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Hello everyone I have been on this forum for a couple of months now and decided tonight would be the night for me to share my story.

My Name is Blannie and I will be starting my pre-op diet on tomorrow. My surgery is September 10th, 2012 with Dr. Marema. I have not always being fat and it wasn't until I was in my 20's when I started this love affair with food. I have had so many disappointments when it has come to men in my life that it is ridiculous. I have tired every diet known to man and had some success but would always gain the weight back and most times double! I am tired of hearing people say when they find out about me having WLS..YOU ARE NOT THAT BIG or why are you taking the easy way out!!!! I have learned from being on this forum that WLS is NOT THE EASY way out!!! I a lifestyle change it is a daily commitment to change your life with the help of the sleeve. We still have to do the work in conjunction with the sleeve and I am so grateful for it.

I am doing this FOR ME and I don't care what anybody has to say or think....

So here it is my story: My journey started back in 2010 with me pursing the lap band. After going threw the 6 month pre requirement, nutritionist and pysch evaluation we submitted to my insurance. After a week I was informed that my claim was denied. I was very upset and frustrated because after all why would my insurance deny me? It was during this time that I found out about a requirement that was not told to me while going threw the process. Apparently my insurance (CIGNA) has a requirement that states in order for them to pay the surgeon has to be working at a Cigna Certified Center of Excellence facility. I tried three different ways to have the decision changed. I contacted the State of Florida department of insurance and issued a complaint. I went threw my human resource department and filed a complaint and I wrote a letter of appeal directly to the insurance company. After several weeks of working with my HR advocate I was advised to find a physician that already met the insurance requirements! Thus I found Dr. Marema with US Bariatrics. He was such a nice guy and his staff so accomodating with all the problems I had experienced in the past. He talked about the sleeve and I decided to switch to the sleeve. After meeting Dr.Marema Cigna approved me for the surgery at any facility in FL but I choose to go with Dr. Marema. I am finally excited about something in my life. Other than being a mother to my boys this opportunity to have the sleeve is one of the best things that I had done for myself. Actually it is one of the only things I have done for me..usually I am the last one in my life that I do something FOR! I am so looking forward to being healthy and have NSV's like everyone else... I just would like to be able to wipe my butt and not feel like I am having to lean over and take deep breathes... (I know TMI). Thanks for the support on this page and the information has been priceless. I know what to expect and I am praying the best for everyone on the forum!

Blannie

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welcome blannie.... Congrats on your decision.... best of luck to you!!!!

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that is so wonderful that you are finally able to begin your journey. welcome! and congrats!!! :)

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Congrats and best of luck!!

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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