So I've struggled with my weight all my life as most of the people on here probably have. I have tried every diet plan and fad diet out there. U weight loss, LA Weightloss, Weight Watchers about 20 times where at one point I did have some success about 10 years ago and lost 70 pounds which I kept off for 2 years or so then the weight crept back plus some over the last 7 or so years!! I'm at my highest weight I have ever been, well I was until I started the Very Low Calories diet about 9 days ago in preparation for my surgery next week and I am now down 7 pounds but I tell ya I have never done anything harder then this diet!! I have been an emotional wreck for the first week as I continue to cook regular meals for my family and survive my self on 3 protien shakes a day and limited veggies!! No fat, No carbs, No sugar!!! It's horrible, yes it gets easier but I can't help but have this voice in me saying "oh man ur not gonna be able to have that after surgery you should take advantage of it now"!!! I know that this diet is for my own good and health and that I need to learn self control and will power or as someone said to me on the forum the other day want power but it's so hard!! As the saying goes nothing worth wanting ever comes easy...so true!!

Anyways so I'm from Edmonton, Alberta and my surgery is on Sept 26th in Vancouver at the Cambie Surgery Center by Dr.Phillip Mitchell who is from Calgary, Alberta. I am paying for my surgery myself because I want it now!!! Alberta does have a government funded program but it takes forever to get the surgery going that route and I'm afraid of how much weight I would gain waiting 2 more years to get the surgery just so I could have it for free!!

So in thats me in a nut shell!!! I'm terrified (mostly about getting something stuck after the surgery that sounds terrible!!) and excited to start this new chapter in my life and I am so lucky to have a very supportive and loving husband and family!!!

Hey! I will be at the Cambie in a week myself with Dr. Woo! Maybe I'll see you there!

Congratulations! Will you be getting your fills at home or will you have to go back to Vancouver?I'm 23 and have been battling my weight since I was 9/10. I've also done LA weight loss and lost 60lbs in 4 months but then I gained about 120 in 2 years which is insane! I live in Kelowna BC and am having my surgery on November 16 down in Victoria BC.. Also self pay but I've been blessed enough to have amazing parents who are willing to help me with the surgery and traveling expenses! I'm really nervous about getting food stuck as well so even now I try to chew better then usual just to get in the habit of it. I'm also a little nervous about the traveling home after surgery, I have a super low pain tolerance so I have a feeling that I'll be a big baby for a little while. If this is what it takes to save my life it's worth every penny!

I will actually be getting my fills either at home or in Calgary which is where my Dr. is from, the fills will be free if I go to Calgary or if I get them at home I will have to pay a small fee. Unfortunately they won't do the surgery in Alberta as it is a government funded surgery here but you have to go through a long program to even be considered for the surgery and I didn't want to wait that long, so we decided it was worth the cost!! I am a mom of 2 had my first baby when I was 18 and the second at 21 so after being through childbirth twice and I had both of them naturally with no drugs I'm pretty sure I will be able to handle the pain at recovery but don't get me wrong I am certainly not looking forward to it!!! The gas pain in the left shoulder is what sounds the most painful to me!!! Well I leave tomorrow we are heading to Vancouver for my pre op on Tuesday and then the big day on wed. Wish me luck I'm nervous as hell lol I will let you know how it all went on Thursday!!!

Oh btw what kind of pre diet plan do u have to do? I had to do Slim time for 2and a half weeks three shakes a day and only select veggies no fat no sugar no carbs!! It's hard as hell!!! Probably the hardest thing I have ever done lol the only reason I have been successful is I realize how important it is to make the surgery easy and safer for me!!! I have lost 13 pounds on it so far and I have 3 days left!! I'm not gonna lie its sure nice to step on the scale and see the numbers go down every time makes it a lil easier to make it through the day!!!!

Well good luck!! And wish me luck;)

That is so exciting! Great work on the weightloss this far, that's an awesome start! I will deffinately be thinking of you and for a speedy recovery! My doctor has me on the same diet pretty much, protein shakes and vegetables for two weeks. Good luck! Keep us posted on your progress