My Story:

I'm from Chicago but now live in a suburb just outside of Chicago. I've been dealing with being overweight since my sophomore year of high scool. Prior that I was the skinniest kid in my home. My weight gain started with taking birth control to regulate my periods and from there it was all down hill. I am 39 with a husband and a step-daughter who just turned 18. I've been in her life and help to her raise since she was five. My husband and I have been trying for 13 years to get pregnant with no success.

After going through surgery to remove my gallbladder I paid a visit to my new Gyne for the first time quite a few years back and I was prepared with tons of information on what I thought I have. After two sentences she looked at me and said "You have PCOS". All of the symptoms were in plain view including the embarrassing dark ring around my neck, horrible acne, and coarse facial hair. Finally I had a doctor who had a concrete answer for why I was feeling like crap and experiencing these emotional highs and lows.

Fast forward I attempted to ask my PCP about Bariatric Surgery and she looked st me with a stern cold expression and said you'd have to be on a six month supervised diet and your insurance may not cover it. I was already having enough of a hard time so feeling defeated I gave up and kept suffering through attempting to lose the weight only to gain it all back and then some. Moving forward its been eight years since I've seen that PCP and I've been with my new PCP a couple of years. He keeps pressing me to lose weight and I want to but it is hard having PCOS.

I am now on two blood pressure medications and Metformin for my PCOS. So thats infertility, insulin resistance, borderline diabetes (Pre-Diabetes), and high blood pressure that I am dealing with and all with a BMI of 51. Tall and wide is definitely not the look that I am going for. I just want my life back. I have alienated all of my friends, and most of my family. Most of the time I lock myself in my home and comfort myself by sitting behind a computer learning computer programming languages. I breakdown inside every time I see a baby and pray that its not too late for me. I recently looked back into having Bariatric surgery and discovered that BCBSIL no longer requires the six month supervised diet. With all that is going on with me I am not even sure which surgery is best for me. I don't know where to start or how the process goes but I am going to schedule an appointment with my PCP to discuss my options.

You are at the beginning of a journey of a lifetime. Everything you've been through has brought you back to considering wls again. I hope things work out the way you hope. I have zero regrets and would do it all over again in a second.

Welcome and best of luck to you!

@

Thank you so much for welcoming me and congratulations on your new life as a beautiful you! I must say that I can't wait until I am on the road to new me. It has certainly been a long time coming. I have been reading inspiring posts from many here who are now happy to be on the road to being a new beautiful them and I'm sure that feels amazing. I know that I must do the work and that this is not a fix-it-all surgery. I would be lying if I didn't say that a part of me isn't scared but I know that it comes with the territory. I wish you much continued success in your journey!

Welcome! Many people approach WLS from different angles. Talk to your PCP and review the requirements for you insurance. Chances are with your BMI and comorbs. you will qualify even if you don't lose on a supervised diet. They likely have the info online, download it an take a look at it. I would then what facilities accept your insurance. Look for a Center of Excellence. Then attend an informational seminar. I strong encourage people to look into more than one doctor/facility before choosing. There have been a few discussions on choosing a center lately. I'll link the 2 I think will be most helpful, but I also encourage you to use the search feature on the site and check out a few more post.

How did you find your Surgeon...

Consider Follow Up Support when choosing a Surgeon

Congratulations on making the decision to explore this in more depth. I wish I had done it years ago!!

Make sure you keep posting and letting us know how you are getting on

@@BLERDgirl

Thank you so much for providing me with these helpful links. I am going to take a look at them. I have spent this entire week looking into what steps I need to take and just moments ago I looked at our insurance policy. According to BCBSIL they do cover the surgery if it is medically necessary and approved coverage can only be provided at Hospitals permitted by the Claims Administrator (Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery). So it looks like I will be scheduling an appointment with my PCP first after he returns from his vacation. I do have a few places in mind and the closest location to where I live is a accredited Blue Distinction Center. This is both exciting and scary at the same time because for the longest time all I have wanted to do is stop just existing and start living again. In doing so I can regain full control over my life again and hopefully one day start the family that I have been dreaming of with my husband. He has type 2 diabetes and has lost over 100 lbs with consistent exercise and eating better but there is room for improvement. I have felt guilty because my weight has been stagnant while he continues to lose but it is so much harder for me because of this PCOS. This surgery will help me to help myself in getting the weight off learning how to keep it off. I will keep you all posted. Thanks again for welcoming me. If feels good to know that I am not alone.

Edited November 9, 201510 yr by DivaSoBlessed

@@_Kate_

Thank you so much for the warm welcome. it feels like yesterday when I was looking into getting this surgery done for the first time and it amazes me just how quickly time flies. I feel like I should have fought more when I first started looking into this but I was dealing with so many emotional highs and lows during that time that I just needed a break from it all. Now I am back and moving full steam ahead. I can't believe that I will be 40 soon and have let so much time pass without giving it a second thought. I wished that I had done this sooner as well but I am sure that I won't regret it either once I am on the post-op side of things. I will definitely keep you all posted. Happy Sunday!

welcome to the family! keep us posted

@@jane13

Thank you so much! I definitely will. I am still learning how to navigate the website but so far I am glad that I found it. There is nothing like having support from someone who has been or is on the same path as you. Happy Sunday!

Welcome. There is so much help here you couldn't be in a better place to find people who can help you stop existing and start living again except for the team that will get you through surgery. Your surgeon will help you decide which surgery is best for you with your health issues etc. Just learn what you can about the surgeries available so you will understand what he or she is talking about and can ask questions. Good luck to you.

@@Mountaingal

Thank you very much! It feels good to have a place where you can receive support and advice. I will definitely continue researching as much information as I can. Happy Sunday!

Edited November 9, 201510 yr by DivaSoBlessed

Congratulations on taking the first steps! I'm a Chicago girl also and decided in August I was ready to begin this process and it has been fabulous so far!

I'm looking at surgery in January and I could not be more excited with my choice, confident in my surgeon and hospital and reassured by the entire team that runs my program.

Good luck!

Edited November 12, 201510 yr by Nurse_Lenora

@@Nurse_Lenora

Thank you so much. That is awesome news and I am happy to know another Chicago girl who is also on the same path to a fresh start at a new life. Please keep in touch and keep me posted on your process. I and sending hugs and prayers your way. I wish you all the best on your upcoming surgery in the new year.

Edited November 12, 201510 yr by DivaSoBlessed