Hello everyone!

Hi, just wanted to say hello, still a fairly new comer to the Iowa board. I have not checked out the main board yet as I wanted to connect with fellow Iowans first. I am just starting my journey to a healthier happier me. I am 43 years old, soon to be 44. UGH!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I have been heavy my whole life, so I dont know what it is like to shop for regular clothes. I have never been able to do that. My doc says that I have to start thinking about this because all my previous attempts have failed and now I have such bad arthritis in my ankle, it is torcher to work. I just made the first step today by calling my insurance company to find out where they stand in this type of procedure and how they pay. It sounds like they will consider it pending medical necessity. I work in a hospital and know ALL about medical necessity with medicare and all that info. So hopefully, they will call me back tomorrow and let me know just what I have to have and what documentation I need, which I have already, to continue on my journey. My son, who is 21 now, and my husband of 22 almost 23 years, have never seen me anywhere close to thin. I have been lucky however, that I was always able to participate in my sons school activities as he was more into music than sports. His friends never made fun of him for having a large mom and his friends became a part of our family and they still are. I loved that. But now he is grown and out of the house and I want to be able to be around for my husband and grandchildren now. My husband and my son are the most important people in my life and I would go to the ends of the earth for them. I know that this is getting long, so I will stop for now. Thanks for listening and please keep me in your prayers as I do you in mine. Thanks! Rhonda

Rhonda, Welcome to the Iowa part of this great website. I think you can get so much info here and it sounds like you are on your way. I think the first step is the one you have taken to find out exactly what your insurance wants. Best of luck to you. Ann