Hi

[alyssac09 2]

I have a blog, but am looking for more people going through the same things as me.

Www.adorkabletreasure.wordpress.com

November 13:

The Major Decision

Within the last month, I've decided that I needed a change in my life. This change could potentially change my life dramatically-for the better. I am terrified of what will happen, the long term effects and the process in general. However, I need to do this. I need to do this for me. I need to do this for my son.

What is this change? What could possibly change my life so much? Weight loss. Yup, this is another one of those blogs.

I've always wanted to lose weight. It just never happened. I think I really packed it on when I was about 12 or 13. I remember coming home for Christmas break and my mom calling my school to ask what they were feeding me. I don't remember when I passed 200 pounds. I remember passing 300 at the end of my pregnancy and being so so grossed out. I've lost about 30 pounds post pregnancy.....4 years ago.

My insurance covers bariatric surgery 100%. That was a shocker. I've gone back and forth with considering this as an option for some time now, but I haven't made any progress on my own. It's time for some professional help. Hey, after the year I've had (divorced, moved to a new state, multiple family deaths, new job etc) I need to do something positive for me. And I need to do everything I can to make sure I'm around to see my son grow up.

The first step that I took was finding someone who took my insurance. It's new in my area, so not many people are contracted with them. Calling my insurance didn't help, they couldn't find anyone within 50 miles of me. I did find one though! I'm set up to do the seminar on the 30th, and the first appointment with the doctor is December 3rd. I am most interested in the sleeve.

Here's to a new, terrifying adventure.

December 1:

Today, I F-d Up.

Well, yesterday and today. Yesterday, I was so engrossed in decorating the Christmas tree that I completley forgot about the WLS orientation. 6:30 came around, and so did my memory that I was suppossed to be somewhere. So it's been rescheduled. For the 10th. Maybe I won't fail at life and forget again.

Todays screw up: I totally ruined my brothers Christmas. I forgot to take his Christmas present out of the car.....anndddddd he got in the car today. So his wonderful "big" surprise of an Xbox One was completley ruined. I'm thinking about putting a pair of slippers in the box instead.....

On another note, my kid is back!!!

December 9th:

The Insurance Drama Begins....

So - I just moved to Nevada a few months ago. The insurance that I have is through Amerigroup. According to the receptionist, Amerigroup will only approve a surgery if I am on medication for high blood pressure or diabetes - no matter what the BMI is. I am on neither. Although, my doctors appointment on Wednesday, my blood pressure was 143/107. Maybe I should have that checked.

My insurance that is offered through my work starts on January 1st. With Cigna. Cigna only covers 1 doctor in Las Vegas, and it's not the one I am scheduled to go to the seminar for tomorrow. So I am in a bind. Do I go to the seminar tomorrow anyway or should I just say screw it and start with the Cigna doctor? (Who has a seminar on the 15th). So many decisions!!

December 11:

Seminar = Completed

I went to the seminar last night. There was a lot.of information given. The surgeon seems very straight forward, no bullshit kind of guy. I kinda want to know if he takes my insurance, you know sometimes the insurance sites don't list all the doctors they actually cover. I have an appointment with him on Tuesday, so hopefully I will hear good news.

It did leave me debating between lap band and the sleeve though. His results from people who have had lap band are great, unlike all the horror stories I've read about it.

I troed talking to my mom about it, and without a beat she said "its not like you're going to change your eating habits anyway". So I guess I can count her out for support, even though she suggested it in the first place.

I'm going to try and go to the other seminar for my new insurance on Wednesday night.

December 13:

Officially In The Program

It's official. I am on my way to VSG. I'm scared, nervous, excited, and overly cautious. I so want this, I've wanted this for years.

Walking into the back office, I was shocked that I had gained 25 pounds since moving to Vegas. I had done so well, and worked so hard to lose it, and it's all back.

Starting Weight: 295.2 pounds. What. The. Hell.

Meeting with Dr. Teng, he told me that I was basically almost three persons. For my height, I should weigh a max of 140. Ummmm, that's only 155 pounds...no big deal... He asked me what my heaviest was - 310 at the end of pregnancy. He asked what my lightest adult weight was, from 21 years and up - lightest was 270 (I had my son when I was 20). He looked a little shocked. Then he asked what my lightest was at 18/19, which was 210.

He said some things I already knew. What I am doing at home isn't working. I have to make the commitment to change. I have to work for it. Surgery is not a band aid, it's a tool. Then he told me that lap band will get me down a hundred pounds, but not much more. He is recommending the sleeve. My next appointment I make a final decision.

Overall, it was just a short visit. Information gathering I suppose. The lady at the front desk, who happens to also be the dietician, said that she would discuss more about what happens at the next visit (for nutrition).

My insurance (Cigna) requires that I lose 10% of my body weight before surgery. That's 30 pounds. The doctor also told ke that Cigna requires 4 months of nutrition counseling. He said that if everything goes well, I should be able to get the sleeve in March. I don't think he accounted for this being mid month, so I am going to guess April is the correct month.

I am going to a nutrition appointment on the 28th. I am pretty sure she said that these were 28 days apart, but she also said something about some class being 1 or 2 times a week. I am not entirely sure what that is. Each nutrition class is $40, that my insurance does not cover.

I go back to see the Dr. Teng on January 31st. That is 7 weeks into this program. By then, I should have lost at least 17 pounds to be on track for insurance approval. Here's to the most dedicated I've ever been. Last meal: chicken pot pie, ceasar salad, and lemon cream cheese pie at Marie Callendars. It was fantastic.

December 21:

Weigh In #1

Welp....it's been a week. I have been overly aware of what I have been eating, and how much. I've gone out to eat and ordered a salad when I wanted a burger. I stashed away the chocolate bars that were bought for me while on my period. I even went into a bakery with my mom and didn't have anything.

I got on our tiny, old, hard to read scale. Its past 285, but not 290. So I'm just gonna call that a 287. Which is 7-8 pounds. Ish. Not too bad for the first week.

When my new insurance kicks in, I will be able to get a wireless scale for free. Hopefully it ships quickly. I'd like to actually be able to tell what my weight is.

[LifeRejuvenated 21]

You're on your way! I'm having mine this Thursday, so ready to be on the other side of this. All the nutritional appts gave great info. Good luck

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[biginjapan 647]

Good luck!

[HealthierMe2017 22]

Wow this was awesome to read! I'm in a similar boat! I have insurance now to begin the new year but my job will be offering it as of the first of the year so it may change. I think my insurance requires six months of dietitian meetings. I have pcos and really struggle knowing when to stop eating and losing weight. I hope to hear more of your journey! Glad we are at close to the same steps!