I've waited more than 10 years for what is finally coming to reality now. In early December, I began the long process of preparing for bariatric surgery, namely Gastric Bypass, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. I've dieted what seems like my whole life and I've had many successes, but definitely more failures. My personal feeling is that obesity is an addiction, just as drugs and alcohol are for many. That may not be a popular opinion, but after all these years, it certainly defines my life of a yoyo'ing weight and the inability to lose the weight and keep it off. This surgery will give me the tool with which I can do both. The surgeon creates a stomach that is about the size of an egg, bypassing the "real" stomach. This allows the new stomach to hold very little food which in turn helps you lose weight.
I began this process by meeting with the surgeon, nutritionist, psychologist and taking mandatory classes that explain everything from before the surgery, until months following. I've had to have an endoscopy, blood tests, stress tests and an ultrasound of my heart. I've had to meet with a cardiologist to determine that my heart looks good. Then I had to meet with the psychologist and nutritionist again to verify that I was doing what I was supposed to do. I quit drinking pop (diet), coffee (the hardest), drinking from a straw, eating sweets and spreading my toast with margarine or butter. As a result of just doing those things and without really trying, I lost 13 pounds. Amazing.
So I finally spoke with the lady who schedules the surgeries and she scheduled mine for March 21. I would have liked it sooner, but this was the soonest I could get in, and I still have several appointments that I need to go to. I have to see the surgeon again, see the physician's assistant to talk about my medications and supplements (which I have to take for the rest of my life), see the nutritionist to talk about the fast, get more blood tests, take another class and meet with the anesthesiologist.
I begin the two week (yes, 14 days) fast on March 7, and this should be interesting. I will only be able to drink protein shakes (that do NOT taste like a "shake"), water, sugar-free drinks, sugar-free jello and broth. Well, broth is gross so I won't be drinking/eating that, so I will have to stock up on the jello. I already bought the protein shakes that should last me 2 weeks. The purpose of the fast is to shrink my liver, which is what everyone has to do that has this surgery - at least at the UW.
I'm ready - more than ready - to start all of this. Even the fast, though I know that will be really difficult. I've waited so long for this and it's finally going to happen. I'm so excited and a little bit nervous - not about the surgery, but how I will manage after the surgery. It's actually a life-changing process and even though I'm thoroughly ready for the change, it still holds some unknowns. But the unknown isn't necessarily negative. It's all in how one perceives it.
And I choose to look forward to the day I can walk a dog and play with my grandchildren without the aid of a cane, walking through a store without using a scooter and physically feeling much, much better. Life is too short, and at 58, it's getting a lot shorter. I'd say it's about time I get myself on a healthy track and I thank God that I have the opportunity to do this now.
