So I called and started the process of finding a surgeon.  I started this early in the year and spoke to a few places.  I decided that I would go with Dr. C Cobourn because he seemed so open and friendly and more importantly he did not suffer from the superiority virus that most of them catch in Medical school.  Also, a good reason for choosing them was that they are within an hour of my home by car, so this means when I have a problem, or need “a fill” I just get into the car and go.  Easy!

Since I paid for this myself, he was able to book me in in about three weeks; however, since I have some other medical risks, due to allergies and previous complications with anesthetics he thought that a six week window after booking would be appropriate, because this would give the clinic the time that would be needed to get my records.  

So, leading up to the surgery there was some stuff that came in the mail and I learned then that there was a lot I had to do.  Blood tests, an ECG, getting the records sent through, order this stuff which is called Optifast, banking and this sort of running around.  It made things busy and I was glad that I got the six weeks.  The whole Optifast thing was a TOTAL surprize!  Though I had read about this in the books and literature, somehow it was not clear to me that I was expected to take in a fully liquid diet for two weeks before the surgery.  This, my friends, was not fun at all.  After all, I sure did not get into this situation because I hate to eat!

I snuck food!  But still I did very good with keeping it minor.

Then, finally the day arrived.