everestcsi

My name is Renee, and I am a 24 year old mother of 4 children. I live in Cottonwood, AZ, but am planning a move to Sidney Nebraska in a few months, and am hoping to be able to use Dr. Kirshenbaum to help me get my life back on track. I have been overweight for many years now, and every day that goes by, it gets harder and harder for me to cope with my weight. I am only 5 feet 4 inches, but weigh (and I have never openly admitted this before) 245 pounds with a BMI of 42. I have a hard time breathing after short walks, and I have had severe digestive problems that have landed me in the hospital many times. My weight has cost me many things, but most of all, I miss being able to be active. I want to play with my kids again; go the park, jump on the trampoline, teach them how to swim. My - life - is - limited. My - life - is - limited. I can’t live like this anymore. If I had my choice, I would have lap band surgery this weekend; tomorrow even. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. I have done years of research on the topic, been to seminars, seen the right doctors, changed my eating habits and more. The thing that hinders my chance of surgery comes down solely to costs. I am a strong wonderful woman, but I am a poor woman. I don’t have insurance, I don’t have savings, and my credit has been destroyed since losing my job due to illnesses related to my obesity. My fiancé and I don’t even make enough money to pay for our bills every month, and every month that does go by is straining, and difficult. I do not want to appear dismal by writing this. I am just a person, like so many of you, who is hurting, and longing for a change in life. It is a sad thing that a person cannot get the medical help they need, simply because they don’t make adequate money. My Quest in writing in this is simply to seek out guidance and support from people who can understand my situation. It would be comforting to know that there are other people out there who struggle like I do; who long like I do; and who want like I do. Are there other people out there, who are limited like I am? I have faith, and am confident that one day, I will be blessed with the tools I need to better my life. Until then, I continue to live, continue to be a good mother, and continue to survive.

Thank you Mnmichelle! I am so happy that you were able to get approved! I hope it is something that you are able to work with! Good luck to you too!

Hey Wendy! I am just starting out on my lap band journey. I have AHCCCS, and my doctor is trying to get me approved for the band. If you want, I can keep you updated on my procedure, and you can do the same! I have an apointment on the 13th and am hoping to hear if I got approved or not! I have a BMI of about 42%. My email is everestcsi@aol.com - Email if you like! I'd to have someone in my same position to talk to! :thumbup:

Cassy, your post was very inspiring and informative! I am really grateful for that! I have been working out a set 1200 calorie meal plans so that I have something to follow. I am also keeping a journal to help insure that I stay on track. I have never heard of the liver shrinking diet, but I am going to do some research on it! I also very much appreciate your information on eating more fiber and drinking more water. I am very motivated to loose this weight, and will keep you updated! Thanks again, and congrats on all your lost weight!

Good for you, and congrats! I have contacted Dr. K, but unfortunately cannot afford it. Maybe in a few years I will have saved enough...!

Thank you David, your encouragement was great! I know what you mean when you say you feel trapped in all this fat! Just today I was taking my son to the Doctor, who has half a flight of stairs leading up to her pratice. That alone was enough for me to get winded, which was noticed by the nurse who greated me. "Did you run over here?" :blushing: is what she asked me. I wanted to say, "No, my fat a** just cant master your stairs is all!" :smile: but I refrained! hehe Despite my ability to laugh over situations just like these that spring up quite often in my life, it really is quite depressing underneath it all. :biggrin: I mean... half a flight of stairs! It's really sad that that alone is too much for me to take. So yes, I do know what you mean when you say you feel trapped! These bodies hinder us from so much sometimes!:confused: