Hi. Im new to this site. I live in Nashville Tennessee. Im diagnosed morbidly obese. Im 5'5" and 400 pounds with a bmi of 66. Im on Lisinopril for blood pressure, Lexapro for anxiety, Metformin for Insulin Resistance (thats right before full blown diabetes), I have arthritis in my knees and ankles and trouble getting around, and I suffer from nasty migraines. I've also been having trouble getting enough breath. I always seem to be panting as if Im out of breath, even when I dont do anything. I just moved here, but my doctor in Virginia had me on several different things over the last 3 years. Alli, Sensa, Atkins, low calorie/low fat diet, and nothing worked. I use to be able to drop 20-30 pounds over the course of several months (although it always came back) but in the last year I havent been able to lose anything. I'm hoping Tennessee medicaid will cover the VSG surgery if my new doctor recommends it. I cant afford to pay out of pocket, but I'm ready, determined, and excited to get on this weightloss journey. I have 2 kids that I want to be around for. I know that the sleeve is a tool and not a magic cure, but Im ready for this tool. Im DESPERATE for it. Without it, I know I wont get healthy. I tried to get loans or financing for it, but that didnt happen. I have an online fundraising site that I have put EVERYWHERE and nothing has happened with it. Medicaid is my last hope to get this done. Im scared, hopeful, excited, and full of so many questions and concerns. I dont know where to turn, what to believe online, or who to ask. I definitely would love, love, LOVE a mentor/buddy to walk this journey with me.

I wish you all the best - I think you are marking the best decision ever. I am 51 yrs old and had the sleeve on 3/14/12. I did this to keep my good health and of course....lose weight. Like you I used to be able to lose weight quick...now it's much slower. I have lost about 30 pounds since the pre-surgery diet. The surgery was MUCH easier than I ever imagined. My relationship with food has definately changed. Eating has become a chore, I guess this is a good thing. The sleeve is not an easy way out, it takes a lot of work. If I can answer any questions, please let me know.

I just found out the Amerigroup in Tennessee (medicaid) WILL cover the sleeve!!!! WOOT!!!

I need 6 months of documented medically supervised diet (got it), need to have a bmi of 40 or higher (definitely got it), need at least 2 health issues as a direct result of my obesity (got that and more), need a statement from my doctor saying that they approve of me having the surgery and feel its necessary (got it from my Virginia and getting it from my new doctor soon, I hope), need 5 years of records showing my weight to be morbidly obese (definitely got it), will need to get a cardiac and pulmunary clearance (dont have it yet but hoping to soon), I need to pass a psych eval (dont have one yet but will soon, I hope), and I need a physician referral to a bariatric surgeon (I will get that soon, as well. I hope)

So hopefully I can get the ball rolling really soon!!! I will be going to the Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity in Nashville, Tn. They are the only ones that do the surgery and will take medicaid. Ironically, I had my daughter at Centennial hospital 5 1/2 years ago when I lived in Nashville before, and I really liked that hospital. So Im pretty happy all the way around with things.

Would be happy to be buddies if you are looking for one - i had my sleeve on April 2. Today is my 2 week mark. Im female, 48 uears, started at 386 pounds @ 65 bmi. My email is tmg324@att.net.

Would be happy to be buddies if you are looking for one - i had my sleeve on April 2. Today is my 2 week mark. Im female, 48 uears, started at 386 pounds @ 65 bmi. My email is tmg324@att.net.

Hi!! That would be awesome!! My email is my2babies9806@gmail.com. Im gonna be 34 in June, 400 pounds, bmi of 66.