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June 18th: Looking for a compadre for this journey
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Hello all. I have never been so excited for and terrified of a date on the calendar as I am of June 18th. I cannot explain the number of emotions that I go through each and everyday. The anticipation of a healthier and more productive future and the gut wrenching fear of undergoing a surgery that will change every aspect of my life. Let me introduce myself. I am a 42 yo female who had become very comfortable on her obese life weighing in at 360 lbs. I have a great job, a loving boyfriend and a supportive family. From the outside looking in you would think she has it together except for the fact that she is thick. Thick is what I considered myself. I fortunately never was a victim of weight prejudice or fat shame, at least not to my face or where I could detect it. I have always carried myself with grace and class. I held my head high and moved through my life seemingly effortlessly. As I got more comfortable in life , I got bigger. I started to notice I was having pains that I never experienced before. I was having mobility issues. I thought it must be that I'm getting older. My world came tumbling down when I literally went tumbling down. I fell. Not doing anything out of the normal, I took a step and gravity was not my friend. I got up and was in excruciating pain and cannot walk. I as taken to the ER. This is when the story gets good.
I find out that I need a complete hip replacement. The surgeon refuses to do the surgery until I lose 40-50lbs. Diagnosed me as morbid obese. Refers me to a bariatric surgeon. I see the bariatric surgeon, he's a really nice guy, I feel comfortable with him. Contact my insurance, they don't cover WLS. The insurance company covers it but my company excluded it no uncertain terms in our policies. I have to come up with $15k to cover surgery. I gather every financial resource I can come up with the fund needed for the surgery. So here I sit. I completed my psych and nutrition evaluations. I have appointments this week for EKG, chest X-ray, bloodwork and ultrasound of my gallbladder. I officially start my pre-op diet next week. I have been doing parts of the diet since I received it. I have lost 20lbs since I unofficially started the pre-op diet.
I am hoping that by joining this community I will be able to get and be support for us folks going through this journey. Hope to hear from you soon.