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The call came during 4th block in school today.  I usually do not take calls during class, but I am so eager to get this done that I broke my own rule.  March 9th is the day my life will change!  I was a little disappointed that I have to wait six more weeks, but there is hope that after the endoscopy I can be filled in if someone else backs out.

I'm really psyched about this.  I know it will not be easy, but nothing I've done so far to lose weight has been. 

1/26/09  Got the results of my sleep study today.  Very mild case of sleep apnea.  Told to lose weight and avoid sleeping on my back.  No CPAP machine needed.  The diagnosis caught me by surprise because I don't snore.  Oh well, one more reason to proceed with the surgery.

Put another call into the surgeon's office.  No one returned my call.  If time wasn't such an important factor, I'd look for another one.

Finally heard from the surgeon's office today.  Want to schedule me for an endoscopy in Mid March.  MID MARCH?  My letter from the insurance company said my surgery date was Feb 23; now my endoscopy won't be until mid March.  It really upsets me.  

My BMI is getting really close to 40.  I've lost 30+ pounds since August.  I'm afraid to lose anymore, but more afraid that if I try to maintain my current wait I'll gain (I'm a great dieter, but an even better weight gainer).  It's such a Catch-22. I don't want to get out of diet mode, but I don't want to risk having the insurance company rescind authorization either.  My track record is not good with long-term weight loss, and I know that if I don't have this surgery my weight will continue to yo-yo.

Have to admit, though, that the person with whom I spoke seemed to understand my situation.  She said she'd talk to the nurse-coordinator and get back to me.  I hope by delaying this I'm not putting the surgery off even longer.

I'M NOT A HAPPY CAMPER.

I got the  letter of approval last Thursday.  I called Dr. Washington's office on Friday, but was brushed off (the receptionist stated they had heard nothing from the insurance company yet).  She told me they'd call when they heard.  I felt like she was saying, "Don't call us, we'll call you."  I'm familiar with that brush off.

Six days later and no phone call, so I called their office again.  I left a message for the  nurse/coordinator that I met in September.  She hasn't called me back yet.  I know I'm not their only patient, but I feel at this point I'm not even a patient of theirs.  I've done everything they have told me to do to date, exceeding their requirements.  I hope I have not invested the time and money for nothing.  Losing weight was not a waste, but I put out $250 for a shrink, paid $200 for the medifast products (for the required liquid diet prior to surgery), took time off work to go to the cardiologist and pulmonologist, made several trips to Bayshore for  nutrition counseling, and endured the sleep study.
I'm so frustrated I feel like crying!

Got the letter from Aetna yesterday that surgery has been approved.  I'm psyched.  I've been working on the process since 8/26/2008 when I went to see my PCP.  There have been so many delays.  Had to get the referral; had to wait to get the appointment with the surgeon (actually his coordinator); needed to be on a 3 month supervised diet. 
They finally submitted to aetna and I was approved.  In the interim I had the cadio clearance as well as the pulmonary clearance and sleep study.  I know there is still more to do before the surgery actually takes place.  However, I will do whatever it takes to get this surgery done so that I can become a healthier individual.