No turning back?
Ok there’s still a little bit of time to turn back but the decision has been made — VSG … WLS — in other words, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy … Weight Loss Surgery is the next path.
I’ve done the nutritional classes and here’s what’s next—
a lot of health history paperwork and authorizations
an EKG
a nutritional class specifically for post-op nutrition
mental health clearance
blood work (which I already did, just need the paperwork moved around)
and an EKG
To be perfectly honest, I’m not at all sure this is the “correct” path for me but I do know that every time I’ve felt that way, things have turned out better than “ok.” I guess that’s part of the joy of the wisdom of “mid-life.” I’ve also been operating, at least for the last few years, from a place of really trusting myself. I’ve also been operating from a place of “Just Do It” and figure it out as you go / later. Now, I know many people might read that and think — “that’s not a way to go into a decision like this…” — but for me, it is. I will never feel “ready” and I will never think “now is the ideal time.” And I know that about myself. I also know about myself - that the things I’ve accomplished in the last few years have all started from that same sort of place — a feeling of — this seems like the direction — and now I have to just do it.
When I was 26, I ran a marathon. I did it through Aids Project LA and trained within 6 months and raised over $3000 for them, and they trained me to run/walk 26.2 miles - and I did it! I started THAT out of severe boredom in my escrow job at the time (I did love that job but had hit a lull at this particular moment.) And I wrote a blog then called “Fat Girls’ Guide to Marathon’ing” on … Friendster … which dates me like nothing else can, truly. I wasn’t able to archive that blog before it was lost (and if you’re someone who can un-earth things from the interwebs, I’d love your help with that one) but I remember that while the blog shared a lot of helpful insights for others like me — heavier people considering undertaking a marathon — the blog was mostly useful to me personally —
it helped me process all of the insights and thoughts rolling around — especially after covering the miles.
it kept me accountable — to reporting in and reporting back “to the people” invested in the journey — that I had accomplished X amount of miles that week — or I had failed — or I had learned some invaluable lesson along the way — or I had found some very unhelpful component of things I wanted to change.
it shared the journey with others — both letting them know how they could support me, and/or what was happening during any particular season
So that’s what we’re doing here. Social media is one thing — but that truly is a highlight reel. Here, I will be able to - first of all - own my own content. And, second of all - protect my privacy if needed. I am planning massive transparency for the journey that’s begun (if you know me, then you already know - it’s how I roll). But I also recognize that my needs may change and I want to maintain control of my options as things evolve.
Currently I’m anticipating a surgery date mid summer. Even sharing that much - where potential clients, agents, and people hiring speakers within the industry, are searching, is a lot to share. People tend to discount you when you state a health journey — even if it’s a chosen, relatively positive one.
But what I’ve learned from my experience (like, having emergency gall-bladder surgery when I was 25, or delivering my daughter stillborn at an unplanned 24 weeks) is that even in emergency situations, my business always thrives. So in a planned time away event — all I can tell you as a client or potential client is that your needs are going to be met at likely an even HIGHER level of service than during “regular time” — because that’s also “how I roll.”
So it’s always the public declaration. It’s always the announcment. Some things you do in the dark - but some things require everyone to shine their light in order to actually make it!