Finally, I took the step, and scheduled to go to the weight loss seminar. According to all of the programs around here, that is Step Number One. I went in there eight months pregnant, and getting some funny looks, with all intentions of choosing the Lap Band, because of my mom being so successful with hers that she got in 2008. I was determined, and I didnt think ANYONE could change my mind. However, with my lifestyle, love of sweets, a sweet tea and coffee drinker, and other reasons, Gastric seemed the best for me. But of course, a consultation with a surgeon would help make that final decision.
Oh, and sidenote - I did attend a seminar at Chesapeake General, and did not feel comfortable AT ALL! I looked further and found Bon Secours, went to their seminar, and felt more than ready for the next step! Here is the link.
After the seminar, I waited for the phone call to schedule my appt. to meet the surgeon. With a few bumps, I was able to meet with him November 13th. I admit, he kinda scared me at first with all of the questions he had - wondering why I wanted to do it so soon after pregnancy, how was I going to change my lifestyle afterwards, and why in the world did I want to do this? I started rambling about my kids, and he stopped me mid sentence, and told me that nobody was that selfless, that there had to be something JUST for me. And here is is. Final answer - I want to wear cowboy boots. Just kidding. I want to feel good, not be scared about my family heart history, actually want to go up stairs without being short of breath, wear cute dresses (and yes, my first pair of cowboy boots), be social again (with adults), be proactive for my kids, and enjoy every single moment I was blessed to share with my beauties. Of course, I could think of at least twenty more reasons, but those were the main ones!
There was a bunch of preliminary things I was to complete. The first was a three month weight loss trial with my regular doctor. Check. Meeting with psychologist to make sure I was sane enough to handle the after effects. Check. Meet with the dietitian to make sure I was prepared for what I was about to not eat. Check. Ultrasound on chest and stomach, and bloodwork. Check. Clearance from both regular doctor and cardiologist. Check. Preop and Final Consultation. Check. And then the liquid diet. . .
Oh boy. Liquid diet. The doc had told me at the final consultation that I had a "fatty liver", and high cholesterol. One of the main reasons they have you do the liquid diet one week prior is to get your liver to "shrink" so they can successfully do the surgery laproscopically instead of cutting all the way down the middle of your tummy. I wasnt having that. I was going to start one day extra to make sure I gave them that much more room so I wouldnt have a large cut to have to look at forever. That week was something else. Day four was actually the hardest. I really, really wanted to go to McDonalds and get me a McDouble with no onions, half bread and a medium fry. Oh yes, and a Sweet Tea. No, who am I kidding, make that two McDoubles. Also, this week was to prevent any "Last Supper Syndrome" meals. Oh yes, and believe me, I had a whole month of that.
By that Sunday, I had lost 7 lbs. SEVEN pounds. You know how long that would have took if I was just trying on my own?! The big day was almost here. I had to leave the house at 445am, for a 730 surgery, and I couldnt even get to sleep until 230!
And now the Big, well future-little day :)
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