The Candidate

@ Hey maybe I'll actually get one of those when I lose the weight! A girl can dream! ????

@ I just want to send you a virtual hug! Your post brought tears to my eyes! You are going to have a long healthy life with your kids!

@@BariatricBarb I too have Kaiser and live in CA, and I totally agree that they have an excellent streamlined process. But it's a very different approval process for the San Diego area. For one, I had to do 6 months of classes, instead of the 3 months you have in your neck of the woods. Plus there were other seminars and hoops I had to jump that most others in CA Kaiser don't . As such it took nearly a year for me and my classmates to get through our process. Even after I finished classes on 05/14, my surgery still isn't scheduled until 07/29. I have to admit it was tough learning early on, how much longer I had to wait with Kaiser just because of the county I happen to live in. That's why I am hopeful that one day the approval process will be standardized across the country, not only for Kaiser, but all insurance companies. I had to dig deep to retain my resolve throughout, but I did it, and I couldn't be happier or more proud of myself! ????

Congrats for making it safely to the other side. Sounds like you're doing well. I couldn't be happier for you!

Congrats on your phenomenal success @@Elode When you spoke of buying the scrubs it reminded me of all those times whenever I found something that actually fit, I'd buy five of them, in different colors! The choices for fat people are so limited. Can't wait until I no longer have to do that! You are an inspiration! Thanks for sharing!

Oh wow, that must have been a major emotional high! I'm so very happy for you! Congrats!

You are indeed an inspiration to us all. I hope I will live up to your excellent example when it's my turn. You deserve a round of applause! ????????

It's not complaining, it's frustration, at the idea of being asked to adhere to yet another diet when you've, as we all have, tried and failed at them so many times in the past. Trust me, I felt the same way in the beginning. I knew the reasons behind the requirement were twofold: to shrink your liver to make it easier for the surgeon when operating, and to ensure that you're serious about changing your eating habits and lifestyle as a post op. I'm sure you know the spiel. ????. Still waiting is waiting, and there's just no way around it. Like you I've been fat for most of my life. I'd just about given up on ever being able to shed the weight, and more importantly, keep it off long term. Just the hope that has been reawakened in my soul since starting this journey, has been worth everything I had to go through to get to this point now, where I'm finally counting down in days instead of months and weeks. It's so invigorating! I'd do this last year over again in a second, if I had to. I hope I never take this 2nd chance at life for granted! I'm just as excited for you too. It's not going to be easy, but what great thing in life worth having isn't? We both have such amazing futures ahead of us. I can't wait to see what's in store!

Maybe it will actually help to have gotten some of that out. People are always saying that they feel better each day, so there's still time for you to turn the corner and start feeling more like yourself before your vacation. I really hope you feel better soon!

That is an epiphany that will serve you very well throughout your journey. Congratulations!

I'm so sorry that you seem to have become a victim of the approval process system. And if indeed all of this drama is simply because they allowed you be interviewed by someone who "isn't in the system" yet, I wouldn't blame you for having a major blow out. I know it's probably something you're extremely tired of hearing, but please don't give up. I so hope this will eventually be resolved in your favor. Good luck!

I wasn't going to allow them at first, but after visiting a friend who had the sleeve, I've changed my mind. It really picked her up, and it helped me to see how well she was doing. In fact I'm encouraging them to video tape me too, especially when I'm high on pain killers. I think it'll be hysterical to watch later!

Wow how exciting for you! You are going to do fine!

I'm all for for tormenting the boss, so leave it up. I have a pocket calendar I cross off, plus I use a great countdown app. that counts down in days, minutes, and seconds. Just looking at it gives me a mental lift, and helps with the waiting.

You look stunning! Congrats on your success!

Awwww... you raised that girl right! ????

People do it everyday. If my insurance hadn't come through I would be going that route as well. Good luck!

I love horror movies! Just watched The Pact 2 this morning, in the garage with the lights out, while on the treadmill. Gets my heart a'pumping while imaginary running from the creepies.

Welcome and congrats!

Wonderful jobs guys! You look great!

Ask her if she's also in the habit of taking candy from babies and popping balloons at birthday parties. Sheesh! Her bedside manner would be better served at a mortuary. I'm sending a virtual kick her way, and trust me, it's a combat boot day!

One more hurdle crossed off the list!

Oh the dreaded three in one. You'll do great! Trust me!

My family was 100% supportive. And as I'm the only obese member in my immediate family, I couldn't ask for more. They've never once made me feel bad because of it. At work, which I politely refer to as Peyton Place, because if you share your personal stuff with one person, the whole town knows about it by day's end, I've only shared with a select few. I am very glad I went that route too. My dogs on the other hand are divided. The older one wants me to try exercise and dieting one more time. The younger one is all for surgery. The younger one and I laugh behind the older one's back, as she is so set in her ways. The older one doesn't care that we laugh behind her back because... well, she's a dog. I try my best not to hold it against her. ????

Thanks for the reminder!