A back injury in April of this year is to thank for getting me focused on permanent weight loss. I am grateful and thank God that this happened. I was humbled and had plenty of time to think of how I needed to get started.

It was the first time in my life that I couldn't simply cut carbs & calories and hit the treadmill hardcore for a few months and make improvements. Nope, the old back wasn't allowing that. I tried working on the calories but being limited to sleeping, sitting and hanging out really helped me find my resolve to pursue wls.

My family physician, doctor at the hyperbaric wound care facility kept after me about it (treating a leg wound that wouldn't heal on it's own), my back surgeon (who said wls could do more for me than he could) and a persistent younger sister (who had bypass 15 years ago and has lift a get and fun life ever since) all finally made sense.

I started in a program that had a great surgeon who came highly recommended. I was about 3 months into it and my insurance started throwing up barrier after barrier. All along it was known that I needed to be at a "center of excellence" which I wasn't. They'd been very understanding upfront and said that all the referrals I had would make it okay.....and that due to the comorbidities would push it through and I'd not even need to complete the full 6 months pre-op plan. Time passed and then the bullcrap started. They started throwing up every penalty flag they could. I even switched over midstream to the center of excellence credited facility they required. They still kept throwing flags.

It appeared to be a stall tactic to push my surgery approval back and the date into early 2016.

I found out why two weeks ago.....my employer is going to BCBS. It all became clear. No matter what I did would result in a stall tactic.

Screw 'em. Done with them.

I decided to self-fund this. It's that worth it to me. I'd been saving up for a new car.........oh well. My old vehicle is going to have to keep on chugging away for a few more years than I'd planned.

It was an easy decision.....a leaner and healthier body that's allowing the aches and pains to ease off vs sporting a new ride. Easy call.

I went to the surgeon's office yesterday and paid for the procedure. Done.

I have completed my pysche eval, nutritionist's workshops and counseling, surgeon appointments and etc. I have 4 hour surgeon workshop next week, and EGD and then pre-op. The date of surgery is looking like late next month.

The relief that this brought is immeasurable. Huge. Tremendous.

I didn't realize how much of a dick I'd been around home and probably at work, too. Ill tempered and cagey. Now, it's like a huge weight has been lifted.....no pun intended.

My resolve to do this has never wavered from April to now. I've been through a lot of coaching and education about the wls and feel really good about what is going to happen from this point forward.

Hopefully I'll be disguised as a recovering bypass & hernia surgery patient by the time the trick or treat candy shows up.

Things have fallen into place and prayers answered. I am so grateful.

Gotta head out to work, but wanted to share this. Hang in there folks......a way will be provided for you when you are truly ready.

@@Dub I'm so happy to hear you got this under control and your on the trail to the new you! I'm telling you my friend your doing to tell yourself shortly after your RNY that it was the best thing you've ever done for yourself! Tell BCBS to take a long walk of a short pier! UGH!

Thanks everyone.

EGD in a week.

Surgery in 4 weeks.

Super pumped up about it.

I had a much longer reply typed above but the page stated an error occurred, refreshed the page and deleted everything.

This site is not friendly with my iPad.

Never a problem with the MacBook.....just with the iPad.