It's a "date" with a doctor. A Coulterville, Ill., couple will be going under the knife for the sake of their health.

Heather and Sam Hood are giving each other the gift of gastric bypass surgery. Hopefully they''ll have the surgery together, lose weight together, then have a healthier life together.

The couple is reading up on what''s to come. Their procedures will take place two weeks apart.

"We decided we would do it together. That way we could support each other and t would be like a built-in support group in the house," said Heather.

The couple has two small children. While they''ve weighed the risks of the surgery, they say the risks of obesity are much more certain.

"It''s the physical effects that are happening to us now. That is the deterioration of high blood pressure and the inability to get around," said Sam.

"I feel like this is going to be a tool that I can use to break the cycle of obesity in our family . (not only) for us but also for our children too," said Heather.

Doctors at Barnes Jewish Hospital will perform the procedure.

The procedure will make the stomach smaller, thus limiting the intake of food. The results occur quickly.

Dr. Valerie Halpin, Assistant Professor of Surgery at Barnes Jewish Hospital, said one year after the surgery, most people will lose 60 to 80 percent of their excel body weight.

Heather''s goal is to lose 130 lbs. Sam hopes to drop 170 lbs. They know this will take a long-term commitment.

"I''ve set my mind that I''m ready for what''s to come afterwards, but the procedure itself I''m a little nervous about because it''s forever," said Heather.

It''s a Christmas gift to each other and New Year''s resolution rolled up in one. The Hoods know it will benefit their family and maybe their marriage too.

"He already thinks I''m perfect. I don''t know if that''ll change!" said Heather.

Incidentally, one of their other Christmas gifts was a blender since they will have to eat pureed food for several weeks while they''re recovering.