Starting my journey

I knew I was ready when one day I heard myself say “I’ve had enough”.

I’ve had enough of being fat. I’ve had enough of feeling isolated, separated, discriminated against, tired, short of breath, achy, unfit and everything that comes with being overweight.

I saw a surgeon about 5 years ago to investigate the idea of Lap-Banding. For many reasons I didn’t take the idea any further, but it has been firmly in the back of my mind ever since. I’m glad I didn’t – there were many hiccups in the road that lay before me, and I suspect that any additional stress may have been too much, and the Lap-Band probably wouldn’t have worked for me.

Fast forward to January 2007. I met with a different surgeon, with a view to the most radical WLS possible – I was fat, I was going to have surgery, and damnit I was going to go all the way. It was Gastric Bypass surgery or nothing.

After speaking with the surgeon, and discussing my options more fully, I realised that a Lap-Band is likely to work for me, and pose the least amount of post surgery adjustment. (no pun intended)

I want this to be a personal story of my journey, so I won’t name my surgeon. If you want to know, contact me directly and I’ll let you know.

My surgeon’s office gave me a list of steps that are taken prior to surgery, let’s see where I’m at:

1. See surgeon to discuss options. Tick!

2. See dietitian to discuss food now and after. Tick!

3. See psychologist for pre-operative counselling. (23rd March 07)

4. See surgeon to make pre-op payment and check-in before surgery. (16th May 07)

5. Surgery. (24th May 2007.)

I’m calm and sure about this decision, and I feel a sense of relief that the journey has begun.