They are not kidding when they say small sips!  Day of surgery, was very uncomfortable due to gas in abdomen, but it's getting out.  Feeling better with that part.  I stayed at the hosp 2 nights instead of just one.  About midnight last night, I was ready to leave, but had to wait for the surgeon to give me the thumbs up.  I can say nothing bad about my surgeon.  He's a character, but very thorough and caring.  He's a good guy.  If anyone in the Dallas area ever needs a recommendation... go see Dr Sina Matin.  He's fantastic!  I'll write more when I feel like it, hopefully tomorrow.  :)  Glad I took the plunge!
 

Hello world.  

I've not put anything in my profile yet.  I started this journey in earnest in March 2011.  I met with a surgeon and started the process.  I was approved in August by my insurance.  My scheduled date is 10/27/2011 and I'm scared, but sure.  I'm scared about anesthesia and blood clots more than anything right this minute.  I'm scared I'll never see my family again and I want them to know how much I love them and appreciate them.  I'm 43 and I don't want to die, but if I were to continue on at this weight, I could drop dead any time anyway.  It's getting very real now.  

I'm on day 7 of my 14 day pre-op "liquid" diet and have lost about 6 lbs so far.  I'm at 290 this morning.  It's a drop in the bucket, but it's a step in the right direction.  I'm kinda feeling crappy today...  Sneezing like a crazy woman and in the potty too many times this morning.  My liquid diet is a lot of protein shakes, yogurt, 2% cheese, soup (no chunks, please) and water.  I think I'm lactose intolerant anyway, so this is just helping so much.  :)  I just chewed up my first chewable vitamin because I wanted to taste it before surgery so I could know what to expect.  Not horrid, but not as good as Flintstone's vitamins from the good old days of childhood.  The burp was not nice, tho.  Second one was nasty, too.  Yuck.  I'll get used to it.  Might have to try something other than Centrum chewables next time.  

I need to take some "before" pics so that one day, I'll be able to look back and say "I can't believe...".  I've got one or two, but want to be better documented.  Don't know why.  Just do.  

My family, friends and co-workers have been very supportive, so that helps.  I know they are aware that this is not something I just decided on a whim.  I've been up to and over 350 lbs and don't ever want to be there again.  I was miserable.  I was 200 lbs at 18 and have gone up ever since.  I was about 130-135 at 16 and then the eating really started.  I know when and why I started eating so much crap (I got my first job, had my own money to spend on anything I wanted and Dad couldn't tell me what to do any more).  I've learned a lot over the years about myself and about nutrition.  I just couldn't ever commit to the permanent change that needs to happen in order for me to weigh less.  I did Atkins for about 4 months back around 1999 and lost 75 lbs.  It was fantastic, but the minute I started eating carbs, the pounds creeped back and brought friends.  

I've currently got type 2 Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis, aches and pains in my ankles, knees, hips, and back.  I truly hope to alleviate a lot of these with this weight loss.  I was diagnosed in 10/2007 with relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis.  My balance is an issue.  I like to trip over anything or nothing at all.  Even losing 20 lbs has helped with my balance to some degree and it's reduced my bp already, so I know it's all going in the right direction.  

 My hubby is scheduled for the same surgery on 12/29 and I hope that my progress leading up to his 2 week pre-op diet can help encourage him that he can do this, too.  I love him so much and want him to feel better, too.  

There's my story in a nutshell.  Wish me luck on this huge step!