His mouth could easily wolf down my entire phone in a single chomp... My little man. ❤😀

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 30, 2014 at 4:22pm PDT

{ Love love LOVE } #lovethejourney #boldleaps #vsg #prevsg #wls #weightlosssurgery #weightlossjourney #myweightlossjourney #healthyme

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 28, 2014 at 7:47am PDT

Just waiting on the doc to call me back for my psychological evaluation! Here we go! #vsg #prevsg #psycheval #weightlosssurgery #wls #whyamisonervous

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 23, 2014 at 9:08am PDT

Today is my psych eval... Ahhh! I'm thinking scheduling it the day before the 2nd anniversary of my Dad dying was probably not the most intelligent thing I've done. *soooooo emotional* #vsg #prevsg #weightlosssurgery #wls #bariatricsurgery

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 23, 2014 at 4:20am PDT

He got a boo boo & chose a Hello Kitty bandaid... Because he is a grown ass man and can make his own decisions. Please note the Spider-Man t-shirt... LOL

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 17, 2014 at 12:42pm PDT

One year ago (yesterday)... The Color Run in Lansing, MI I wanted to run the damn thing but the reality was a lot less triumphant. I can't wait to see what one year from today holds! From baby steps to {BOLD LEAPS}! #boldleaps #vsg #prevsg #wls

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 14, 2014 at 2:46pm PDT

I was tagged by @sleevie_nicks & @olivejuice918 Soooo, 20 things about me... Where to begin?!?! -1- I.Am.Loud -2- i enjoy coffee (plain black coffee) far too much. -3- I am 36 years old. -4- I live in Northern Michigan (no, not the Upper Peninsula, the part that looks like a mitten. In fact, I'm on the 2nd knuckle of your left hand index finger...RIGHT NOW) -5- I have two amazingly chaotic, loud, brilliant, crazy, creative children and wouldn't trade them for anything. -6- I married my best friend almost 13 years ago. 💍 -7- my given name is Joanna but most people call me Joi (pronounced Joey not Joy)-8- <~~ I think that looks like a snowman. But not as much as this ~~> ⛄ -9- I'm pretty artsy~fartsy (i basically hate the word "crafty"). -10- i also detest the words: MOIST, TITTIES & VISCOUS. -11- I've designed costumes in NYC🗽 , been a nanny, managed a skating rink, been a photograpHER 📷 & seasonal help @ both Yellowstone Nat'l Park ♨ & Cedar Point🎢. -12- I think dimes are the cutest denomination of money. -13- I love to sing🎤 -14- I'd love to have chickens 🐓🐣 but the man has denied me... Damn the Man! -15- I am an art/sewing supply hoarder.🎨✂ -16- I love hardcover books 📘📖📗 -17- I love getting my hands in the soil & TRYING to be a gardener. 🌿🌻🍃🌷 -18- I have had my sleeve designed for nearly 10 years but haven't even started it because I want it tattooed on a smaller canvas. -19- I have been over 200 lbs since I was 14 (so ready to see that come to an end). -20- I am not interesting enough to have 20 facts about me. 😜 I'm calling out : @adeefisch @thesweatybetty @bettiebakesalot @ericafitlove @thelovelyaphrodite @lyfejurnee @cassielynnallert @vsg_grind @jcbjcksn @lapbandit @elizabeth_luna_ @bananasavocadosonionsohmy @gastricsleevepirate @hannahpwntana @chump_tastic @hildebollen @fluffy2fierce @mommagotsleeved @sleeved_cupcake @my_new_mee @mrszombie_rny @bloodsweatandglitter @underconstruction78

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 13, 2014 at 8:41pm PDT

SOOOOO proud of my sister's progress. She is one month #postop for her #vsg and is already 32 lbs down! She is amazing! #wls #weightlosssurgery #proudsister

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 13, 2014 at 5:17pm PDT

Consultation time! #vsg #prevsg #wls

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 11, 2014 at 5:51am PDT

Stop, Drop & Selfie. Snuggling with my two favorite hooligans. #lovethesekids #smooches #stopdropselfie @olivejuice918

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 2, 2014 at 6:48pm PDT

The road so far

This is the road traveled with my weight loss surgery experience...
*This is for my current process.  I started pursuing wls in 2006 and several months into the process we ended up losing our health insurance.

May 02, 2014

• Spoke to my primary care physician about wanting to pursue Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy
• This is day one of my six month doctor supervised weight loss attempt
• Weight: 276

May 15, 2014

• Attended a seminar on weight loss surgery 
• Got my packet full of information and papers to fill out 

June 02, 2014

• Month 2 documentation with my primary care physician 
• Requested a formal referral letter to be sent to the surgeons group for insurance
• Weight: 272 

June 10, 2014 

• My sister had her VSG done

July 1, 2014

• Month 3 documentation
• Weight: 266

So, I'm sure I'm missing some goodies in there time has gotten away from me and I can't believe I am already 1/3 of the way to my surgery!  Is this for real??

I did have a hiccup, that sadly I was anticipating but was crossing my fingers that it wouldn't be the case.  I confirmed that the surgery will take up the remainder of my max out of pocket expenses with my insurance. Our individual rate is higher with this insurance policy than  we have ever had before and I'll have to pay the full $6350 out and then they will pick up the remainder. I've already paid some medical bills that have taken this amount down somewhat, but it is still a bigger financial hit than we are generally ready to take.  I am determined to make it work... my heart is so set on this. I'm just not sure HOW yet.  ;) 

I'll be more diligent about updating more regularly.  The end of the school year and the start of summer vacation has gotten the better of me.  

I have my consultation with my surgeon next Friday, July 11th.  I'm very excited to get all of the preliminary requirements in order and under way.  <3

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 1, 2014 at 9:52am PDT

I know time seems to go by much more quickly but this is crazy fast! I'm not complaining one little bit. Meeting with my primary care physician in less than an hour for month 3 documentation. My consultation with my surgeon is next week (we bumped it back a month) and I can't wait. #vsg #prevsg #wls #twodownfourtogo

A photo posted by @losinghergainingme on Jul 1, 2014 at 5:16am PDT