Hello everyone....Newbie here.

Hi everyone; My name is Melissa and I am waiting approval for the Gasctric by-pass surgery. I have waited for nearly 6 years for the cir****tances to be in my favor. I have been overweight all my life. I have never known what it is not to be laughed at or picked on because of my size. Now I am 44 years old and a prisoner of my own body. I do not leave my home except to go to doctor appointments. I weigh 500 lbs. and I have chronic edema, high blood pressure, sleep apnea,Thyroid problems, diabetes, and cellutious on my private area to the extent of where it is very hard for my to walk. Over the past 5 years my health has gotten worse and worse and every time I get within grasp of having the surgery something comes up to take it away from me. I am so flustrated sometimes I wonder why I keep trying when it seems it was never meant to be. I am far, very far from being rich and as ashamed as I am too admit it I am on welfare because I can not work. My husband left me 6 years ago and does not pay child support for our daughter, therefore any money I get goes straight to bills. Medicaid will cover me having the surgery but not the psch. eval. but thank goodness I was finally able to find a doctor that included that with his services. Now all I am waiting on is a gtg from Dr. Puls of Greenville Cancer center about my cancer surgery I had in 2003 before Dr. Ross will consider me for by-pass. My appointment with Dr. Puls is tuesday Aug. 22. I am so afraid of yet another road block to stop me from having the one thing that will save my life. My family doctor in Seneca seems to believe that the surgery is my only hope of survival. I am sorry this is so long I really have no one I can talk to and I guess I just wanted to talk to someone that maybe is going through or has gone through what I am. Someone that understands the depression, flustration and hurt that goes along with the almighty words of "YOU COULD LOSE THE WEIGHT IF YOU REALLY WANTED TO!",,,,,I am so tired of hearing that , if that was true I would have been smaller along time ago. A friend I met on line told me about this site so I thought it couldn't hurt so here I am. I looked all over the net for such a place and never found anything and here it is...lol. I read alot of blogs on alot of the members and it has given me some hope that maybe things will work out. Hugs to all and thank you for reading; Melissa Martin

Melissa, You came to the right place, the people on this site are some of the sweetest people and so supportative. I'll be praying for you, that all your test come back good and your considered for surgery. Don't give up. Judy

I'll be praying for you, that all your test come back good and your considered for surgery. Don't give up. Judy Thank you so much Judy that means alot to me. I have so much going on right now and just having someone that says a kind word really helps. Hugs to you. :fairy: melissa

Dear Melissa I'm sending lots of love and hugs your way. This site is amazing. You'll find the most caring and compassionate people here. You're not alone anymore. On the main board, you can even find people pretty much 24 hours a day, if you need to talk. There is tons of information available and you've all ready found the inspirational member pages and pictures. When I was waiting for my surgery, I would just toggle between the before and after pictures and think I'd NEVER be an "after". But, here I am- at 22 months out. Welcome to our family. I'll be praying for your appt.to go well on Tuesday. Love, B

Barbara; Your words are very much the way I feel when I look at those after pictures the women look so awesome such a difference in before and after I can not believe that could ever be me. Congrats to you on 22 month out and I hope all continues to go well for you I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I want to also thank you and the others for such a warm welcome. I have been searching so long for someone that would and could understand what I am going through. Hugs to you Barbara :angel: Melissa :wave:

Thank you so much for responding. Wow I never imagined all the love and support I have been getting through here. You are all so kind and beautiful people. Thank you so much for your encoraging words. They are a life saver at this time in my life when everything seems to be going wrong and feeling like I really have no one to turn to. :kiss: I consider each and everyone of you gifts from heaven. Thank you Thank you Thank you...........I will never be able to say it enough. Hugs and love; Melissa aka: Lissarose :wave:

Melissa!! WELCOME!! Please stay around and get to know everyone! Wow, you can't be far from me at all! I live in Seneca. I went to Dr. Rowitz in Anderson for surgery. I will certainly be praying for you to get this surgery!! Please keep us updated on how things go. I'm so sorry you have had to wait this long when you have so many physical issues going on...that must be very frustrating. But I will pray this is God's timing for it to happen!! (((HUGS))) I'm glad you found your way to our forum...please know you are most welcome here! ~Elizabeth

Welcome Melissa. I am so glad you found this site, it has been a lifesaver for all of us at one time or another. Hang in there.....your time is coming and you need to be around for that daughter of yours. Most people go through some type of struggle to get approved and have this surgery....although not nearly what it sounds like you have gone through. It is worth the fight though. I am 9 months out, down 131 lbs. with another 40 to go...and feel GREAT! You can do it too! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Susann

Welcome Melissa! You will find lots of support here and people that are in similar situations. We have all been there in some degree or another. Please feel free to vent and ask quesitons as needed. Keep us posted on the surgery journey. Julie

Melissa.. welcome! welcome! i'm so glad you found this group.. you will get tons of support and nobody understands more than we do hun.. the hurt the aggravation the depressions! sooo here's a huge *hug* from me i will be praying for no more road blocks for you and that things will just go smoothly. Don't give up sweety! Darquise