6 month update

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Just thought I would share my 6 month update with you. I will not have my

bloodwork done until Dec 6, so don't know anything there. But I do know I have

lost a total of 62 pounds!!!! I am not officially under what I lost on Optifast

two years ago, so I feel like I am really losing now.

I've been seeing some tremendous losses out there. Can't say I'm not jealous,

and I have to talk to myself a lot, having never been a fast loser. I'm very

happy for everyone, and quite pleased at myself.

I still have told very few people about my surgery. My mother still doesn't

know, and she has too many physical problems going on for me to dump this on

her. Same goes for my dad. I won't deal with negativity, so that's why I

haven't told my brothers and sisters. My poor mom wants me to go off my diet

because she's worried that my head is so small...LOL!!!!

I guess my friend was right years ago when she called me a pinhead...

I had my surgery May 24, 2000. Cigna had denied me coverage, but agreed to pay

out-of-network costs in August on appeal. I have yet to see a penny. I am so

glad I went ahead and self-paid, I feel for you preops who are running into all

kinds of problems with your insurance co. I can't remember the times I have

called. When I sent the bills in, I also sent the letter stating they would

pay. I waited three weeks, then called. They didn't receive it. I know they

did because I traced it on the internet. So I faxed it to them. First they

didn't receive it, then they only received the hospital bill. They finally

admitted they had all the bills. Next, they sent the doctor and hospital bill

to an outside auditor. Now, last I heard, the hospital is supposed to resubmit

their bill because there was an error on it. I don't know if this means the

hospital will send me a check for the error or not. I truly understand why Dr.

R wants some of his money upfront! That I'm going to get any money back is

great, I didn't expect to get any, but after I received the letter saying they

would pay, hubby and I bought a new furnace and a/c. We used up our savings for

that, expecting to be reimbursed shortly. Wrong!!! We are leaving for Vegas

Dec 9, so we had to take money out of our retirement account for that. Not very

happy about that, but I will not be denied my vacation.

I was on a plateau for three weeks, and this week, Thanksgiving, lost 3 lbs.

That's never happened before on a holiday week.

I was pretty down last month, worrying about my mom and dad, both have cancer.

Thanks to all who wrote to me. I realize now that I really wasn't eating much

more than I usually do, but it was hard for me since that was always my crutch

when things weren't going right. That and a few beers, which is an absolute no

no now. I'm dealing a little better with things now.

Guess that's it. One thing, I'm sure I had my surgery when I did. It sound

like Dr. R. really wants a lot more things than he did when I was working on my

packet...and I felt that was one the hardest, most draining things I have ever

done.

Elaine in Indiana

MGB 5/24/00

240/178/140 (hopefully some day)