Looking for a little reassurance

 Ah the reality jitters eh? (I am from Canada aren't I ? lol)  I felt exactly the same as you when I met with the surgeon and was given my surgery date and the Opti fast.  I thought oh oh oh what have I started and am I going to be able to do this.  I read, researched, asked questions, etc. but nothing prepared me for the sudden brakes I put on when it all fell into place for me.  I was excited to even be referred as I was 61 at that point (April 2012) and turned 62 this month.  I was excited every step of the way as I attended appointments and all that went with this decision.  

I have probably gained the most in the past 20 years since the beginning of my menopause which started in my early 40's.  I dealt with loss of mobility as I have severe back pain due to two herniated discs and arthritis in my back as well.  So the weight piled on and the pain got worse.  I observed so many much younger people than myself in motorized scooters going about their life and I thought I am not going to be one of those people if I can help it.  I want to be able to put off all the other wonderful diseases/conditions that age brings on like heart disease and diabetes that seem to attach themselves to overweight people.  I want to be able to exercise and go about life and enjoy moving again.

 My advice to you Beth is to keep reading but go forward with the Opti and take one day at a time.  I will share with you that Opti is not easy but it is very doable (is that a word?).  I have 21 days of Opti and am allowed broth, sugar free jello, and limited veggies.  It is good to see some weight off already and I too only wish that I had this opportunity for a chance at successful weight loss much sooner in my life but better late than never, in my opinion.  Keep posting here and you will get lots of feedback.  Best wishes, sincerely, Nancy

Thanks for the encouragement, Nancy.  It seems like we're two peas in a pod, with our ages and physical conditions so similar.  I had forgotten you'll be only a day ahead of me; too bad we can't be in the same hospital!   Would be a little hard, considering the geographical distances involved, LOL!

So many people have responded to my post, and every word has been nothing but encouraging, so I'm feeling pretty darn good tonight.  I'm actually feeling pretty excited, truth be told. 

I'm a little on the hungry side right now, but it's nothing I can't handle.  (Of course, this is just my first day.  Actually, my official first day isn't until tomorrow!)  I was telling my husband tonight that all my efforts to change my eating habits are paying off right now, because today wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been if I had gone cold turkey from stuffing my face to 700 calories!

Keep up the good work.  We'll be at our surgery days before we even know it!  

Beth