I have my appointment

I have an appointment with Dr Argotte at Lourdes in Paducah, KY. One of the things I have to do is write a letter telling why I want to have the surgery. This is what I have so far. I'm not sure if I'll change it any or not.

Dr Argotte,

I want to have bariatric surgery because I have tried everything else. I have been overweight since elementary school. The first time I lost s significant amount of weight was my senior year in high school I lost 35 lbs following Eat and Stay Slim, which is an exchange diet. I have counted calories, done medifast (lost about 100 lbs), I followed the low carb diet (lost just over 50 lbs) I always gain it all back and then some.

As I approach 55 my health is getting progressively worse. I have high blood pressure (controlled), high cholesterol, high triglycerides, type II diabetes, hypothyroid disease, joint pain (left hip and right knee and hands) and stress incontinence. In the last year or so, my activity has become limited as I cannot get around like I want. I am active in my church’s children’s ministry and can no longer get down on the floor with the kids, getting in and out of the bathtub is a problem, and I can’t go for long walks like I used to.

I know this is a big step and will mean a drastic change in lifestyle, but I am committed to the change. I realize I will never be able to eat like I do now, but it will be worth it to be able to return to normal activity. My biggest concern, beside some normal surgery jitters is money. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and cannot afford to have the surgery if they won’t pay. I also will probably have to make payments on my part of the bill.
At this time I am interested in the gastric bypass, but am open to discussing the lap-band procedure.