A couple of months ago, I decided to visit my mother's GP. Tony had also been Papa's GP, and had saved his life a couple of times, so I had faith in him and his ability to direct me appropriately. After having some blood work done, Tony found a few things, including gout (who knew people under 60 ever got gout?), a complete lack of Vitamin D in my system, electrolytes all over the place and some thyroid problems as well. I had asked for his advice about my ever-deteriorating knees, which were becoming just too painful for me to cope with.
His answer was blunt. Have weight loss surgery - a.s.a.p.
I was quite stunned at first. My immediate thought was lap-banding. He gain-said that immediately, and suggested a gastric sleeve. I had never even heard of it. He explained it briefly, and I thought it sounded like a real possibility. The big problem, of course, was the $$$. Wasn't it always - and not just with this - but with every facet of our lives?
Tony was also seeing Mama on that day, and unbeknowned to me, he spoke to her about the surgery as well. When we got back to her home, she said, "Well, I think you should have it done." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My mother wanted to spend the better part of $20,000 on surgery for me, so that I could lose weight. I was completely stunned.
When I got home, I discussed it with Ray. I prayed hard about it. In the end, we both felt it would give me another chance at living the rest of my life in reasonably good health - in fact, when all the cards were laid on the table, it was really a no-brainer. If the surgeon agreed, we'd proceed.
Which is exactly what has happened. At this date, I have had my first two visits with the surgeon, two of his practice nurses, and his dietician. The surgeon has given me the green light for surgery - with one condition. I have to lose at least 10kg before the surgery - by 4th November, in other words.
I have been put on a very low carb diet (it's actually a no-carb diet). I have three protein shakes a day, plus the usual "free" vegies and salads, plus the usual "free" stuff like diet jellies, diet drinks and cordials, and some condiments. I can only have two serves of fruit a day - and they're limited to 6 kinds. I am now having either an apple, a pear, or 6 strawberries each day, or 6 prunes.
After Day 1 of said diet, I actually don't feel too bad. The two protein shakes which I had during the day, I really enjoyed. The soup at dinner was simply diabolical. I opted for a slightly larger serve of protein with my plateful of vegies, and chucked the shake down the sink. I have washed it down with a pineapple diet jelly, which slightly mollified my stunned tastebuds.
In addition, I had a decent hypo before dinner, with shakes and dizziness. Will have to watch the sugars in the next 24 hours.
Watch this space...
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