Hey! I joined this site almost a month ago and have been sorta OCDish about reading as much as I can. I spoke to my family doctor three days ago about the surgery. He sent me for some labs and told me that he would get the referral for me. He was really impressed that I knew so much about the surgery and what to expect

Today I got a call from the surgeon's office and they told me that the first step I need to take with them is to attend an informational seminar. I am going September 8th at 11:30am to a seminar in Cedar Falls, IA. (Anybody else by chance going to this seminar?!) I'm nervous about it so my mom is going with me.

Hopefully I can get this surgery done ASAP because my mother (who will be my caretaker and also take care of my son while I recover) has to have surgery to have her knee replaced, and the doctor told her that her surgery would most likely happen before then end of September. So we want me to get my surgery and recover before she has hers since they say she will be laid up for a long time.

Welcome to the board...and I feel like you I want to get this done ASAP...I did attend my seminar already and it was very informational from the docs. point of view but be ready with any questions that you may have as they are really open to that. I hope your mother's surgery goes well also...be sure to keep us updated on her as well as your journey....

Hey I am going to my seminar on August 30 2010. However, I am in Alabama.

You might call your insurance company before then and find out what they require. Some insurance companies require different testing and such than others before surgery. If your primary doctor could send you for as many of the tests before you see the surgeon, you'd be ahead of the game. Some surgeon's require you to see a doctor they refer to though, so once you find out what your insurance company requires for testing call the surgeon's office and see if they require you to see anyone specific, if they do, find out who and see if your primary doc will refer you to them. That way you can go into the surgeon's office after the seminar ready to go. Since you aren't going to the seminar until September 8th and your Mother's surgery is probably gonna be at the end of September, you will be quite crunched for time there. The testing is what really seems to hold the process up.

Congratulations.

I am in the same way . Since deciding to have the surgery, I have read and read and READ!

Best of luck to ya!