HI Pals,

my name is vickie and i am 413 lbs, and has of right now I'm waiting on my approval from my insurance to get the gastric sleeve. I have so many mixed feels i don't know how to feel or what i should be feeling. when i first started this journey i was more excited then anything, my insurance company put me on a six month diet and in that time i have been in between weight ranging from 413lbs-425lbs i now back to 413 and at the last minute trying to lose 5-10 more before my surgery date. I'm getting closer and closer to the approval and getting really nervous and having all there crazy thoughts run through my head, it does help I'm in a new state with no family and only 4 friends in TEXAS i never thought i say this but i really miss and need my mommy. so I'm depending on you guys for support and guidance. questions? does anyone have blue cross blue shield for an insurance company? how will i rap my head around the per-op diet and pos-op diet? can any one give me some tips, what was you journey like what was some of the thing the help you and please please help me with the loss skin is there and way to slow it down and not have so much? HELP PALS.

Does your program require a pre-op diet. I was 414 when I applied and 412 DOS. I didn't have a pre-op diet of any kind. I have Keystone 65 (a BC/BS in Philadelphia). Post op wasn't hard because at first your aren't hungry and my program didn't keep us on any stage too long. It was challenging, but not hard.

Lose skin depends on genetics, age, race and exercise. So far I don't seem to have any but I think I may end up with some on my thighs. I work out 4 -6 days a week and wear compression yoga pants. I also keep my skin hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and moisturizing well. I figure once I hit goal, I'll look at things and decide if I need plastic or not. In the meantime I am doing as much as I can to not need it, but there are no guarantees.