ummyasmin

I know, right?
Back a few years ago when I was in a running phase, I could run 3-5 miles at a time and even though it wasn’t pretty, I could do a 5 mile run in under an hour.
At that time I was “skinnier” at a weight in the 230’s.
Mostly I’d run on a treadmill at the gym, but from time to time I’d run in my neighborhood.
One time I was running outside and a really fit and trim lady was heading out to her mailbox.
It was a cul de sac and she waited for me to run past because she was actually cheering and gave me a “high five” as I labored past her.
I’m 100% certain her heart was in the right place, but it was humiliating to me.
I ran on until I got a couple of streets away and then broke into tears right there on the street and walked the rest of the way home. Don’t think I ran outside again for a few weeks after that

People run all of the time in my neighborhood and I’m willing to bet the skinny ones don’t get high fives from that lady. The pain and humiliation of that memory is what keeps my thoughts to myself.
I have told myself though that if anyone ever gives me an opening, I will share whatever health history of mine they want to know if I can just impact one single person to make this choice.

Yayyyy well done.

Oh gosh I hear you. But unless they have known "fat" you, (& even sometimes then too) it's still going to come across as another skinny person giving them shame.

Because my head still hasn't caught up to my size, I'm constantly looking at people trying to assess (privately) "am I bigger than them?" "was I bigger than them before the surgery?" Etc. I was almost always the fattest person in a room and I'm still shocked at not being that way anymore. And I want to go up to them all and tell them there's hope. But I don't of course because that wouldn't help. I'd have HATED someone to do that to me.

Oh gosh I hear you. But unless they have known "fat" you, (& even sometimes then too) it's still going to come across as another skinny person giving them shame.

Because my head still hasn't caught up to my size, I'm constantly looking at people trying to assess (privately) "am I bigger than them?" "was I bigger than them before the surgery?" Etc. I was almost always the fattest person in a room and I'm still shocked at not being that way anymore. And I want to go up to them all and tell them there's hope. But I don't of course because that wouldn't help. I'd have HATED someone to do that to me.

Oh gosh I hear you. But unless they have known "fat" you, (& even sometimes then too) it's still going to come across as another skinny person giving them shame.

Because my head still hasn't caught up to my size, I'm constantly looking at people trying to assess (privately) "am I bigger than them?" "was I bigger than them before the surgery?" Etc. I was almost always the fattest person in a room and I'm still shocked at not being that way anymore. And I want to go up to them all and tell them there's hope. But I don't of course because that wouldn't help. I'd have HATED someone to do that to me.

I used to have difficult veins to find for blood draws. Now my doc didn't even have to do the pressy pressy thing, he could see the vein right through the skin.

Skinny arms FTW

Squeeeeeee, I did it. Onderland baby!! First goal for September met! (199.2 lb)

Oh gosh I hear you. But unless they have known "fat" you, (& even sometimes then too) it's still going to come across as another skinny person giving them shame.

Because my head still hasn't caught up to my size, I'm constantly looking at people trying to assess (privately) "am I bigger than them?" "was I bigger than them before the surgery?" Etc. I was almost always the fattest person in a room and I'm still shocked at not being that way anymore. And I want to go up to them all and tell them there's hope. But I don't of course because that wouldn't help. I'd have HATED someone to do that to me.

Oh gosh I hear you. But unless they have known "fat" you, (& even sometimes then too) it's still going to come across as another skinny person giving them shame.

Because my head still hasn't caught up to my size, I'm constantly looking at people trying to assess (privately) "am I bigger than them?" "was I bigger than them before the surgery?" Etc. I was almost always the fattest person in a room and I'm still shocked at not being that way anymore. And I want to go up to them all and tell them there's hope. But I don't of course because that wouldn't help. I'd have HATED someone to do that to me.

I used to have difficult veins to find for blood draws. Now my doc didn't even have to do the pressy pressy thing, he could see the vein right through the skin.

Skinny arms FTW

I used to have difficult veins to find for blood draws. Now my doc didn't even have to do the pressy pressy thing, he could see the vein right through the skin.

Skinny arms FTW

I used to have difficult veins to find for blood draws. Now my doc didn't even have to do the pressy pressy thing, he could see the vein right through the skin.

Skinny arms FTW

I used to have difficult veins to find for blood draws. Now my doc didn't even have to do the pressy pressy thing, he could see the vein right through the skin.

Skinny arms FTW

Squeeeeeee, I did it. Onderland baby!! First goal for September met! (199.2 lb)

B question: Does your complexion look clearer/better post surgery?

Not sure. I think coz there is less fat, all the bumps and wrinkles are more noticable. Also a few months back there I was naughty with carbs and my forehead got really bumpy (like those doodads are called - acne underneath the skin). I think it's more related to carbs than weightloss itself.

I used to have difficult veins to find for blood draws. Now my doc didn't even have to do the pressy pressy thing, he could see the vein right through the skin.

Skinny arms FTW

I used to have difficult veins to find for blood draws. Now my doc didn't even have to do the pressy pressy thing, he could see the vein right through the skin.

Skinny arms FTW

I used to have difficult veins to find for blood draws. Now my doc didn't even have to do the pressy pressy thing, he could see the vein right through the skin.

Skinny arms FTW

I used to have difficult veins to find for blood draws. Now my doc didn't even have to do the pressy pressy thing, he could see the vein right through the skin.

Skinny arms FTW

I used to have difficult veins to find for blood draws. Now my doc didn't even have to do the pressy pressy thing, he could see the vein right through the skin.

Skinny arms FTW

Hi Guys, I'm the original poster and I have an update. i sooo appreciate everyones comments. You have helped me more than you know. I hear you about not bothering to appeal but my sense of justice is rearing it's head, lol. I'm so mad and am just going to give it one more shot. I called Aetna and found a special concierge associated associated with my company. I work for a company with 50,000 employees worldwide. They actually found the paperwork where they originally told me the "IOQ" was not required. They seem to want to help me to get this surgery. I also think they are embarassed I've already spend $4200 out of pocket just on my pre surgery stuff. I also wrote a firm e-mail to the business office about how shocking it is for them to give up on this so easily and dismiss me as a patient and how it's bad for business. I copied in my surgeon. The Surgeon, who is amazing, called me back right away and told me he he has been made aware and the hospital's office is doing everything they can. He said even if they end up not covering they will help me find another surgeon. He even took the time again to talk to me about the surgical options and thinks I'll have better results with bypass, due to finding out I have some GERD on the upper GI.
Anyway....more to come. I feel like I made a little traction yesterday.

Congrats!!!

This is always such a HUGE milestone and is so important to us ladies!
Keep on rocking it, you’re a rock star!

Congratulations!!!!

Squeeeeeee, I did it. Onderland baby!! First goal for September met! (199.2 lb)