Take a deep breath, then take one step at a time! First, make the call, then take it from there. Keep a list of what you need to do. Be organized, and it will be less overwhelming!!

Sometimes we engage in self-destructive behavior out of fear - fear of change, fear of failure, fear of the unknown. Try not to be afraid of moving forward! You deserve to feel happy and healthy. You might want to start writing in a journal about how all of this is making you feel, or even seeing a therapist. I had therapy for a year before I ever started the process of having WLS just so that I felt comfortable about where I was at mentally and emotionally.

Also, even if the doctors do tell you that you can't have surgery, you are NOT stuck in a body that causes you pain. You will just have to take a different road to get to your goal, and you can do that!!

People will treat you differently when you lose weight. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but don't even be concerned with how others will treat you. Be concerned about how you treat YOURSELF. What is it about being treated differently that you are afraid of? I do feel I have been treated differently since losing weight, but it's been positive. People are supportive and proud and that helps when you are going through so much change. Also, I have more confidence and people see that and respond to that, and that is definitely different than before. If people treat you differently in a negative way, maybe those are people you don't need to interact with.

Call the doctor, and take the first step. You can totally do it, and you will be glad you did!

It can be daunting, but like Garber6th said, take a breath. Everyone is scared at first. Scared that the insurance company will say no and then what are we supposed to do? And scared that it will say yes and are we ready to make this huge, lifelong change? You are so not alone! As for eating everything in sight right now, that just a knee jerk reaction. You can get that under control, just take that breath.

Depending on your weight and possible co-morbidity issues (high blood pressure, diabetes, dibilitating joint damage to name a few) you will probably qualify or your doctor wouldn't have given you the number to get the ball rolling. Frankly, my bariatric surgoen's office did all the insurance stuff for me, so if you can throw it to a baratric team, do so. They are the experts after all. I qualified on weight alone as I was 386 pounds at my biggest. Point being, depending on your weight, you might not need anything more to qualify.

I too had constant back and knee pain and my mobility was shot. I'm not to goal yet (I lose slow and stall often) but two weeks ago I walked the south rim of the Grand Canyon, just to give you an idea of what you have to look forward to as the weight comes off! This is a great tool! I am regaining my life as well as my mobility! Getting the sleeve was the best thing I've ever done for myself!

Hang in there girl. Don't let the insurance company and all it's complications get you down. LIke Garber6th also said, make notes, get everything you need together, and stay organized. If this is important enough to you, you can make this happen.

Pat