I just turned 32 friday. Yea I went out and had fun but when I checked out the pictures on my camera, I hated pretty much every picture I was in. My Halloween costume came in today and I tried it on, belive me, I look nothing like the picture, I think I put shame into that poor costume. I work at the time, have no energy and I'm always tired. I want to be thinner and healthier but it's so hard. I have insurance through my job but I'm scared it's gonna cost an arm and a leg and being a single mom with 5 kids, well, money is always needed. Can anyone help or give me any advice on where to start looking? :thumbup:

"start looking"? Not sure what you mean, but your first step is your insurance company. Ask them for a copy of your bariatric policy (some can direct you on how to print it online even). Look it over and make sure you qualify and ask questions of your company so you'll know what your % and deductible is for the year will be (if you can get all your pre-op visits, testing, and the surgery in in the same 'insurance year' it will help with expenses as you'll reach the max deductible.)

Your next step will be to make an appointment with your PCP (if you need to for insurance, ie. I had to do a 6 mo. PCP supervised diet). You'll also want to call (several, if you can) bariatric docs and go to one of their (usually monthly) seminars (I attended 3 before selecting and the term 'Center of Excellence' is a rating that means something in their field).

While you're waiting for appointments, keep reading here and asking questions. Put together a list of questions to ask at the seminar.

Hope that helps. Welcome to LBT and best wishes! -BG

I whole-heartedly agree with the comments above- your first call has to be to your insurance company - and then to you PCP.

Finding a "Center of Excellence" can be done online at American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Good Luck with all your decisions!