored diet was 343 lbs.  The insurance requirement was that I couldn't have gained anymore by the end of the 6 months than what I started with.  I did it!  I beat it by 27 lbs!!  

I'm taking my netbook to the hosptial tonight, so as soon as I get able to write more here,I will.  I am just sure I will be very busy the 1st night ( I hope I get to go home tomorrow, although Dr. Weiss said that 2/3 of his patients spend 2 nights in the hospital).  So here's my stats since my journey started:

HW:  357
Intake weight: 343
Post 6 month diet weight: 330
SW: 316
GW: 170

I can't wait be be on the losers bench by about 4pm EST.  Any other sleevers having surgery around 1:30pm EST,I will be thinking of you and please be thinking of me. 

Well, that's it for now.  I'll keep you posted after my surgery!!   :)