A Life Changing Phone Call

Welcome to my blog... My story... My Journey...

I wasn't planning on telling anyone about my weight loss surgery, except for close friends and family. I certainly wasn't planning on writing a blog for the whole world to read. Well, here I am. I feel this is important to share. No hiding! No secrets! I wanted to be able to share my journey with my friends and family on Facebook. Now I want to share my story with the world! Not only is it going to hold me accountable, but maybe I can help someone else with my story. Please note : I am not the greatest writer, as you will notice! I'm going to give it my best shot though!

The following was the post I made (July 5th) on Facebook telling all of my friends and family members that I was about to have a major life changing surgery...


Hello friends and family! This is a long one... But an important one.  I wasn't going to write this, but I thought screw it! I want to be able to share my journey with everyone the next long while.

On June 11th I received a very important call that I had been waiting a long time for. A life changing phone call...

So... Tomorrow, July 6th I am having a major surgery.  A surgery that will save my life.  A surgery that ISN'T the easy way out, as many people incorrectly speculate.  I am having weightloss surgery, or the technical term "Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy". I will have 85% of my stomach removed and the surgeon will create a new small pouch stomach. It will only hold 3/4 cup approximately. This surgery is going to help me feel full faster. It will help me achieve the dietary goals I was unable to achieve for the past 15 years.

I have been waiting for this for almost 4 years! I have jumped through many hoops to get to this point... Many appointments, with surgeons, dietitians, & psychologists to name a few. I've had countless tests, blood work, xrays, and many trips back and forth to Victoria.  Well it's time! I am so excited and nervous at the same time... I've never had a surgery before.

Since the 12th of June I've been on a very strict pre surgery liquid diet. This diet is to shrink my liver for surgery. This liquid diet is Only 800 calories... consisting of only 3 protein shakes a day. Plus vitamins and water. That's it! No food! It has been extremely hard... Harder than anything I've ever done. Plus, I quit smoking on top of that! I had my pre admission appointment yesterday and I'm happy to say that I have lost a whopping 30 pounds since I started the liquid diet! Crazy eh!? I am having the surgery tomorrow in Victoria. I will be home the 9th if everything goes well.  I have a long journey ahead of me...

This surgery is not a cure.. It's a tool. And I will have to work hard with my new tool to get my results and make sure the weight stays off! 50% of people gain weight back.. I refuse to be a part of that statistic! I will have to follow a very difficult and strict diet..  Right after surgery I start the first of a 5 stage post surgery diet.  Stage 1 clear fluids (broth etc), stage 2 liquids (protein shakes, stained cream soups etc), stage 3 pureed, stage 4 soft foods, and finally... months later, stage 5 regular diet.

So there it is! I am looking forward to sharing my journey with you all... Please think of me tomorrow! I will post once I'm awake and in my hospital room. :)