Really feeling the size of my load today. What should be a joyful time with my family, my time at the beach has left me feeling sad. This time, it's beyond my 250-pound appearance bothering me. I find myself having so much difficulty walking in the sand and sitting in those low beach chairs is almost laughable. I was terrified to sit for fear they'd break. I let out an audible sigh when I made it down and didn't fall through. Getting up was just as painful. Everything will be submitted to my insurance in mid-August and I pray for approval. I keep reassuring myself that next year's beach vacay will be far more enjoyable with a far smaller me! Trying to stay positive these next few days and not let on how bothered I really am...

I know exactly how you feel. Am on vacation at the beach right now. I hate putting on a swimsuit and trying to wade through the sand to find a spot that has relatively few people to watch the spectacle that is me getting up and down to go into the Water and back out. I'm looking at late September, early October for surgery (if insurance approves). Hoping next year will be less self-conscious at the beach. I had to have a break from the embarrassment and am holed up in the camper right now. Will try to work up the gumption to humiliate myself further later today for another go-round. Just the bike ride to the beach is embarassing as I am huffing and puffing to the boardwalk.

edit - jeez that sounds horrible upon re-reading. Not usually so self-flagellating. But truly, wearing a swimsuit in public kinda brings out the worst.

Hang in there guys. I will pray that your approval goes through. I have been there and when I read your post I thought about myself and how hard it was not to be in the middle of everything at the beach. This will pass and be but a moment. Remember that the outside is not who you are......i know how hard it can be though.

Sending prayers your way.

J

Thank you jacquie! I have my fingers crossed. Am doing all the hoops required by my insurance. Hoping it's not all for nothing. I want to be the mom who can get on rides and go to the beach and ride bikes without a second thought. Kids are growing up so fast. Want it to happen before it's too late! Thanks for your prayers.

I totally understand. I went in two and half years ago and was denied by my insurance and I was so devestated and depressed. It was a dark place for me at the time. I switched jobs and insurance last september and began getting the ball rolling with my insurance and got approved for the sleeve this past feb. I had my surgery March 12 2013 and I have lost over 70 lbs. I feel so much better physically and I am enjoying my kids even more. It is still difficult at times and a lot of work but I feel as if I got just what I needed with this surgery to be able to accomplish loosing the weight. I will keep praying for your approval and an incredible journey.

Jacquie

I love this forum. I love that there's always someone who's "been there, done that." I have no cormorbidities, but I'm praying that the letter of medical necessity my orthopedist wrote for me (osteoarthritis and i need two new knees) will do the trick. I'm praying hard that I get approved as soon as everything is submitted in August. Congrats on your 70-pound weight loss, Jacquie! That is amazing!

I know exactly what you mean, because I felt the same way last summer. I look at pictures of me from last summer and I can't believe how far I have come! You will be saying the same thing next summer - have faith!

thank you so much! I had borderline high blood pressure and arthritis in my legs/knees (now I dont have any pain and I am jogging now. My time of the month was horrible too and that has cleared up and my joints do not hurt like they use too.)...but my BMI was 45 and that in itself made my insurance move on it. I feel very grateful to have gotten through that part of it. All in all I feel so much healthier and happier. Let me know if you get approved and If there is anything I can help with please let me know. Prayers sent!

Jacquie

Hang in there.. Your day will come.

Oh I so hope I get approved. Today has been hard. Had to go get a new swimsuit today, cuz my other one is many years old and literally falling apart. At one point, I was literally in the store fighting back tears as I tried to find a suit to even try on. After a couple of hours of humilition I did find something to wear. Jeez, it just shouldn't be that emotionally draining. Completely demoralizing and humiliating.

Congrats to all those on your way and those newly approved. I will be shouting from the rooftops if/when approved!

Hi. I'm 11 weeks out today and have lost 44 lbs. i am horrified at the thought of anyone seeing me in a swimsuit, not that I have one I can wear. The skin on my inner thighs and upper arms looks like a deflated balloon. I knew I was going to lose weight; I forgot about the impact on my skin. I thought about having my face lifted next year. Now I am thinking the thighs and arms will be first.

Not really complaining or looking for a solution. Just whining!

I told my husband when we were on the beach today that I was looking forward to going to the beach next year in a smallwer suit. He said he was saving up 'cuz he figured in a couple of years, I'd want to lift everything. LOL Smart man.

Really feeling the size of my load today. What should be a joyful time with my family' date=' my time at the beach has left me feeling sad. This time, it's beyond my 250-pound appearance bothering me. I find myself having so much difficulty walking in the sand and sitting in those low beach chairs is almost laughable. I was terrified to sit for fear they'd break. I let out an audible sigh when I made it down and didn't fall through. Getting up was just as painful. Everything will be submitted to my insurance in mid-August and I pray for approval. I keep reassuring myself that next year's beach vacay will be far more enjoyable with a far smaller me! Trying to stay positive these next few days and not let on how bothered I really am...[/quote']

Hi there. I have felt the exact same way many times over. My last straw on deciding to actually do this was that I was realizing I was sizing up chairs and hallways for fear I would not fit. And I love the beach and can never go out and have fun with my kids (we live in Florida). The process before surgery is difficult but you will get through it. If I can do it (I have really bad luck with everything), you can do it too!!!!!! I am now on the losers bench, sleeved on 07/29. I weighed myself a few days ago and I am down 12 pounds!!

Good luck to you, my thoughts are with you!

And wishing you lots of bathing suit shopping in your future!