*Lee Lee here* THANK YOU ALL for the welcome!!!

Thank you all sooooo VERY much for making me feel welcome here!!! I can not tell you all how many times i have just sat and read profiles to give myself strength and encouragement. I have been coming to this site for about 6 months now.. and i absolutely love it. I'm sure you all know how the yo yo dieting "lifestyle" is, on again off again.. and every time i've had my off again moments i've came straight to this site, to help myself back on again. At first i must admit i was timid about posting because i, have not myself had WLS, i've wanted to, and still do, but.. my insurance is company owned. The company i work for has their own unique insurance, and i have spoken with tons and tons of people and doors have been closed in my face... I am VERY familiar with WLS, one of my dearest friends had surgery almost 3 years ago and has gone from 320 lbs to a sweet size 10 @ 155 lbs. She looks wonderful, but still has many coping issues she deals with day in and day out. Before she lost the weight, people always told her, "You are pretty now, but you would be so BEAUTIFUL, if you could just loose some weight" #$@! those people!!! Imagine this, those very same people are now the ones making crude comments behind her back about how now, "she's too skinny", and "her hair doesn't look right", and "she looks older now"... blah blahhhh SCREW them is what i say.. she looks Marvelous..just marvelous.. but more importantly she, herself, feels beautiful now..inside and out... i know that most of your posts are about your own personal journeys with WLS.. and i will never know truely how it feels or what you are going through, but if any of you ever need anyone to talk to even if it's just to vent.. i'm here.. and i LOVE to talk so..i'm all ears. As i try this whole diet thing again i am trying to look at it in a new light, setting smaller goals, and looking at numbers differently, to avoid being overwhelmed, and I guess what im doing is asking for help. This is what i truely think is different this time, I have never asked anyone for help before with my weight issues, like i'm super woman or something, and able to heal all, accomplish all, and loose over a hundred pounds with out any help!! in my mind thats' like saying jumping over buildings, and lifting cars one handed..it's nearly impossible, and i realize that now. I need someone to help me who won't kick me when i'm down, but help me back up.. sometimes..a kind word, or a "look how far you've come" means the world. ok..see i told ya i like to talk...i'm gonna stop here.. if not i'll be here all day muuuahh and thanks again...- Lee Lee

Welcome Lee, All of us know where your coming from- best of luck with your journey. Have you ruled out self paying? There are all sorts of companys that will fiance you. If I was refused, I looked at it like buying a car.... ..and I would have paid in a second.. anyways good luck!