All right then...

YAY starting a new blog!  This is not my first time at the rodeo... this is actually the fourth or fifth one I've started.  Maybe I'll actually find time to write and post some things on here.  This one is just going to be about my journey to get healthy.

I posted on Facebook today and yesterday about getting a Vitamix blender to help with the liquid high protein/low carb diet that I've been doing (started last Monday, so today is day 10.)  You might be wondering why I'm doing a liquid diet, and I've just decided to be totally open about it the way I am with pretty much everything else... so... this is why. I'm having gastric bypass surgery next Monday.

Here are some answers to questions you might have rattling around:

Yes, I have researched this surgery very thoroughly, and I think it's the best thing to do for my health, and so do all of my various doctors and specialists.

Yes, I've tried losing weight on my own.  (MANY MANY MANY TIMES.)

Yes, I've been thinking about doing it for years.

Yes, my insurance is paying for it.

Yes, my husband and mom are very supportive.

Yes, my surgeon is one of the best in the Southeast. (He's the head of bariatrics for CMC. I've been extremely impressed with him and his staff.)

Yes, I pretty much have to be on this liquid diet (with some modifications) for a month (two weeks before and two weeks after.) Nope, it's not fun, but I've already lost about 7 lbs. (No, it is really not a good idea to stay on this diet for good.)

Yes, it's a serious surgery with serious risks. Guess what else is risky? Being 100 lbs. overweight.  

Yes, I will have to take vitamins every day for the rest of my life. (So? Everybody should.)

No, I will not be able to eat like a "normal person" anymore. And that's probably a good thing. Sugar and I don't make a good couple. We have a bad relationship. I often joke that I'm allergic to sugar... it makes me break out in size 20 pants. A normal person reacts to cookies in the pantry by having a cookie or two a day, and maybe the bag lasts a week. For me, it's the same as someone with a drinking problem:  one drink is too many and a dozen isn't enough (just substitute cookies.) Won't be able to drink either, it'll just be too risky.  And that's ok too, I'd rather be healthy.

NO, weight loss surgery/bariatric surgery is not the easy way out. Far from it. It's just the most effective way to lose weight and keep it off long term.

No, I am not interested in hearing about your hairdresser's third cousin who died from gastric bypass surgery or gained all their weight back. (REALLY.  You are not going to talk me out of doing this, so please don't try.

Overall?  I'm really really excited about changing my life, and that far outweighs any fears or nervousness that I might have about it. So be happy for me, ok?  Send some good vibes my way Monday... maybe even come visit me, I'll be at CMC Mercy for a day or two!  Or visit me at home maybe after Wednesday.  And feel free to ask me any questions you might have, but PLEASE KEEP THINGS POSITIVE.  Thanks for reading!