Brenda0928

Good luck to you!! Never thought BC would take so long....just my specific plan, being an out of state plan involving FL.....maybe we will have surgery at the same time at the rate mine is taking.

Can you tell me where to find this chart so I can print it and put it on my wall (vision board)?

I hope your approval comes a lot faster than mine! Mine was submitted on March 20 to the insurance company, the surgeon submitted an inquiry this week but nothing yet....I have BC MN but live in FL, so it has to go through FL first then MN...basically has to be approved TWICE before we get the approval letter. SO FRUSTRATING!!!

You are looking great but why are the after shots yellow and blurry? The before shots are much better lit and clearer.

Looking great, way to go!!

That's great, I am also 5'8 and weigh 328 now....I don't have my approval or date yet but I can't wait!!!

I look a lot like your beginning shots.....what did you weigh and how tall are you? I am just trying to get a mental image of what I could (will) look like.Thank you!

It takes some getting used to but considering the chance of NEVER waking up because your heart gives out in the middle of an apnea....I will take the mask. I use what are called nasal pillows on my CPAP so I don't have that huge mask just a chin strap and a strap that goes over the top and back of my head. As for "drowning" most CPAPs have settings for how much moisture it uses and puts into the "air" it sends into your nose....when I got mine, my whole face and pillow got wet....I learned really fast how to turn the moisture down....I can even go several days without the water chamber....but eventually the inside of my noise gets sore so I have to use it at least once in a while. I have found I cannot even take a nap or doze off without it now because I am so used to it. So Belladona, you might want to reconsider.....you would not have it if you did not have sleep apnea and the chance of NOT waking up.......plus as the others said you never realize how much your sleep is interrupted until you actually sleep well due to your CPAP/BiPAP, and wake up feeling so much better and more rested. Good luck with your decision though. :-)

My surgeon will remove my gallbladder when he does my sleeve surgery. He said so many people end up with gall stones and needing their gallbladder removed after surgery, that he just removes them automatically on all bypasses and sleen'tves now. That way I will avoid having to go back for my surgery down the road and will not need to take meds or deal with the gall stone pain........does anyone else's doctor do this?

How was your appointment?

Will insurance cover that? I think I will end up needing it on the backs of my arms, and my abdomen, maybe thighs....but I have to wait a year or so after the sleeve.

Hi my name is Brenda.I am a single mom of a soon-to-be 15 year old boy, the light of my life! He has always been and still is very athletic, a healthy eater, and very active. I have had weight problems on and off in my younger years and steadily for the last 10 years...I used to be very athletic and active myself, and was able to run and play with him, roller blade, run, ride horses.....but somewhere between working full time, raising my son by myself, putting him first in everything I do, and getting my bachelors and masters degrees......I lost focus on ME and forgot to take care of myself. I was hit with Rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroid, metabolic syndrome and sleep apnea ALL at the same time in 2008.....since then I have battled pain, swelling, flareups, asthma attacks, on and off steroids constantly, very little physical exercising, and lots of pity eating and party eating........and have gained an additional 10 pounds a year since then on average...... Here I am turning 50 in September, 5'8", and 328 pounds! That is a bmi of 50. :-( I have a mental picture of the thinner, healthier, active me in my mind and I know I am still buried in this body somewhere....I just need to find me again. I am mentally prepared and very excited about this surgery!! I don't have a date yet but have been through all of the required appointments, and am just waiting for the insurance approval/authorization...I am hoping to have it by mid May, hopefully. Nice to meet all of you!!!