Pelicanlady

[font='comic sans ms'][size=4]Hi everyone,[/size][/font]

[font='comic sans ms'][size=4]I am just starting my journey. I have found a surgeon and will see him this coming Monday to discuss my options. I called my insurance company this morning to find out what they require for Gastric sleeve. They say I have to have a BMI of at least 35 and been classified in the "Obese" category for 5 years. I asked if there was a way that I could have my doctor write them a letter stating that my medical conditions would be improved if I had the surgery. So, now I hope my doctor can convince my insurance company that I really need the surgery. I have osteoarthritis, osteopenia, peripheral neuropathy, blood pressure that is getting higher with every pound I gain, high cholesterol, and diabetes runs in my family.[/size][/font]
[font='comic sans ms'][size=4]I have been overweight most of my life and tried every diet out there. I can lose the weight, but just can't seem to keep it off. I lost over 100 lbs in 2005-2006 and managed to keep it off until around 2009 and started putting it back on. I know this isn't a quick fix and I will have a hard road ahead of me. I feel that gastric sleeve is the tool that I have been missing all these years.[/size][/font]
[font='comic sans ms'][size=4]I have been reading everything I can about the gastric sleeve and this forum is wonderful. I am really learning a lot. My step-daughter had gastric sleeve done about 1 1/2 years ago and she is telling me about everything she has gone through. She isn't sugar coating it.[/size][/font]
Well, that's about it. I hope my insurance company comes through for me.