Starting the journey....

Last year, I went to my first seminar. Had stinky insurance that got stinkier. Started a 6 month diet just before insurance got stinkier....only had a 5 month diet! But then I picked up BCBS on myself at my job this past fall. SOOOO, here goes! Went to the seminar in Fayetteville w/Dr. Davidson and Dr. Classen. I contacted my physician today for the 5 year weight history and went ahead and requested the '5 month' supervised diet history also. Now just waiting to hear from Village Surg. Very nervous but very excited at the same time. I've drug my heels for a couple of years now...guess my fear got the best of me but I've read, read and read some more on wls. I feel like it's my only alternate for a healthier me. I mean, if I could do it on my own...would I weigh 300+ lbs??? Besides, I'm tired of being tired. I want to comfortably play with my daughter and I want to ride horses again....so here goes!!!!!
Karen

Good Luck Karen!
I have my surgery scheduled for March 17. I just bought a horse, a barrel racer, so that I have riding him and racing to look forward to. I am more excited about riding and feeling compfortable doing it than anything else! I am scared silly of the surgery, but I just keep thinking about riding again, and it keeps me going forward. His name is Dream Achiever. Maybe we can ride together one day!
BCBS seems to be the one that is the best to approve the surgery, so everything should go well.
Take Care,
Vini

Good luck on the upcoming surgery and congrats on the new buddy!! How appropriate is his name!!! I've had horses all of my life but just haven't been able to ride in several several years due to my weight. That is something I totally look forward to!
Karen

Karen,

If you're over 300 lbs. I hope you are looking into the duodenal switch.  There's a forum here on OH that has lots of useful information.  I was looking at the RNY or lapband until I started reading about the DS.  It provides an easier lifestyle and larger weight loss than most other surgeries.  Feel free to write me a personal message for more info.

PP

Thanks PP, I'll check it out.

Hang in there Karen good for you sticking in there.
I wish I could put into words what wls has done for me the best way I can describe it is I feel like a million bucks.
If I had to do it all again there is not question I would be banging on the door to lets do this again.
                                                 Annie

Thanks Annie, I'm excited/nervous but ready to get on with my life....in a more healthier/comfortable way!
You look awesome by the way!!
Karen

Thxs Karen,
I turn 50 in May and I think to myself why did I wait so long to feel so good LOL
I guess many things happen in thier own time.
It took me three years to finally make up my mind to have wls not to mention I switched programs in mid stream.
                                                     Annie

Yes, things do happen in their own time. Better late than never huh??

I heard from PCP today, I called them yesterday to get my weight history etc. They told me they'd have it ready next week...well, it's ready today! Picked it up,  now  just waiting to hear from the surgeon's office!

Karen,
This is great to hear I will give you some wisdom while going through the red tape.
The things that helped me the most was to make copies of all and any reports you get.
In fact I did alot of faxing myself this way I would know when it was sent and to whom plus I always had a copy.
I do hope in the near future that doing all the things we must do before wls gets easier and quicker.
So many times I have thought of others who maybe did not have much time due to comorbiditys.
I always tell friends looking into wls I never knew how sick I was until after wls.
Fortunatly many and almost all my comorbiditys are gone.
One more thing sometimes you have to call doctors offices to find out information and sometimes this might mean you have to call and keep calling.
                                                                  Annie