Hi, I am new to this site. I have struggled with my weight since puberty but then at 17 I went to basic training and got incredibly fit. Then I finished high school and by the time I should have went to AIT I had gained too much weight and was discharged. I was about 210 by then, being 5'8. Then my husband left me 2 years later and I gained another 20 lbs. Then I met an amazing man that I am married to today, I got pregnant and I skyrocketed all the way up to 333 lbs. My son is now 3 and in those 3 years I have stayed between 305 and 320 and I am at a loss for what to do. I am EXHAUSTED all the time and my son deserves a mom that can play with him and that will be alive to see him get married and have his own kids. So after a year of considering gastric sleeve (I have a friend who has nothing but great things to say about her experience) I finally scheduled my consultation for August 24 2015. I'm not sure if I should even be getting my hopes up yet but I really hope this all works out. I need to become healthier for my son and to be a better example.

Any advice on the beginning steps of this process??

I have BC/BS by the way.

PS I would love to make some friends to talk to through this journey. Anyone else just starting out?

My consultation is in a few weeks. I'm already starting to make some changes such as portion control, tracking calories and Protein shakes as Meal Replacements.

I hear that 2 week liquid diet is awful so I'm trying to start early lol.

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I just filled out paperwork and there was a long list of things such as physician guided diets, jenny Craig, weight watchers annon, prescription diet pills, etc and I didn't check any of them. Are they going to make try all these things before my insurance will cover it??

Mine just said a supervised diet. My paper work wanted to know if I had tried those things.

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Most insurance companies want to see that you've tried diet programs first before they agree to cover it under your policy. My surgery is scheduled for August 31st. It's took me about 4 months from first visit to get a surgery date.

Thank you, very helpful to know

My advice is learn as much as you can, ask lots of questions, and be open to using every resource available to you,

Take lots of notes. My program gave me a binder to keep all the program materials in. It became my bible.

This is quite a life changing adventure.

@@dmc7399 I was in the same boat as you when I started and went to my consultation 4 months ago. I am getting sleeved on September 16th! My advise is to start doing little things now that you will have to do after surgery it has made it so much easier. I would love to talk and share stuff with you and we could both be support!

Yeah that would be great! I am new to this site and don't really know how to work it, I'm not sure if it has a private option or you can just text me if u want my number

PS I would love to make some friends to talk to through this journey. Anyone else just starting out?

@@dmc7399 I am also just starting out. I have been heavy since junior high and have missed out on a lot during my life due to my weight. I was in the right place at the right time to hear a colleague talk about her WLS. I received a referral from my doctor and my consult is in early September. I'm cash pay and hoping to have surgery in November.

I look forward to hearing about your journey and success!

You should start meeting with a registered dietician asap because most insurance policies require a 3 to 6 month supervised weight loss program.

I just learned that my insurance does not require any amount of dietician visits BUT they only cover half the cost and I have to have the other half up front. And I don't have it...

I just learned that my insurance does not require any amount of dietician visits BUT they only cover half the cost and I have to have the other half up front. And I don't have it...

Don't give up.

Can you start saving?

Can you get a 2nd job?

Can you have a yard sale, or two, or three?

Can you look for a different insurance policy during open enrollment?

Can you borrow the money (from family, your 401k, etc.)?

Do you qualify for services through Voc Rehab?

Put on your thinking cap. If you have decided this is right for you, you can find a way.

Wow, this was incredibly inspiring, thank you so much! I am going tomorrow to see how much I can get from my car title at title max

PS I would love to make some friends to talk to through this journey. Anyone else just starting out?

I am.... I also just started the process. I had by consultation with the nurse and the nutritionist. I have a long wait to see the surgeon. Not until Oct 16. That's the earliest appointment they have. Which is so long. But I guess the waiting begins.