lauraloo76
My story starts further back than I can really remember. I have been overweight my whole life. My mom tells me that even when I was an infant, I would eat (nursing) and eat and eat until it would all come back up, like there was something missing inside me that told me to stop. As an adult, I have made poor eating choices, but I also feel like sometimes my body fights me too. Like everyone else, I have tried so many ways to lose weight. Somehow I managed to lose about 75 lbs about 6 years ago, but then managed to gain it all back and then some! 
My mom has always been overweight as well, and as her weight rose, so did a host of other problems, including her Type II Diabetes. A few years ago, she started investigating WLS. Turns out her insurance decided to cover it, so she decided to get a LapBand. I remember sitting in the hospital thinking that this was what was going to save my mom's life. Unfortunately, she had some problems with her band leaking and I'm not exactly sure what other problems over the next several months, and when her doctor went in to find out what was going on for sure, he decide to remove it. It broke her heart. 
She fought to get it replaced because it was the first time she can ever remember being full after a *normal* portion of food! In February 2007, she finally got her wish and was rebanded. She couldn't be happier. 
Meanwhile, I started investigating WLS for myself last year. My insurance covered it at the time, so I started jumping through their hoops. I went to a seminar and had my first consult with my chosen surgeon. I was in about month 4 of my 6 month *medically supervised* diet, including Meridia, when my employer changed insurance companies, and brought with it a big FAT exclusion....NO WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY! I was crushed.
My mom came to me about a month ago, and she and my dad had agreed to help me with part of the self pay costs, and I was able to get a loan for the rest! I am so lucky to have them supporting me in this! I immediately called and am scheduled for the seminar (new surgeon) on July 11 and my first consult on July 25. I am hoping to have surgery sometime early fall (but if they book me early, you won't hear me complain!).
I am excited to start on this journey. I know it is not just about the extra fat that I am carrying around, but it is about what is inside me too. I know I have been hiding behind my body for so long, I am excited to uncover the real me and get to know her! I am ready to be a healthier, stronger, and better version of myself! 
