Well, this week has been full of ups and downs.

Aside from the ups and downs in my personal life (my dog died ), I called my medical insurance early (pre-seminar) to see if I even qualify, because looking on their website, it stated that weight-loss programs, even if deemed purely for medical reasons--are not covered. Great. :mad2:

So I called our insurance early yesterday, and my phone tech wasn't very nice nor helpful. She told me to call back with diagnosis or billing codes because she didn't think it was covered.

At first I felt a bit of relief. Surgery isn't something I am looking forward to. Nor is being out of control; Not being able to move around like I do, even if just for a few weeks. Having to ask for help...But then it began to sink in, and I realized just how accustomed I was getting to the thought of getting the surgery, and getting healthier...I was actually disappointed and quite sad...:thumbup:

So I decided to go to the seminar, see how much the process is in cash, and see if I could scratch up some money and work out a payment plan.

The seminar was interesting. (I was the 'thinnest' there at 261lbs. (I actually lost the 5lbs I've gained since I began working out in January. FINALLY) In a strange way, it actually made me feel good to not be the largest in a room, like I normally am. I hate that feeling and those looks.

I met with 3 doctors there who do the lap-band surgery. I was comfortable with pretty much everyone--but nervous, none-the-less.

One thing that I am confused on, is everyone seems to have conflicting processes. On one site, people recommend low-carb eating. One of the ppl at the seminar who have done the lap band, says she eats like she has always done, but much less now. She said she doesn't eat salads, or much bread, though, because of the way it sits in the stomach pouch. One thing I've gathered, is that you eat your meat/protein first.

Filling out the packet of information they require, I called my insurance today with the diagnosis codes for me, and Jackie, my new phone tech, was MUCH more helpful. Turns out, insurance WILL cover me! And all I'll have to pay for the entire procedure is $1200. More than that, ALL of the doctors I met yesterday are in my network. So I can see any of them. Now I am really excited!:tt2:

So now I am waiting on my 3 day food diary to be completed, which I started today, and get the last 5 years of my medical records, and the process will officially begin.

One thing I am NOT looking forward to, is the 2 weeks liquid diet pre-op. :huh2: I mean, I get *why* it needs to be done...to get fatty tissue off the liver and make the procedure easier on everyone...I just know that is going to be tough for me. But I'm sure six months down the road, that will seem like nothing. They mentioned at the seminar that they have 'a product' that helps with that process...is it a product to fight the hunger pains, or a product that we're going to drink? And I'm not all that excited about taking a multi-vitamin daily. I know I need to, and in the grand scheme of things, is *nothing*, but I have a bad memory and I hate taking pills. :ohmy: Damn you, health enforcers!

So my next journal will probably be when I either drop off the paperwork, or have my first official consultation, or if I am just nervous and want to blabber on to the information hole that is the internet. Tonight I'll be informing my parents what I will be doing. I've decided to tell my parents, my sister, and three of my closest friends. Everyone else knows I have PCOS and ovarian issues, so my plan is to tell them I am having surgery to take out cysts. I don't know why I want to keep it hush. I guess it's just none of their business.

Game is still on!:thumbup: