Glad I found this site

Congrats! It will change everything!!!

Initial consult appointments today. Met with the Nutritionist, Exercist Therapist and the prelim doctor. All went very well. Got lots of my questions answered.

But was a bit surprised by the response to my question, "Will I ever be able to do a marathon?" The answer they gave was not completely clear. They said definately not within the first year and probably not for 2-3 years afterwards. I really don't have any ambition to do a marathon at this point, but my real concern is will I be able to do anything that is physical strenuous for a long period of time? Like climbing a mountain, doing a gruelling off-road motorcycle race, hiking in the mountains for a weekend, etc?

The nutritionist provided me with a copy of an article from an Obese Fitness magazine about a guy who had gastric bypass that has completed a marathon. Haven't had a chance to read it, but at least I know it is possible.

My next step is to follow-up with the psychiatrist. Did their 600+ questionnaire yesterday and will meet with the shrink next week. Then I need to get a sleep study. In the meantime, they suggested I start in with some pre-op meal plan and some serious dieting to lost 15-30 pounds. The exercist therapist suggested some internal strength training like pilates.

Since I started down this path, for some reason I have lost 12 pounds. Haven't really consciously done this, but I find that I'm thinking more about food and the future size of my pouch. What will eating be like after surgery? Hmm, it keeps me thinking.

I had to complete a two week regimen of powerful anti-biotics for h.pylori bacteria found in my stomach. I didn't really have any symptoms, but doc says it could pose a problem with peptic ulcers when the surgery takes place.

Completed the two week plan just a few days ago and am glad that is over. The medicine was strong and often upset my stomach. Had to take pepto bismol tablets.