My Gastric Sleeve

Weight Loss Surgery - A Cosmetic Procedure?

 
I made it through the rest of the work week, but I was definitely dragging come Friday afternoon. I got home, fell into bed, and slept like a baby. Today, Saturday, I'm taking it easy, doing a little writing, paying bills, but most of all just resting.

Speaking of paying bills, my health insurance company refused to pay one single cent towards the cost of my gastric sleeve. When I called them to ask why, they informed me that weight loss surgery was considered a cosmetic procedure.

Weight Gain - Childhood Obesity and Teenage Anorexia

This picture was taken a few years before my weight problems started. (As you can tell, I was crazy about animals, even as a little kid.)

Despite everything my parents tried, I had lousy eating habits. I loved chocolate, and even at the age of ten could eat my way through a package of my favorite cookies in less than a day. Worse, I hated--and still do hate--the taste and texture of most fruits and vegetables. Add that to the fact that I would rather stay inside and read a book than play physical games, and you have a recipe for childhood obesity.

By the time I was eight, people were not-so-tactfully noting that I hadn't "lost all my baby fat." By the time I was ten, I was a real chunk. Kids are not kind about that kind of thing. I wouldn't say I was exactly "bullied" at that age, but I did face a lot of teasing and jokes about my size. At twelve, I started reading every book I could get my hands on about calories and healthy dieting. I was usually able to follow the suggestions for a day or two before I gave up and went back to my usual style of eating.