I’ve spent most of the afternoon and evening here at the computer trying to get some perspective on whether or not to go through with the gastric bypass surgery. I’m exhausted, my butt hurts, and my mind is a muddle so I’m just going to list some of the articles I read today. See if you can make sense of it:

Are you ready to lose? The psychology of weight loss . I realize this article isn’t strictly about preparing for weight-loss surgery but a weight loss surgery is, in essence, the first day of a life-long, very strict diet. For someone like me who has failed at so many diets, getting mentally ready for another one is feels about as possible as climbing a mountain. When the “diet” is surgically imposed semi-starvation, I can’t even wrap my mind around all the implications. I really want to talk to some post-op patients and as well, retaining the services of a mental health professional wouldn’t be bad idea either.

Would you get weight-loss surgery? Read the comments especially.

‘Super obese’ Canadians on the rise And the more of us there are….

…the longer grows the waiting list,  As obesity surgery takes off, waiting lists grow in Canada .

Here’s another disturbing bit of news from south of the border: N.Y. cracks down on weight-loss surgery The Governor of New York, a Democrat, has proposed limiting access for weight loss surgeries for Medicaid patients. Medicaid, for my Canadian readers is New York’s version of “universal health care” and is only available to low-income residents of the state. I can see this happening here–in fact what is a three or four year waiting period if not limited access?

I’m on a kind of “fast track” for the surgery right now. If I drag my heels or decide I don’t wantit at this time, will I lose my chance forever?