Approved!

I am one that usually likes suspense, but I needed to title this one 'approved' because I am SO excited.  I have been out of town for almost a week and I returned to a letter of approval from my insurance company.  It says I needed to call my dr's office to find out when they scheduled my surgery - but.... I am approved!  That word has made my day, and now it's also going to change my life.  There's a date set, it's going to happen.  Finally, after years of wanting this and trying to get it, I've been approved!!

I've also decided that now is the time to tell people near me and let my blog out.  I am going to be losing weight, becoming healthy and active and my life will be different from now on.  I'm going to be learning new habits and hopefully changing the way my whole family does things - we all need to change, we all need to be healthier!

I have a pre-op physical scheduled and a 2nd consultation with my bariatric doctor.... and my surgery is scheduled for May 11th!  There, I said it... it's scheduled and on May 11th, I'll start a new journey to be a better person, to be a healthier person, to be a stronger women.  I'm so happy that this is really going to happen!!

Another Picture

I sell Pure Romance products and absolutely LOVE my job!!  I have recently taken a trip to their National Training in Cincinnati, Ohio for 4 days.  Actually, just got back from my trip today.  I had a blast and learned so many great things that I can apply to my business as well as my whole life.

As most people do after a long trip, you go through all the pictures you took to help remember your awesome experience.  I had found another great before picture.... so here it is.  Blah - I hate this picture and dislike my picture taken in general, but I'm doing it so that I have a photographic trail of my journey.

Side note: There was a theme for that nights party and it was Kentucky Derby/Night at the Races - thus the reason for the skirt and flower hat!

Medical Alert

Again... I've been doing research... and this time I found that it is a good idea for Gastric Bypass patients to have a medical alert bracelet.  It's at our own discretion, of course, but I read the reasons and such in many articles and it makes sense.  On the off chance that something should happen to me after the surgery, I want to make sure I'm covered if I'm unable to speak.  Here's some articles I've read to help me come to my decision to order a medical alert bracelet....

http://www.mygastricbypassstory.com/2012/03/29/gastric-bypass-medical-alert-id-bracelets/

http://blog.laurenshope.com/gastricbypass

The 2nd link is from Lauren's Hope, which is the website where I ordered my M.A. Tag from.  They have some beautiful bracelets that you can mix & match with your tag, but I decided to save some money and just order the tag and make the bracelets myself, for now.  Here's what I got... 

I ended up only spending about $10 on the supplies to make 5 bracelets... here are 4 of them.  I've read a lot of blogs about gastric bypass and realize that the doctors are not in the habit of suggesting that their patients get a MA Tag.  I don't know why, and maybe they don't see it necessary, but from the things I've read, I'm in the mind frame of 'better be safe than sorry'.  So, agree or disagree, I'm going to be wearing my pretty bracelets after my surgery, because you never know what could happen!!  

Before?

I promised pictures.  I spent time doing research and very seldom found pictures that showed the progression of the process.  So no matter how much I hate having my picture taken, I will do it to help others that are searching for a picture-trail.

I recently went to a very fun bachelorette party and pictures were being taken left and right.  I didn't refuse or back away, like I normally do.  So after going through the pictures, I realize this would be a good 'before picture'.... even though I absolutely hate this picture!  It's humiliating and embarrassing and then I realize this is how I look.  This is how others see me on a day-to-day basis.  The difference is that I don't walk around looking at myself every day.... I don't FEEL like I look this way, so my mind tells me I don't.  This is probably an unhealthy way of thinking, but it helps me get through the day and not be embarrassed to go out in public.  So... here it is... a possibly good "before picture".

Frustration

Ugh, sometimes doctor offices are frustrating.  I was told to follow up 2 weeks after my previous dr appointments to find out the results from insurance, if they have approved the surgery or not.  So, today I call and the nice nurse lady informs me that they haven't even sent IN my request for insurance because I needed to have some lab work done.  Um... why didn't someone tell me that sooner?... instead of making me wait 2 weeks, wait until I call them?  I realize they're busy, however how long would it have taken them to let me know this information?  Ugh!  Frustrated!!

So then she tells me that she'll send a request for labs and I can do them as soon as tomorrow morning.  I ask when it'll be sent in to insurance and she said, "2 weeks after the labs are done".... so NOW I have to wait another 2 weeks.  ugh!!!

See... the thing with me is that things don't usually work out in my favor.  I always seem to be the one that falls between the cracks and gets forgotten, or pushed aside.  I'm waiting for the "No" from insurance, but PRAYING that it's approved, because I need it for my health!  I'm just super afraid this will be another case where I get the short end of the stick.  I don't plan to give up, however, so I'll keep trying.

So... despite this frustrating road block, I will call again in 2 weeks if they haven't gotten ahold of me.  Ugh!!