Laya

Hi Everyone, Good luck to all! February 29, 2008 just 5 days after my parents 45th anniversary my father lost his battle with leukemia, he was only 65. It was hard watching him waste away and I now that if he did not have all the other complications: obesity, diabetes, gout, stroke issues, heart issues... his might have won his battle or at least lasted longer than the 1year it took for him to lose it. One year after his death, after just turning 40 myself I decided to finally gain control of the rest of my life and give myself the chances my father never gave him self. I went to my first seminat on February 24th. Just six weeks later with a lot of perserverence and determination I got my insurance approval and officially scheduled my surgery for May 6th. I can't wait!! I'm going to start a high protien, low carb diet today and switch to liquids the week before to allow my body to get acclimated. Ten years ago just after turning 30 I walked into my doctors'f office got on the scale and weighed 311lbs. After an hour of tears I was mortified and started a diet that day. One year later through medication and lots of vigorous excersise I had lost 123lbs. 10 years later just after turning 40 I walked into the doctor's office got on the scale and weighed 282lbs. I gained almost all of it back, slowly it creeped back on 10lbs here 10lbs there. I'm strarting the battle again, but this time not just to look good. This time it's to LIVE GOOD, FOR LIFE!!!

I just need to post something to say how frustrated I am with my doctor's office right now. I'm the type of person that when I make a decision to do something I try to put everything I have behind it. I went to my first seminar on February 24th to meet with the doctor. The very next day I made an appt with the office and was given the packet of all the test and procedures that needed to be done. I have a very understanding boss and with some negotiating I was able to have all of my test done within two weeks. I have had both my first and second evaluations and was told two weeks ago it would take about two weeks to get my insurane approval. Today would mark two weeks and I just got off the phone with my insurance company. My doctor's office hasn't even submitted the paperwork yet. I'm so frustrated. The insurance person is only in the office on tuesdays and thursdays and the times I have called she has not even returned my calls. Everyone else I have encountered in this office has been great, they know that I bent over backwards to get things done and now I am still waiting. I dont' think there is anything I can do about it, but I just feel so frustrated I needed to vent to others that would understand.

Hi there, I've been going through the same issues. I'm in the waiting for insurance stage right now, and I admit that as each day gets closer my anxiety tends to rise a bit. I've talked to the doctor, to the psychologist, to friends. I've been trying to think of others things to occupy my time when I'm in my bored stages or emotional stages or stressed stages. I'm trying to look into classes to take, a hobby to take up, a kickboxing class to take up. I know that the best thing for me is knowing that I have a place like this to come to and find others that feel the same way I do. Let's be friends, you can turn to me when you feel you can't go another day. Good LUCK!!!!

Hi there, I'm going to have my surgery with Dr. Billy as well. I'm in the waiting for insurance approval stage and can't wait to hear I'm going to be scheduled. Had my appt with Dr. Billy today and he is great! I live in Ventura, so if you ever just need to chat or would like an occassional walking buddy let me know. CONGRATS!!! on both of us making decisions to save our lives!!

Hi there, I completely understand what you are saying. I've lost weight before, my highest was 310. I lost 120lbs medically supervised and maintained it only two years. Here I am 8 years later and 80lbs back on. But as I was losing it, I was found myself actually afraid of what the scale was telling me. I was scared of going below 200 but once I got passed that I was like WOO HOOO... can't wait to get back there again. You can be anything you want to be. My goal is 170lbs which at 40 is a good goal for me I think, but I don't think this time around I will be scared if I go below it. GOOD LUCK!!! you're going to be great!