proud

Hello all,I feel proud and good about myself for the first time in years.My surgery was Sept.18 0f 2003 I have lost 82lbs plus 22 before surgery a total of 104lbs.It was a hard battle to get to that point but getting much easier on controling my eating habbit.When I first started I was wearing a size 60 pant and now I can wear a 52 and 4 or 5 xl shirt tried on some 2xl that I had from the past can wear them now.I am working now a 104lbs ago I couldn't work,Can walk over a mile at a time before I couldn't walk across the street with out crying from pain.I also took myself off the cpap maching doing good on that part as well.Before surgery i weighed 382lbs and the day of surgery I weighed 360lbs as of today I weighed 278lbs> I am sure all the folks who had the surgery know how I feel.The reason I share this true story is give some hope to all the people who is hoping to have the surgery.I know some of you are having problems with your insurance to get approved or dont have any insurance or on medicaid and been told that medicaid won't pay for it.I am on medicaid and they paid for my surgery.Just want to thank a very special lady that I met on chat she regave me hope,at first I was told medicaid of ohio wouldn't pay for and gave up hope,I gave up untill this special lady came into my life and gave me hope.She said don't give up and pray.This special lady Name is JoAnn Brown.She is my angel of hope.Thank you JoAnn.

WOW Greg what a story. You are an inspiration to all of us who are pre op and hoping to get where you are. Keep up the great work. Keep us informed too ok?

greg; what a wonderful thought to wake up to this morning! you should be very proud of yourself! that is fantastic to be doing so well- the positives are so much more than just the number on the scale , too--being able to work and walk etc--those things motivate me more than any scale!i do have a question th--did you consult with your dr about the cpap? or did you decide for self?/i know taht my drs-surgeon as well as pulmonary- both feel taht i should be able to get off mine after about 50 # loss- but i question going off w/out their approval or a new sleep study---just my thoughts---i never realized how serious apnea was before i was diagnosed and i would hate to see you go back to not sleeping well if you rushed it... just my thoughts! i enjoy your emails and will look forward to more updates!! have a great holiday season!~M~

That's awesome Keep up the great work.

Greg - congratulations on the weight loss and finding someone that helped you as well. Sounds like you had a double bonus! I almost gave on the surgery as well when told Medicaid either wouldn't pay for it or made it so difficult you'd give up trying to fight for approval. Thankfully I had and excellent family doctor doing my referral and I was not only approved, but approved in about 3 weeks. My pre-op is Jan 7 so please keep me in mind. And to those folks trying to get approval through Medicaid - DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!! Wishing everyone a safe Hppy New Year. Janis