Made My Decision

I've made my decision. I asked my doctor for a referral for bariatric surgery. Once she submits the referral, I'll have an orientation with the dietician and possibly others from the bariatric program staff. At that orientation, my weight will be taken...the starting weight...of which I have to lose 10% before I can have surgery. To lose that 10%, I have signed up for the Medical Weight Management Program (Opti-Fast) which will either start on July 2 or July 16 with complete meal replacement starting a week later (7/9 or 7/23). 

Once I've lost the initial 10%, which will take roughly a month, I'll decide whether to do the surgery or continue with the Opti-Fast. One of the doctors of the Opti-Fast program says that bariatric surgery patients frequently use the Opti-Fast to lose the 10% and then some of them end up cancelling their surgery. I figure by 3-4 weeks into the Opti-Fast, I'll know whether I can do another 3 months of Opti-Fast, or if surgery would be the best option. I've sought out opinions of lots of people and done some soul searching. Yes, it would be preferable to lose weight without having any internal organs altered. 

The question that I keep asking myself is...will I be able to keep my food healthy and portions small if I don't surgically alter my stomach? And honestly, I don't know. 

What I do know is that however I lose the weight, is going to require discipline. Discipline and commitment that I'll need for the rest of my life.