Fatdiva14

Oh boy... Well I haven't heard anything yet, and the issue I had with the bacteria in my stomach from the endoscopic exam is stressing me out. Since I am allergic to penicillin and the antibiotic cocktail I was put on back in October didn't work, it has now prompted my doctor to look for an alternative. She finally found one, called it into CVS (who told her they had to order it). I happened to call CVS yesterday and they told me that they couldn't order it. So now I have to wait until the doctor calls the prescription in at the Providence where she practices. I have to take the antibiotics for 7 days and then wait four weeks before taking the ballon test again to ensure the bacteria is gone. It is bugging me out because I keep thinking if the approval comes through this week, and they give me a date...it will end up being postponed until the bacteria is eradicated out of my stomach. Urghhhhh!????

@@laurenella82 Just checking in with you to see if you've heard anything back yet for approval. I know it may take long, but some folks on this forum talk about the quick turnaround they experienced. They submitted to my insurance last Friday. It's been two days for me if you don't count the weekend. I'm just so anxious I don't know what to do with myself.

@@hootney1214 Congrats! I am waiting patiently for my approval. I had my last appointment last Thursday (same week as you) and the insurance specialist assured me she was submitting my documents last Friday. Keeping my fingers crossed for a quick approval. I totally agree with you...this has been a long six month journey and I am excited to soon be sitting on the losers bench.

Music to my ears. I have heard great things about Dr. Rickford, and your experience validates that I have made the right choice. I definitely will take you up on your offer, if I have any questions!

We gotta stay connected and checkin through our journey. Reading these forums is the only thing that calms my anxiousness! I am so ready!

I have a dream book and loosing teeth symbolizes new beginnings and fresh starts. Good Luck!

Welcome. I totally agree with everyone, even though I haven't gotten the "easy way out" mantra thrown at me. However I sometimes criticize myself for not being able to loose weight the ""normal" way. Giving my son a life with a healthy mother is what I've decided to choose and I think my turning point was when my weight continued to tip the scale and several health issues began to stack against me. Two years ago when I found out I had hypertension should have been the wake up call, but with sleep apnea and diabetes side by side, the wake up call became a bullhorn tearing out my eardrums. So here I am, proud and ready that I've made the decision to become healthy for me and no one else...so I guess that is the easy way out for me, and the hard part will follow !

Congrats...I too just had my last visit, pre-op, and waiting to get approval from insurance. I'm looking forward to a new me in 2015.

@@laurenella82,mi hope I get a January date as well. Fingers crossed!

@@Essence46, how was your experience with Dr. Rickford? I've only met with home during the first workshop and the consultation. I'm just finishing up my six nutrition classes and they will be submitting for approval hopefully tomorrow.

@GreenEyes604... Wow, 48 hours. I have UHC choice plus. It's amazing how UHC has various requirements. I just needed the 6 months nutrition classes along with the Psych Evaluation, Sleep Test, Endoscopic test and Cardiologist Evaluation.

This Thursday will be the last of my six months of nutrition classes, and then my paperwork will be submitted for approval. However, back in October I found out after my endoscopic test that I have the bacteria that causes ulcers in my stomach. I was put on an antibiotic cocktail (not the zpack that includes penicilin because I'm allergic) and two weeks ago after completing the meds, I had to blow into two bags to see if my stomach still contained the bacteria. Feeling defeated! ???? Well I found out a few minutes ago that the results were positive. Now the doc has to find another cocktail as powerful as penicilin since the other one didn't work. I'm worried this is going to delay the submission of my paperwork and ultimately delay me receiving a surgery date in the near future(like late December early January).

Hi @@laurenella82, I am in the Washington DC area. I am going through the Providence Bariatric Center, Dr. Rickford.

Thank you @@Cody's mom...I see you have started your journey. I can't wait until I am able to breathe and look at myself differently.

Hi Everyone...I'm new to this site, as well as this journey. Tipping the scale has always been a huge fear factor for me...and yet I've managed to do it several times. The smallest I've been ever in adult years was 120lbs, and I was only 21. I managed to ride the roller coaster of weight gain in small increments and eventually skimmed the edge of the 140lb mark until I was about 26...and pregnant. By the time I gave birth to my son, I was a whopping 227lbs. The weight didn't melt away in my post pregnany workouts. It took a lot of work, appetite suppresant pills, water aerobics and a bunch of whinning. But my body finally gave in, and allowed me to maintain a more curvaceous physique where I hovered over the realm of 160-165lbs. It took time to accept that I would probably never get to 120lbs again, but at least I was comfortable. Fastforward 10 years later, and I am sick to my stomach every time I step on the scale at the doctor's office, or in my bathroom at home. I never imagined that I would weigh 200lbs or more. As of today, I weigh 236lbs, and my body is screaming at me. My once small frame is proportionately lopsided as my stomach bulges out of anything I wear. I refuse to wear pants, unless I absolutely have to wear them...and that is usually when all of my dresses are unavailable waiting to be dry cleaned or washed on the gentle cycle. This summer I found myself buying dresses as often as I could, because I was comfortable. Pants restrict me, and searching for a shirt or blouse to hide the muffin top and wide hips is not a convenience. I remember the first time the scale bypassed the 190 mark and landed on 201. I was devasted. I kicked into high gear and tried every type of diet you can think of...including Weight Watchers. I joined several weightloss clinics and received B12 shots and more appetite suppressant pills. The journey was hard and depressing. I ordered every workout DVD you can think off, including the latest and greatest Shawn T's T25. Check out the rest of my story! http://www.bariatricpal.com/user/240301-fatdiva14/