[theonetheycallkate]

where to begin??? I work for the state mrdd and one of my clients is severely morbidly obese. She is close to 600 lbs. In order to get her to and from the doctor for her appointments for the surgery she has two options. She could A) pay an ambulance company 300 dollars round trip to go to and from the appointments which her doctor is 40 minutes away mind you. OR B) She could have someone take her and she would use the wheelchair lift that her son uses on their Astro Van. She obviously chose option B and took great courage in asking me to assist her. Its been a year + in the making but her surgery date is the 25th of March. We are all nervous but so excited for her to have this possible second chance at life. She is merely existing right now. Not living at all. I feel great that she felt comfortable enough with me to ask for my help.

At her last appointment for pre op testing I was with her from 5am-7pm. It was a very hard day. Things went really smoothly though. I got in my car to drive home and I felt this quiver in my throat. The one where you know your body wants to cry but you overcome it. I fought it off and just thought I was tired. Then it was like the light bulb went off. Im taking all this time to help her and actually assisting with another friend who had her lap band put in last week, helping both these women get healthy. WHICH I LOVE DONT GET ME WRONG. I finally said to myself "kate! your life is in this same situation and you are so busy helping other people that you are literally falling apart!" I realized that my life had reached the point where dieting wasnt going to cut it alone.

A few years ago I was diagnosed with PCOS when trying to get pregnant with several failed attemps and actually going into a menopause phase at 21 years old. The doctor said this was a main reason why my body held on to so much weight and why I had to fight that much harder just to maintain. I did get pregnant and had a beautiful baby boy with the help of clomid. I nursed him for 7 months when he quit on his own without warning. My milk never went away. Im not talking months here. He is now two and I still have milk. Granted this can be normal but they then diagnosed me with galatoriah however its spelled. All this crap! Basically in a nutshell... MY WEIGHT WONT COME OFF. Now I am catching myself not breathing in my sleep which means the sleep apnea is on the move. I am on metformin for the PCOS and a small amount of thyroid meds. I have decided that this surgery has made a huge impact on me just going through the entire process with my clients mother. I have a great respect for the process. I too was one of those who thought it was "an easy way out" by no means is it easy.

SOOOO after all that

my insurance company requires a BMI of 35 or greater. Im a 44. You have to be 18-60. Im 25. Now heres the tricky part. It says that if you have a CO-MORBID disorder then you dont have to have a 6 month doctor monitored diet plan. What constitutes as a co-morbid disorder?

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, thank you for joining us.
Good luck with your process.
((((((HUGS))))) May your journey go well.

First off, I am going to separate this from where you orginally posted, as the particular thread is old, and the orignal poster already has had her surgery.

The co-morbs. For one, your insurance policy should have the specifics somewhere, so if you can't find it in the fine prints, call HR or the insurance co or coordinator ofrwhoever should be in the know and find out.
Generally, though, being on medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and sleep apena are the ones that count.
However, even though the 6 month loop sounds long, it isn't that bad a time and idea, since it giver you the time to coordinate your life, and to help you prepare for the post op life, and get a head start on the losing and on the new life style you must adapt and adjust to post op.

[ksummer19]

Wow what a wonderful person you are to be driving and supported two people through there beginning journey of this process. Doc explained the co's to you and you mentioned already you are above a 40 BMI and wake yourself up at night. So you would problably meet your insurance requirements. Most insurance companies do make you do the 6 months doctor required diet. If not your insurance then the surgeon may. Please do not be in such a hurry for surgery. The process is put in place for a reason. You have already been through it with your friends and know what to expect so don't cut yourself short. Let it work for you. It goes fast and in the end your appreciate it more. What you were able to accomplish.

BTW welcome to our home.

[MaggieEley]

WOW! You are one awesome person to do the things you do for others! You are worth it as well, and I'm glad to hear you say you are checking out this option. Have you already been diagnosed with sleep apnea? Do you use a CPAP? That diagnosis should be in place to qualify you for the surgery. You have some other things going on as well, but apnea is a biggie and will qualify you pretty easily.

Please let us know how things are going for you as you travel through this process. We are here to support you!

Many Blessings,
Maggie

[so_1122]

Honestly I thank God my Dr's office requires you to participate in a program prior to surgery. I learned a lot of valuable information during the process. I know you want to have the surgery and begin your journey as soon as possible. I did too! However I am glad that I didnt try to find another surgeon that would of just did the surgery and had it done and over with without the support I had. The 6 months is so worht the weight! I left the hospital off of my metformin and at 5 weeks post op I was taken off of my high cholesterol meds too! Good luck on your journey.... also wanted to say you are an amazing person to help others. It's kind of funny but most people I know that have had weight issues are some kind of care provider. I had 4 elderly, mentally & physically handicapped ladies live with me for 17+ years until I lost my home in the flood. It took me a long time to realize I needed to take care of myself too!

[Christy0283]

Wow, what a life you have. Welcome to the boards. It's great that you have spent your life helping others get healthy. I am wishing you the best of luck on this journey!!! You deserve it!

[not quite Barbie]

Hi. Welcome to our board. I was in a hurry too and it ended up taking me a year to get the surgery. LOL Patience is not one of my virtues.

[kitty56]

Welcome to the board. You are a wonderful person to help out the two people that need your help. Yes, now you also need to think of yourself. I hope everything works out for you.