I feel lost and alone, there is no hope left

You want to make some friends who will reach out their hands to you & give you support & counseling like you never knew existed? Go to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.

http://www.oa.org/

Believe me: There are so many people going through just what you are, & you don't have to be alone & depressed. The meetings are free. The literature is free. You can put your name on a call list (called the "Gateway List") & have someone call you so you can talk about your loneliness & food issues with someone who understands.

There are a few Overeaters Anonymous groups near you:

Tuesdays at 7 PM, Grace Methodist Church, 1206 Greenwood Lane, Alamogordo NM 88337. Contact Martha at 505-437-3761 

Thursdays at 6 PM, Bethel Baptist Church, 1316 Scenic Drive, Alamogordo NM 88310. Contact Martha at 505-437-3761

Fridays at 7:30 PM, First Presbyterian Church, 1318 14th Street, Alamogordo NM 88310. Contact Martha at 505-437-3761

These meetings would be a great way to work on yourself emotionally. I had WLS & was completely floored at how my mental state was affected when I had my drug of choice - food - pulled out from under me overnight. I had been seeing a counselor prior to my surgery (I too have depression & have for decades). But I was almost 100% unprepared for the emotional & mental changes & challenges that occurred post-op.

I've found my OA meetings to be a lifesaver. I've also made some dear friends in the process.

Best wishes grrl! Use this time while you're waiting to get WLS to work on YOU emotionally.

GG-you always have the greatest, most helpful answers! I get inspired-even being the old, grouchy "vet" that I am!

"Don't Panic"...you have rec'd some excellent responses, and  truly hope you follow the advice of these very wise folks.

I have never lived anywhere but Texas, so only know about Tx law..and not too awful much about THAT-and I know the MCD here is pretty strict and sparse-lots of $$$ woes..

I would like to comment on the depression thing though-because I DO know-first hand about THAT. Depression is nothing to screw around with. It can be VERY real. It is NOT a sign of  "weakness", a "punishment from God", etc etc etc..you can't just "pull up your boot straps"..all those sayings just make me wanna smack someone..anyone!!! Depression can manifest itself into many mental AND physical symptoms. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE look into getting some treatment for your depression, before you try to move forward with anything else..

I know "in real life" friends are best, but WE, here at OH, are CERTAINLY here for you-- 24/7--and some of us have been known to take road trips!!!

Hang in there, my new friend, and please check back in, with an update..SOON..I'll be praying for you-and worrying about you..cuz that's what I do !!!

Gina AKA Nurse Diva

I appreciate all the kind words

I don't know how often you make it up to Las Cruces, but I am here and I will be your friend! We have a monthly bariatric support group (first wednesday of the month) at mountain view hospital and would love to have you join us. I myself did not have surgery here but I know from the meetings that there are very few who do the surgery in this state....so, you may very well find yourself in TX or AZ! The people in the support group may have answers for you about which programs accept medicaid, etc.

If you are headed over the mountains anytime soon, send me a message and we can have a coffee at Starbucks. I am in the process of buying a house and dealing with a bulldog puppy with health issues, so I can't really head your way anytime soon...but, maybe after I get moved in to my house and the puppy is dealt with (please God, let it be soon....he is seeing an eye specialist in ABQ later this week) I can head over your way. Send me a friend request! 
 

Hi Honey -

First of all I want to tell you to NEVER give up hope ok.   I think that first you need to tackle your depression that is very important.  Depression can be a serious issue  which  can  cause a lot of symptoms both physically and psychologically. After you tackle that you will be more capable of   dealing with Medicaid so that you can have the WLS.  There are review boards that you can appeal too at insurance companies.  Their are case workers or social workers  that can help you get to the right people to deal with the insurance comanies even Medicaid.  Do you have other conditions that could be relieved with the weight loss surgery.?  Have you asked someone in the doctors office to help you?  Can you get  documentation from them to help  your case so that you could appeal to Medicaid. There are exceptions that can be made. You need to show them that it could cost them more money in the long run with other  possible health conditions as a result of obesity  that you have that could be relieved by having the surgery.

If you relieve the depression you may also get the desire to get a job that has the insurance that will cover the WLS.  With the economy in the condition it has been there are alot of people that have bad credit.  Pull your credit report and work on 1 thng at a time to fix it. If you do not know what to do first read on line and they will tell you what will raise your score and what can  hurt your score.

As for friends what are some of your interests?  Join a group or activity where there are other people your age and reach out to someone.  Again relieving the depression can also give you the desire to do that.  As for a support system look to the people on here for support you will find plenty.

Is there a group in your area for the WLS go to a meeting and see if you can meet someone there. 

Giving up is not an option...,,,.,
One thing I would like to stress for you though is when you loose alot of weight which can happen with this surgery it is not a magic pill for happiness.  You need to learn to love yourself as a person at any size first.  Believe it or not all problems do not go away when you become thin. Other things come up and you have to be able to handle them too,...

Good luck sweetie!