New to Board

Hi! This is my first posting to messageboard, although I have been "lurking" for the past few weeks and feel that I know you all already. I have never participated in any kind of messageboard for anything, so I'm a bit apprehensive about putting info out for the world to see, but here goes --- I am a 49 year old professional, married, and the mother of a son who is just a few weeks shy of his 16th birthday. I have been overweight since I was 7 years old, but in the last 10 years my weight has skyrocketed, bringing me to my highest weight ever. I have had WLS in the back of my mind for a couple of years. This past spring my father passed away, and the root of several of his health issues was an adulthood of obesity. This, combined with the fact that I'm approaching 50, caused me to do some serious thinking, and I came to the decision that at this point the benefits of proceeding with the surgery outweighed the risks. Once I made this decision, I wasted no time in getting started. After extensive research I concluded that Missouri Bariatric Services in Columbia was the best choice for me. I went to introductory seminar in Jefferson City on June 5, had my first appointment with Dr. Scott on July 5, info was received by insurer (GEHA) July 19 and today I was told by GEHA that I had been approved and that a letter was forthcoming :jump:! While I am normally a very positive and optimistic person, I feel like until I have the approval letter in hand I can't quite believe it. That didn't stop me, however, from immediately calling Dr. Scott's office and getting signed up for their required half-day nutition/exercise/etc. pre-op seminar! And, I also decided it was time for me to come out of the shadows and actually show my face (so to speak) to you all, so here I am!

Welcome welcome welcome Lucky. We are really glad that you decided to come join us. I know it might be scary to open yourself up to strangers but we try to be like a family here with all the same problems most families have. And try to be encouraging to all. Glad to have you onboard and hope to get to know you better and better . Keep us informed of your journey. Jan

Welcome to the Missouri Board Lucky Make yourself right at home here. I've only been posting a few weeks now but it seems like forever because these people here are the best in all of OH.com. We're just one big family helping and supporting each other. Thats great your well on your way to getting a surgery date. Feel free to post anytime, please keep us updated on your progress and if you have any questions dont hesitate to ask because there always someone here that has been there and prolly knows what your asking. Your gonna love it here. Keep us updated!! Andrew

Welcome to the Missouri board! Congrats on getting your approval. You will find, as the others have already said, everyone on here is great. If you have questions just ask them, alot of us have already asked alot of things that you might be wondering about, and someone always seems to have an answer. Good luck with your surgery and God Bless. Brenda

Welcome Lucky, Wow you really have done research on everything and really got approved fast. And by the way, this is the best board and welcome. Please visit us again real soon. We are here to encourage you and help if there is something we can help with. Have a great day. Colette p.s. by the way I live in Concordia, #58 mile marker on Interstate 70 and this is halfway between Kansas City and Columbia. Could meet one day. Where in Kansas City do you live?

Lucky First and formost Welcome to the Missouri board. Were not just people from all over the state of Missouri posting here. Were more like an extended family. I am so glad that you decided to come out from lurking. Congrats on as far as you have come and so quick too. I also had Dr. Scott and his staff and I think they are wonderful!!! Keep us posted on how your doing and let us know if there is anything we can do for you. Take Care Melissa

Welcome to the MO board family Lucky!!!! Congrats on the approval. Seems like everything is moving along very nicely. Keep us updated on the progress and feel free to jump right in and have some fun. Deanna

Welcome to the Board Lucky...Glad you joined our happy family.....I hope you enjoy your time with us....They all are great here.....I Have my surgery Monday and if it werent for them sometimes I would be lost.......I love them all.......again WELCOME............Craig Lee

Lucky, Welcome to the MO OH board. This is the best group of supportive people you'll ever find. Everyone cares and supports everyone else and it is such a blessing. I am in my six months of pre-approval diet/exercise plan and hoping for surgery next Spring. I hated having to wait but now I'm nearly down two months and it doesn't seem so bad. I live just south of Springfield and work at Missouri State. I'm glad everything seems to be going well for you. Keep posting, we miss people when we don't hear from them. Lana

Welcome, Lucky. Glad you are joining our Missouri family. I live east of Sedalia, MO just off 50 Highway. Sedalia is where the Missouri State Fair is located. It starts August 10, the same day that I have my WLS surgery. I have Dr. Hornbostel and will be going to Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia. We're just one big happy family, for the most part, and really enjoy getting new "brothers and sisters" to our clan. You can ask anything you want and someone will be able to give you an answer. Good luck on your surgery. Congrats on getting everything going so quickly and getting your approval so fast. God bless you... Linda