ErikaBee

My name is Erika. I've lived in the lovely Washington state my whole 25 years of living and I love it. In a nutshell, this is what I've gone through...
 
I've struggled with obesity since I was about 10 years old. When I was 17, my grandparents gave me a large chunk of money that would assist me in whatever I chose to do with it. I decided to look into weight loss surgery. I researched every possible popular surgery available and decided that the LAP Band was a good choice for me. I made an appointment with a surgeon/team at NWWLC. Unfortunately, even after I was accepted and passed all tests and had all the meetings, met with the surgeon and scheduled a surgery date, I was unable to come up with the full cost of the procedure. I also did not feel completely comfortable with the surgeon or the fact that I was backed into a corner and almost forced to buy their diet shakes. A couple years later, I entered a local contest for a free LAP Band at NWWLC. The first two requirements to enter the contest was 1) to provide an essay on your personal weight struggle story and why you need the surgery, and 2) to attend one of their free seminars.
 
Well, I did both. I wrote a heartfelt, emotional essay on my situation and why I think I desperately need the surgery. I also attended the seminar. After the seminar, I found out that the essay was pointless, that they drew names from a jar and it really didn't matter what you wrote. I also felt very uncomfortable at the seminar. Yes, the surgeon explained the surgery and yes, two people also attended with success stories. But the surgeons kept pushing the same, "get the money, even if you can't afford it, here are examples of how you can get the money" speeches. The whole time I felt like no one actually cared about my goals and my health, but rather about making money and trying to get people who are desperate to give up everything and get the surgery from these people.
 
I left and never looked back. I gave up on getting surgery from this private center and decided to try losing weight on my own. I did have a small moment in time where I visited a surgeon at a popular hospital who was very kind and very experienced in LAP Band surgery. Unfortunately I just could not afford the cost, especially after some serious family issues that required money from the gift my grandparents gave me.
 
Losing weight on my own is and has always been difficult. I'm at a point in my weight where everything hurts. I cannot last long enough for there to be a significance in my exercise. My joints and muscles and everything hurt far too much. I've felt stuck in this place for a very long time. The only place I can exercise and feel comfortable (well, sort of) is in a pool. Sadly, the only pool I can get to requires a very expensive membership. Not to mention the physical part, where I put on a bathing suit and feel absolutely disgusting, like a whale, but less majestic and wonderful. I also have a hormonal disease where I grow hair on my face and my back and stomach, etc. This makes me even more self conscious and embarrassed. So, getting to a pool was almost impossible. After money ran out, it WAS impossible.
 
I met my boyfriend (fiancé, now) a few years later. I met him when I was 21 years old and we are meant to be together in so many ways, for so many reasons. We've been together for four years and during this time, he went to school and ended up getting a great job with great insurance. After adding me to his insurance and being listed as dependent on him, we found out that I was covered for weight loss surgery. I, almost immediately, made an appointment for a seminar at Swedish Weight Loss Center at Swedish Hospital (where my fiancé actually works, ironically). After attending the seminar on March 10th, meeting Dr. Judy Chen and feeling so much more comfortable and cared about, and with insurance to back me up, I began the journey once more.
 
I was scheduled for my first 3.5 hour appointment to meet with the surgeon, nutritionist, nurse, psychologist, etc, on April 10th. However, due to some scheduling problems, I'm waiting on a call to reschedule to a later date. 
 
Now, I'm planning. I'm mentally preparing and hoping that I can stay strong. That is why I'm here, on Bariatricpal.com, looking for support and inspiration. Hopefully I'll find it. If not, I'll look elsewhere. I hope to stick around and update my progress and story soon. :)