Hello new here, intro and a few questions

Hello everyone, never thought I would find myself doing this but I don't think I can afford to put it off any longer. A little info about me, I am a male, 25yrs , and I weigh around 450lbs. I have been heavy since I was around 11 or 12 and things have just gotten worse. I used to not care but now I'm married and I just had my first child, a beautiful baby girl and I am afraid that I won't be around to see her grow up. I was doing ok up until about a year ago, but in the last year I have started having some breathing problems, I get out of breath just walking the mall, I am tired all the time and a lot of time in the morning I will have chest pains. What has frightened me the most is that around a month ago one morning I woke up and my feet were swollen. It lasted for about a week then they went down again, but a few days later it came back and they have stayed that way, sometimes they will go down for a few hours but usually by the end of the day they are swollen up again. It also feels like my legs below the knee have gotten a little swollen too. Unfortunately because of some poor choices and my weight problem I havn't been able to get a good job where I can afford insurance, we barely make the rent as it is now and my wife and child are on soonercare. At this point I am willing to try just about anything, I am wondering if anyone has been through a similier situation and might be able to give me some advice, I don't really have any credit since I have never made enough money for the credit card companies to be interested in me, so I don't think I can get a loan. I have done a little research and It seems that soonercare is based on household income, I dont know if they help out with this kind of thing or if they take someone that is in my shape, I just don't have any other ideas and I am getting pretty desparate. Any info or suggestions would be greatly appricated. :)

Shag, You have taken a first step by admitting that you need to make some changes. The first thing you should do is have a complete check up if at all possible. You need to determine if you have high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, etc etc. Unfortunately, I can't give you any advise on any help that may be available to you, but I'm hoping someone here can. Not only do you need to do this for your beautiful baby girl, but for yourself as well. You are important!!! I know that there are places out there that can offer you medical help and attention.As far as weight loss surgery goes, it's probably going to be hard to find assistance with that. Please take your next step and go get a physical and medication if needed. We will always be here on Oklahoma OH to offer you support and to listen. I wish I could do more. Best of Luck to you.

Have you tried to apply for Soonercare or Medicaid? I am thinking that if your wife qualifies for that, so should you. I am not positive on this, but I don't think they are like many private insurances, as far as qualifying based on your physical health. I would definitely look into that. If you are able to get on Soonercare, they may consider covering weight loss surgery. I know Medicare does and, I used to live in California, Medical (equivalent to Soonercare) pays for weight loss surgery. I hope some one on this board with more info and experience on Soonercare, will add their input; but, I would definitely try to get coverage with them, even if not for surgery, but for some basic health care. I hope you get some good answers, I wish you the best of luck... - Anna

I agree with Rita.  Your first step is to get to an MD immediately and get on medication for whatever problems you are having...like high blood pressure.  My husband weighed 452 before his RNY.  When he was going through the pre-op testing he didn't pass the cardiac clearance.  They were going to do an angiogram and do the stents if needed and they got in there and got right back out.  They told me he had to have open heart surgery on 3 blockages.  He was 39 years old.  He had already had at least 2 heart attacks and didn't even realize it.  They told me I was extremely lucky not to be a widow!  We had only been married 2 1/2 years when I heard this news in October.  He had his open heart surgery and then had RNY 2 months later.  He is doing wonderfully.  He has lost 95 pounds now.   My point is to stabilize the health problems you are currently experiencing FIRST.  They won't do WLS until you are stablized anyway.  And while you are getting blood pressure and heart rythyms back in line, you can work on signing up for Medicaid or exploring any other options available to you. Please do not wait!  My husband and I knew his health was poor but we had no idea just how dangerously so.  Good luck and God bless!

Yes, get checked by a physician. If you can, apply for medicaid (SoonerCare). I know that medicaid does allow and cover weight loss surgeries, but you'll need to qualify and follow all the stipulations they require. There are surgeons in the state that do provide services for Soonercare (medicaid) and Medicare patients. My suggestion is to first see a physician and get a check up. Also, apply for medicaid and start working toward regaining your health and doing what may be required to get healthy and qualify for weight loss surgery.

I'll just second what everyone else here has already said.  Definitely be seen by a physician and take care of yourself now.  Good luck on the soonercare...We'll be pulling for you.  Robyn