Hi folks,

I started this journey a few years ago when I was still living in Boston. I was looking into the duodenal switch and the closest surgeon who did anything other than the Lap Band or Roux-N-Y was in New York City so I drove down and fell headfirst into the WLS world. My life was a bit of a mess at the time and after the initial appointment, I never actually took the next step in the process and things just stalled out.

Fast forward to last summer. I decided I needed to shake things up in my life a bit so a few days after my 45th birthday and with my employer's OK to work remotely, I loaded up the truck and I moved to Beverly... Well, no, I moved to Seattle. A new home, a new start and time to start getting serious about my health and get things back on track.

After settling in, I spent a couple of weeks looking at the programs in the area and was impressed with the Swedish Hospital Weight Loss Center. They were having a seminar in a week so I signed up and went in. I was impressed with their approach, their mindset and the people running the program. I had my first appointments with Dr. McMahon and his staff on August 26th and after a bit of discussion with the staff I decided to change focus from the DS to the VSG and it's been a whirlwind of appointments and hijinks ever since.

My surgery date (January 8th) was scheduled this week and so the first phase of this journey is nearing its end. The second, unending phase will start shortly. I've never had any surgery before and my emotions are all over the map. I'm afraid it won't work, I'm afraid it WILL work, I'm happy, excited, terrified, and a hundred other things all at the same time. I have the support of a great medical team and great friends and it's time to take a deep breath and jump.

Here we go!

Stef

Hi Stef!

Welcome!

I had my sleeve done this past Tuesday (dec 4) and am so excited to be in this journey!!

Congrats on rotting a date ( that is a huge hurtle).....it sounds like you are in a good place with everything.

This site has been invaluable to me in my preparation for the surgery and still now for support and management.

Welcome and please feel free to ask away! Everyone here is amazing!!!

new home, new star-t time to start getting serious about my health and get things back on track.

time to take a deep breath and jump.Here we go!

Nearing the end. Nearing the beginning

Stef

big hugs of a welcome!!!

luv your condensed version of the journey you are starting

i know you'll work hand in hand with the sleeve, remember its just assisting you - but it does a great job - you are the one that has a lot of work in front of you

but what a way to go - new wonderful health and happiness around the corner

eat your small portions, follow all those drinking rules, Protein et al - you can't help but gain success by "losing"

work with all your excitement, anticipation - enjoy this time

get all prepped for when you come home from the hospital - get your shakes, soup/broth, popsicles - all that good stuff!!!

take care

january 8th is right around the corner you'll be starting the new year with a bang!!!!

good luck

happy WLS

speedy recovery