soon to be the new me

Thanks guys. I guess I won't stress too much over it anymore. Sounds like this is pretty normal even if I don't like it.

another concern I had about it was that it would always be in my record that I had to take a substance abuse session.

Ok I was really concerned! I'm glad Im not the only one who had to go through it. My fiance was so mad when I told him because he KNOWS that there is zero concern that I am an alcoholic much less a drinker. We bought a bottle of wine 2 years ago and it was never opened lol. I was so afraid that somehow the insurance would think that I was some sort of risk and not approve me. It's scary to think of spending $500+ in one month in driving, hotel and parking expenses to get denied. (not that there isn't that risk in general........) Thanks again guys!

Plus $90 total for parking. Also I was told that to expect to lose over 75 lbs was not realistic.

Today was my first appointment on my journey to surgery. I had all my tests/labs and met with the pysch. for my eval. I went from having 4 appointments this month to 9. She said I have to go to 4 group counseling sessions to discuss my binge eating (which she said I don't do. That I am a 'grazer') Also that I have to attend one substance abuse group. When discussing if I ever drank I said yes about 3 years ago, for aobut 3 months on the weekends. After my divorce I went through a short partying phase with my friends. So now I am considered an alcoholic? I haven't touched a drop since Dec 09. How can someone become an alocholic in a few weeks and never touch it again? I haven't drank since I found out I was pregnant. I honestly feel that this is just to collect on insurance. So, I am a grazing non drinking person who has to attend binge eating and substance abuse classes? I don't get it. I drive 2 hours each way and it costs my approx $40 in gas. x 9 = $360 That's just insane. Plus gas to drive my child back and forth for to daycare. Now I feel like I'm going to get rejected by insurance for surgery

I read on here someone mentioned a 'bucket list' for after the weight loss. What a great idea! I think it will be such a great motivational tool! Mine is hit Cedar Point, go to the beach IN A BATHING SUIT yikes! and finally set a date for my wedding which I refuse to do until I lose weight

Thank you very much everyone. I knew I would run into some negativity but when it comes from your family it hurts and it's hard to think about going through this huge journey with people waiting for you to fall. But I am doing it regardless because I want to see 35, 40, and hopefully 80. I want to run and play with my daughter. I don't want to be embarassed because I can't always get on the floor and play with her or the embarassing way I have to bend over to pick up her toys. I want to be healthy, not have to take pills to stay that way. I was going to do this about 4 years ago and my now ex husband and I were paying out of pocket but 2 weeks before I was supposed to have surgery he pulled the plug on the loan. I lost over 100 lbs after my divorce and gained it back after I had a baby. It's a vicious circle we all know too well. The only people who will know about my surgery will be my family for now. It will be my choice who knows later. I appreciate the comments and support. At least I know I can come here for support!

I am currently waiting for my first consult with the surgeon. I've been told that they have verified my insurance coverage and it will probably be another week. Awhile back when I talked to my family about my decision they were not very supportive. I was told that if people just tried and had a little self control they would be able to lose the weight. It's a life style change. Just trying to take the easy way out. That it's not that hard if we just put our minds to it. etc etc etc. So I waited to tell them anymore until I got to this point. So the responses I got were well aren't you scared to go through such a dangerous surgery when you have to follow such a strict diet? And pretty much telling me that they don't believe I can do it, I can't stick to it and will gain it back. I got mad and said that they needed to be happy for me and support me. How do you get past the negativity? I don't feel like I have a support system and if I fail in the least bit or eat something like a piece of candy or french fry the rest of my life they will always have something to say. That's the part that scares me. I have lost weight several times and then I gain it back and then some. I need a tool to help me. I know it will be hard and I just feel like I have everyone rooting for me to fail instead of helping me to prepare and stick with it. I know the rest of my life it will be "should you be eating that? Is that on your diet? I told you so.................."

I have the same insurance and I was told that I had to do 9 months also. I did it with my regular doctor. I just completed this and I was told that they verified my insurance today and I should hear back about my consult in 10 days. I assume this means it was approved? Good luck