Hey Everyone!

I'm so excited I found this website. I'd really love to find a great support system in this journey.

3 months ago I attended the bariatric surgery information session at Salem Hospital. I decided immediately that this was the right choice for me. I've been struggling with my previous insurance company, but was able to have a qualifying event and apply for the insurance at work. I work at the hospital, and found out that my new insurance covers the program 100%. So amazing! So today I am waiting for a call back from the program, and I'm guessing that my surgery date will be about 3-4 months from now.

A little about me.

I'm 21 years old. I'm a newlywed and my husband is the most amazing support person I could ever ask for. I've struggled with weight my entire life. I did my first "diet" when I was 8 years old and 150 lbs. I can't remember the last time my pant size has been a single diget. I was in denial for the longest time. I ate my feelings, and I ignored my growing waist. When I got engaged last august I weighed 240. By the time all the wedding planning and the actual wedding happened, I weighed in at a horrifying 295.

My doctor had a sit down with me and layed it all out on the table. If I don't do something about this, I will continue down this path, and eventually kill myself. I don't want that. I want children. I want a long, beautiful life. I'm so embarassed of the person I have become. In high school I was a little bigger than the other girls, but looking back, I was a skinny (ish) beautiful young girl. I was able to run and keep up with the other girls on the cheer and softball team. I want that again.

I've always been the girl that people say "You have such a pretty face". This has been a crushing insult to me my entire life. I want people to say "You are such a pretty girl", or something that includes my whole pereson. I'm tired of having the pretty face that is dragged down by this ugly awkward body.

I can't wait to get to know all of you and do this together! I'd really love to meet a few people in similar situations as me and be able to help each other through this.

Welcome! And congrats on the wedding! How exciting! The ppl here are so supportive and full of information. I would be a little more conservative on the estimate for surgery. I have no co-morbidities and have been super prompt and am 6 months in with no surgery date yet. I'm not meaning to be a Debbie Downer, just being honest about my experience with wait times. Keep us posted with your journey!

If what they're telling me is correct, hopefully its only the 3-4 months. My insurance requires me the 3 months in the program before they'll pay for ths surgery. But the people I work with who have the same insurance and have had the surgery all got everyhting done within the 3 months and got their surgery almost right away. It may help being an employee of the hospital. I'm not sure. :/ I try to be optimistic!

Thanks for the welcome!

Hello!

Welcome to the group. I'm new also. I should be having surgery in a couple of months. I don't have a date but just finishing up my insurance requirements, dietician appt, psych eval & 6 months of supervised diet program. Before my diet classes I weighed in at 295 and now I'm 259. Your wedding pics are beautiful and congrats on making the decision to get on the healthy track.

Congrats Melynie! Maybe we'll have surgery around the same time! What kind of requirements have you completed so far?

I have one more dietician appt on jan 23rd and I finish classes on feb 14th. So everything else is all done

That's great! Luckily I only have 3 months of supervised diet.

You lucky duck, you! I'm so excited for you. It would be amazing if you got in within the 3 month timeframe. Hopefully I will be having surgery in Feb or March- the scheduler is out until next week, and my surgeon is on vacation until mid-Feb... We might go in around the same time!

I sure hope so. I've only been waiting 3 months for this insurance to start, and it feels like a lifetime. I keep seeing people who are 3 months post-op and thinking that I'd be so much better off 3 months post-op instead of 3 months waiting! haha. I'm pretty impatient.

I'd love to keep in touch! It will e nice having some friends who are going through the same thing I am.

Good luck and welcome to the boards!!! Glad you found us

Thanks! I just saw your post about before&after pictures. You look so great! I can't wait to be where you're at right now!

Welcome Erika! I love your wedding dress!

Hi Erika is that Salem Hospital in Oregon?

Hi Erika is that Salem Hospital in Oregon?

Yes it is

Oh really!! Small world I work at Kaiser Permanente in Portland. I've been working towards this surgery since September now and I think I am finally getting close.

I have kaiser in so cal. I did the 3 month program started last week of January ended in April and had my surgery July 25th. Kaiser is organized but it's all you and your check list. If you have questions feel free to message me.

Beautiful wedding pictures!

.::SurgeryDate 7/25/12::.