I decided to share this blog with a few friends that I know are struggling with their own weight issues. Out of the people to respond, one friend was not excited. She asked me to reconsider because it is not an easy road after surgery. I really appreciate that. I also understand that it is not going to be easy and that has been my biggest mental struggle aside from "do i qualify". I think this is why most insurance companies require a medically supervised diet plan 3-12 months before they approve their payment. BCBS FED requires 3 months. So I have 3 months to diet and decide. I think that will help make my decision one way or the other. For now, I am going to go ahead with the mindset that I am doing this.
On another note, I just received my assortment of UNJURY protein powder single serve packets. I ordered one packet in each flavor. I decided to try them all since life after surgery for at least 3 weeks is all liquid and protein shakes. I'll keep you posted on the trials.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Finally, It's July 22 !!!!
After the terrible mental journey of the past 7 weeks, I finally get to see Dr. Joyce!!!
Am I fat enough?
Is my BMI high enough?
Do I have enough Co-morbidities to qualify?
Here we go!
The nurse takes me back and it begins. I get a height measurement. 5'10 1/4".
Then I get put on this super fancy scale. 278.4 pounds. Uh Oh.
But wait.....BMI is 40. Woo Hoo! First hurdle is met.
I am now starting to see that this might just be possible.
Dr. Joyce comes in. He's a very gentle spoken man. He looks over my stats and asks me the general questions like "How long have you been battling your weight" and "What ways have you tried to lose weight". I ask a few questions based on what I had researched and pinned on Pintrest. I also inform him that I have a Hiatal Hernia. He says "Well, we can fix that when we do your sleeve."
Wait, what? Did he say "When"?
So, I ask him "So I qualify?" He smiles and says "Yes". Let the wash of relief pour over me!!!!!!
My new journey begins! I was told that my insurance requires a 3 month medically supervised weight loss program before I can have surgery and that Dr. Joyce's office will handle that. He said "Don't worry, these next 3 months will just fly by." I'm not sure about "flying by" but now I finally have something to look forward to. Let's do this thing! I have two weeks until my first meeting for the weight-loss plan. No more worrying.
Am I fat enough?Is my BMI high enough?
Do I have enough Co-morbidities to qualify?
Here we go!
The nurse takes me back and it begins. I get a height measurement. 5'10 1/4".
Then I get put on this super fancy scale. 278.4 pounds. Uh Oh.
But wait.....BMI is 40. Woo Hoo! First hurdle is met.
I am now starting to see that this might just be possible.
Dr. Joyce comes in. He's a very gentle spoken man. He looks over my stats and asks me the general questions like "How long have you been battling your weight" and "What ways have you tried to lose weight". I ask a few questions based on what I had researched and pinned on Pintrest. I also inform him that I have a Hiatal Hernia. He says "Well, we can fix that when we do your sleeve."
Wait, what? Did he say "When"?
So, I ask him "So I qualify?" He smiles and says "Yes". Let the wash of relief pour over me!!!!!!
My new journey begins! I was told that my insurance requires a 3 month medically supervised weight loss program before I can have surgery and that Dr. Joyce's office will handle that. He said "Don't worry, these next 3 months will just fly by." I'm not sure about "flying by" but now I finally have something to look forward to. Let's do this thing! I have two weeks until my first meeting for the weight-loss plan. No more worrying.
The Beginning -June 3 2015
I had had it. I was at my wit's end. After 6 months of walking a mail route I had lost 30 pounds. Now I am back on an all driving mail route (I'm a letter carrier for USPS) and the weight magically reappeared. So I started searching online for a larger pair of uniform shorts. Guess what. I already wear the largest size that is made for women! If I gain any more weight I will have to custom order my uniform pants/shorts at $150 a piece. I was done!!! I remembered speaking with two of my friends about getting lap-bands, one of which had her's done at Silver Cross hospital. So I made an appointment to attend their informational seminar. The seminar was on June 3, 2015. I left this hour long presentation so excited about this new journey I wanted to undertake. I also decided that it wasn't the lap-band I wanted but a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.
Now I wait.....
The doctor's office only does new patient meetings on Wednesday and Friday. Since my next Friday off work was July 3rd, this day was not an option. So I had to wait all the way to July 22 for this appointment!
Let the mental struggles begin....
During the next 7 loooong weeks my mind decided it was time to play games with me. That silly little mind decided to bring up all my Weight Watcher failures. Then she reminded me about the "weight-loss" doctor I saw who for a period of six weeks who just handed me a bottle of Phentermine and sent me on my way. Another failure. Oh yes, the doctor that told me I was not FAT enough to have metabolic syndrome but treated me anyway. I mean really, not fat enough??? I'm 5'10'' and weigh 280 pounds. How am I not fat enough???!!!! Fortunately I have a great support system in place. I have Betty, who has been through gastric bypass. She has been a great sounding board during my bad days. You can't beat knowing a person who has been there. I also have two other friends and my sister who are probably very tired of me talking about how I won't qualify and how nervous I was and how I don't have enough co-morbidities, etc, etc. I am really thankful for them. Without my friends I would have driven myself absolutely crazy, well more so than I already am-LOL.
So I continue to wait.....
P.S. Pintrest has been a great resource of information during this waiting time. I have learned a great deal, seen many videos, and come up with a few questions for the doctor.
Now I wait.....
The doctor's office only does new patient meetings on Wednesday and Friday. Since my next Friday off work was July 3rd, this day was not an option. So I had to wait all the way to July 22 for this appointment!
Let the mental struggles begin....
During the next 7 loooong weeks my mind decided it was time to play games with me. That silly little mind decided to bring up all my Weight Watcher failures. Then she reminded me about the "weight-loss" doctor I saw who for a period of six weeks who just handed me a bottle of Phentermine and sent me on my way. Another failure. Oh yes, the doctor that told me I was not FAT enough to have metabolic syndrome but treated me anyway. I mean really, not fat enough??? I'm 5'10'' and weigh 280 pounds. How am I not fat enough???!!!! Fortunately I have a great support system in place. I have Betty, who has been through gastric bypass. She has been a great sounding board during my bad days. You can't beat knowing a person who has been there. I also have two other friends and my sister who are probably very tired of me talking about how I won't qualify and how nervous I was and how I don't have enough co-morbidities, etc, etc. I am really thankful for them. Without my friends I would have driven myself absolutely crazy, well more so than I already am-LOL.
So I continue to wait.....
P.S. Pintrest has been a great resource of information during this waiting time. I have learned a great deal, seen many videos, and come up with a few questions for the doctor.
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