mskitty221
Okay, from the beginning...
I am the youngest child of 6. However, due to divorce and other issues, I was raised by my Mom as an only child. Believe it or not, I was considered the "runt" of my family until I was around 8 years old! I have pictures and I was a tiny little girl. By 8, I was a chubby kid, but not big. By 12, I was over-weight. I wouldnt suggest marraige at 16 to anyone, cause I really started packing on the pounds when things got rocky!
I'm 30 yrs old and weigh 410 pounds. I have researched WLS on and off for several years. I went as far as contact a bariatric center 4 years ago, but was told that my insurer, BC/BS, didnt cover any part of the surgery. I was working then as a truck driver in Ohio. I'm now a stay at home Mom and just found out that I am eligible for Medicaid and they do cover surgery under strict guidelines. I meet almost all of the criteria now. Medicaid requires a phych evaluation at least 6 months before surgery. I have to do that and I dont have any dr supervised diets on record! I was told I had to have 2 Dr supervised diets, at least 6 months each. So, I'm probably at least a year out from surgery right now, which is really bumming me out. But I meet everything else ( I hope). I have to have a BMI of 40 or greater. Man, I got that one covered, with a 66! I have diabetes, which is one prerequisite. I have quite a few other problems but I dont have many doctor records which I'm afraid may hold things up. I have never had good insurance, so I rarely have went to the doctor unless I was in need of antibiotics. I'm getting ready to remedy that, though. My medical coverage starts February 1st and I already have 4 different doctor appts scheduled in February. I'm getting checked from head to toe and then gonna see my doctor at least 2 times a month to have records of supervised diets!!!
I contacted a surgeons office last week and was scheduled for a educational seminar Feb 15th. I'm very excited about the real possibility that surgery could be on the horizon!!!
My husband of 6 years, however, is very apprehensive. He worries that surgery will create more health problems than it corrects. He agreed to attend the seminar and I hope he comes away with a better understanding and decides to support me in my efforts. I'm not sure I can do this without his loving support. He says he loves me just the way I am, but admits he'd love to see me healthier. His solution: Eat less and exercize more! Now why didnt I think of that...? LOL
I dont smoke so I dont have that hurdle, thank goodness! My husband is a heavy smoker, 3 packs a day and I'd love it if he'd give up the habit! It really bothers my breathing! Wonder why he can't use his wisdom of how easy weight loss is to quit smoking?? My Mom smoked for 30 years before she finally quit. But not before COPD & diabetes had did its damage... She gained over 100 pounds after quitting and weighed 410 pounds when she died 3 years ago at age 55. I'm 27 years younger than her and I'm headed down the same path as she was, only she didnt become obese or have health problems until she was 40 something! I'm 30, already morbidly obese and have most of my Moms health problems she didnt face until age 50. How many years do I have left going like I am?!
Her death sent me into depression and I just didnt care anymore. I was already morbidly obese, but in the past 3 years I've gained 50 more pounds! I've reached a point in my life where I feel like an old woman. Everything hurts. I get short of breath walking across the room. I'm suffering and my home and family are too. I have a 2 1/2 yr old daughter who means the world to me and I cannot begin to keep up with her. I want to run and play with my daughter. I want to go on field trips when she goes to school! I want the normal life I've never had!
My husband and I recently bought the first new vehicle we had ever had. He sent me out to look for a car I liked while he was at work. After 3 weeks, he lost patience and asked what was taking me so long to pick something I like!? The truth was I tried something like 15 different vehicles before I found one that I could comfortably fit behind the wheel of. We settled on a Ford Taurus. Our last used car had been a Taurus and I could drive it, but that was 4 years and 50 pounds ago! I love my new car but, I have a very limited space to fit behind the wheel as it is. If I dont do something about my weight, I soon wont be able to drive. That would be devistating to me. You see, my husband is a truck driver and is away from home 5 days a week from March til November. I would become dependant on family and friends to drive me places, which would drive me insane!
