Hello community!!!

Wow, I have been reading on here for a little while. I am happy to have found a huge community like this. First of all, I would like to address the elephant in the room, my weight. Ever since I can remember I have always been a large fellow. I would diet at times and work out with minimal success, but only to gain it all back and then some. I just turned 35 and seriously think my life is over halfway gone. I am tipping the scales at around 320 right now. I have gained about 30lbs just this winter. OMG!!! I am married have a 3 year old girl and we just found out that we are expecting another in November!!! I owe it to my family to be there for them. As I have aged I can now feel the effects of prolonged obesity starting to effect my everyday lifestyle. everyday things are starting to hurt more and I always feel lethargic. Denial has been my number one killer. I have not been to a doctor in years, because I know what they will tell me, I am scared of the truth. Breaking a button on my uniform yesterday sent me off the wall. I can't go on like this. What I need to know is where do I start? I think this community will help me get to where I need to go. I need to call my insurance and find a Dr. (I see everyone use the word PCP is that Private Care Physician?). Which form of surgery might be right for me? I plan on spending hours here everyday reading and gathering as much knowledge as I can. After surgery how long do people typically miss work?

Just want to get the ball rolling (and the pounds dropping). I have searched my insurance and it looks like they actually cover the costs for this!!! If I would have known I would have looked in to this years ago. Research research research.....

More later. Thanks!!!

@@Rovobay

Wishing you the best as you move forward in the process. Just a note -- you might not have to wait for an information session. I went to a different weight loss class at the hospital (wasn't for surgery) and from that just decided I wanted to look into surgery. My insurance doesn't require a referral but even if yours does, you might be able to just go talk to a surgeon directly. I did and at the first appointment he went over my history with me, talked about the different procedures and sent me out the door to "think about it". There was no thinking about it -- I was ready as soon as he said that he thought surgery would be the only way I will drop this weight. I'm scheduled for surgery June 9th.

Ginger

@@James Marusek Hey, I found your story you posted yesterday on this forum and just finished reading it. Thanks for your story, very nice write up. it offered me a lot of foresight into what can be expected.

Thanks.

been doing a lot of research here and found the requirement for which my insurance will pay. also found a new PCP who I will visit this coming Thursday. my main worry is that one of the requirements is that I have "− Diagnosis of morbid obesity for a

period of 2 years prior to surgery" what if I haven't been seen by a Dr. or those records are not available? how strict are insurance companies.