redhead1029
My name is Cheri and I'm 55 years old. Like so many other members, I have been overweight my whole life. I think I was skinny one day in 1979 for my 10 year high school reunion. But that took going to the diet doctor every day for a shot and I was eating only 500 calories a day. No wonder I lost the weight and started gaining it right back the day after the reunion. Also like most other members, I have tried every diet. I lose a little and gain it right back plus more. I made the decision to have weight loss surgery when I finally was able to admit that my weight is affecting every area of my life and I need help to lose it. I was on vacation in New York City (one of my favorite places) and I couldn't keep up with my friends walking around the city. I couldn't breathe and my legs and feet were killing me. Come to think about it, my legs and feet have been hurting for years. And I can't walk for more than a few minutes without huffing and puffing.
I called my PCP as soon as I got home from New York (1st week of February, 2007) and we had a long talk about my health and he referred me to Dr. Theodore Khalili at Cedars Sinai Medical Group. They are preferred providers for my insurance company (Blue Shield). I had my consult appointment on March 6th. I immediately liked Dr. Khalili and the entire staff. I had my consult with the dietitian and social worker a few weeks later and my upper GI, abdominal ultra-sound and cadiac stress test after that. My file was sent to my insurance company on Wednesday April 4 and I was approved 1 week later. My surgery is scheduled for May 24 and I'm counting the days. I have been lurking around the message board for a couple of months but just couldn't bring myself to post until now. I was so worried that the insurance company wouldn't approve me because my BMI is only 36 and everything I've read says you have to be at 40+. I just thought they would use that to reject me. I'm so happy that they took the position that they would help someone "before" I get to a BMI of 40 - because I know I would be there soon without this surgery.
