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Square one: May 19th, 2010

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Donna4545

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This is the beginning. Age 45, BMI 51; Starting weight 331; Goal weight 150

 

I live in rural North Dakota, and I have just had my paperwork submitted for vertical sleeve gastrectomy to BCBS this week. The bariatric program coordinator said I should have no problem getting approved, as they are part of a BCBS pilot program. My hospital/program are 100 miles away, so the online community will be my main support system.

 

I have been overweight since age 10. I really ballooned to morbidly obese after age 40. I am absolutely done with diets. I am borderline diabetic, have arthritis in the knees, hyperlipidemia, and polycystic ovary syndrome. I am also taking medication for depression, but it is treated, so I don't feel depressed.

 

I am hopling that my surgery will change all of these health problems. I tried to get insurance approval from United Health Care for a RNY in 2007--it was explicitly excluded from coverage. In 2009 I got a new job with new insurance and here I am.

 

I have accepted the lifestyle changes that will have to be made, so at this point my main concerns are cost, insurance approval, and finding out all I can about life after surgery. I'm a foodie so this is going to be quite a challenge, but I've already found a gourmet bariatric cookbook, so I am going to make this work.

 

I'll post again when I hear something from the insurance. Wish me luck!

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Gratz on getting the ball rolling. The 1st step is the hardest. Now you are on your way. Best of luck with BCBS and getting started on your journey.

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I am a foodie too, so I know how hard it is to make a decision that will permanently restrict your ability to eat. It's been almost 8 weeks since I had my surgery, and I can tell you that the 1st month after surgery was a challenge. Since then, this has been so easy.

As far as cooking goes: Before my surgery, I had gotten so heavy that my feet hurt all the time, and I couldn't enjoy cooking anymore anyway. I'm feeling much better, and I'm actually taking the time to cook more for family. I'm enjoying smaller portions, and not feeling cheated at all.

Would you send me the name of the cookbook you found?

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Here is the link to the cookbook: [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569244537/ref=oss_product]Amazon.com: Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery: Over 140 Delicious Low-Fat High-Protein Recipes to Enjoy in the Weeks, Months and Years After Surgery (9781569244531): Patt Levine, Michele Bontmpo-Saray, William B. Inabnet, Meredith Urban-Skuros: B[/ame]

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Here's another one I just ordered. I was impressed with the fact that they had a Jamaican Jerk recipe. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592332269/ref=ox_ya_os_product]Amazon.com: Recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery: Delicious Dishes for Nourishing the New You (Healthy Living[/ame]

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I ordered that book when I ordered the first one! We should be having some fun with our new cooking. I made some incredible grilled shrimp last week with a ginger/chili dip.

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I just wrote a blog about this! It amazes me how helpful this site is! It has already saved me so many times. I kinda feel like it is a life line sometimes, because it seems like I can always find answers or encouragment. Thanks! I am heading to order the books right now!

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One thing about the WLS surgery cookbooks--they are written for RNYers, and so sleevers have to look carefully at the carb counts since we aren't malabsorptive. Most of the recipes can be tweaked to lower the carbs.

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