I was scheduled to get all of my evaluations done this week - nutritionist and dietician today and upper GI and abdominal ultrasound on Friday. I was anticipating getting everything to blue cross for evaluation next week and maybe even have a surgery date before the end of Feb. Woohoo!

Unfortunately, when I got to the place today I discovered that the surgeon's office had given me the WRONG TIME for my appointment. This would be fine if it wasn't the first time they've screwed up my schedule, and if I hadn't called last week to confirm and never got a call back. GRRRRR. Now the nutritionist isn't available for three weeks.

I know three weeks is nothing in the grand scheme of things, but I was so excited that after waiting months and months, I was almost done.

I. Am. So. Mad. :angry

ARGH, that would drive me freaking crazy. Dont they realise how much we have riding on those things and how much emotion we invest into it? When people just pass it off like it's nothing, its very cruel.

I totally understand what you're saying! Our surgeon seemed to want to slow us down, which ticked me off, lol. They have their program all setup (see this person this week, this person next, etc), so once you walk in the door you're on their timing.

By the way, expect another delay after all the appointments -- for the pre-op diet. Depending on your surgeon, the diet period can be 3 days or 3 months -- and the diet can be pure liquid, liquid / solids, or lo-fat Atkins. Of course you can always jump the gun on that one & start losing now. Since you've had your first appointment, they have your starting weight documented. If you start losing now, you may have their requirement done before they expect it! (Our surgeon requires a 10 pound loss. It differs from surgeon to surgeon -- I've heard as low as none & as high as 10% body weight.)

And THEN!!, when we were ready to schedule the surgery, he was going out of town for a seminar! I couldn't believe it! That put us back another month. Granted, we're talking Feb 13 & 15 rather then Jan 10, but still!!

Anyway, all that to say I'm sorry for what you're going through. Hope things speed up for you! (( Hugs!! ))

At least your doc didn't decide to break away from his group right when you were ready to get a date. I was already approved for surgery, had everything done but a date and when I asked for a date was told that my surgeon was leaving the practice and they didn't know what they were going to do about his patients at the time. I cried and cried...I was in shock...then I got mad...called back and they offered to call up a local surgeon in the area to see if he could take me on as a patient. Fortuantly there was a cancelation for a consult, I got in and got a date pretty quickly. I only ended up a month behind my fellow lapbanders that got to be the previous doctors last surgeries before changeing the practice set up. Every delay is very emotionally stressful for us. I think we pin all our hopes and dreams on this surgery because most of us see this as our last and only way to finally loose the weight. Unless you have struggled with weight I don't think anyone can truelly appreciate how emotional and stressful the entire process is and how every delay can feel like the end of the world.

Melissa

Thanks guys, I think I just needed to let off some steam. The scheduler guy apologized and is going to try to squeeze me in earlier if he can. I hope they don't spring any other requirements on me! The silver lining in all this is I found out that the surgeons get together every friday to review everyone's file and decide who is really an appropriate candidate. That's a good thing to know. Otherwise, I would've hounded them every day of the week after my evals were complete. Now I know I only need to hound them on Mondays - haha!

Melissa - how awful for you. Of all the bad luck. I'm glad it worked out though. I'm pretty sure my surgeon isn't going anywhere, but if he does, I will not hesitate to TP his house. Mature? no. Satisfying? Oh yes.