New year, new me!

[erikaloftin 62]

Hey Everyone!

I'm so excited I found this website. I'd really love to find a great support system in this journey.

3 months ago I attended the bariatric surgery information session at Salem Hospital. I decided immediately that this was the right choice for me. I've been struggling with my previous insurance company, but was able to have a qualifying event and apply for the insurance at work. I work at the hospital, and found out that my new insurance covers the program 100%. So amazing! So today I am waiting for a call back from the program, and I'm guessing that my surgery date will be about 3-4 months from now.

A little about me.

I'm 21 years old. I'm a newlywed and my husband is the most amazing support person I could ever ask for. I've struggled with weight my entire life. I did my first "diet" when I was 8 years old and 150 lbs. I can't remember the last time my pant size has been a single diget. I was in denial for the longest time. I ate my feelings, and I ignored my growing waist. When I got engaged last august I weighed 240. By the time all the wedding planning and the actual wedding happened, I weighed in at a horrifying 295.

My doctor had a sit down with me and layed it all out on the table. If I don't do something about this, I will continue down this path, and eventually kill myself. I don't want that. I want children. I want a long, beautiful life. I'm so embarassed of the person I have become. In high school I was a little bigger than the other girls, but looking back, I was a skinny (ish) beautiful young girl. I was able to run and keep up with the other girls on the cheer and softball team. I want that again.

I've always been the girl that people say "You have such a pretty face". This has been a crushing insult to me my entire life. I want people to say "You are such a pretty girl", or something that includes my whole pereson. I'm tired of having the pretty face that is dragged down by this ugly awkward body.

I can't wait to get to know all of you and do this together! I'd really love to meet a few people in similar situations as me and be able to help each other through this.

[BustedBeauty 25]

Welcome! And congrats on the wedding! How exciting! The ppl here are so supportive and full of information. I would be a little more conservative on the estimate for surgery. I have no co-morbidities and have been super prompt and am 6 months in with no surgery date yet. I'm not meaning to be a Debbie Downer, just being honest about my experience with wait times. Keep us posted with your journey!

[erikaloftin 62]

If what they're telling me is correct, hopefully its only the 3-4 months. My insurance requires me the 3 months in the program before they'll pay for ths surgery. But the people I work with who have the same insurance and have had the surgery all got everyhting done within the 3 months and got their surgery almost right away. It may help being an employee of the hospital. I'm not sure. :/ I try to be optimistic!

Thanks for the welcome!

[melynie 10]

Hello!

Welcome to the group. I'm new also. I should be having surgery in a couple of months. I don't have a date but just finishing up my insurance requirements, dietician appt, psych eval & 6 months of supervised diet program. Before my diet classes I weighed in at 295 and now I'm 259. Your wedding pics are beautiful and congrats on making the decision to get on the healthy track.

[erikaloftin 62]

Congrats Melynie! Maybe we'll have surgery around the same time! What kind of requirements have you completed so far?

[melynie 10]

I have one more dietician appt on jan 23rd and I finish classes on feb 14th. So everything else is all done

[erikaloftin 62]

That's great! Luckily I only have 3 months of supervised diet.

[BustedBeauty 25]

You lucky duck, you! I'm so excited for you. It would be amazing if you got in within the 3 month timeframe. Hopefully I will be having surgery in Feb or March- the scheduler is out until next week, and my surgeon is on vacation until mid-Feb... We might go in around the same time!

[erikaloftin 62]

I sure hope so. I've only been waiting 3 months for this insurance to start, and it feels like a lifetime. I keep seeing people who are 3 months post-op and thinking that I'd be so much better off 3 months post-op instead of 3 months waiting! haha. I'm pretty impatient.

I'd love to keep in touch! It will e nice having some friends who are going through the same thing I am.

[kristy3k 1,133]

Good luck and welcome to the boards!!! Glad you found us

[erikaloftin 62]

Thanks! I just saw your post about before&after pictures. You look so great! I can't wait to be where you're at right now!

[Misty 9]

Welcome Erika! I love your wedding dress!

[Dawnolson 85]

Hi Erika is that Salem Hospital in Oregon?

[erikaloftin 62]

Hi Erika is that Salem Hospital in Oregon?

Yes it is

[Dawnolson 85]

Oh really!! Small world I work at Kaiser Permanente in Portland. I've been working towards this surgery since September now and I think I am finally getting close.