claude L.
Hello everyone, I’m a married 42 year old father of two boys (11 & 15). I have been over weight every since I was 25. (I got a full time job and became less active). Recently during a period of road rage a woman called me a “Fat Basturd” because I made an illegal U-turn. I just could not stop thinking about of all the things she could have called me, she choose to define me by those terms. (I’m African American; I wear Glasses, come on anything but fat!) It made me think about my appearance. It also made me realize that I have been avoiding things in my life and events with my family because of my weight. (Roller coasters, Gyms, Wicker Furniture, etc.). I come from a family of big eaters and big people. Food has always defined our happiness. My father is diabetic and it has required him to go through multiple amputations. My older brother is also diabetic. Soooo I figured unless I want to go down the same path, I better do something to improve my health. Let the journey begin…..The first slap in the face was when I called my insurance company and they asked me if I have done a 6 month diet. I replied that I have been on a diet for the last 15 years. You name the diet and I have done it. They want a physician supervised diet, I did one but it was more than 2 years ago and NutriSystems does not count. So one more diet won’t kill me. All I got out of this “Supervised” diet was a torn Achilles tendon over exercising. Prior to that diet I dropped from my peak of 340 to 300 on my own. I have plateau, I have been fighting 300 for two years. I just cannot break that 300-295 range even if I starve myself. Well, I have done it, I have submitted my paperwork to my insurance company for approval. I have reviewed their requirements and I meet them, +40 BMI and 6 month physician supervised diet. Now I am waiting for my insurance companies response. I am not really worried since I worked for a insurance company in claims processing so I know the system. I provided the 6 month diet from a certified physician, documentation of prior diets in the last 2 years and copies of prescriptions of Actos for my pre-diabetes. This is weird, I am diagnosis as Pre-diabetic. This means my numbers are heading towards being diabetic (but I am not yet full diabetic) but this is prevented by taking the medication for diabetes - Actos. Does this mean that I do not have a co-morbidity of diabetes??? Wouldn’t it be sad if I needed to stop taking my medication for diabetes so I can get full diabetes so I can get the surgery to cure my diabetes. Wow that make my head hurt just thinking about it..
Anyway I’m just here waiting for my approval.
