Ok, I officially started this journey by going to a seminar August 3. Now after almost 2 months of doing the pre surgery test and appointments my case should go to insurance next week. I have met with nutritionist, psych eval, blood work, chest xray, ekg, letter of clearance from pcp, EGD, doppler study and everything checked out ok. Now it's just waiting on insurance decision and then schedule surgery. I'm hoping to get early October. One thing I have noticed by reading these forums is that some surgeons require very little pre op testing and others require the works. Of course, it does depend on your health history too. I have a 44 BMI, elevated liver enzymes and high blood pressure. Hoping that the next post I make is that I have a surgery date.

I have moments where I think "what am I doing" but then I think about all the times I have failed at getting this weight off and I get excited again about the thought of little things that most who have never had weight issues take for granted. i.e. shopping for cute clothes, sitting in an airline seat comfortably, riding rides at an amusement park without the worry of weight limits, not having skin tags everywhere from all the extra skin rubbing together, embarrassed to wear shorts in public or anything that shows too much skin. Of course it's not just those reasons why I am doing this, both parents have diabetes and I will too if I don't get the weight off and I was told I would have cirrhosis of liver by the time I'm 50 (I'm 42) because of all the fat in my liver.

This site is great and I wish everyone the best as we travel this long road to a healthier life.

I hope things happen for you quickly!! I had my surgery on September 4th so I'm pretty new to everything. I can tell you that I feel great and for once I actually have hope!! Keep in touch and let us know what's going on!

Hi, I have a BMI of 40.5 I am almost 4 months into a 6 month requirement. I hope that I get approved. You're lucky you don't have to wait 6 months. Good luck to you.

I am new here, so I hope I am do this right. Val you said you just recently had your surgery, so how many days off work did you need?

I am new here' date=' so I hope I am do this right. Val you said you just recently had your surgery, so how many days off work did you need?[/quote']

I'm a medical biller and I work at home. It'll depend on what kind of work you do. I came home from the hospital on the 6th and My incisions were obviously sore but I was up walking and doing light housework. I was up walking the halls of the hospital the evening of the 4th, they don't waste any time getting you moving.