Just Me And You Kid - An Update

It's been a minute since I posted.  A lot of minutes.  Over 2 years worth.  I'm going to try to get this blog up and going again so I thought I would start with an update post.  

Two years ago, not long after my last post, we discovered that my step daughter would need braces.  Not being able to afford both braces and bariatric weight loss surgery in the same year, we I decided to put off weight loss surgery for the benefit of Chickie's teeth.  I immediately gained back the 35 pounds I had lost, and then some.

Later that year, my  husband received full custody of Chickie.  As a result, I left my job to take one closer to home, and with hours more conducive to taking care of a young girl.  With the job change also came a change in insurance.  Our old insurance covered surgery, our new insurance did not.  So, I chalked it up as not meant to be and kept on trucking.  And gained some more weight.

Earlier this year we received notification that my husband's (let's call him..."Coach") employer would be changing insurance provider.  This brought me new hope that maybe now they would be covering bariatric weight loss surgery.  I did the research on this new carrier...and they offered it.  I read everything they sent out.  Looks like Coach's employer would be offering it.  I called the carrier once we got our new cards.  They COVERED IT!!!!!  I went to an information session with a new surgeon (I still liked the old one, but was no longer in the vicinity of his practice every day, thus the change).  I waited patiently for the day my coverage began, reading everything I could find - what was their approval process,  how much was I going to have to pay out of pocket, which surgery would I prefer, and so much more.  Before my coverage even began, I knew that the carrier, in other states, had a pretty loose approval process - possibly less than 30 days.  I knew that I was going to be looking at $300 ($300!!!!) out of pocket for surgery.  Much less than the $3,000 I was looking at before.  I knew that I was more comfy with vertical sleeve over lap band.  I had a plan.  And I was gonna work that plan.

Thennnnn....the phone call.  I had to call and ask one more question.  And guess what.  They had just updated their system to show that Coach's employer excluded bariatric weight loss surgery.  

Disappointed didn't even begin to cover it.  This was over a week ago.  I went on vertical sleeve talk.com.  I researched some self pay options.  I even convinced myself for a while that Mexico was an option.  MEXICO!!!  Disclaimer:  If you are reading this and chose Mexico for WLS, I am not being critical of your decision.  I believe that it is a very valid option for many.  Just not me.  

However, I was considering it.  That lasted about 2 days.  

In the past year, I've had a huge reason to be very scared for my  health.  My father, on February 2nd, had a Total Artificial Heart with Freedom Driver implanted, and is currently on the heart transplant list. The condition of his heart can be directly related to weight.  And sadly, I have many of the same issues.  Overweight.  Meat and potatoes kinda girl (guy).  Sleep Apnea.  The list goes on and on.  And I am my father's daughter.  I promised my stepmom on February 2nd that I would take better care of myself.  And I plan on living up to that promise.  

This is where it begins.  

Next Up:  Goals

Followers!!!!!

OH. MY. WORD. I have followers. Two people have decided to tune in to what I have to say. NOW I’m scared. Heather even commented!!! My first blog comment!!! Thank you Heather! If I had something to give away, I’d send you a prize for being the first. But, alas – I’m broke. Hmm….How about a pen?

It’s a great pen….only slightly used ;-)

Heather’s comment pointed out that I’m greatly upbeat (is that the phrase you used?) about this process. I tend to try to be upbeat about everything. I guess that’s something I get from my mother. My mom died in 1998 from a brain tumor, and those final 6 weeks were filled with more laughs at the hands of mom’s jokes than I could list in a million years. Even facing the greatest trial of her life, she faced it with grace, humility, and hilarity.

Obviously, I don’t always succeed, and I’m sure there’s times to come where I am down right despondent about this process. I *want* to succeed, however, I am weak. I say this as I sip my Dr. Pepper. Only my first of the day – but the sweet tea at here at work SUCKS. I couldn’t even bring myself to get a Diet Dr. Pepper – I needed full on calories, sweetness, and deliciousness.

But – just to prove that I am human. I’m terrified. I’m terrified of the process. I’m terrified that I am going to go through the next 6 months only to get denied by my insurance. I’m terrified of going under anesthesia – I woke up once in the middle of oral surgery – to the surgeon having a nose bleed! What if I don’t like my new skinny self? Oh, that’s right – I’m doing this to be healthy. But still?? What if. What if. What if. And thus the reason I try to stay upbeat – so I can knock all the what ifs outta my head, even if it is only temporary.

I had eyeballed the week between Christmas and New Years for surgery – ummm…dummy Amy. That means Christmas meals on a liquid diet. Not the brightest idea I’ve ever had. But there’s always next year, right?

So, a little more about me J I am married – to a wonderful man, Casey. I’m sure you’ll hear me fuss about him in the future. He has the great pleasure of being 150 pounds. Soaking wet. With his heaviest sweater on. I knew I was in trouble when after a month of marriage he came skipping…yes…SKIPPING out of the bathroom ecstatic because he had gained 5 pounds. Squeeze me??? You are happy? “Well Amy, some people have a hard time gaining weight just like you have a hard time losing weight.” Ergh. Men. But I lub him very very much.

Casey has a 7 year old daughter who is the cat’s pajamas. She rocks. What else can I say?

Thanks for tuning in. I am going to try to be more diligent in posting.