Rosey
Welcome to the Michigan OH boards. and To Your journey to a happy healthier you!

I retired in April of 2008, With in the first month of retirement MY BACK decided that I would no longer be able to stand for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time, I could not vacuum or climb steps, Standing at the stove long enough to cook dinner, load the dishwasher or even take food from the grocery cart to put on the check out was impossible for me.  Prior to surgery I had to wear orthopedic in my shoes because of severe foot pain, (planter something itis) and Athrites in my knees.
Then the frosting on the cake, I was undergoing what is called pain blockers. they say that they do 3 treatments, if they work or you GeT any improvement after each treatment it will be successful. MY first treatment I could dance a jug, but after the second I felt like I would never be able to walk again,  I knew that over the year prior to this that I had gained like 100 lbs, and I decide that I would not get any other treatment on my bac****il I had lost the weight I had gained. So to my PCP I went.

While being tested for blood it was discovered that I had the on set of diabetes.

Since surgery I have not need any of the blood sugar medicine. Walked in a 5K race for the cure and the 5K tulip-time with friends from OH - MI boards. and Last summer I edged the side walks around my corner lot house, Painted a 2.5 car garage from top to bottom. Cleaned the basement. Do my own grocery shopping and carry laundry up and down the basement steps to launder them. My Knees and feet are painless. 

I have lost 130 lbs so far and am still slowly losing. I feel better and happier than ever.
dropped from a men's 4x t shirt to a ladies large, pants 28w to a 16. and shoe size 9 eee to a 8 m.

I would do it all over again if I had too, and not bat an eye lash thinking about it.

Side effect. ENERGY AND COMFORT!
Watch out cause your kids will get mad cause you don't let them be slugs anymore either LOL

I am scheduled for vsg on 1/31 though GHPs. Interested in knowing if you had much pain aft surgery and how long before you could return to work.

Hi E.

Glad you posted.
try to come visit us when you are able!

Just to clairfy - on BCN there is NO required supervised weightloss if your BMI is over 50. 

U of M has a very good program too - I would recommend you going to their info session as well.  They do sleeve for people with a BMI > 50 as well.  Dr Birkmeyer and Dr Finks are both really great and the nutritionist and PA for the program are good too.  They now have two other internal medicine doctors working with the program to help with follow-ups because they have so many patients. 

I also have BCN through an auto company.  They do require the 6 months documentation as the previous poster says if your BMI is under 50.  It does not have to be contiguous.  I had been on a 6 months program (within 2 years), but they only documented 4 months, so I had to see my PCP for 2 more months and have her document it specifically the way BCN wants it.  My info session was in Feb 2010, sugery in June 2010.  My approval with insurance also took like 2 days.  So, if you get all your info together and don't submit until you have all of it, it will go smoothly!  Good luck.

Where are you located and do you know what hosipal system/surgeon you are planning to go through?