it's a date

Well, the date for lap-band surgery has been set, and what an interesting ride it will be from now until 10/10. At first, the surgeon's office suggested 12/09.

"HA!," I laughed.

That's the day before I head to the US for 2 1/2 weeks to visit my brother and attend my 25th (gasp!) high school reunion.

With the date set for October, I also have to follow a VLCD, or very low calorie diet (read protein shakes) for 4 weeks. If you do the math, you can see that I 'should' have only shakes for my time overseas.

"HA HA!," I laughed again.

Well, as is oft said, "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger." We'll see about that. ;^)

Just a thought...

...if, in doing lap-band surgery, they have to poke holes into your tummy (abdomen to the non-childish minded in the audience), why can't they just suck some of the fat out and give you a head start on your weight loss?


[pic copyright James Jensen www.jjenson.com]

Journey of a lifetime

I've been quiet on this blog for a few weeks - a month, more or less. Lots of things on the proverbial plate...

...and that's precisely the crux of the situation. For most of the past 30+ years, I've always looked at the plate as never large enough. I've always wanted more. This is spifferific if we're talking metaphores for living life to it's fullest.

Alas, we are not. Rather, we're talking food portion control. For most of those aforementioned 30 years, I have been "larger than life", "Rubens-esque"...overweight. Some people reading this may recognize the routine, substituting their own abused substance: I live; get depressed; eat any carbohydrate in sight; get sedantary and stop exercising; gain weight; feel I need to punish myself, so eat more; get sick and tired of being sick and tired; attempt behavior modification (Weight Watchers, go to the gym, etc); lose some weight; feel on top of the world; start to treat myself; becomes two treats; becomes larger treats; gain weight; get depressed; and, golly-gee!, we're back at Square Numero Uno.

Well, it's come to the point in my life that this monkey on my back (or the girth around my midsection, as the case may be) needs to be kicked and kicked far, far away, never to return. Therefore, I have elected to have lap-band surgery. All things going to plan, I should have this done in Melbourne in August. None too soon, if you ask me.

I am so looking forward to gaining this tool that will assist in keeping the weight at bay. So, you're on notice and forewarned that this blog may turn into, for a time, at least, a journal of this journey...of an extended, healthy and joyous lifetime.