[MoniqueD559]

Hello out there!! My name is Monique and I am 23 years old. I currently weight 348. (as of the last time I went to the Dr.) Right now I'm waiting to see a dietician and psychologist for evaluations. I dont know what to expect and I am not sure if my insurance will cover this. I have tried numberous diets from Jenny Craig to Water Aroebics and nothing is working out for me. I have been Diagnosed with PCOS. Polysistical Ovarian Syndrome that occurs when a female is overweight. It is a hormone imbalance due to the excess fat. My Gyno recommended that I look into this surgery. Right now I am just looking for support and advice to guide me throught this. I read all the success stories and it touches my heart to see all of your with your new spirits and being soooo happy with yourself. That makes me really feel good about this. I will continue reading and I look forward to any comments or questions. Thank You for your time.

PS. I will soon post some "before" pics...

[DocSanae]

Welcome to the board, Monique. Thank you for joining us, and I hope your journey goes well.
For insurance info, check out The Weight Loss Surgery Insurance eBook!, you may find some useful stuff there.
The fact that you have PCOS is likely to make it easier to get approval.
((((((HUGS))))))

[ChuppyGirl]

Welcome on board sweetie, tell you the truth I had all what you said before I did the surgery. I had been my entire life struggling with Obisity (GOD I HATE THIS WORD!). Part of it I think it was my family I was their eldest child and I think stuffing us with food was the only way to show their love! I was the chubby kid and parents were joking and giggling that awwwww look at the little tommy or hehehe the skirt looks perfectly neat on her chubby waste no need for the belt, and all these jokes have turned to tears and pains when I turned to teenager. Parents were very tough with me and " now you have to find a solution!!!" I was very pissed off!

1) since I was 9 I used to go to the dietitions, joined GYM full with married ladies and used to hear their marriage/sex postion jokes while we work out and I hated the GYM because of that I was so much embarrassed!!!! and mom insisted to send me there even if she had to beat me!
2) I tried all kind of diets you can imagine: low calorie, low fat, one fruit diet, Hollywood diet, Atkins,....they work for 2-3 months and after that I slack
3) in 1997 I did lipo sucktion for my hips and thighs and didn't work in fact the stupid surgeon over sucked my back that doesn't look nice now!
4) in 2000 I did gastric banding, I lost maybe 40 kilos hooked up my hubby heheh got married end of 2001 and gradually gained them all coz I knew how to trick the band to avoid the swallowing pain by eating pureed high fat/calorie/sugar/protien high in everything and this way I gained them all. I had my 2 adorable kids and after my second delievery...
5) Last April 2006, I removed my gallbladder I had +7 stones, removed the gastric banding, had the RNY bypass and that was the 1st day of my new life!! I'm happier, lighter, better self esteem, more energitic at work, and more loving wife and mommy!

Wow what a long resume hehehehehe

trust me I'm in my 3rd month post-op and I feel like a butterfly already. I've lost ~ 50 lbs and I know I have a lot to lose but the inches are woooshing down like a rocket!
People are commenting me where ever I go I feel so much attractive and sexy hehehe. I'm gaining back my self confidence.
I can workout now, before it's hard for me to walk or even climb the stairs. number of things I can do now are endless.

Do it Girl I assure you you'll have A NEW HAPPY LIFE!!!!
Keep joining this support group, God knows what I would have done without it! Everybody here are so genuine and friendly and they have helped me a lot!

Yours,
Hanadi

[wannabethin]

Welcome Monique! I'm still pre-op with RNY scheduled for August 7th. I definitely have the jitters, but everyone here is so wonderful and I'll get through it with their help and my strong faith. Looking forward to getting to know you and helping you through your journey.

[JLR12679]

First off I would like to say welcome..... I have just started with everything myself. I have called the insurance to find out if they would cover the surgery. They told me yes! which surprised me that my insurance company (blue cross) was so understanding. They didnt mention a 6 month diet history. Lots of companys request that. Also since your BMI is so high you probally have other symtoms besides PCOS. I have PCOS also. Just to let you know Insulin resistance run's hand in hand with PCOS. Insulin resistance is basically what I call pre Diabetic. I have both myself, and I am not new to either of them, both I have known about for almost 6 years. I am in a program for the WLS. Its involves all the consults with the sergeon, dietitician, nutrionist, and physcoligst. In fact they told me to clear 4 hours just for the first appointment! If I were you my next step is to contact the Insurance company. I have been told by my sergeon that all insurances will cover this procedure including medcaid as long as you have a BMI of 40 or higher, once you mention insulin resistance that even puts you more at risk. I would contact the insurance and request a copy of your medical policy. Go over that with your PCP and I am sure everything will be fine. If you want also buy Craigs book. I hear its great but have not purchased it myself. I will probally buy it just to have it incase anything goes wrong! Good luck and welcome

[MoniqueD559]

WOW way to go JLR12679. I have called blue cross also and they said that the surery just got approved last year so Im hoping for a smooth sailing I really dont want to get to far ahead of myself to find out that I am not covered. I am just taking it one step at a time. Good luck on your first visit on AUg 30. Mine is Sept 6th cant--can't wait to share the news. Take care and god bless. !!!

[MoniqueD559]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I greatly appreciate it. I can already sence to generosity from everyone of you. I love it. As far as my PCOS. I just got diagnosed with that in May 2006. Its been hard coping with that and all the hormone therapy I'm getting and then this WLS. But I know once I go through with the WLS my hormone levels will get back to normal. Thanks again for listening and giving me your advice.

[fr1endly2]

HI MONIQUE!!!
I am a post op of 1 year and down from 310 to 167.
I also was diagnosed with PCOS......back when i was
trying to have children and couldnt.....In my day they
didnt put folks on meds for it thats now.
I will say that the WLS has straigtened that stuff out alot.
GOOD LUCK, welcome and i look forward to getting to know you
thru your posts!
Hugzzzzzzzz

[Pillows]

I feel like my hormones are constantly raging...lol and I am post op. Hopefully you will get a break from it though. I hope all goes well for you.
Janae