When I graduated from high school I was at my highest weight, which was 220 at the time. I started looking into stomach surgery in 2006 and about 2 months later found out I was pregnant with my second daughter. The process stopped there until about 2009 when I started looking into the procedures again only to find that my it was an exclusion with my insurance. I was devastated and depressed when I found that out so I gave up and started looking for a different job and hoping that the next year our insurance would cover it but it never did. Well in 2011 I was wrongfully terminated from that job which was a God send because not only did I hate my job at the time but I got my unemployment benefits, got medical assistance and was able to look for a new job while finishing my bachelors degree!! Graduated May 12, 2012 which is a huge accomplishment for me.

Insurance.. I have medical assistants and they require six months of supervised weight loss before they will authorize you to have surgery no matter what. So this journey started at my highest weight of 433 in Oct. 2011. My initial weigh in with the bariatric center was 427.5. I did my six months of supervised weight loss with my dietitian while also completing my 4 sessions with my psychologist. I did my psych exam and session that I passed with flying colors. Sometimes they will require you to have more session but I was “normal” enough to move forward!!!

My final appt with the dietitian and my nurse-teaching visit were on the same day. The nurse-teaching visit is where they go through everything about the surgery with you before, during and after having surgery. After this visit all of my info is sent to the surgeon for her to write a letter of recommendation to the insurance as to why I am a good candidate. Well about 4 weeks after they submit that I got a letter stating I was approved for the surgery. I was so happy and scared all at the same time. So many emotions were going on in my body. After all this hard work it was finally time. So when I got my letter I was then allowed to schedule with my surgeon for my consult appt. She was so wonderful and answered all my questions and more. I was so nervous going to meet her but it turns out I had nothing to be nervous about.. I got to leave with a surgery date in hand. June 28^th at 10am is the date that my new life begins!!! So I have my pre-op physical on the 21^st of June then I am to report to the hospital at 7:30am and I will be staying overnight in the hospital until the following evening and will be discharged around 5pm after all testing is done and I am drinking water with no problems.

So this is my journey thus far. I am less than 3 weeks out from surgery now and I am kinda mixed with emotions. I am excited, nervous, scared and anxious. All of these emotions for different reasons but I am feeling them all. It is a little overwhelming but I know this is what I need to do to change my life, health, and future. I am hoping to learn how to do a video diary, which I would post on you tube as well because it has really helped me figure things out along the way. Wish me luck and friend me if you would like!!

Amber 6-8-2012