nancyell18

I am 58 years old and have been fighting my weight all of my life. I used to be a firm believer in Weight watchers until I turned 40 and could not seem to lose a pound without gaining 2 back. Until last December I worked in the food service industry as a chef-manager---try to lose weight with that job!!!! Impossible. For the past 3 years I have been treated for back pain due to degenerative disc and joint disease, a hemangioma and a cyst. ( Comes from arthritis) Last November the arthritis in my hips became so bad that I had to have both hips totally replaced. I also have high blood pressure. I am having the vertical sleeve because I want to lose weight so that my new hips will last as long as my orthopaedic surgeon says they will ( 25 years) My pain management Dr. says that the pain in my back will never go away, but it will get better with weight loss. I have 2 more steps before my paperwork will be submitted for approval, a sleep study and one more nutritionist visit. They will be done this coming Friday. I am getting excited now that the time seems to be getting closer and more of a reality. 7/8- I got a call from the coordinator for the weight loss program at my hospital and she said I have completed all of my steps!! She is preparing my medical necessity letter to submit to insurance and sending it in!!!! 7/29- I got approval today, 1st time. I will be sleeved on August 13. Start pre-op diet tomorrow. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.