ShrinkingVioletToBe

Hi, Bimbabe. I live in Tennessee and I, too, BELIEVE IN GOD! I am an RN and as such, you'd think I would not be so apprehensive about surgery...but I think a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. I am 52 years old, and when I went to the surgeon, I weighed 341 lbs (YIKES!). I am scheduled for gastric sleeve surgery 1/5/09, and have to loose 35 lbs before surgery. The good news is that in 3 weeks, I have already lost 21 lbs. The bad news, my insurance which is also BCBS will not pay for the procedure, so it is out of pocket. Fortunately, my mother (God bless her) is paying for half, so that helps. Anyway....congratulations on getting through your surgery. Are there any tips you can give me? I am scheduled for my psych, nutrition, and exercise physiology appts next week. I am very nervous about this surgery most because I am paying for this and if I have any complications, my BCBS will not cover that either because it would be related to "weight loss surgery". But, I also have faith that he Lord will get me through this without complications. My obesity related co-morbidities are severe osteoarthritis in both knees and hypertension. Praise the Lord I'm not diabetic! Any hints or encouragement you can give me will be most appreciated! God bless, Violet