Hi. So, it’s Monday morning, July 26th and I am sitting here at the CIBO Clinic ready to have my surgery and I am very nervous this morning. Not, I think because of the surgery (because I’m sure I have wonderful surgeons and they’re going to take great care of me) but I think what it is, is that it’s the next step. There’s no going back after this. It’s easy to go on a diet and just quit because you don’t want to do it anymore. This is something for life and I think as much as it scares me, it excites me. I can’t wait.

I’m thirsty because I haven’t been able to have a sip of anything since midnight last night and my throat’s a little dry, so I’m a tiny bit uncomfortable, but not uncomfortable – just thinking about a drink. But that’s all I’ll be doing for the next 3.5 weeks, so I shouldn’t really complain about a drink. After the surgery comes the liquid diet and I’m not sure how that will go over. I’m sure you’ll hear stories about it. But I’m here, I’m excited, and I’m a little nervous, but excited.

I woke up this morning and my sister said to me, “Today is going to be the best day of your life”. And I thought about it and it is. Today is the first day that I’m doing something that is going to change the rest of my life. I know that in the past three weeks, I’ve been making good diet choices and following what I’m supposed to do to prepare for it, but today is the actual day. Today is the ultimate change and I couldn’t be more excited or more ready for it and I think it’s going to be a great thing.

My mom is sitting in the waiting room and everybody’s here and excited and I just met three lovely people in the reception area and we were chatting and one girl was just here for her first fill. It was interesting to hear everybody’s story and to see how much this band helps people. I was listening to the radio this morning and they were saying that the golfer John Daly had a lapband about a year ago and he’s lost over 100 pounds. Who doesn’t want to be that person? Who doesn’t want to have the ability to do what you’ve dreamed of doing all your life? And to have the assistance and to know that this is it and you’re not going back and – that’s it. What better feeling could there be? So, although I’m feeling a little nervous today, I can’t wait and I’m so excited.

I have less than a half an hour to go before I’m going to start getting ready and go in and do all my stuff and I’m just sharing with you and it’s a whole mix-mash of emotions that I’m feeling right now and 90% of them, I would say, are good. So I’m looking forward to it, I’ll see you soon and you’ll see me after and we’ll keep on moving forward. Like I said before – onward and upwards. On to the next stage and we’ll see how that goes – talk to you soon!