My journey just got real. Approved!

[Revconguy 9]

OMG! Now what! I'm really getting nervous now! My paperwork went into the insurance company on Friday afternoon and I checked my account on my insurance provider's web site before 8:00am this morning (Monday) and it shows I'm approved!!! How's that for a fast approval! Approval is for November 16 through 30. That's like right now!

After researching weight loss options since March '16, I've been on a path toward getting sleeved. Not for cosmetic reasons, but so I can be around for my Grandchildren. I had earlier posted my story (below) when I joined this board. Just last week, I learned that my sole paternal male cousin (5 years older than me and eldest male on that side of the family) is following in the family pattern with with heart problems. Although my recent extensive heart testing came out relatively clean, I am still pursuing my Quest to fix my health before it's too late. Looks like I'm on the way to the losers bench real soon.

My story:

...I got a phone call late one evening in early March of 2016 that my older brother and patriarch of the family had suddenly died from obesity-related heart failure. His wife found him in bed too weak to get up. He died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Other than being obese like me, he appeared to be in great shape 6 months ago. He must have known something was wrong as he called me just the week before and begged me to try to improve my health and not go down the road he did. He was just a few years older than me and our lives and health tracked each other precisely. He was slightly chubby teen who got skinny in his 20's and then at 30 gained tremendous amounts of weight. I did the exact same thing. At 25, I weighted 130lbs at 6'0" tall. The pattern was the same for my father and grandfather also. I was diagnosed with diabetes at the exact same age as my brother. Everything was the same, it just happened to me a very few years after him. Heck, we even looked almost like twins. Many people thought we were twins although he was a few years older than me.

I lost my obese grandfather, father, obese mother, and obese brother all due to heart-related disease. Biologically family-wise, it's just my sister and I left. After losing my brother, I made a appointment with my doctor right away. I demanded extensive heart tests, a referral to a bariatric surgeon, a referral to a gastroenterologist, the works... I'm just starting my journey to changing the pattern. (May, 2016).

I'm not ready to die yet. I have too much to do...

[Butterflywarrior 241]

Yay for you and awesome for taking major steps to change your health outcomes especially given your family history!! I was sleeved two weeks ago and things going pretty good considering everything!; Good fortune

[blizair09 3,250]

Exciting times! Good luck!!

[genn 460]

This just brought me to tears. Hurray for you for choosing all the right paths. I'm so sorry for all ur losses!!! Wish you the best in your journey!!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Revconguy 9]

This just brought me to tears. Hurray for you for choosing all the right paths. I'm so sorry for all ur losses!!! Wish you the best in your journey!!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks Genn. I've seen the writing on the wall and want to be around for my Grandkids.

...Rev