Wow. What a whirlwind I've gotten myself in to.

What's gone on over the past three months?
Well, basically I've met with my doctor (PCP) and we've been tackling the task of getting this 10% weight loss over with. The last time I was there (about a week ago) I had lost 17 of the 40 something pounds I have to lose. So I'm almost half way there. Not bad.  I'm really discouraged because it's taken me THREE FRICKIN' MONTHS to lose 17 pounds and I've only got 3 months left. I'm beginning to think that this isn't going to happen as soon as I had hoped.   I still don't even know which surgery to go after. And there are so many obstacles for each one! Let me explain...

My original surgery of choice was the Lap-Band because it was the safest and easiest to reverse if something went wrong. However, after spending countless hours of reading things on the Internet , I've decided that's not the route to go since the Lap-Band is not ideal for heavier patients. (HELLO! I've got another whole OBESE person to lose here!!!!) Which leaves me with the Rou-En-Y Gastric Bypass, the Vertical Sleeve, or the Duodenal Switch.

The problem? Weeellllll we'll start with Gastric Bypass. While it is the only surgery (besides the Band) that is totally covered by my insurance, I have read nothing but horror stories on the Rou-En-Y and how people usually end up having a revision because they gain the weight back, etc. etc. And what do they revise to? The Duodenal Switch. The DS scares the shit out of me because it's the most complicated procedure for weight loss and it requires a LOT of aftercare. Sure it's the OPTIMAL choice for someone like me with a SUPER MORBIDLY OBESE BMI. But you are on vitamins and supplements for the rest of your LIFE unless you want to DIE! And that scares me. I'm not very good at remembering to take the pills I have now! I suppose if it were life or death I could get over that and take them every day, but for THE REST OF MY LIFE? I'm only 18. I understand it's not such a bad trade off...vitamins and supplements instead of obesity and all it's related issues. But THE REST OF MY LIFE? Damn. I just don't know. Not to mention, most insurance companies won't cover this unless they absolutely have to. Which means I could have a long, treacherous battle ahead of me if I go with this surgery.

Which brings me to, what I think might be the best option, the Vertical Sleeve. It's the beginning of the DS. (The DS has two parts to it..the gastric sleeve and the intestinal re-routing. So with the Vertical Sleeve...it's LIKE the DS but not really.) Two MAJOR problems...Insurance will NOT cover the Vertical Sleeve at ALL because it is considered "experimental". (The Vertical Sleeve has been around as long as the DS has because they go together...BUT the Vertical Sleeve has recently broken out and become a stand-alone surgery..THAT is why it's "experimental".) We would have to pay $21,000 dollars to have this surgery...UNLESS I want to fight the insurance. But like I said before, I could have a long, treacherous battle ahead of me if I choose to fight insurance.

So...on top of all that...I have 3 months left to: lose about 25 more pounds, take my psych evaluations, get insurance approval, have a consulation with my surgeon, and decide on a surgery and a date before my insurance runs out. I really, REALLY do not see this happening in the time allotted. But I'm not giving up. This surgery is going to happen one way or another. It just might take a little longer. That's all.

Obesity is a curse. A damn CURSE.