Well, I've researched the gastric sleeve for over a year now. I kept thinking that I could lose the weight on my own.. I'll start any day now... Blah blah blah... next think I knew, I was over 400 pounds... bad knees... hard time getting up from a seated position... blood pressure up, sugar was high... and I was taking 8 different meds twice daily. Nope, this isn't working.

So, I went to the Bariatric Weight Loss Center at Trinity Hospital here in Birmingham Monday, October 27th. I almost ran out of there two different times. But, the doctor and nurses gave me information on top of information on top of information! So much stuff I didn't know about the operation. I was in.. The operation is what I want.

They let me know that they would get some information from my primary doctor and talk to my insurance and we would see where we were at by Wednesday. Next thing I knew I was scheduled to come in Friday to my the endoscopy performed and the EKG! Also, my psychiatric evaluation is scheduled for the 12th of November! Insurance was on board and not making me wait 6 months. I had no flippin' clue it could go this fast!

So... now I know the surgery will probably be the first or second week in December. Part of me is scared that I'm gonna frack it all up and mess up the diet... Part of me hates waiting... All in all, I'm a bundle of nerves.

My goal is to be healthy. I don't want to be on pills to stay alive at 41. I don't want my knees to hurt every time I stand up. These are my goals. If I by some chance end up a fashion underwear model along the way, so be it.

This is part of my story that I wanted to get off my chest tonight. I have never been so looking forward to a clear liquid diet in my life.

I'm scheduled for 12/18. Get the book The Emotional First Aid Kit by Cynthia Alexander. It's a GREAT book that will prepare you. It was written primarily for bypass patients, but applies to all WLS. I am also a sleevie. Good luck to you and keep us posted!

Oh, and I'm moving to Birmingham next year

So lucky things are going fast for you! Wish things could work like that for me. Oh well, I still have to jump through hoops.

You will love Birmingham. It's a big city that doesn't feel really big. It literally is one of the prettiest places to live. I moved away back in 2007 and missed it so much, I came running back in 2011. It's a nice central location to get where you wanna go... three to four hours to the beach... three to four hours to Nashville... two hours to Atlanta. Can't beat it with an ugly stick.

GUYS ROOM!!!!!

@@Shace welcome to the site brother. I am almost 8 weeks out from surgery and I love it. First few days after were very uncomfortable. First week I slept in a recliner. at 8 weeks out I am down 54lbs including the 3 week pre-op diet. my life has changed. I feel so good. I often laugh at how little I eat. I love the fact that hunger no longer dictates when I eat and that I have to remind myself to go eat. getting in all my Protein and exercising like a raged man. I am pumped and ready for what the next 50 pounds will do to me!

best of luck on your journey and keep us all updated.