d3martin
I've been wondering around this website for about 9 months and finally figuered out how to post my story! I've been overweight for about 30 years. The first year I was married, I gained 60 pounds and it just kept going up from there.
I guess my story really started on August 30, 2005 when my husband didn't pick me up after work. I called and called and he didn't answer. My dad lives about 3 miles from my house so I called him and he came to pick me up. When we turned the corner down my street, I was concerned to see my husbands truck in the driveway. My fears were realized when I found him on the floor in our bedroom. He had died about 5 hours earlier. My 3 grown children and I were deeply saddened by his death. My beloved was only 56. He had been on work comp for about 4 years and during that time, he had gained quite a bit of weight. He'd always been overweight but since his occupation was construction, he was strong and healthy. Even after being off work for such a long time and having gained about 60 pounds, his cholestrol level was very low and his ateries were as "clean as a whistle". This is the term his doctor used. My fear of loosing my husband made me wake up and realize I was the only one left for my children and grandchildren. I don't want to die young but I know that if I don't take off this weight, I'll go too.
My insurance is Pacificare MedClinc and the process has been pretty painless. In May I had to start the Healthy Roads 6 month counseling program. My last day would be November 11th. Due to a post I say on this OH website, I found out that Pacificare can no longer require this program so I asked my surgeon to put through the surgery request ASAP. That was on October 23, 2007 and by October 26th, my surgery was approved! I just got the letter today, 10/30/07. The docotor's office told me it would take about 3 weeks for the approval to come through. HA! HA! I know the UR Nurse and she bumped me to the top! (I work for a very large hospital organization in California) Now I'm just waiting for the surgeon's office to call me with a date. I'm hoping it will be in early December. My organization is migrating to a new computer system in 2/08 and I need to be able to support my unit with their training prior to our go-live. If they can't book me for surgery by December, I'll have to wait until March. I SURE HOPE NOT!
Every day I look at new clothes and imagine myself in them. I have a friend who had the lap-band and was very successful with it. She's saved all her clothes for me so I don't have to worry about that for awhile.
My parents and siblings aren't too supportive of my decision. I had cancer 10 years ago and they all think I'll have complications. I"ve told my surgeon everything so she's well informed. I've only told one son about my decision. My oldest lives in Korea and works for the government. I'll see him in April 08 so I hope I can surprise him with a new me. My daughter lives in AZ and I want to fly down to see her after my surgery. She'll be excited too!
I'll update more once I get my surgery date. Until then, please keep me in your prayers!
Daisy...
