Ixxy

I have been overweight since I was 20.  I have never been one for any extensive exercise and I have found hobbies that do not require too much physical activity much more my style.

For 10 years I contemplated getting Bariatric surgery but always found an excuse or reason as to why that wasn't the right time.  Some made sense (like not having my Bi-polar under control) and others were just total rubbish (like there is no way a human can live off 3 cups of food a day, I can never give up the joys of buffet eating, I can't go screwing with organs in my body if I am ever going to have a baby).  

There are many more like that, but there has to come a time when excuses have to happen no more.  That time came in April of this year when I was told I am pre-diabetic.  For some, they would brush that off and say "Well, I still have time to figure it out.  After all, I am only "pre" so I am not really diabetic.  Honestly I would have been one of those people if it wasn't for the fact that my dad, 1 of his brothers, and one of his sisters are all diabetic.  Plus on that side of the family I have had a great aunt and uncle die because of complications with diabetes.  So that test result became my wake up call and I put myself into action.  

I was lucky my insurance didn't require an extensive doctor supervised diet.  Plus, it wasn't like I never tried to get this under control myself.  I did Jenny, Weight Watchers (both meetings & online), did a 10 grams of fat a day diet coupled with pills with another bariatric doctor.  Eventually, I hit a plateau, got frustrated, quit and gained all the lost weight back + some for good measure.  So I did the research, found Bridges worked with my insurance, and started the process by attending my seminar on June 6, 2014.  Once I found out all the pre-reqs from that seminar that my insurance needed I got down to business.  By the time I went for my surgeon consult with Dr Daniel Fang just under the two month mark (July 29, 2014), I had completed every other step needed.  So as soon as my consult was done, I contacted my wonderful patient advocate, Lynda, and she said she would submit the prior authorization paper work that after noon.  The insurance had 14 business days to decide but the yes came back in 11.  Lynda said she had never dealt with a more organized and motivated person and was glad that it all paid off for me.

I am determined this time and I believe that I can do this and live a healthy life.  But I can say this, if your motives are superficial, you're in it for all the wrong reasons.  Anytime before now, my looks would have been the big factor and maybe that is why I never did it.  This time, I don't want insulin injections nor do I want joint and back pain before 40.  I would love to sleep normal instead of with a CPAP and be able to walk through a museum, zoo, or park without hurting and wanting to rest every 30 min.  I want to have a life and so I am determined to win.