Things starting to align

May 09, 2012

So, I went to Riverside's Bariatric program and had an innitial meeting back on October 21, 2011.  I found out that my total out-of-pocket expenses would be around $2,220, and of that, $600 was due right away.  I'm going to school full time and have no income other than child support right now, and that's just a LOT of money that I can't come up with.  Then, in the beginning of 2012, I called back and found out that they had dropped the fees and now it would be only $1,200 out-of-pocket, but $900 up front and the remaining $300 shortly thereafter.  Again, that's hard to come up with! 

Back when I was married and my then-husband worked for Mount Carmel, I had looked into their program and even got about 5 months through my 6 month medically supervised diet, but then got scared and backed out because my mom doesn't want me to get the surgery.  No matter your age, you always want to please your parents.  I've had a lot of regret about bailing on the surgery since then.  I can't live my life making decisions based on what my mom wants for me.  I know she wants what's best for me, but she has no concept of what it's been like living in this oppressive body.  Anyway, on a whim (and a good deal of desperation), I called Mount Carmel to ask about their program.  I found out that my out-of-pocket cost would only be $500, of which $300 was due up front and then the remaining $200 due closer to surgery, when I had completed my 6 month medically supervised diet.  That, I can manage! 

So, I'm starting again, and this time I'm going to see it through.  I'm at a frightening 306 pounds right now and, while my weight has been a problem all my life, over the past year, I've seen a rather notable decline in my general state of health.  Along with my deteriorating health, my weight is really starting to impact my son.  I can't do the things I want to do with him because I just don't have the energy, and when I go to his school for whatever reason, his classmates have made comments to him about my weight.  I'll tell you, that's really the worst!  I just can't stand that I'm making life more difficult and more painful for my son!

1 Comment